Removing backseats

arnebret · 07-24-2003, 06:58 AM

Hiya,

Turning my 944 in a lightweight thing... at least trying to... So, before i start smashing 'heavy' windows out, i thought i'd try the backseats first.

Any ideas on how to get rid of them are more than welcome. Oh, and preferrably a de-installation that can be reversed. As i'm planning to make it as light as possible for now, but i want to be able to restore the car in 'normal' condition as well. You see, i can think of getting them out the 'rough' way as well, a more 'official' way is welcome.

Thanks!

rammstein · 07-24-2003, 08:11 AM

Well, I took the top part off. Its just 2 bolts. I think they were 10mm maybe. They are wedged in there kind of good, so your have to shove the wrench in there, but that job is totally reversible. I haven't taken the bottom out, cause I think its glued in and probably wouldn't make reversing it too easy, and I haven't totally admitted I'm stripping the car yet (but I think I will, cause I keep removing things I don't need like bumper pad). I don't know if the bottom is all that heavy anyways. The top weighs a good chunk though, definitly do that.

arnebret · 07-24-2003, 08:43 AM

Yeah, you might be onto something here. It's useless spending hours and hours removing things that are not that heavy at all and on top of it hard to reverse. I already stripped about 5-6 kg's by only removing all rear carpets and some soundpadding.

I'm also aware it's useful to remove things on the car that are high, thus lowering the COG. Maybe replacing the sunroof for some self made wooden replacement thingy will do that

The thing is, i'm just testing a bit, and i actually want to be able to restore the car in standard condition. We'll see what happens.

924Sman · 07-25-2003, 02:31 AM

WHY?? What is your reason for lightening up the car? There are a ton of things that can reduce weight but at what cost and justification! Going through stripping the car only to restore at a later date is overkill!IMO! If the car is to be used competitively then all the work is worth it, but to lighten just to be lighter is alot of work for nothing and you can't always get the car back to OEM condition. Porsche attaches all there components very good in most cases, rear hatch is an exception! But overall if you want OEM later on, stay OEM! Sman

arnebret · 07-25-2003, 02:45 AM

That's my problem. The PO messed up the interior quite bad, and i'm currently rebuilding it all. Some things just can't be removed easy. Like the carpet that runs from the rear all the way to the seats. It has no use at all to go messing about with that.

But besides that, i'm also thinking about turning the old 951 into a 'race' version. So, while i'm at it, i'd thought i'd have a look at how things are put together. For now, i'm just rebuilding to OEM.

924Sman · 07-25-2003, 03:13 AM

Arne....Consider the rules in which you wish to place the race car in. I am not up on racing over there but here you have 2 issues - street class or full blown race car. One will determine what you can remove and not remove. The point you made on the PO is a good example of the attempts made for lightening and the results appear to be evident! PO got so far with it and gave up!? Restoration is not a easy deal so I would think twice before making a move. Bottom line is what is the benefit vs. labor! Good Luck! Sman