At a local (Tucson Az ) dealership - Watson Cheverolet

 

Confirming Brokerbiker's "thumb into foam" test, as I found exactly the same thing when, before we were allowed to sit on the seats last April, that was the only test I could do.

The actual difference between seat cushioning is between a foam density of 4.2 pounds per square foot for comp seats versus 3.4 pounds per cubic foot for the GT seats, e.g., 20% denser foam in the competition seats.

 

Just found the only dealer in four states with the competition seats. I went for a drive to have a seat.
Absolutely love the competition seats.
I'm 6'2 220lbs. I have wide shoulders, and longer legs then torso. The seats couldn't feel more comfortable to me.
It had Napa leather which I think felt better then the suede inserts on the normal seats.
My only issue I know I'll have with this car, is helmet clearance. Oh well, lol

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I don't own a Stingray yet but sat in one at a dealer recently and was very happy with comp seats. Its a must order for me and I'd daily drive it. I loved them especially when compared to the base seats which prior to sitting in the comp seats seemed like a great improvement from the C6s.

 

Good info. here guys thanks!

 

Something I didn't see until recently:

Our heavily optioned test car also furnished us with an opportunity to sample the Stingray’s available Competition Sport seats for the first time. We’re happy to report that these aggressively bolstered buckets pinched the editorial love handles no more aggressively than did the base GT seats on our last C7 tester, and were arguably more comfortable all around. (Certainly they inspired added confidence during our Hwy 74 strafing run.)

2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray Blows Its Top - Vette Magazine

Take that for what it is, and add it with the first hand experiences here and I am glad I stuck with the seats on my order.

 

FWIW, repeatedly sat, back to back in the five StingRays at NAIAS. Got their early, wasn't a public day, so as there were five cars for folks to sit in, was able to sit in the one with the comp seats for a half hour. It was very, very comfortable. At 6', 160 pounds it was a fantastically fitting seat. After another back-to-back round of sitting in the GT seat, back and forth again, I concluded that I will, however, be enthusiastically enjoying the standard GT seats in my '15 Z06. First, while both seats were very, very comfortable and form fitting in a positive way, the GT seats were also like getting home and enjoying unwinding in my favorite relaxing chair. Second, after sitting in the comp seat for a half hour straight, with its noticeable 20% firmer seat cushions and backing foam, I found that with little padding on my butt, while not yet uncomfortable, when factoring in that we often drive our Corvettes long, long distances (12 hour days not unusual once a year and with many 10 hour days yearly), I was concerned that we would have "numb butt" two-thirds of the way through those long driving days. Must add that I am not a track person other than very rarely, and that were I to be a track person, would buy the comp seats.

 

I found that with little padding on my butt, while not yet uncomfortable, when factoring in that we often drive our Corvettes long, long distances (12 hour days not unusual once a year and with many 10 hour days yearly), I was concerned that we would have "numb butt" two-thirds of the way through those long driving days. Must add that I am not a track person other than very rarely, and that were I to be a track person, would buy the comp seats.

Do you think a supplemental seat pad atop the Comp Seat (which would provide the option of more comfort during extended driving, or once removed retention of aesthetic appeal or additional support when needed such as during track conditions) would be a suitable alternative to going with the GT seats?

 

Have tried seat pads in the past, but none worked well, especially would not work for your suggestion, but hopefully others have specific recommendations that work well.

 

Brokerbiker,

You mention that the comp seats have "better" side bolsters (adjustable). One thing I've been wondering is if the comp seats are narrower to begin with or are they adjustable to the same width if that makes sense. Your thoughts having sat in both?

 

I will take measurement of my seat and respond back to you- sorry for delay, as I have been busy.


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I wanted to add an off-the-wall suggestion for those of you wanting to take a test sit in a comp seat when so few dealers seem to have them. I have tell you just a bit of TMI about me for you to know how I came up with this though.

So, first, I've got a really screwed up right knee. Just like I think Broker was explaining, it hurts when I get in some seats that are too high or lift me too much in the front. I need my seat adjusted unlike most - very low to the floor, and not tilted up AT ALL in the front. Otherwise, I get that 'bar stool' stretch that is painful to my knee - especially if I have to sit in it for very long periods of time.

Second, well, I'm a girl built like a real girl, not a model girl, and I am wider in the bottom than the top, and my thighs are soft. I've had some pain before just getting into and out of some super sporty seats with super firm high bolsters in the BOTTOM of the seat.

