Corvette C3 Fiero Seat Swap

Have you ever found the seats in your C3 uncomfortable on long trips?  In 1978 Corvette introduced a new seat style which is often referred as the 'clam shell'.  This newer style seat provided much better support and became standard in all '79 and later C3 cars.  Some C3 owners with earlier cars have swapped their original seats for the later style.  Another option worth looking into is swapping your original C3 seats for seats from a Fiero.  Pontiac Fieros were built during the period 1984 to 1988 and shared the same seats over the production run.

What makes Fiero seats so desirable for a C3?  Well, there are several factors and I will outline them below.  But first, take a look at some examples:

Fiero seats are very close to the same dimensions as your C3 seats.  The Fiero seats provide more lateral support than the original C3 style.  Although the Fiero seats are not direct bolt in replacements, fabricating brackets to accept the original C3 tracks and mounts is a fairly straight forward and simple task and I will be detailing those later.  Probably the number one reason for choosing Fiero seats is because there is a company called MrMikes Fiero that makes seat upholstery kits for these seats.  Not only does MrMike make kits in all Fiero styles but he also makes them in a style for your C3 Corvette complete with C3 logos.  These kits come in a variety of colors and color combinations to compliment your car.  You can choose either leather or synthetic material.  In addition to all the necessary tools and supplies to do the job, MrMike includes a comprehensive video detailing all installation steps ensuring a professional looking job.

I am going to document my install below.  I am not going into any great detail as the video that you receive with your kit is very comprehensive.  However, I will detail the fabrication of the brackets that you will need to do your install.

GM changed the design of the seat tracks over the C3 production years.  In 1978 the new clam shell seat design was introduced with the Pace Car option and this design became standard in 1979 and continued until the C3 end of run in 1982.  Two things remained constant throughout the C3 run and that was the dimensions of the floor anchor bolt pattern and the track to seat bolt pattern.  The floor measurement track anchor bolt distance side to side is 15 1/2".  Since the seat pattern measurements are different on the Fiero seats compared to the C3 original seats, these brackets will align your seats properly using your original C3 tracks with the floor bolt pattern.  Please note that if your C3 has the clam shell seat design (1978 to 1979) your tracks will be one of two designs.  If your tracks have a raised bracket at the front you may wish to remove it so that your Fiero seats will sit flat on the tracks which was the way they were designed.  If you choose to leave the bracket there you may find the installed height of your seats to be too high.  Below are some pictures of track design changes over the C3 years.

Many C3 enthusiasts have already made this swap and some have chosen to modify the Fiero seat tracks to make them fit the Corvette floor mounting holes.  Using the Fiero tracks requires much more fabrication than using your original C3 tracks.  While the Fiero seats are about the same dimension as your original C3 seats, the Fiero seat tracks are mounted closer together and are shorter than your C3 tracks.  The simplest solution is to use your original C3 tracks and fabricate four brackets from 1/8" X 2" steel flat stock.  You will need a hack saw, bench vice, drill press and a tap set to complete the task.  You will also need (16) 8 X 1.25mm Allen head machine screws.  Here is a template with dimensions for making the brackets: 

Fiero Seat Brackets for C3 Tracks and Mounts

Just a few explanatory notes about the brackets.  The two top brackets are identical and the two bottom brackets are identical.  Both sets of C3 tracks are identical so you need a pair for each seat.  All brackets are drilled and tapped in the same configuration.  Please note that two of the brackets have a 1/4" curved indentation.  This is to allow clearance for the C3 seat adjust lever.  Put that indentation in your brackets before you drill the holes.  The smaller holes (for attaching C3 tracks to brackets) are drilled 17/64" and tapped 8 X 1.25 mm.  The larger holes (for attaching seat to brackets) are drilled 21/64".  The longer metric Allen head machine screws attach the brackets to the seats and the short ones attach the tracks to the brackets.  The end with the holes directly opposite one another go to the rear of your seats.  The centers of the larger holes for the seat bolts are drilled 1/2" from the edge while the centers of the smaller holes for the track bolts are drilled 3/8" from the other edge.  These dimensions will center your seat tracks on the floor mounting holes of your car.  Note that if you have a power driver seat, the power motor track assembly has a different bolt configuration and will not work with the configuration of these brackets.

Due to the increase in cost including steel, bolts, paint and shipping costs I have had to increase the cost of my bracket kits.  I encourage you to fabricate your own using the instructions above. 

If you do not wish to fabricate the brackets yourself, I usually have a kit ready to ship out which includes the four painted brackets (rust paint) and bolts - $170.00 and includes free shipping within Canada and USA  To purchase a set using PayPal or Credit Card, click on the button below.  Your phone number is required on the shipping label, please include it in the 'Instructions to Sender' section of the PayPal form or email.

This is a test fit of one of my Fiero seats with the new brackets and original C3 seat tracks and mounts.  It was a perfect fit.

Fiero Seat in Corvette C3

Stripping the old upholstery from your Fiero seats is pretty straight forward.  There are (3) bolts retaining the back section of your seat to the bottom cushion.  These seats were assembled with metric bolts.  Separate the seat halves before removing the upholstery.  I found that the best way to remove the old hog rings was with a pair of pliers.  Most of the hog rings are connected to the steel seat frame and a twist with the pliers will pull them out.  There are a few that are connected to a wire strip embedded in the foam so you need to be a bit more careful with those ones.  Once you have removed all the hog rings and steel anchor rods, the original upholstery will come off and you will be down to your bare seats.  Check for any damage to the foam bolster areas.  If there is any damage you will need to follow MrMikes instructions for repairing these areas.  I would recommend that you take an 8 X 1.25mm tap and clean out the threads on the seat bottoms and back sections.  Also, I would recommend that if there is any surface rust on any of the exposed metal areas that you clean these areas and spray a bit of paint on them.  You do not want to cover up any rusty areas with your new covers.

Please note that the bottom seat sections are interchangeable.  You may wish to consider swapping them as the bolster areas on the outer departure side tend to become worn from getting in and out of them.  By swapping them side to side you will have the weaker sides against your console.  If you decide to swap them you will need to move the hinge nuts to the opposite side of the seat.  These just snap in.  You may have to cut away a bit of foam to seat the nuts on the other side.

This is a picture of my seats ready for the kit from MrMikes

Bare Fiero Seats with Original Upholstery Removed

The Fiero seats have a plastic cover which mounts over the seat adjuster mechanisms and hinge areas.  These covers have a protruding guide for the Fiero seat belts.  This section of the cover will need to be removed as there is not sufficient clearance for it when the doors are closed.  It would actually interfere with the C3 seat belt if you were to leave them on.  These guides can be cut off the covers without changing the cosmetic appearance.

Make sure you watch MrMikes video that accompanies the kit.  You may want to watch it a couple of times.  If you follow his instructions you will have an end product that you will be extremely happy with.

Here are some pictures of my finished seats.  I am extremely pleased with them and I highly recommend the kits from MrMike.

Bottom Section Covered and C3 Tracks Mounted

Both Seats Finished and Awaiting Installation

View 1 - Seats Installed

View 2 - Seats Installed

View 3 - Seats Installed

View 4 - Seats Installed