Gen III Coupe Seat Selection

[nskaats]

I have a set of Sparco EVO IIs that were given to me by a friend/customer for my coupe. I've always loved them in Corvettes on course and on the street. BUT Sparco isn't making them anymore and another customer may want to buy them from me. I'm wondering if there's something else out there that might fit the chassis better while still being comfortable enough to drive on the street now and then while offering the necessary support for track use.

What is everyone using?

[bil1024]

I am using the stock seats, suit me fine

[Logan]

Do you care about their rating? Having an FIA rated seat is required per some organizations rulebooks, and just like helmets or harnesses they need to be replaced every few years, even if they're in pristine condition. Such is the cost of "Controlled/Guaranteed Safety" of those items. All rated seats will be fixed back, no reclining backs. Having an FIA-rated seat costs more, naturally. Probably a minimum of $500/seat, but more commonly $1-2k/seat. All the way up to Race Tech or Tillet at $5k+ per seat.

If you don't care about the rating, then there are many more options. Sit in as many as you can and make a decision...it's as personal a fit as a pair of shoes. Corbeau makes several models that folks here on the forum have used, with or without reclining backs. Starting at $300-800/seat will get you nice quality and features.

Seats have been one of the hardest parts of my build so far. I'm still not thrilled with the Kirkey roadracing seats, but they are at least extremely lightweight. I am adapting them to work for now, but I can see myself replacing them at some point. Do you need to mount your seats on sliders? Do you care about reclining backs? Heated seat elements? 6-point harness compatibility?

[Dave Tabor]

I'm using Kirkey 65 series seats.

Key for me was:

light weight
can order the width you want
can adjust the seatback height (it's a 2-piece seat)
removable/washable seatcovers
5/5 point harness compatible

The 2 piece was nice- I have the driver seat on 1" tubes and sliders but I could lower the seatback as to not hit the side of the upper rollbar. And get the ideal shoulder belt angles.

Got a 16" that fits me well and a 17" for the passenger side- all the way down and back, no slider - everyone fits.

I've had the covers off about twice a year for washing- think sweaty/dust track days.

Dave
Gen III #17

[nskaats]

Do you care about their rating? Having an FIA rated seat is required per some organizations rulebooks, and just like helmets or harnesses they need to be replaced every few years, even if they're in pristine condition. Such is the cost of "Controlled/Guaranteed Safety" of those items. All rated seats will be fixed back, no reclining backs. Having an FIA-rated seat costs more, naturally. Probably a minimum of $500/seat, but more commonly $1-2k/seat. All the way up to Race Tech or Tillet at $5k+ per seat.

If you don't care about the rating, then there are many more options. Sit in as many as you can and make a decision...it's as personal a fit as a pair of shoes. Corbeau makes several models that folks here on the forum have used, with or without reclining backs. Starting at $300-800/seat will get you nice quality and features.

Seats have been one of the hardest parts of my build so far. I'm still not thrilled with the Kirkey roadracing seats, but they are at least extremely lightweight. I am adapting them to work for now, but I can see myself replacing them at some point. Do you need to mount your seats on sliders? Do you care about reclining backs? Heated seat elements? 6-point harness compatibility?

FIA seats would be a bonus, I know I'll get checked a few times. Fixed back is perfectly fine with me. Sliders would be nice too. I'm building this car with the intention of taking a variety of people to different events to drive with me. I really don't plan to do many events without a co-driver, this one is being built to drive.

Customer let the wife test fit these EVO IIs and she wasn't in love with them. They do fit me perfect, they're just a bit big for the chassis. I guess worst case I might be able to do a little bit of discreet trimming and have them reupholstered. There's a TON of options out there but it's impossible to know how well they'll fit the car until you see them in there.

[nskaats]

I'm using Kirkey 65 series seats.

Key for me was:

light weight
can order the width you want
can adjust the seatback height (it's a 2-piece seat)
removable/washable seatcovers
5/5 point harness compatible

The 2 piece was nice- I have the driver seat on 1" tubes and sliders but I could lower the seatback as to not hit the side of the upper rollbar. And get the ideal shoulder belt angles.

Got a 16" that fits me well and a 17" for the passenger side- all the way down and back, no slider - everyone fits.

I've had the covers off about twice a year for washing- think sweaty/dust track days.

Dave
Gen III #17

Different sizes might actually be a good idea. I didn't consider that before, but if I change it up a wider seat on the passenger side would make sense. Not everyone riding is the same size...and my wife does have some hips.