Fitting Rear Seat Belts in a 997 GT3 - can you get insurance
Discussion
I am considering getting a 997 GT3 (Gen1) but since I have a couple of kids, I can only get this past the family investment board if I can get the kids in the back. I have seen from other threads and conversations with a few specialists that I can get seat belts fitted and I have tried a child seat in the back and it works pretty well. However, I have tried getting insurance quotes without any luck. Has anyone else put rear seat belts in a 996 or 997 GT3 and got insurance cover - if so could you recommend the insurance company and how you described the modification? Thanks.
Car is described on the V5C as a two seater yes? So therefore you cannot use it as a four seater unless you have this changed, which I imagine requires formal inspection etc by DVLA etc. Not sure how hard that is.
Then you have a modified car, so even with approval you will still find it hard to insure.
Buy a turbo.
Then you have a modified car, so even with approval you will still find it hard to insure.
Buy a turbo.
I have added rear seat belts to my gen 1 997 GT3 and both Admiral (previous insurer) and Porsche Insurance (current insurer) had no problems with issuing cover. I explained that I had added seat belts in the back to use booster seats and they have listed it as interior modifications.
IIRC the 997 GT3 (first series) is type approved as a 2+2, but homologated as a 2-seater, without the rear seats fitted. Apparently the V5 desctriptions are not always consistent.
Insurers should be considerate, but not sure whether they would expect seats and belts rather than just belts.
Second series GT3s have single skinned rear seat bowls, and are not suitable for accomodating the seats (according to Chris Harris).
Insurers should be considerate, but not sure whether they would expect seats and belts rather than just belts.
Second series GT3s have single skinned rear seat bowls, and are not suitable for accomodating the seats (according to Chris Harris).
Hong Kong Phooey said:
Will an OPC fit these - obviously using genuine Porsche bits, what with warranty and all that.
JZM have quoted for fitting porsche seat belts and a company called Quick Fit (no Ks) quoted for fitting their own belts.Porsche Hatfield had done a full conversion on GT3 a few years ago with rear seats etc but it cost 10k.
GrahamSaunders said:
Hong Kong Phooey said:
Will an OPC fit these - obviously using genuine Porsche bits, what with warranty and all that.
JZM have quoted for fitting porsche seat belts and a company called Quick Fit (no Ks) quoted for fitting their own belts.Porsche Hatfield had done a full conversion on GT3 a few years ago with rear seats etc but it cost 10k.
Hi
I am looking to fit some rear seats and belts to a 996 GT3 comfort model. Can anyone tell me exactly what parts I will need?
- seat bases
- seat backs
- seat belt assembly
- fixing bolts
Is there anything else that is needed? I presume you don't need to fit the rear shelf that normally conceals the belts and houses the rear speakers etc?
Would be interested to hear from anyone who has done this, where they sourced the parts, who fitted them etc.
Thanks
I am looking to fit some rear seats and belts to a 996 GT3 comfort model. Can anyone tell me exactly what parts I will need?
- seat bases
- seat backs
- seat belt assembly
- fixing bolts
Is there anything else that is needed? I presume you don't need to fit the rear shelf that normally conceals the belts and houses the rear speakers etc?
Would be interested to hear from anyone who has done this, where they sourced the parts, who fitted them etc.
Thanks
Have a look on rennlist for a detailed set of photos of the process...
http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/997-gt2-gt3-...
The hard part is fitting the top brackets for the backrests; they need to be welded in place. If you aren't bothered about the seats themselves, belts are easy and Quick Fit SBS in North London have done a couple of gt3s.
Insurance depends on who you are with. I've asked Admiral about this, as I'm also considering fitting belts for a child seat, and they've said no problem as long as the factory mounts are used and they're installed or inspected by a reputable specialist.
Pete
P.s. the link is for a 997 not a 996 but it should give you an idea what you need to buy and fit, given the interior similarities in the back of the car.
http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/997-gt2-gt3-...
The hard part is fitting the top brackets for the backrests; they need to be welded in place. If you aren't bothered about the seats themselves, belts are easy and Quick Fit SBS in North London have done a couple of gt3s.
