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All - there seems to be quite a few owners who desire to swap seats in their 992 GT3s (and other 992 variants) - seems like the most desired swap is from 18 way "sofas" to light-weight carbon buckets "LWCB". In my case, I recently purchased a 2022 GT3 Touring with LWCBs, and would like the capability to swap back and forth between sofas and buckets. I searched through the forums, and I've found LOTS of conflicting into, and of course not much info on the newer 992s. . so I've embarked on this adventure to figure out what is possible, and hopefully provide the info to everyone, and also let others provide their guidance on this process.
Luckily, I also own a 2023 992 TTS - it's equipped with 18 ways sofas with heating and ventilation, and also a 3 user memory function - the memory buttons are located on the drivers door next to lock buttons. The heat and cooling buttons are on the center console below the shifter. On my GT3, as it was originally equipped with buckets, there are no buttons for heat, and I don't believe any of the GT3s had seat memory nor seat cooling.
So the first step is to see if we can swap seats and retain all the 18 way adjustment, but not attempt to get memory, heating or ventilation working as the buttons are currently not in the car. I did do a quick search for the switch panels and they are relatively inexpensive, but not sure the wiring is in place to add them at this point. so Phase 1 is to swap the seats from my TTS as a trial to see if they work and if we get any errors. I also will swap the buckets into the turbo, and see if that works as well.
PHASE 1
disconnect battery
unbolt the 4 fasteners on the GT3 buckets (inverted torque socket required)
unbolt the lap belt from the seat
unplug the single connector from the seat
remove the seat from the car
this entire process took less than 5 minutes - super easy, and the buckets are truly light!!
Next, remove the sofas from the TTS
disconnect battery
unbolt 4 fasteners from seats (these ones are double hex)
unplug 2 connectors - the larger yellow connector and a small 3 pin (2 wire) connector
remove seat - ugg - 20 lbs heavier than the LWCBs
Next, install sofas in the GT3
carefully lift them in - note that mounting holes are identical, and fasteners are interchangeable.
plug in the large yellow connector - there is no 3 pin / 2 wire connector in the GT3
relocate the lap belt bolt to body (originally on bucket)
reconnect battery
Power up, no faults!! everything worked perfectly - but of course no heat, ventilation, or memory. My theory at this point is that the smaller 3 pin connector is for the memory function, and my guess is that by adding the heater switches in the console, we can get the heater working. I'm going to see if I can dig up some wiring diagrams to confirm what the small 3 pin connector is for, and if possible, how to add it to the GT3. Drove the car around to assure no faults, and that everything works - no issues.
Next step - install the buckets in the TTS - same procedure - bolt in, plug in, connect battery, power up. No issues, but of course buckets are much simpler.
Finally, restore both cars to original configuration. Swapped the buckets back into the GT3, powered up, and got a airbag fault. Unfortunately, I left my PWIS at my other shop, but will retrieve it, and clear the fault this weekend - I don't expect any issues, but not sure why it didn't through a code on first swap, but going back to original it did. Same thing happened on the TTS - threw a airbag code when original seat swapped back in.
Some other observations - on the larger connector (the big yellow one) on both cars have exactly the same pins - not sure there are wires hooked to them as didn't peal back the harness. So next step is to pull the center console apart, search for wires, and see if I can install the heat / ventilation switches. Lastly, will investigate the memory wiring and control as a bonus project.
Now the search begins in earnest for a nice set of black all leather sofas with GT Silver stitching! I did check with Suncoast on the cost of new seat covers - they were somewhat unhelpful, and required a VIN. I did find a GT3 online with leather / alcantara seats with silver stitching and used the VIN to get pricing - around $10K for all new seat covers! My bet is these can be had substantially cheaper elsewhere. . Connectors on the car side of TTS Another view of TTS connectors TTS mounting Another view of TTS mounts Note the smaller connector on the TTS Sofa seat connections - smaller connector plus into what appears to be a controller - I suspect this is a CAN connection. Another view of sofa connection TTS heated, ventilated sofas. . . with carbon backs bucket connector - identical to sofa connector another view of the "controller box" on the sofa - I believe this is the memory controller, but just a guess. underside of sofa
Thank you. I'm going to do a similar seat swap but it's 992 buckets into a 991 with 18 ways. The yellow plug is identical on the 991 and 992. Will report back when I try it.
I have a 992 GT3, i am currently running Cup 2s in the following sizes - 255/35R20 on the front and 315/30R21 on the rear.
Living in the UK they are a bit haphazard at times.
i am looking to change to PS4S, but cant find them in the same sizes as above N-rated.
I can get 315/30R21 N-rated.
Is it okay to change the fronts slightly to 245/35/R20 considering they are slightly narrower and the load rating is different?
do you have any other recommendations in relation to tyres?
This info from @jimmymoO s post - Will work to fill in the other pins as we continue on the quest. Here's a photo of the connector from his post as well. . .
Quick update - I was able to quickly clear the airbag faults with PIWIS . . pretty sure I just didn't wait long enough after disconnecting the battery before unplugging the seats.
Quick update - I was able to quickly clear the airbag faults with PIWIS . . pretty sure I just didn't wait long enough after disconnecting the battery before unplugging the seats.
So you’d recommend waiting an extended period of time before unplugging the seats?
I've heard to wait 5 minutes to allow the capacitors in the airbag system to discharge . . also other's recommend removing the negative terminal from the battery and shorting to the positive to discharge the residual voltage from the system. I'll wait 5 minutes next time before unplugging as a test - but if you have PIWIS or probably a good ODB scanner, the fault is easily reset . .
Glad to see this thread... I am currently looking to swap out my 18-way seats for LWCB in my 992 T... if anyone on here has buckets from a 992 that they are looking to sell, please PM me
Any leads on 18 ways with yellow stitching? I have LWBS but would like to install @GT3Belts backseat kit and there just isn’t quite enough room to get my boys in with the buckets and get them buckled.