18-Way Seat Retrofit...
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Joined: Apr 2026
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From: UK
18-Way Seat Retrofit...
Morning all,
New to Rennlist and a 1st time Porsche owner.
After spending some time searching the the right spec, I found a GT4 that is pretty close to what I was looking for, but not quite; there are a bunch of tweaks (mainly cosmetic) I intend to make over the coming months, one of which is to change the seats from my current 2-way manual sports/comfort seats to the 18-way seats.
Having spoke to Porsche directly, I discovered this is not available as an approved retrofit and the seats are not available to buy (although Porsche did offer to sell me all the seat components individually but the cost was bonkers).
Anyway, I've got a Porsche parts specialist on the lookout for a mint pair of 18-way's, but my question is, is it actually even possible to retrofit the 18-ways into a car that never had them from the factory?
Of course I know it is possible to bolt the seats into the car, that side of it is very simple (I assume) with just a handful of bolts, but what about the electrical/coding side of the retrofit?
Has anybody on here done this before and what issues (if any) did you encounter during the process?
Much appreciated
Red.
New to Rennlist and a 1st time Porsche owner.
After spending some time searching the the right spec, I found a GT4 that is pretty close to what I was looking for, but not quite; there are a bunch of tweaks (mainly cosmetic) I intend to make over the coming months, one of which is to change the seats from my current 2-way manual sports/comfort seats to the 18-way seats.
Having spoke to Porsche directly, I discovered this is not available as an approved retrofit and the seats are not available to buy (although Porsche did offer to sell me all the seat components individually but the cost was bonkers).
Anyway, I've got a Porsche parts specialist on the lookout for a mint pair of 18-way's, but my question is, is it actually even possible to retrofit the 18-ways into a car that never had them from the factory?
Of course I know it is possible to bolt the seats into the car, that side of it is very simple (I assume) with just a handful of bolts, but what about the electrical/coding side of the retrofit?
Has anybody on here done this before and what issues (if any) did you encounter during the process?
Much appreciated
Red.
Last edited by RetroRed5; Apr 21, 2026 at 08:55 AM.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 2,115
Likes: 1,817
From: Franklin, TN. USA
Morning all,
New to Rennlist and a 1st time Porsche owner.
After spending some time searching the the right spec, I found a GT4 that is pretty close to what I was looking for, but not quite; there are a bunch of tweaks (mainly cosmetic) I intend to make over the coming months, one of which is to change the seats from my current 2-way manual sports/comfort seats to the 18-way seats.
Having spoke to Porsche directly, I discovered this is not available as an approved retrofit and the seats are not available to buy (although Porsche did offer to sell me all the seat components individually but the cost was bonkers).
Anyway, I've got a Porsche parts specialist on the lookout for a mint pair of 18-way's, but my question is, is it actually even possible to retrofit the 18-ways into a car that never had them from the factory?
Of course I know it is possible to bolt the seats into the car, that side of it is very simple (I assume) with just a handful of bolts, but what about the electrical/coding side of the retrofit?
Has anybody on here done this before and what issues (if any) did you encounter during the process?
Much appreciated
Red.
New to Rennlist and a 1st time Porsche owner.
After spending some time searching the the right spec, I found a GT4 that is pretty close to what I was looking for, but not quite; there are a bunch of tweaks (mainly cosmetic) I intend to make over the coming months, one of which is to change the seats from my current 2-way manual sports/comfort seats to the 18-way seats.
Having spoke to Porsche directly, I discovered this is not available as an approved retrofit and the seats are not available to buy (although Porsche did offer to sell me all the seat components individually but the cost was bonkers).
Anyway, I've got a Porsche parts specialist on the lookout for a mint pair of 18-way's, but my question is, is it actually even possible to retrofit the 18-ways into a car that never had them from the factory?
Of course I know it is possible to bolt the seats into the car, that side of it is very simple (I assume) with just a handful of bolts, but what about the electrical/coding side of the retrofit?
Has anybody on here done this before and what issues (if any) did you encounter during the process?
Much appreciated
Red.
Just a thought on the electrical.
My GT4 I did order the 18-Way, Powered Seats.
They are also Heated.
What I suggest is you take your Porsche to an "Authorized" Porsche Service-Department.
Speak, Directly to the Shop-Foreman or Service-Manager and explain what your wanting to do.
They will tell you {Factually} what's going to be involved.
Why guess buddy when you have the Right-Resources to Check-With !!!
BTW,
I drove my 2021 Cayman 718 GT4 W/PDK and 18-Way-Powered-Seats on a Round-Trip, over 15-Hours each direction back in 2022.
I can definitely tell you that the 18-Way-Seats are Definitely worth Every-Penny if your actually going to drive your Porsche especially on long trips.
Guess who's coming to dinner?
The 2,141 Miles Round-Trip to San Antonio, Texas from Franklin, Tennessee.
https://rennlist.com/forums/718-gts-...l#post18144998
https://rennlist.com/forums/718-gts-...l#post18149363
You will not regret changing to the Porsche, 18-Way-Powered-Seats, buddy.
Terry Honaker
Franklin, TN.
USA
Last edited by tigerhonaker; Apr 21, 2026 at 11:45 AM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2026
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From: UK
Thanks Terry, good advice - I will certainly be speaking to Porsche again once I've managed to source a pair of seats, but in the meantime, curious to see if anyone on here has done this before and if there are any "gotcha's" I need to be aware of.
