Modified Corvette Seats
- Thread starter Brett Proctor
- Start date
Brett Proctor
Well-known member
The eom tracks wont work in the sterling because of how they mounted to the floor so I went with aftermarket tracks. I think I used tracks from Sparco seats. I remember looking for the lowest profile tracks that I could find.
When I made the buck for the molds the center opening in the oem seat base was sealed off. (as you can see in some of the pictures).
So the oem seat tracks were not used, you don't need them
This is what the tracks that I found look like. The release handle needed to get bent up a little other wise there was no clearance between the handle and the floor. I'll see if I can find some pictures of the tracks mounted.
Post #4 shows the tracks mounted on the new base.
When I made the buck for the molds the center opening in the oem seat base was sealed off. (as you can see in some of the pictures).
So the oem seat tracks were not used, you don't need them
This is what the tracks that I found look like. The release handle needed to get bent up a little other wise there was no clearance between the handle and the floor. I'll see if I can find some pictures of the tracks mounted.
Post #4 shows the tracks mounted on the new base.
Corvette Seats
This is the finish results for the "Modified Corvette Seats" thread. I wanted to finish it but because of the falling out that happen in the previous thread I thought I would finish it in a new post and leave the previous post alone. Well the bottom line is they work great. I made two...
www.sterlingkitcars.com
Last edited:
Brett Proctor
Well-known member
Is getting your existing seats reupholstered an option??
nbb350
Active member
My seats have bigger problems than just the looks. The base is pretty thick and heavy - full steel perimeter frame - and they have no tracks because they would take away from my headroom. I'd like to add tracks so I can scoot the seat forward and recline more so I can see out the side windows without ducking. (I'm 6'-3" and admit this car wasn't the smartest purchase for my height...lol...but hindsight is 20/20)
nbb350
Active member
I picked up the seats this week - they're not pretty now, but they'll probably look good with new covers. And they're nice and lightweight compared to my current seats. These will most likely be a winter project...my current seats are a beeyatch to install/remove, so I'm not going to pull them while the weather is still nice here. I still need to buy tracks too; probably a set like you've shown above.
Brett, do these seats actually RECLINE much? or mostly just go from a sitting position with a little bit of recline to a forward position? Just wondering if my seats are "sticking" or working as designed because they don't recline much at all...
Brett, do these seats actually RECLINE much? or mostly just go from a sitting position with a little bit of recline to a forward position? Just wondering if my seats are "sticking" or working as designed because they don't recline much at all...
Brett Proctor
Well-known member
Check to see if the recline mechanism is working. I had one that wasn't working (locked up). Don't remember how much travel they have. If you would like I can remove one of mine and measure how much travel it has.
I took some material off the stops to get more recline out of the seat.
Also I think I had to removed material from the seat shells to eliminate any binding between the two.
Recline of the seat is around 20-25 degrees
Brett Proctor
Well-known member
Just a heads up.
If your going to use seat tracks Make sure you make modifications to the buck to accept them. (I didn't)
I just installed the tracks that came with the NRG seat and I had to do some cutting to the seat base to get them to fit.
They work with no issues. I used those because the handle is angled up in the front and gives more clearance from the handle to the floor.
The old tracks I had were shimmed a little to clear the base but the handle doesn't angle up (goes straight out) so there is zero clearance from the handle to the floor. Made it a pain to adjust the seat. These NRG tracks make it easy to adjust the seat and I didn't need to use shims for the track to clear the base, but I did need to do some cutting.
I only ordered one set of tracks so the passenger side is bolted solid in place. I may get another pair later on.
If your going to use seat tracks Make sure you make modifications to the buck to accept them. (I didn't)
I just installed the tracks that came with the NRG seat and I had to do some cutting to the seat base to get them to fit.
They work with no issues. I used those because the handle is angled up in the front and gives more clearance from the handle to the floor.
The old tracks I had were shimmed a little to clear the base but the handle doesn't angle up (goes straight out) so there is zero clearance from the handle to the floor. Made it a pain to adjust the seat. These NRG tracks make it easy to adjust the seat and I didn't need to use shims for the track to clear the base, but I did need to do some cutting.
I only ordered one set of tracks so the passenger side is bolted solid in place. I may get another pair later on.
nbb350
Active member
I didn't even think about making the Passenger side FIXED...duh...it doesn't need to adjust! oh well, I already ordered Two brackets, so at least I'll have a "backup" if one is wonky.
I "measured" the angle of my existing seats at full recline (using two sticks and a vise-grip to make an angle-finder) and compared it to the Corvette seats - pretty darn close! probably "close enuf" to work.
I "measured" the angle of my existing seats at full recline (using two sticks and a vise-grip to make an angle-finder) and compared it to the Corvette seats - pretty darn close! probably "close enuf" to work.
nbb350
Active member
as usually happens to me, those seat brackets went on sale today as part of Amazon's Prime Day sales...
...so if you want to buy another set of tracks, buy today for 23% off! https://www.amazon.com/Racewill-Mounting-Assembly-Aftermarket-Universal/dp/B0B5TDMN62?th=1
...so if you want to buy another set of tracks, buy today for 23% off! https://www.amazon.com/Racewill-Mounting-Assembly-Aftermarket-Universal/dp/B0B5TDMN62?th=1
Brett Proctor
Well-known member
Thanks for the heads up.
I may have to pass on it. Saving up for the paint.
I may have to pass on it. Saving up for the paint.
Brett Proctor
Well-known member
In the process of getting ready to start making "modified Corvette seats 2.0"
This will be modifications to the base that will lower the seat about a 1/2" more.
As nnb350 said "every little bit helps" and this will give a little more room at the steering wheel.
Had to order more resin. The stuff I had didn't survive the winter.
Molds will be made first and then the part.
Thinking of omitting the back rest recline mechanism. Thought it would be a cool feature, but I don't use it. That will give more room for the seat cushion to fit in the base.
This will be modifications to the base that will lower the seat about a 1/2" more.
As nnb350 said "every little bit helps" and this will give a little more room at the steering wheel.
Had to order more resin. The stuff I had didn't survive the winter.
Molds will be made first and then the part.
Thinking of omitting the back rest recline mechanism. Thought it would be a cool feature, but I don't use it. That will give more room for the seat cushion to fit in the base.