09-17-2015, 07:38 PM | #1 |
Drives: 2015 Camaro Z28 Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 15
|
Camaro Z28 Rear seat Question
I removed the rear seat and the back cushion, which turned to be fairly easy task. The primary purpose it to be able to carry another set of wheels to the track so I can really use these tires to their full useful life.
The back cushion swivels over a structural part that is attached on either side and in the center and provides support for the seat belt center attachment points and optional child seat. I ran across the following in Automobile Magazine: "Interestingly, the Z/28 retains a rear seat because the car is lighter with one than without. “The rear seat is part of the structure, so when you remove it you have to compensate with bracing,” says Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. “You can easily end up with a car that’s heavier than it was when you started.” Looking at the area where the seat was, I see no reason to add additional bracing but than I am no expert in this area. Anyone knows more on this topic? I am attaching 2 pictures showing how clean the are is after the seat removal, and the back cushion with the structural bracket PS: The rear seat weight (bottom and back cushion including the seat bracket weighs 27 lbs. |
09-17-2015, 08:28 PM | #2 |
Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Clarksville Tennesse.
Posts: 6,059
|
Make yourself a copy of the seat bracket out of round aluminum stock or something similar and call it the day...
|
09-17-2015, 09:16 PM | #3 |
Drives: 14 1LE Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 1,567
|
I find GMs claim interesting as well. Supposedly the seat cushioning is lighter but I don't see a difference in the rear seat structuring as apposed to any other gen 5. I believe others with varying models were also coming up with the same weight for the rear seat.
__________________
LMS Engineering
|
09-17-2015, 10:32 PM | #4 |
Drives: '11 SS M6, '14 SS 1LE, '17 SS 1LE Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: East TX
Posts: 533
|
If the Z28 seat is like the other 5th Gens, I don't see how the upper and lower cushions can be considered structural support. Now on the other hand, the bracket you unbolted and removed, that can certainly be structural support since it spans a good portion of the width of the car and could stiffen the sheet metal shown in your picture. I agree with Olblue75 and make something lighter, but bolt it into the same place as the original steel bracket.
__________________
Anyone can drive fast in a straight line, its what you can do thru the curves that matters!
'11 CGM SS M6 ordered in 3/11, '14 BRM SS 1LE from stock in 10/13 & '17 HBM SS 1LE in 11/16 - all from BeckyD!! |
09-18-2015, 09:23 AM | #5 | |
Quote:
|
||
09-18-2015, 12:17 PM | #6 |
Drives: 2013 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Dallas, Texas
Posts: 2,155
|
I'm not going with the answer given.
If it is indeed a support for the car to reduce flexing wouldn't it would need to be connected to the shock mount areas to provide stability to reduce flexing. If you remove the rear seat as I have done in my ZL1 wouldn't I hear creaking from having removed the piece? The "chassis brace" concept but in reality not needed.
I would equate his statement to the possible actual usage of the back seats by passengers and provide support to the floorboard with added weight in that specific area. That area is reinforced on the sides to begin with. Remember the Gen 5 chassis photos with explanation of materials used and reinforcement. |
09-18-2015, 01:45 PM | #7 |
Drives: 2015 Camaro Z28 Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 15
|
Thank you for the replies. For now I installed the structural bar back. It does look as though it provided multiple purposes: It has the hinges for the back cushion, it provides structural support for the seat belts and possible it ties the 2 sides of the car together. Once I can see what's below it on the underside of the car, it could reveal if indeed it has car structural purpose.
|
09-18-2015, 02:54 PM | #8 |
Drives: 14 1LE Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 1,567
|
I can't imagine it adding much rigidity to the car. There are some pretty big beams running very close to the same proximity of the seat bracket. At best my thoughts would be it controls some NVH. I think they just wanted to leave the seat in rather than remodel the entire rear upholstery and just told us it was needed for strenght. Who are we to really know better anyway.
__________________
LMS Engineering
|
09-20-2015, 08:42 AM | #9 |
2013 Camaro SS1LECTSVZ28
Drives: 2013 AGM 1SS/1LE Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Suburbs of Detroit, MI
Posts: 2,440
|
Seats cushions can come out. Put the brace back in.
Matt
__________________
|
09-20-2015, 10:41 AM | #10 |
Drives: 14 1LE Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 1,567
|
I'm sure you have some insight on that?
__________________
LMS Engineering
|
09-20-2015, 11:20 AM | #11 |
Drives: Camaro Justice Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Virginia
Posts: 20,174
|
The 5th Gen monocoque is tank like. Check out these pictures of the cut-a-way 5th Gen.
Are you running a harness bar? |
09-20-2015, 01:22 PM | #12 | |
KaBoom1701
Drives: 13' ZL1 Red M6 Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: I.E. SoCal (Yucaipa)
Posts: 8,630
|
Quote:
I guess it comes down to weight vs. performance and risk vs. damage.......
__________________
Mods:
Roto-Fab Intake, WW Res. kit & Big Gulp Air Scoop, Elite Catch Can, ATI Super Damper & 18% OD Pulley, LF Idler pulley bracket, Metco CC breather, ID850 Injectors, Stainless Power Headers w/ ceramic coating, TR71X Spark Plugs, JMS Fuel Pump Booster, Bo White TB, Tuned by Ted @ Jannetty Racing, Ron Davis HX, D3 Reservoir, Pfadt 1" Springs, Moreno Camber Plates, ZL1 Addons Splitter guard washers, Tow Hook kit & rock guards, Hurst Shifter Billet Plus 6 Speed Short Shifter, ZL1 DRL lighting harness, ZL1 Recaro Seats. |
|
09-20-2015, 05:37 PM | #13 |
Drives: 14 1LE Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 1,567
|
Yes, I'm running a harness bar.
__________________
LMS Engineering
|
09-20-2015, 07:46 PM | #14 |
Drives: Camaro Justice Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Virginia
Posts: 20,174
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools | |
|
|