Fitting Replica GT3 bucket seats to 996 GT3

[robmug]

Mr Freefall said:

robmug said:

My experience is that they flex significantly more then the recaro. And they are not made to a standard. Seats are safety critical items.

Would you buy a replica Arai helmet?

I wanst knocking your post, mearly stating that you would not be able to fully test the flex untill they are fitted, and that there is some flex in the GT3 ones.

If they flex, and bend where the seatbelts are fitted, then they are fit for the bin.

A seat is also only as good as its fixings. If the brackets are ste, then the seat is compramised if you can flex and twist the seat, its ste etc etc.

Mr F

That's OK, I didin't take it as knocking.
But it's not just a case of the seatbelt mounts.
In a forward-facing impact, the seatbelts do all the work (OK, the seatbelt mount plays a part too). In a rearwards impact the seat does all the work and it will try to break at around hip height. Good seats don't, as they are designed, tested and re-designed to ensure that they don't.

[dom9]

Rob, this is a (probably) valid argument that we have had time and time again on here...

However, the replica seats are now peddled by a few (respected) race/ tuning places and used in their cars.

Despite this apparent flex, has there ever been a case of one of them breaking and injuring the occupant?

Is a 30g rear impact really a reasonable scenario? I think the point is, it is not, so the Recaro's etc must be very strong... But what is reasonable? I don't know, but I am sure my 6'3" 17st, gym liking frame could not get anywhere close to cracking one.

As with anything, it is risk management... if I get hit by a lorry going VERY quickly, whilst I am stationary, then I may be in trouble. I do, however, find that an unlikely scenario (touches wood) and how many people on here can say that has happened to them?

Truth be told, when I jump in my car, with the standard metal frame/ leather sports seats they deflect, creak and crack (hence why they are coming out) and i have far more confidence with the new, carbon seats.

I am yet to be convinced that these copies are 'much' different. Mine have strengthening ribs not seen on standard GT3 seats and the quality of carbon looks good. To be fair, mine are not GT3 copies, but I would call them '3rd part Recaro-a-likes' but I don't notice any flex at all, when not in the car.

I will report back my thoughts when they are in though and you are welcome to pop round for a look!

[phelix]

dom9 said:

However, the replica seats are now peddled by a few (respected) race/ tuning places and used in their cars.

Road cars? Track cars? Race cars?

[dom9]

phelix said:

dom9 said:

However, the replica seats are now peddled by a few (respected) race/ tuning places and used in their cars.

Road cars? Track cars? Race cars?

I best not name names on here, in case there is a backlash, but I would call the cars road registered track cars... But, I am guessing that you are suggesting they may be ok for one or some of those scenario's, but I can't see (at least it is not obvious to me), in which scenario you would want a stronger seat...

Not much chance of an HGV hitting you when stationary on a race track, but euqally, there is likely to be more other car/ barrier contact on the track... Hmmmm... Although high speed, I can't see anything other than going into the barriers, backwards, very fast being really high 'g' accelerations.

i.e. you are unlikely to have a head on with a high closing speed, but then again, I think we have pretty much agreed that it is being rear ended that is the worry.

Either way, this has gone off track and the topic was really about fitting seats replica or otherwise! I just don't want evryone wandering round thinking every seat that is not Recaro is rubbish.

[robmug]

Yep, sorry to have taken this OT.

There are plenty of seats out there of equal, of better quality to Recaro (Cobra etc).

[dom9]

robmug said:

Yep, sorry to have taken this OT.

There are plenty of seats out there of equal, of better quality to Recaro (Cobra etc).

Indeed - The Misano seat is gorgeous, especially in the custom covering you guys had on that project car! But, a little on the pricey side for me I am afraid, hence I have fixed back, carbon seats with an alcantara covering and red stitching for much, much less... I just think people would consider them to be these 'copies'...

There is nothing obvious to me (I have a degree in materials and engineering) to suggest it is inherently weak, or more weak than any other offering I have had a close look at... So I don't think, until we have a real report of one failing, the conditions it failed under and why it failed, we should put people off.

This has been a good conversation with reasoned facts and potential buyers have the freedom of choice. I have just seen other threads go the way of "I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole, they are $hit" without mentioning the manufacturer or how they came to that conclusion etc!

We are in a credit crunch people!

[mrdemon]

Ebay seats and track work do not go together imho

you dont want a shard of carbon fibre to shatter and cut you in half at the next slight wall knock or crash.

