There are really 2 general issues with the seat swap between 911 generations (997-992):

1. Seat belt receptacles are different 991 to 992 - replacements are around $175 per side
2. Seat occupancy sensors different 991 to 992, and missing on euro seats or aftermarket. The 992 uses a less expensive seat sensor system from VW that is readily available, so not too much of a chore to retrofit. Could also be retrofit to aftermarket seats to avoid airbag light. You will have difficulty getting anyone to program out the PODs system for liability reasons, so probably worth the effort just to retrofit a compatible PODs to your seats. However, if you leave your stock seat in passenger side and only change the drivers side for track use, problem solved.

The mounts / rails and plugs are the same between these generations. Also, the Panamera (970) seats use the same rails, so if you need a set of rails for aftermarket seats, there are 100s of them on ebay for cheap.

 

You've been a wealth of info. Thank you! Would you happen to have the part numbers for the occupancy sensors? I’m assuming one is needed for the driver’s seat as well.

 

Occupancy Sensor 4MO959339B only needed for passenger.

 

Thanks dixonk! I appreciate it.

 

This is the sensor pad that comes in the 992 LWCB - PN 9GT-963-556 - $287.88 from Sunset Porsche. This sensor has the plug that installs to the VW controller referenced in last post, and a dongle that hooks into the seat harness. I'd recommend getting the seat harness for the 992 LWCB as well - it's inexpensive - 992 LWCB wiring harness - PN 9GT-971-386-A $16.86.

I also ordered a VW sensor pad - not sure if it will work, but probably -17A-963-556-E - $16.50 . . . I bought the 4MO 959 339 B from ebay for $25 . .

 

You dudes are awesome! Did you buy two of the harnesses (…P/N 9GT-971-386-A)? I will only need one sensor pad right?

P.S. I’m also going to buy 4MO 959-339 B from eBay. I found one from a 2021 Panamera.

 

the PODS system is only on the passanger seat. I'm not positive all versions of the 4M0 will work, but will advise once my ebay units arrive. Keep in mind you will need PIWIS to program the airbag controller once the new PODs system is installed - it needs to discover the SN of the 4MO controller, and also do a quick calibration - then you are good to go. But, just be aware that you will need PIWIS 3 to do this . . .

 

On the drivers seat, the airbags in earlier seats are compatible, as are the electric seat controls. Other than the seat belt receptacles, they are plug and play. If you are swapping in aftermarket buckets w/o airbags, a 3.3 ohm resistor to the airbag connector will work . .

 

I definitely want to stick with OEM LWBS despite the added expense to obtain them. I really like the way they look.

 

Here are a few photos of the 992 LWCB PODs system with various components . . .

Here's the bottom of the 992 LWCB showing the PODS controller

Another view of the assembled passenger seat bottom.

PODs controller PN 4M0 959 339 B

Here's a vew with the controller removed

this is the seat harness - PN 9GT.971.386.A

This is the PODs sensor pad - they call it a "heater" but its the PODs sensor. Interesting even PIWIS refers to this as the "heater" pad.

This is the seat base cushion w/ the sensor installed. PN 9GT.881.549

Another view of the harness and seat adjustment motor.

 

This is so helpful! I suspect these were from your GT3 T?

 

Afirm

 

Ok - some good news on the PODs front - I received the controller today from a VW Jetta that I purchased off of ebay for $19 - I swapped it into my 992 LWCB and then successfully programmed it with PIWIS - cleared all faults, and no faults returned, and no airbag light. The PODs functionality also works perfectly. So, it appears that at least this model, pictured below, is 100% compatible with the 992 PODs system. Next step will be to try some of the less expensive VW seat sensors - the are around $15 while the Porsche sensor is $280. Will report back once that testing is complete. . . .

 

This great news!!!! Thank you for confirming that. If the VW version works, I’ll go that route.

 

Some other "interesting" news on the swap front - as most know, my 992 GT3 Touring came with LWCBs, and I wanted to have 18 ways as an option, but also be able to swap back and forth to buckets for track, etc. I purchased a beautiful set of 991.1 GT3 18 ways, and am attempting to make them 100% compatible. The seat controls work perfectly, but seat heat is another story.

I purchased the center console module with the heater buttons but upon disassembly of the center console, I discovered that there weren't any wires present for this module. Unbelievable that Porsche would spec 2 different harnesses for LWCB, or 18 ways, but them's the facts. I ordered the correct center console harness - PN 9GT.971.685.F (the E is without ambient lighting, and the F is w/ lights) - around $50.

I then put everything back together, and programmed with PIWIS activating heated seats. This got the buttons working perfectly. However, no heat. I then ran faults, and of course there was two faults - open / short for seat heat and open / short for seat heat sensor. As you might have guessed, Porsche, in all their wisdom, doesn't install the 3 F'ing wires for seat heat if your car is spec'd with LWCBs. So, next step is to add back these wires. Shouldn't be a huge task, but I need to source the appropriate connector pins, and then find out where the wires go. The battle continues . . .

Bones