Tight Fit

wieringa@mcn.ne · 06-09-2009, 07:02 PM

So it's apparent the the P cars were not designed for my frame. Getting into my 911 requires a "procedure". I'm guessing a few of you have the same issue. Tilt / telescope wheel would be a plus but that's a little much. I would consider a "D" shaped steering wheel if the design was right. Not sure if anyone ever made one but if the flat side of the "D" were on the bottom it would make leg clearance a bonus. I guess I could always lose 40 pounds and have my legs shortened. Any thoughts?

KW

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

Go buy a D-shaped steering wheel. Look up Momo, Sparco, OMP, etc.

Talewinds · Talewinds's Garage

Several thoughts, more like questions.
What year car? Yeah I know they're all basically the same chassis, but it makes a big difference in comfortable driving position.
Obviously, how tall are you?
How fat are you?

Yes, DEFINITELY, a tilt/telescope wheel would make all the difference in the world...

wieringa@mcn.ne · 06-09-2009, 07:56 PM

83 SC.... 6'2" FAT 250# Hip has never been the same since that helicopter crash in the 80's so I pretty much have to put the seat all the way back to make it reasonable to get in and out. Then again if I wanted it easy I bought the wrong car.

KW

Wyvern · Wyvern's Garage

if your 6 2 ... and if that is torso height you could lower you seat or buy lower ones?

dad911 · 06-09-2009, 08:14 PM

BTDT Race seat, lowered, momo wheel.

Talewinds · Talewinds's Garage

I'm 6'4" and improved my comfort/ driving position by ditching the OEM steering wheel, got a smaller diameter MOMO and a hub extension. So, with the seat set far back for my tall driving position, the wheel was brought closer to me and increased the space between the wheel and seat bottom. This made my long legs much easier on ingress/ egress.

wieringa@mcn.ne · 06-09-2009, 08:17 PM

Thanks. Checked out some of the Momo wheels and I think I'll try one. May not be the right look but 100% functional so that makes it "non rice"

KW

Poor-sche Lover · Poor-sche Lover's Garage

I agree. I'm 6'4", 300+

Yeah, I'm a horse. Anyway, the biggest help was the smaller diameter steering wheels with the hub extension. You can also get another 1/2" or so with JWest's eccentric hub thing. Granted, I've never sat in a coupe, but my old '82 Targa worked pretty comfortably with the seat most of the way back, and the back leaned a bit. The hardest part was reaching the shift lever from there.

lateapex911 · 06-09-2009, 11:51 PM

Sounds like getting in and out is an issue as well. The quick release I have on my race car makes it easier for me to climb over the door bars, so thats a thought too. Combined with a good smaller diameter Momo, you should be golden.

tomphot · 06-10-2009, 03:55 AM

I'm 6'6" and 240# - I've got a smaller diameter Momo and installed the hub extension - that was a huge improvement.
The sunroof delete 911 I have is also a must for me.

dw1 · 06-10-2009, 04:57 AM

+1 for the hub extension.

I'm far from a small guy and the factory hub extension made a big difference in my ability to steer more precisely and comfortably, and yes I'm still using the stock-style wheel in my '87.

One more obvious thing to check: If you have the power seats (as I do) make sure they will go all the way down. When I first got my car, there was something in the seat mechanism (actually an old DME relay that must have been rolling around under the seat) that prevented the rear motor from lowering the seat fully.

I've also seen cars where the up/down seat switch wasn't working (or working intermittently) and the inexperienced owners complained about the lack of headroom.

Steve 82SC · 06-10-2009, 02:59 PM

You may want to consider a 930S wheel. The OEM type 930S wheels are slightly offset to the hub and give you more clearance when entering the car. When the wheel is pointed in the straight-ahead position, it's offset slightly toward the 12 o'clock position on the hub. If you turn the wheel while at a standstill, you'll see it bob up and down, but it's nothing you'd ever notice when driving.

Steve

nesslar · 06-10-2009, 03:10 PM

Steve 82SC! You beat me to the punch. "Tight Fit" said he was concerned about the "look". Well, the OEM 930S would look great, and is "Porsche"....

I recently got one for my Carrera, LOVE the look of the wheel.

GaryR · GaryR's Garage

Install a quick connect hub and remove the wheel before entry/exit, i.e. my race car.

jwerion · 06-10-2009, 03:44 PM

I am glad I am not the only fat A$$ on this board, I found in my 993 coupe that the power seats made it possible to fit reasonably because they can get lower than with the manual seat adjustmens. You can also have the seat rails moved back about an inch or two on the mounts which I found gives me just enough leg room room to make it comfortable. 6'3+ 300+ lbs.

mkossler · 06-10-2009, 04:09 PM

Add one to the list - I am 6'3", 300 lbs. I fill roughly 30% of the interior space of my Targa, or so it feels. I went with a Momo Competition (I could barely feel that skinny three-spoke OEM), and I always move the seat as far back as it can go when entering and exiting.

I'll be doing a DE at Roebling this weekend, where that size keeps me from moving around! Weight's a bit of a detriment though...

Me in the car:

dw1 · 06-10-2009, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwerion

...You can also have the seat rails moved back about an inch or two on the mounts which I found gives me just enough leg room room to make it comfortable. 6'3+ 300+ lbs.

Good point.

When I first got my '87, I found that there were two sets of mounting holes for the driver's seat rails, and that the seat was mounted in the more forward set. Not a big difference (2 to 3 cm) but enough to help quite a bit.

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Ah yes, we like our Porsches and we like other things German, like food and beer....

How would one say "plus size Porschers" auf Deutsch?