Plus they look cheap and nasty, why any one would fit them into a GT3 is beond me when you can get recaro pole position seats for under £400 each.

Edited by mrdemon on Wednesday 20th May 13:44

[welshnobby]

Have you considered these, they would be ideal.....

[Mr Freefall]

dom9 said:

Mr Freefall said:

s_mcneil said:

hendy said:

Fantastic! That's exactly what I was after. Thank you very much for the advice!

No problem, should be an easy install, I fooked about for a few hours figuring out what to do with no bolts but then twigged I could use the old one's...

I had a quick look at the instructions. If your new seats do not come with the seatbelt receptical (spl) plug, then you are going to get a seatbelt light on as I read it??? Is this right???

Mr F

I am just waiting for the runners to fit my carbon seats and I am a bit worried about this now...

The seatbelt warning light would wind me right up!

Surely you could just splice the wires together though, it looks feasible from the instructions in that Rennlist gallery!?

OK did mine today, and any tips I have learnt I will list here.

1) dont sod around with the universal brackets is they are supplied, the are ste, dont fit and will take and age to adjust. you then have to find a place for the seatbelt to anchor. >>> Answer, buy the heavy duty brackted from design911. The firt the runner spot on, and you have the seat belt location too.

2) the seat belt warning light.>>> Anwser, follow the instructions and you will be fine. Just disconect the seat belt from the old seat, carefully remove the cable with the fixing through the old seat, then all you have to do is reconnect to the existing wiring loom once the new seat is installed.

3) when fitting the new seat to the car, bolt up the rear of the runner first, then the fronts.>>> Reason, if you are installing new runners, and they are slightly out of align, if you do up the fronts first, the backs will not allign and the seats will not fit.


Apart from the above, the instructions and install guide on the threat was good. Took me 6 hours to take the old ones out, take the centre consol out and fit a new one. Make the seats up with new runners as I have electric memeory seats in mine...

Oh, the last thing you will notice, is the car now sits higher, maybe half inch or 3/4 inch, as the old seat were so dam heavy.

My seat are solid in the car, no flex, no wobbly bits, and sit just fine!!!!!

Sorry for any spelling errors etc...

Mr F

[bunglebear38]

I have a set of Genuine Porsche GT3 runners and side mounts from 996 Seats (Left and Right) for sale at £300 for the pair. Brand New

Cheers
Phil

[dom9]

Glad to hear the install went well Mr F!

Mine will be done at Autofarm next week (dropping it off on Friday).

I was hoping to get them done but I had an unexpected week in hospital last week, whilst being stuck in Scotland, so didn't get round to it...

Plus, my runners are yet to appear... So, I need to chase them!

Sounds like it wasn't too bad a job though, do you have any photos?

[hendy]

Not sure if Mr F took any photos, but I managed to install mine with no problems. Used the guide above with Design 911 Brackets and the existing runners from the sports seats.

A few pics I took are here :

http://s295.photobucket.com/albums/mm154/r1hendy/0...

[Mr Freefall]

hendy said:

Not sure if Mr F took any photos, but I managed to install mine with no problems. Used the guide above with Design 911 Brackets and the existing runners from the sports seats.

A few pics I took are here :

http://s295.photobucket.com/albums/mm154/r1hendy/0...

Nope, didnt take any photo's sorry. Looking at these one, I can see that the wiring loom is slighly different from my memory seats. On the back of this, I would suggest that if anyone is doing them, take photo's of the wiring, just to make sure. I did a diagram, and left it under the seat of my car tucked away, so should I wish to change them again, I know where it is.

Oh, and dont expect the 'ladies' to love the seats, their not the best to get in and out of :-) My wife is 18 weeks due, and her actual words were "not the best desicion you have made in you life, is it..."

Mr F

Edited by Mr Freefall on Monday 1st June 14:01

[phelix]

Mr Freefall said:

Oh, and dont expect the 'ladies' to love the seats, their not the best to get in and out of :-) My wife is 18 weeks due, and her actual words were "not the best decision you have made in you life, is it..."

Which, getting the seats or her pregnant?

[boydyrs]

I have a spare set off original 996/boxter etc runners that have had GT3 seats fitted for sale if anyone is interested.
£185 ono.....these will bolt straight in.....no messing.
PM for contact details, pics if interested
Boydyrs