For me, the 18-ways are essential, not just for longer journeys, but because I have a bad back and as such I'm forever adjusting the seating to find the most comfortable position every time I get in the car based on how my back in doing on any given day
But it is encouraging to hear that you find them comfortable on longer drives.
Cheers!
For me, the 18-ways are essential, not just for longer journeys, but because I have a bad back and as such I'm forever adjusting the seating to find the most comfortable position every time I get in the car based on how my back in doing on any given day
But it is encouraging to hear that you find them comfortable on longer drives.
Cheers!
Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 337
From: Los Angeles, CA
You can swap 2-way for buckets, and buckets for 2-way.
You can swap 18-way for buckets.
But I am not sure you can swap a 2-way/bucket car for 18-ways, the wiring could be different. Sorry I can't help, but you should be skeptical of it before pulling the trigger, as it's not guaranteed like the above swaps.
You can swap 18-way for buckets.
But I am not sure you can swap a 2-way/bucket car for 18-ways, the wiring could be different. Sorry I can't help, but you should be skeptical of it before pulling the trigger, as it's not guaranteed like the above swaps.
Thread Starter
AutoX
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 12
Likes: 7
From: UK
You can swap 2-way for buckets, and buckets for 2-way.
You can swap 18-way for buckets.
But I am not sure you can swap a 2-way/bucket car for 18-ways, the wiring could be different. Sorry I can't help, but you should be skeptical of it before pulling the trigger, as it's not guaranteed like the above swaps.
You can swap 18-way for buckets.
But I am not sure you can swap a 2-way/bucket car for 18-ways, the wiring could be different. Sorry I can't help, but you should be skeptical of it before pulling the trigger, as it's not guaranteed like the above swaps.
I'd expect going from 2-way manual to 18-way will be a bit more complex, hence my original question about electronics/coding, but I'm hopeful it can be done and someone on here has done it before.
Cheers!
Pro
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 671
Likes: 209
From: Atlanta
You can swap 2-way for buckets, and buckets for 2-way.
You can swap 18-way for buckets.
But I am not sure you can swap a 2-way/bucket car for 18-ways, the wiring could be different. Sorry I can't help, but you should be skeptical of it before pulling the trigger, as it's not guaranteed like the above swaps.
You can swap 18-way for buckets.
But I am not sure you can swap a 2-way/bucket car for 18-ways, the wiring could be different. Sorry I can't help, but you should be skeptical of it before pulling the trigger, as it's not guaranteed like the above swaps.
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From: Los Angeles, CA
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From: Florida
It is complicated. There are several previous long rennlist threads from guys who wanted to do exactly what you with the seat swap. I suggest you do a search of the forum to find those pearls of rare info.
RL Community Team
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From: Texas Hill Country
Welcome to RL!
There are many seat swap threads. Try the advanced search function for seat swap and select 991, 992, 718 regular and GT sub forums.
Most are 18 way to/from LWBS. But you may find your specific case or at least get a feel for the process.
I’d be surprised if a dealer would be responsive to this request. If it’s not a book procedure, they’ll likely say no. Especially, because of the safety sensors and air bags.
Good luck. If you go forward post up your findings.
There are many seat swap threads. Try the advanced search function for seat swap and select 991, 992, 718 regular and GT sub forums.
Most are 18 way to/from LWBS. But you may find your specific case or at least get a feel for the process.
I’d be surprised if a dealer would be responsive to this request. If it’s not a book procedure, they’ll likely say no. Especially, because of the safety sensors and air bags.
Good luck. If you go forward post up your findings.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,400
Likes: 766
From: Ohio
i could potentially see the airbags as a hurdle but the rest should be fairly simple - it's just power and ground. my suggestion would be to connect the 18-ways to a battery in your garage and see what works and what doesn't before you go digging into wiring harnesses.
something like a piwis may be needed to code the seats/airbags to the car.
something like a piwis may be needed to code the seats/airbags to the car.
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From: Boston, MA
Why? More weight & complexity, all the anthesis of a GT4. I've had all manner of seats in my cars (18 way, 14 way, 4 way), and find the 4 way amazing. Unless you have back issues etc I wouldn't bother. Have you spent any reasonable amount of time driving 4 ways, or just 'know' you want them based on research?
Last edited by jlegelis; Apr 21, 2026 at 05:06 PM.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 7,095
Likes: 2,943
From: Florida
Why? More weight & complexity, all the anthesis of a GT4. I've had all manner of seats in my cars (18 way, 14 way, 4 way), and find the 4 way amazing. Unless you have back issues etc I wouldn't bother. Have you spent any reasonable amount of time driving 4 ways, or just 'know' you want them based on research?
Last edited by Drifting; Apr 21, 2026 at 07:40 PM.
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: USA
I too love the 4 way seats in my 718. They are amazing seats and after having the 14 ways in a Carrera S and the 18 ways in the GT3 I can say the 4 way seats are very nice to have. I love the manual fore and aft adjustment as it makes it so easy for ingress and egress just like the carbon buckets offer. But I realize OP needs the extra adjustability of the 18 ways; I hope he can find a way to retrofit them.