electric seat motor removal

Buckterrier · 03-01-2008, 04:30 PM

The electric sport seats I installed in my Carrera added 33 lbs. Although the motors work fine I can't use them. I have to keep them in the lowest position with a slight front upward tilt. I have been thinking about removing the motors for the weight loss.
A search hasn't provided me with the information I'm looking for. How easy are they to remove? Is that where the 16.5 lbs per seat is or is it in the extra frame support etc. ? And would I be able to keep the bit of upward tilt with them removed?
As always thank you in advance.

2.7RACER · 03-01-2008, 05:45 PM

Hi Mark,
I just spent about 4 hours fixing my drivers side electric seat in my '85 driver. Turned out the wires to the seat back recline motor were broken.
Yes the power seats are heavy. I'm guessing 50 pounds or more.
I would replace them with good quality light weight racing seats.
Sell the power seats or wrap them up and store them.
The 3 motors and the drive mechanisms are just part of the weight. The steel frame, including the tilting seat back framework are not light.
If you want a light weight seat for competition, get one or two designed with slots for shoulder belts and sub belts.
You can tilt the seat in any manner you like to get the fit you like when you bolt it in.
Typically a racing seat is not on sliders and does not tilt forward.
It is however very securely attached to the car.
There are many different sizes and styles for big, medium and smaller drivers.
Try out as many as possible before you buy. Well worth your time.
Check with your local racing group to be sure the seat meets their specs.
Be suspicious of cheap imported seats, they may not be approved and more important in event of a crash, you don't want your seat to break apart.

Buckterrier · 03-01-2008, 06:12 PM

Thanks for the reply Doug. I really like the look and comfort of the factory sport seats. I haven't raced the car. Maybe down the road I'll do a few DE's. So I'm not really looking for a race set if you will. But it still is pretty much dead weight. My seats are just four way power.
Did you remove the motors? If so am curious how hard the removal was. Sounds like the whole fix was pretty long.
Appreciate any added info.

MOMO3.2 · 06:30 PM

Mark:

I like Doug's thinking on this.

But, if you want to stay with the factory seat, look for some mid-year manual Sport Seats. I changed out the power seats in my 1987 Carrera for a pair and could not be more happy with the design, look, feel, and function. The lower portion of the seats appear to be more supportive than the later Sport Seats, as the side panels are totally separate from the middle cushion.

I did have to make a few changes for them to work in my 87. I had to increase the diameter of the holes in the slide rails. I had to buy RS America seatbelt receptacles from, our host and attach them to the seats. And, I removed the control box for the fan between the seats because it was inhibiting the sliding motion due to the RSA brackets.

The mid-year manual Sport Seats are a BIG weight savings over the stock power seats that come in Carrera 3.2's.

I love them!

Mike