Any way to lower seats in an 89 carrera?

[Dallas]

Hello everyone, I used to have an 89 cab which had plenty of headroom. Now I am looking at 87-89 coupes and at 6'3", even with the power seats lowered, my head brushes the roof. Is there any way to lower the seats, perhaps different seat rails?

[Teutonics]

I had to get the seat mounts shortened in my coupe. Consists of cutting out seat mounts, shortening, and re-welding back in. Need to be careful though as fuel line runs through the tunnel adjacent to the seat mount.

I only did the driver side, figured the passenger can recline the seat if needed.

[Dallas]

OK, so not an easy fix. I currently have a 2017 Cayman GTS with PDK and plenty of headroom. My wife surprisingly likes the style of the carrera (as do I) so she tells me to recline back or slouch. Essentially she tells me to suck it up. Not something I would expect from my luxury loving wife.

[AG81]

Dallas, you could consider a different seat. But with that cost comes getting them recovered to match your factory look. Cost would be more than getting your existing floor reconfigured to accommodate your needed head room.

[Dallas]

I agree, I would rather not have to buy different seats. When I hear "welding" it worries me, but maybe that's just my paranoia, and it is not really a big deal.

[Teutonics]

If it helps, here is the original thread with some pictures: Seat Lowering Danger!

[GH85Carrera]

If you can find a coupe in the right year range for your wants, narrow it down more to find one with no sunroof. That gains a lot of headroom.

Open up the year range and accept a 915 transmission and a no sunroof car is more likely.

[Teutonics]

One thing I forgot to mention was that it only cost me $180 to have it done (although that was 15+ years ago, so adjust accordingly for inflation). I did strip the carpets/seats/trim before delivering and also did the reinstall (the driver's seat in their parking lot, LOL!), so that probably saved a few bucks as well.

[Dallas]

Thank you all for your input. I had considered trying to find one with no sunroof, but that seems like looking for a needle in a haystack.

[Hotshot]

Originally Posted by Teutonics

I had to get the seat mounts shortened in my coupe. Consists of cutting out seat mounts, shortening, and re-welding back in. Need to be careful though as fuel line runs through the tunnel adjacent to the seat mount.

I only did the driver side, figured the passenger can recline the seat if needed.

After getting my new to me 86 home and pulling the carpets up for a peek, I realizing my car has the same mod done to it. No clue if it was PO or PPO or PPPO but I found I fit great in it. I’m tall. Like yours just the drivers seat.

The rails just were re welded back 6”. Fuel line looks great. Probably a blessing in disguise for us taller folks

[Dallas]

Well, that sounds like the solution.

[Discseven]

Am not sure how seat configs in '89 so this idea may be a no-go... and that's to thin the bottom seat cushion (mostly to the azz end.) If side bolster covering is not joined to bottom cushion's covering... and... bolsters are far apart enough to allow your bottom to sink down into seat without discomfort, this would be a simple mod.

[Dallas]

That's an idea I haven't thought of.

[jlex]

At 6'3" I agree there's limited headroom in some 911's. My '85 was a problem no matter how I adjusted the seats. My '88 is terrific.... I have about 2" free space above my head. I believe it was of the changes from the '85... more headroom. Are you sure you actually sat in the 87-89 cars? Hard to imagine there's still not enough headroom...

[Dallas]

Hi jlex, yes unfortunately, I am sure it was an 88 sunroof coupe. I don't think I will keep me from getting one I just wanted to know my options.

Thanks again for everyone's thoughts.

[Hotshot]

Not too hijack the post or go off topic... Do you guys see seat support rails re welded fairly common or do I have some freak mod to it? The car is solid and runs like a top. It’s just something I found after I got the car and couldn’t figure out? PO didn’t mention it and it’s hard to see, until you see it..

The PO put the SW chip in and the DME is moved back too.. so I suspect the seat had to come out. Getting it outs Is a pain in the butt, as to access. But she went in..

I’m 6.0” and can sit comfortable in this set up or stock.. I wonder if it’s better in the future to buy new support rails and have them re welded stock, and how much for a job like that. . welding is above my skill set as is buy a fuel line...