Headroom in a 911?

[rob928s4]

Greetings,

I have a very basic question to ask. I currently have a 928 and the top of my head just hits the headliner.

I am thinking of buying a 911 in the following months and possibly autocrossing it and driving it in PCA DE events as well. How is the headroom on these cars?

I am leaning towards a Targa, for that very reason.

Thanks,

Rob

[aigel]

The headroom is not very good, if you are above about 6'2" and want to wear a helmet.

You can still buy a 911 and install your seat lower (there are tricks) or get one without sunroof which gives you back a lot of room.

If you want to go to the track, buy a coupe.

George

[Dantilla]

I am 6-1, and have a non-sunroof coupe. With a helmet, I fit, barely, with Recaro race seats.

I have instructed in 928s. The 911 has more headroom.

[layzee]

I am 6'7" and I don't have a problem in my '72 (no sunroof), sure I would if I wanted to wear a helmet though.

[911teo]

I am 6'3" and I had to fiddle with the seats controls to be able to fit whilst wearing a helmet.
But now I that I found the right spot it's ok. I have an 88 with sunroof.

[jyl]

Search for a thread titled "FK seats", on one of the later pages there is discussion of 911 headroom including measurements of seat cushion to headliner distance.

[KobaltBlau]

Originally posted by aigel

If you want to go to the track, buy a coupe.

George

I disagree. Targas have lots of benefits on the street, and are fine on the track too. The driver makes a bigger difference at the DE level.

BUT don't buy a targa _just_ for headroom.

If you get really serious you can cut/reweld the seat rails lower, there is lots of room (ask nostatic). Of course you are better off if you start without a sunroof, on the headroom front.

[JeremyD]

I've got headroom for days!

In Florida you can DE without a roof - (Just have to have a rollbar) So Cabriolet all the way!!! and it's cooler too running topless!

[KobaltBlau]

Here, you must have arm restraints if you don't have a roof. Only very trick cars (The FrickeMobile, for one) take advantage of this.

[vash]

i live in concord, if you want to "test fit" a coupe, let me know. my buddy with an 928 S4, (strange part, his name is rob too) let me drive his car, and for some reason, it felt like it had more head room.

cliff
hey, any suspension mods to your 928? i agreed to help my buddy with his, parts are on the way.

[tomt]

I'm 6'3" and fit in my Targa w/ helmet (Arai, lowest profile). It's even better now w/ Racaro SRDs and sliders -- I gained about 1.5"

I also have a smaller steering wheel (Momo), and that helps with the knees.

[Emission]

I'm about 6'3" and I fit fine (coupe with sunroof). With a helmet, I rub.

[rob928s4]

Thank you very much for the responses!

It sounds like driving the 911 will give me more headroom (in most cases). I am kind of built like a fat hobbit (short legs and long torso) and I am only 5'10" tall.

Now all I have to do is find a good car!

Cliff, is your friend (Rob) going to DEVEK on August 7th? That's the largest gathering of 928's in Northern California. I have a silver metallic S4.

Rob

[nostatic]

I'm 6'1" and fit stock, but with a helmet it was no go (sunroof coupe). Had the stock seat rails removed and fabricated a custom mount for a Sparco. All is well now. No sunroof gets you at least an inch of room though over a sunroof model.

[rob928s4]

Tell me about it. I have been so tempted to take my sawzall (spelling?) to my 928's roof for a long time.