Insurance depends on who you are with. I've asked Admiral about this, as I'm also considering fitting belts for a child seat, and they've said no problem as long as the factory mounts are used and they're installed or inspected by a reputable specialist.
Pete
P.s. the link is for a 997 not a 996 but it should give you an idea what you need to buy and fit, given the interior similarities in the back of the car.
Edited by pete on Saturday 21st January 23:07
Hi Pete
Thanks for the information. I am not far from Quick Fit so will speak to them about the belts or it seems someone like JZM or Northway will fit Porsche items.
I see what you mean about the seat backs - I was wondering what went in the "gap" that is there where the shelf normally sits. I would prefer to have them so that there is support for the person's back or the rear of the child seat but I don't fancy having a bar welded in. The pictures are very helpful, will look in to it further.
Would be interested to hear what you decided to do.
Thanks again
Thanks for the information. I am not far from Quick Fit so will speak to them about the belts or it seems someone like JZM or Northway will fit Porsche items.
I see what you mean about the seat backs - I was wondering what went in the "gap" that is there where the shelf normally sits. I would prefer to have them so that there is support for the person's back or the rear of the child seat but I don't fancy having a bar welded in. The pictures are very helpful, will look in to it further.
Would be interested to hear what you decided to do.
Thanks again
996 is the same as in the link above for 997 GT3.
I have a seatbelt installed in my 996 GT3 mk1, and all the bolt holes and fastening points are there except the hole for the bolt that the seat back locks on to (this would have to be welded in as stated above). I just use a child seat for now so this is not a problem before my son gets older.
I have a seatbelt installed in my 996 GT3 mk1, and all the bolt holes and fastening points are there except the hole for the bolt that the seat back locks on to (this would have to be welded in as stated above). I just use a child seat for now so this is not a problem before my son gets older.
Funny to see this thread up again. I got JZM to fit standard porsche rear seat belts in my 997.1 GT3. I didn't fit any other seat parts, I just found a couple of Graco kids seats that have a base and back and then use one cushion undeeach seat to keep it level and one cushion behind each seat to keep the back at a reasonable angle. It works really well and actually is better then standard rear seats as they provide much better lateral support. Only issue has been that the kids cant strap themselves in as the buckle is down the side of the kids seat.
I have considered buying standard seat bases from porsche as these just velcro on to the carpet and may provide a more level base for the kid seats - but they were quite expensive so I didn't bother.
I got my insured with Manning - total understood what I was doing and didn't add anything to the premium.
I have considered buying standard seat bases from porsche as these just velcro on to the carpet and may provide a more level base for the kid seats - but they were quite expensive so I didn't bother.
I got my insured with Manning - total understood what I was doing and didn't add anything to the premium.
Hi Graham
A question about the seat bases - do you usecushion to get the height correct so they have more leg room or is it so the seats are stable? I am thinking not having bases velcor'd in might allow a bit more head room. I see the issue with the seat backs as there is more space behind the back rest than there would be in a std 911 with rear seats. I am not looking to get the bar welded in so just looking for the most stable solution - I didn't think about getting a bigger / bulkier child seat so that it fits snugly but that is a good point.
Do you mind me asking how much JZM charged for the seat belt installation and did they use Porsche parts? Quickfit SBS seem to get the thumbs up but I believe they don't use Porsche seat belts and I would prefer to keep it all Porsche parts if I could.
Also, are the std rear seat belts long enough to be used with a car seat or do you think longer belts work better (I think this is an option with QSBS).
It seems like order of play should be get seats that fit well, chuck them in the back and then get seat belts installed to correct length (or does it not matter as they all fit?). The seat backs seem pointless if they aren't secured on anything and the seat bases may help - I'll check some breakers.
Thanks all for your help.
Regards
A question about the seat bases - do you usecushion to get the height correct so they have more leg room or is it so the seats are stable? I am thinking not having bases velcor'd in might allow a bit more head room. I see the issue with the seat backs as there is more space behind the back rest than there would be in a std 911 with rear seats. I am not looking to get the bar welded in so just looking for the most stable solution - I didn't think about getting a bigger / bulkier child seat so that it fits snugly but that is a good point.
