Track Seat + Roll Cage opinions

Hi all, I am considering installing the autopower race roll bar in my track/street 996 C4S. I have read the threads saying how dangerous it is to have a roll bar in a street car, but since I will be installing racing seats, would this prevent any issue of breaking my back or head in a rear collision?(I will of course have the harness bar option). Secondly, can someone please recommend me a seat(fixed back, 6 point harness-acceptable) and bracket that actually fit the 996? I called around, and a bunch of sparco and recaro seats have no standard mount for the 996, which I find very odd. I am a 31 waist and I felt that the momo start seat fit me pretty well. This is the only seat I have sat in, and unfortunately there are no places nearby where I can demo seats. I'm looking for a solid, safe seat, but I want to spend the minimum necessary to achieve this(not interested in 3k GT3 seats). Also what would be a good inexpensive 6 point harness? I'd greatly appreciate any help, --Johnny

ALL the seats I have seen need adapter plates... they make the seats the "standard" then adapt to each car... imagine how har it would be to make each seat differant to fit each car make and model at Sparco they have adapter plates, they are made right here about 5 miles from my house. They are very nice and I am not using them as i like to make my own stuff.... so I am

I had cobra emola seats. They were on sliders, but I don't recall how they were mounted. I had a small one on drivers side and a large on on passenger side (need equal restraints). Fwiw, the gt3 seats come up on sale now and then. Keep your eyes peeled. I have had a roll bar in my street car for years. I just don't think the downsides are what the worry warts make it out to be.

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Check the FS section......seat and roll bars show up quite frequently. And BTW eat something!

The GT3 seats look expensive at first inspection, but they include all the mounting hardware and they drop right into a 996 without any modification. By the time you buy what you need to install other seats (Sparco, Cobra,...), the price will come very close to what you will spend on the Porsche seats. If you can find some used GT3 seats, that will actually be the cheapest and easiest way by far to put track seats in your car. Unless you are building a full-on race car, I would go with the Porsche seats. Personally, I would not drive a car with a cage on the street. I've done it, and I did not like it at all. Once you are out driving around in a cage and no helmet, it won't take you long to figure out why I (and others) say this. I know you didn't ask this, but along those same lines, I would not recommend using harnesses without a HANS. Once you are harnessed in, in my opinion you neck is much more exposed to injury. I think harnesses without a HANS is a big mistake.

Thanks for the replies guys. I will look into the gt3 seats. It does seem like the amount of hardware I need is ridiculous. I don't want to put a cage, just the rear roll bar, so hitting my head on a side impact wouldn't be possible. Also with a full racing seat, isn't my head protected(I just can't imagine how my head could swing aroung the headrest behind the seat to smack the bar)

The Recaro Profii seats will fit into the 996 & Recaro makes sliders that bolt directly into the 996 OEM locations without modifications or plates. You can get them from Stable Energies... You will not find them listed by many of the suppliers.

With just a roll bar, you won't have to worry about hitting your head. Check out the DAS roll bars. Very nice piece of kit.

FWIW, I have Brey Krause brackets for sale like new. http://www.bkauto.com/porsche/r9073.php

GT3 is the way to go... drop in, no fit issues. I had Maxspeed GT3 Euro Carbon Fiber fixed back seats inthe 996, they were pretty inexpensive too... I think new was only like $1500?? maybe less

Ivangene, I'm guessing these are GT3 replicas? There are some on ebay, made in Taiwan. I've heard all sorts of stories regarding replicas. What was the quality like, and how well did they hold up? Are they FIA approved? Thanks!

Johnny225: Contact Brian A he has a "safety devices" roll bar that he is looking to sell and the price is right! He PM'd me but, I told him that I had already purchased another roll bar. It is a decent piece of equipment. I might also suggest that you consider a neck collar, while it is not nearly as safe as a HANS device, it will offer some safety benefits should you put in seats, harnesses, etc. As for GT3 seats, they appear in the "FS" fairly regulary. Someone always seems to be changing out their stuff, so be patient, and search around...I have no experience with the copies, but IMHO, I would suggest the real deal, GT3 seats, if you want to go that route.

There are lots of roll cage options. The GMG bar is great if you are tall and need a little extra room. Tequipment is perfect, but are getting hard to come by for the 996. Something that hasn't been said but should be - you shouldn't go cheap on safety equipment. You may only get 1 chance to use it. -td Some relevant pics. DSC03935.JPG DSC03948.JPG DSC03949.JPG DSC03955.JPG DSC03986.JPG

Something to consider.. Porsche, in europe, offers a clubsport option (or so I recall the name being that) and it includes a rear rollbar! Clearly the Germans aren't worried about you banging your head on the rollbar. Why should you? because our litigous country has made everyone worry about everything they do. Lighten up man. Get a rollbar, get some GT3 style seats and have at it. IIRC, you can still get the "techquipment" or Porsche bar, from dealers. Bolts right in. I would encourage removing the rear seatbacks first. * I would be more concerned with a cage, mostly because your head/arms/legs could hit it on the street since you likely won;t be wearing harnesses. That said, for years I drove a streetcar with a cage and never had an issue.

Hi everyone, It sounds like GT3 seats are the way to go. I'll keep prowling until I find some. As for the roll bar, DAS is looking really nice, especially since there's no drilling involved. The GMG looks sweet too, but at 2300 it's just a bit too much for me. I definitely understand that skimping on safety is the dumbest thing you can do, but the moderately priced equipment looks pretty solid to me. @Country911: I tried a member lookup for Brian A, but couldn't find anyone. Is that his user id? I'd really appreciate it if you could pm me with his contact info. Thanks!

You can find them used with sliders and sub bar all day long for about $2000. Otherwise, you will have to adapt a slider/bracket combo to your seat for the 16 inch center required. For track/street use, these are the best option!

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OEM 996 GT3 (Euro/fixed) seats. Direct bolt-on.

I've got Euro GT3 seats, Schroth 6-pt harnesses and DAS Sport roll bar in my '02 996. Absolutely love the set-up.

To everyone recommending the GT3 seats, it seems that these weigh 28 pounds. The Recaro Profi seat is only 18. My question is, what is the weight of the recaro mounting equipment? If it is negligible and I'd be saving 20 pounds, I might opt for the lighter seat. Thanks, Johnny EDIT: One more question. How much lower do you sit with the gt3 seats? At the lowest setting with the stock powered seats, I'm already too low for comfort. If these seats are any lower, they may not work out.

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They are pretty low, but I think more or less equivalent to the lowest setting on a stock seat. If you're on the short side, they could be a problem. I'm 5' 10" and they were fine for me when I had them in my car. It would be a good idea to find someone at the track that has the same seats, and sit in them. They are a very popular seat, so it shouldn't be a problem to find some to sit in. I really wouldn't worry about weight that much. Just go enjoy your car at the track.

Thanks for the info. I'm 5'9'', but with long legs and a short torso. Unfortunately here in the illinois/indiana area porsches are not as common as in California. It's mostly corvettes, mustangs and camaros I think I'll get the seats, and in the worst case add some extra padding. Thanks for the help everyone. I'll post back here when I get the parts.

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