There, of course, is no adjustment at all to the bolsters in the seat bottom. However, they are, I'm stuck with them. SO, I insisted we do an extended weekend rental of a C7 so I could test the seats before giving the thumbs up on the purchase. We did that last month in Phoenix.

So, I have to say that in the first 15 min of sitting in the rental, I was in severe pain in my hip and back. In a total unique situation, I had no problems getting in and out of the seats, but I had a feeling like the bottom bolsters were pushing me in and twisting me. After our first stop, I crammed my sweatshirt in between the bottom bolsters lifting me up out of the well a bit, and I did OK. For the remainder of the rental I borrowed a lap blanket from the hotel room, folded it over multiple times until it was about an inch thick, and I was perfectly comfortable. I did also try stopping at Kohl's for an actual long skinny pillow to shove down there, but that DID NOT work. You have to be able to place your cushion down and then sit and twist your legs in, so the fat pillow moved around too much. (I'm adding this for those thinking of getting a cushion as elegant mentioned.) I actually asked someone on another forum to measure the rectangle between the bolsters for me, and have purchased an inflatable lumbar support pillow with holes that I plan to try out / hope is my final answer. One of the things I hated about the blanket as my lifting mechanism is I was blocking the cool air flow coming up thru the seat bottom. So, I specifically looked for a holey / ventilated booster seat cushion.

Now on to the 'sitting' thing. We did the rental in PHOENIX, where Bondurant is. My husband told me as we were on our last day that Bondurant has all comp seats in their fleet. My eyes popped out. I JUST figured out how to make the regular seats work for me, and now I had to deal with seats 20% firmer when we do our PREPAID 2-day Bondurant training later this year? Ugh! So, we went by Bondurant, but on that day there were drag races going on next door, so nobody was around that could even open one of the cars for me to sit in. I DID complain to the sales guy though, and he offered to let me sit as long as I want in the comp seats in the Bondurant car at Laguna Seca for the IMSA race in May. He'll have his display there for the full two days. I am taking my new cushion to give it a test sit and see if it is going to work or I need to try some kind of Plan B!

So, no idea where you all live or if it is a viable option for you.... but Bondurant will have such a display with at least one of their cars at all the IMSA races this year and I'm sure many other 'car events' across the country. We actually did that pay in full thing at Barrett Jackson in Reno last August. Maybe you tall guys need to go sit in the Bondurant car with a helmet on to test it out and see if you'd be comfortable if you went to racing school? Just a thought! Cameron the sales manager will for sure let anyone sit in the cars. Regardless of your ACTUAL reason for going to see him, it is a comp seat sitting option!

Cheers,

 

Yes. The Competition Seats are noticeably firmer and there previously was a post addressing density numbers.


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These seats are great I have them on my 3LTZ51. If I didn't get them I would of regretted it, I have went on an 1 1/2 drive and they feel great. Love them, also they look awesome

 

Here my suede competition seats in my 3LT-Z51 M7 with the upper suede package , I love the way it feels

 

Ok just wanted to say one more time, i love my competition seats. One more time they are great. If you have a wide upper body you might not like them because your shoulders would stick out past the upper bolsters. Just a little food for thought. I am 175 pounds and im a marathon runner so i guess that might be why i love them so much, my shoulders are not that wide. Honestly though find a dealer with a car with the competition seats in them and see if you like them before you go drop $2,000 on them.

 

The bottom section looks similar, but doesn't feel that way at all


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I'm currently driving a 2000 CTS-V with Recaro seats. I have found the sweet spot and love them. What differences would I notice between those seats and the Stingray competition seats? Your experience could help me decide which way to go.

Jud



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I bought the competition seats in my Corvette and I love them! I wanted to post a You Tube video link that shows some seat comparisons in Corvettes. Maybe this will help answer some questions you may have. Enjoy!

 

Hi, all... my first post here, there's some good reading and lots of info. Thanks for generating such a useful C7 resource.

I'm itching to pull the trigger on the Ron Fellows school at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch, and I've even made a deposit with them for a two-day class. Unfortunately, I have a "fitment problem"... I'm 6'5 and about 250 lbs.

In a Stingray with the GT seats, I can fit in the car. It's a bit tight, but certainly drivable. If I put my helmet on, there's no way I would drive the car on-track... I am pressed against the roof no matter what adjustments are made to the seat.