Do you mind me asking how much JZM charged for the seat belt installation and did they use Porsche parts? Quickfit SBS seem to get the thumbs up but I believe they don't use Porsche seat belts and I would prefer to keep it all Porsche parts if I could.
Also, are the std rear seat belts long enough to be used with a car seat or do you think longer belts work better (I think this is an option with QSBS).
It seems like order of play should be get seats that fit well, chuck them in the back and then get seat belts installed to correct length (or does it not matter as they all fit?). The seat backs seem pointless if they aren't secured on anything and the seat bases may help - I'll check some breakers.
Thanks all for your help.
Regards
Blackmamba,
I use a cushion under the seat to make it more stable otherwise the seats dont sit properly - its just a bog standard cushion but seems to do the job. The seat bases would I think be a better option - but new from an OPC they were quite expensive.
I seem to recall that JZM charged around £600 to £700 to supply and fit the seat belts. I decided I wanted standard porsche ones even though there is nothing special about them really.
There is a ledge that provides enough back support to the seats but a cushion behind each just pushes the back slightly more up right, I have not had any issues with seat belt lengths but then they aren't seats for really young kids where the seat belt has to to all the way around the front. Other point to consider is that I am very short and hence have the seat quite far forward which means there is plenty of leg room for the kids.
You do have to chose the right seats. I went to halfords and tried pretty much every single one. The ones I got are Graco and they have a plate at the bottom which lifts to increase the height of the of the chair which is very narrow and therefore sits well in the "carpet bucket" - many of the seats I tried were too wide at the base and hence wouldn't sit properly. I'd suggest just keep trying seats until they sit properly and when you do take a couple of cushions with you.
I had a C4S before the GT3 and I think in that the rear seat were too upright for the kids - they certainly wouldn't fall asleep in the car. However, with the GT3 fitted with the Graco's they are more reclined and better supported so find it more comfortable. Personally I wish Porsche would just offer rear seats as an option on the GT3 "comfort".
I use a cushion under the seat to make it more stable otherwise the seats dont sit properly - its just a bog standard cushion but seems to do the job. The seat bases would I think be a better option - but new from an OPC they were quite expensive.
I seem to recall that JZM charged around £600 to £700 to supply and fit the seat belts. I decided I wanted standard porsche ones even though there is nothing special about them really.
There is a ledge that provides enough back support to the seats but a cushion behind each just pushes the back slightly more up right, I have not had any issues with seat belt lengths but then they aren't seats for really young kids where the seat belt has to to all the way around the front. Other point to consider is that I am very short and hence have the seat quite far forward which means there is plenty of leg room for the kids.
You do have to chose the right seats. I went to halfords and tried pretty much every single one. The ones I got are Graco and they have a plate at the bottom which lifts to increase the height of the of the chair which is very narrow and therefore sits well in the "carpet bucket" - many of the seats I tried were too wide at the base and hence wouldn't sit properly. I'd suggest just keep trying seats until they sit properly and when you do take a couple of cushions with you.
I had a C4S before the GT3 and I think in that the rear seat were too upright for the kids - they certainly wouldn't fall asleep in the car. However, with the GT3 fitted with the Graco's they are more reclined and better supported so find it more comfortable. Personally I wish Porsche would just offer rear seats as an option on the GT3 "comfort".
Hi Graham
Thank you for the feedback, very useful. I'm going to have a look at QSBS and a JZM installation and as you say, I suspectthere won't be much in it. Good point about trying the seats in the well for fit and stability and I'll remember to take some cushions.
I'm with you, would be nice to have them factory installed as an option on the comfort but hey ho, what can you do.
Thanks
Thank you for the feedback, very useful. I'm going to have a look at QSBS and a JZM installation and as you say, I suspectthere won't be much in it. Good point about trying the seats in the well for fit and stability and I'll remember to take some cushions.
I'm with you, would be nice to have them factory installed as an option on the comfort but hey ho, what can you do.
Thanks
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