Seat Height Comparison Carrera vs. 993

BlueSideUp · 03-25-2005, 08:48 PM

I'm looking to get a comparison of seat height between a 993 with power seats and a Carrera with power seats. The only 911 coupe that I've sat in was a 993 C4S. The other 911s were various Targas.

From my searches I've found that the '85 Carreras have 20mm higher seats, is this true for Euro models too? There are a lot of threads about lowering the seats, I'm curious how low can the factory seats be mounted? Would I gain two inches (apparently depending on year)?

In the 993 coupe my hair touched the ceiling so I'd like to be just a bit lower than those seats. OK Really I would shave my head if it really meant the difference! Since my melon is odd shaped I'd rather lower the seat.

From what I understand the procedure is to take out the seats and have a knowledgeable welder move the existing rails down and back. Does this interfere with the DME brain under the seat?

Thanks,
Jess

03-26-2005, 01:39 AM

From what I can remember the seats were a bit lower in 85 models compared to 84 models.

I have 993 seats in my 1984 Carrera and that works fine. If the seat is adjusted to the lowest position it's as low or maybe even lower than the original seat.

Of course it helps that my car has no sunroof. Every 911 I've sat in that had a sunroof was only just large enough. In some I touched the roof. Thus I went for a non sunroof car.

However if I put on a crash helmet..... I get stuck between seat and roof. Quite uncomfortable.

Wil Ferch · 03-26-2005, 10:44 AM

No.....84 and 86 were both lower than 85.

85 is 20mm higher ( 3/4") than 86......US or ROW ....

Wil

BlueSideUp · 03-28-2005, 08:21 PM

Thanks for the replies, I spoke with my brother and he drove an '81 SC before buying his '71 Targa. The SC was a tight fit for him and would have been impossible with a helmet on (he is 6'4" and I'm 6'5").

So can anyone with experience fitting into a 993 vs. the Carrera comment?

How long would it take someone experienced in seat lowering to accomplish the job? Any ideas on price? I could certainly pull out the carpet and anything else, I just can't weld. Could I realistically pick up 2 inches of headroom in an '85 Carrera coupe with stock seats?

pmillikin · pmillikin's Garage

I'm 6'2" and seat height in an 86 is an issue, especially with a helmet. I converted my car to a track car and gained about 2" by chopping out the brackets welded to floor pan and the frame rails. This forces you to do a custom bracket for your seat but it is well worth the headroom gain. A race shop probably has experience doing this and probably cost $250.

Wil Ferch · 03-29-2005, 04:16 AM

There are some posts on this...do a search...

There are problems...
1.) There is DME relay and DME computer control equipment directly under the seat of 3.2's...may have to be relocated.
2.) As you cut the inside ( near tunnel) support...you might be tempted to re-weld a lower perch in its place. Plastic fuel lines are clipped into place alongside the inner surface of the tunnel RIGHT THERE....

Porsche....you gotta love-em.....

Wil

BlueSideUp · 03-29-2005, 07:44 PM

I actually did multiple searches but couldn't find anything pertaining to 993 vs. Carrera seat heights.

Perhaps the only thing I can do is look at fabbing up some brackets and possibly going to an aftermarket seat. I've never been a fan of power seats anyway.

pmillikin- did you end up relocating the DME on your track car? As Wil mentioned it would be a problem to lower the seat too much.

Sometimes it sucks being a circus freak. Although at 6'5" it is easy to replace most lightbulbs.

pmillikin · pmillikin's Garage

Yes I did relocate the DME in my car. There was enough play in the wiring so I just moved it directly backwards behind the drivers seat. Pretty easy, just unbolt the unit and use a cutoff on the mounting bolts. I then mounted the pieces on an aluminum plate and secured it with two small bolts through the floorpan.

jyl · jyl's Garage

Try a racing seat (one-piece shell) mounted as low as it will go on the stock seat mounting rails, without sliders. That should get you 2" or so. Even if you need to re-position the mounting rails to get even more headroom, you might not have to move the DME, because the seat will presumably be tilted back, hence the front will be raised and might clear the DME.

I could barely fit in my 89 w/ helmet and stock seats at lowest position (helmet brushing sunroof), the race seats (okay, maybe mine are rice seats, but anyway they are a one-piece shell) w/o sliders took care of it.

Wil Ferch · 03-30-2005, 04:43 AM

If you take a page off the "FK" seat thread, and use these Recaro PP clones as a basis for comparison.....the needed headroom is especially critical during track days when you have a helmet on. It's on those days that you can simply remove the velcro bottom cushion and gain about 1.75" headroom.

Wil