Modified Corvette seats 2.0

[Brett Proctor]

This is a effort to gain more head room to the already modified Corvette seats
Right now there is around .25" clearance on both sides of the seat base.

Removing and disassembling the seat

I used the oem blind screws that bolted the bracket to the seat base, but after having to remove them again from the modified base some didn't do so well and I may have to find something else to bolt the 2 together
Just bt inserting a screw and tapping with a hammer the old insert comes out

Center of old base removed (the high spot). Now its just sealing that opening

Now its just a matter of cleaning it up and sealing that opening then make a mold

 

[Brett Proctor]

Well I got the Bucks/Plugs ready for making a mold from.

Went to primer them and found out I didn't have enough primer so I just put down a couple coats of paint only.
Had a bunch of pin holes that I didn't catch but this is just a seat shell that nobody will ever see so I'm ok with it.

I'll give the paint a few days to cure and then I'll start making the molds.
Kind of hard to see the pin holes because of the reflection on the paint but they are there. I hope that when I apply the mold release wax that the wax will fill in some of the holes. But like I said this part will bolt face down to the pan so nobody will ever see it.

 

[farfegnubbin]

Looking good. That should be a nice, subtle improvement when done.

 

[Brett Proctor]

OK things are going to start happening

I had enough glass in stock but no resin to build these. Resin came in and I can now start building the molds.
I have 1 other concern. I don't know if I have enough gelcoat to do 2 molds and 2 parts, so I ordered more gelcoat.

I have enough gelcoat for 1 mold and 1 part for sure so I'm going to build the drivers side now and when the order comes in I'll make the passengers side.
Thats the plan for now

 

[Brett Proctor]

First layer of glass went down with no issues.

 

[Brett Proctor]

Manage to get the drivers side seat base made.

Very happy with the additional head clearance that I got from doing this new base.
I have about 2 inches of head clearance now.

I removed the reclined mechanism and the seat is bolted to the pan. ( No seat tracks) This gave me big gains.

I'll get started making the passengers side today

 

[Brett Proctor]

OK a quick update
Got the seat bolted in place and I have .75" head room not 2" as previously stated. First statement was made before the seat got bolted in.
Maybe the front of the seat wasn't touching the pan and it had a more recline position.
I suppose I could shim the front of the seat and try to get some of that headroom back if I had to.

 

[Brett Proctor]

Both sides are done and installed.
The major difference is in the old setup the front of the base was shimmed by about .75" and this gave the driver a more lay back seating position.
The new configuration has the driver sitting more upright, yet head clearance is about the same. A little better than the layback setup.
A big noticeable difference in the new setup is the clearance between the steering wheel and my legs. A lot more room. So much more that I can actually use the tilt steering wheel and get in and out easier.

Remember that the new setup is bolted to the pan flat with no shims installed .