gt3'er

My stock 993 seats were showing their age. Seat height/head room seemed fine. Put in a beautiful set of 996 HB Sport Seats. Sure enough, as many have said, seating position is higher, and for me, headroom is not adequate. I'm 6-2, and maybe have more torso than leg. No way I could wear a helmet for autocross or DE.

I'm afraid I need to change seats again. I'd like to stick with adjustable Porsche seats. So, my question is: How do seat heights compare?

993 Standard vs 996 Sport Seats? Got this one: SS's are about 1 1/2" higher
993 Standard vs 993 Sport Seats?
993 Standard vs 997 Sport Seats?

Thanks in advance.

Railmaster.

Now is the time for a sunroof delete! That will give You som extra headroom!

95_993

I am in the same boat. Just installed a great set of GT3 HB Sport Seats that are pristine. Love em, but head room is a concern. I am 6'0". Waiting to see replys here.

Texas993

997 Sport seats (from GT3 with alcantera centers) and no rail adapters .... they sit the same as 993 seats or maybe a little lower.

I'm 6'5" and there is not enough room for a helmet. But I don't track this car, so it isn't an issue for me.

RJGT3RS

I have a set of gt3 seats from mr RS im looking to put in my 993, can you explain what you mean no rail adapters? I've been under the impression you have to have adapter for it to work. Thanks.

Top-Gun

I went from standard seats to 964 era softback sport seats in my car and noted the same issue. I'm also 6'2 and there's no way I could wear a helmet.

Texas993

I purchased my seats from Shadow993 and he had already modified the rails to fit a 993. PM him for specifics. But I believe that all is needed is to bend a metal tab at the front of the seat rail and they will bolt right in.

I do know that the rail adapters that are sold do make the seat sit higher.

u7t2p7

Send a PM to Foxman. He's 6'4" and he's searched all the options including clearance for helmet. He'll save you time (but maybe not money

pp000830

Consider having your original seats recovered if worn and put them back in as they met your needs previously.

Churchill

I have 997 hardback sport seats in my 993. Without exaggeration the most comfortable automotive furniture I've ever sat in. Simply fantastic seats. Installed by modifying the rails. But you do sit about an inch higher in the car, without doubt. Not a problem for me (average height) but for you tall guys -- might be better as Andy said to have your stock seats reconditioned.

gt3'er

Great response. Thanks to all.

It seems we have conflicting opinions on the 997 SS's. Texas says they sit the same or lower. Church says they sit an inch higher (without doubt!) Darnit. There was a set of 997 SS's I was chasing, but the 996 SS's were local, heated, crests, and very nice condition...

I'll PM Foxman and ask his experience.

Recovering my original seats was my first thought, but really like to have sport seats and firm-er support. May end up going back that direction, tho I think it will cost more. Perhaps get them converted to HB's in the process...? I've seen threads on that with a parts list from OPO. This is not something I wanted to spend $3k or $4k on. Need suspension first...

Foxman

Gt3'r,

I'm 6' 4" and share your pain. You may have success by simply removing a few inches of seat padding, and removing a few of the springs underneath. There are a few threads on the subject. Adding a cup steering wheel or an extension collar may also help.

But if you're planning on dawning a helmet for AX or DE, your options are limited unless you want to remove the seat rails. This was not an option for me.

After a few weeks of research and trying out various seats I opted to go for the new Tillet B6FXL racing seat. These seats can actually drop down between the seat rails They're so narrow. The seats are due to arrive soon, and I will post my experience up on the board.






Research



New FIA approved seat by Tillet

gt3'er

Wow. Impressive bit of work. Hope they work out as planned!

Fixed buckets are not an option for this car. Still trying to convince my 5'-0" GF she should drive it, so need (very) adjustable seats.

The question remains - are 997 HB SS's the same/lower/higher than 993 standard seats? Anyone in the Bay Area have 997 HB SS's in their 993?? It would be worth a drive to do a comparison and get this sorted out.

Thanks!

gt3'er

Petza914 on the 997 forum was kind enough to measure 997 SS's. Turns out they are the same as, or possibly 1/4" higher than, the 996 SS's. Not surprised, but a bit disappointing for me.

As I want to stick with Porsche brand seats, the obvious options are:

1. 993 HB's.
2. Recover my stock seats
3. Convert my stock seats to HB and recover.

Nothing is ever simple.

Thanks for all the input.

997rs4.0

I've gone thru the exact same dilemma that you're having.

Removed the 993 hardbacks and installed 996gt3 bucket seats. Love those seats but not enough headroom and actually not enough legroom. Would have liked for them to slide back a little further.

I'm also 6'2 and more torso than legs.

So I traded them for 997gt3 sofa seats with alcantara in the centers. mounted them with brey Krause 997 to 993 adapters. Now it's perfect.
My kids can get in the back, seats are super comfortable, wife loves driving the car. I still wouldn't be comfortable with a helmet on. When wearing a hemlmet I was touching the headliner even with the stock 993 hardbacks in the car.