The Fellows school has Stingrays with the competition seat, but I can't find any here in the bay area to test fit. So, for tall guys who've sat in both seats in the Stingray: is there any extra room provided by the competition seat? If so, how much?

Related question: Fellows also has C6 ZR1's in their stable. What's the comparison in driver headroom between the ZR1 and the Stingray? Better in the new car, or worse?

Thanks in advance for any information/experience...


Rich

 

Hey Rich,
Not sure if you are still looking to test fit the seats. Boardwalk Chevrolet has a LB in the showroom with competition seats with suede inserts. It's a convertible though. I sat in it on Tuesday. I'm 6'3" and seemed to think I could get a helmet on with this set up. Wish I had a helmet with me at the time to be sure. Good luck.

 

Rich, welcome aboard. Could you use a smaller type helmet or would you still slam into the roof?

SF
Rick

 

I just read every post on this thread and I find the GT vs. competition seat to be a very confusing issue. My sales person here in Charleston told me that the GT seat is much more comfortable for daily driving (vs. the competition seat which is better for the track) and now I'm hearing that the the competition seat is more comfortable. I have a thin build so I would fit comfortably in either seat. What is the current thinking on the seat debate? I probably have about a week to change my build.... my order status is 2000.

 

I just read every post on this thread and I find the GT vs. competition seat to be a very confusing issue. My sales person here in Charleston told me that the GT seat is much more comfortable for daily driving (vs. the competition seat which is better for the track) and now I'm hearing that the the competition seat is more comfortable. I have a thin build so I would fit comfortably in either seat. What is the current thinking on the seat debate?

There is no "current thinking" as it all depends primarily on one's built and personal preferences and intended usage. There are passionate lovers of comp seats and others who swear that the GT seat is the best. Both are right, again depending on one's build and preferences, and if tracking the car, the advantages of the comp seat for that purpose.

I am 6'0", 160 pounds, and my preference is for the GT seat (found the 20% stiffer foam cushioning in the comp seats too hard for me), but others of identical build prefer the comp seats. Go figure.

 

I just finished Ron Fellowes school today. They have cars with both types of seats and if you are too tall they will allow you on the track without a helmet.

 

I won't track without a bucket on my head. Skid pad or AutoX would be OK, but not on the road course.

I'm a little surprised the Fellows school allows going without a helmet...


Rich

 

Comp. Seats. My experience today........

Hello elegant: and all.........

I have Comp seats and for the past 5 weeks I have enjoyed them emmensly while driving city/highway mix. Today I made a 500 mile trip to the interior through mountains and valleys etc up and down hills around long curves and hairpins etc etc. The seats were far superior to my C6 ZR1 and I finished the trip with not issues as far as pain or discomfort is conserned. A good investment for me personally. As you said elegant it is a personal issue as to the wherefor and whatnots of the good and bad of the seats as everyone is different and we all have our likes and dislikes in seating comfort whether we are cruzin or racin. I do have another issue and I want to start a new thread on it. I cannot see where to click to start a new thread. Can you help me on that? Thanks in advance.

STUNG

PS: I have never seen so many bugs trying to play chicken with the front of my car. hahaha!!! They only play that game once. The never have the guts to try it again... Pulled into a rest stop (cause I am old) and got lots of attention directed at the car. Everyone who comes forward seems to like it. Thanks GM........

 

Just received Recall Notice in mail today for "Sport Seats" not meeting standards for an "unrestrained out of position three year old in Passenger Seat" (thankfully the almost equally ridiculous idea of three year old driving) to replace Side Airbag. REALLY?! I may file this one in trash...

 

I have ordered my 2015 Z06 with the Competition seats and I have become a bit concerned about a possible issue for me. My wife is a very small 5' tall lady and as I saw her in my truck, I noticed that she sits very low in the seat. The hard exposed carbon fiber frame might be right where my wife's head will rest. Have any owners of these seats had diminutive people ride in them and can you comment as to how comfortable the seats are for the little people?
Thanks in advance for all advise!! I love how informative this forum is!
Derik

 

Hopefully someone with competition seats can go measure the distance from the top of the seat cushion at the back up to the bottom of the carbon fiber center piece of the seat, and then the total height of the carbon fiber center piece.

It also depends on the percentage of your wife's back length to total height. I have a sister who is 5' 3", and, knowing the relative position of her head versus mine when we have sat side-by-side, and having sat in the competition seats, I know this absolutely would not be a problem for her.