Looking for light weight stock 986 seats

[Rotmilky]

I'm building up a 2001 S for stock autocross racing. I'm thinking of swapping out the seats that are in there for something lighter. The ones I have are electrical adjust tilt with a mechanical adjust slider. As I understand, they weight something like 50 lbs each.

Since it's a 'stock' class, the replacement seats have to be something originally available for the 986. So no GT3 seats nor aftermarket racing seats. Were there any lighter stock seats? I'm thinking possibly some kind of seats might be available without the electric motors.

[jakeru]

Others can chime in, but it sounds like if the only thing powered about your seats is the back recline, you may already have the lightest ones. Certainly sounds lighter weight than my 2001's 8-way powered seats!

I'm not sure if completely non-powered Boxster seats exist, but maybe others can chime in.

The "sport" seat option, if you can find some to alter the spec of your Boxster to, might be nice for upper body support. Not sure if they would be as light as what you have, though.

I'd do a 5- or 6-point harness (I think that's still SCCA street class legal, yes?) for additional body restraint and support with the lightweight seats you seem to already have, before spending the $ on finding some (generally pretty sought-after, so probably not cheap) sports seats, though.

For other stock class legal weight savings, look into some custom, aftermarket wheels (might not be cheap, but you're talking unsprung, rotating weight, so it's important! Plan to spend some $ here!), and a "tiny" battery. Muffler is, of course, another area to look for legal weight savings.

I think on the replacement wheels, you can legally add as much as .25" wider offset, and use whatever dimensional specification is "best", (widest 17" option, maybe - not sure if 18" is available any wider, probably heavier if so) which is available for your 2001 model car. But check the rule book, (my knowledge is a few years dated.)

[Rotmilky]

Well, on the bright side, maybe I've already got the lightest seats I can use and won't cost an additional dime. How often does that happen?

[jakeru]

No kidding! Sounds like you did well on the car selection! (Not to mention, the weight savings the 2001's plastic rear window and one less metal "hoop" will provide over the 2003-2004's glass rear window and extra metal hoop.

[jakeru]

On wheels, looks like you can push offset up to + 7mm (.275")

Never noticed the part before about diameter ok to deviate by 1"! (13.4.B)

http://cdn.growassets.net/user_files/scca/downloads/000/019/008/2017-01-17-section-13-street-category.pdf?1484692275

What's the "hot" tire to have nowadays, anyway? Back when I was into it, there was no minimum 200 treadwear requirement, but they also were calling "street" class "stock."

You could potentially take the widest 18" wheel set offered in 2001 for the Boxster, and make it into 17" +.375" offset, if that would be a good tire.

13.3 says "Tires may be replaced with any size that fit the allowable wheels"... for gearing change, and lowering of center of gravity, you could potentially consider smaller circumference, if available in a "hot" tire compound.

But I don't know if that might make you need to shift into 3rd gear too much. Curious how you end up setting the car. Don't neglect good (budget a good bit of $, imo) shocks, and some fresh bump stops.

[edc]

GT3 seats were available as a cost option.

[Rotmilky]

Originally Posted by edc

GT3 seats were available as a cost option.

Yoinks! If what I've read is correct, stock seats are 60 lbs, and GT3 seats are 28. Possibly losing 60 pounds of weight. Wish they were cheaper. Still something to consider.

[JayG]

Hot AX tires are RE-71R, Rival S and now maybe R-S4

[Rotmilky]

As mentioned before, the RE-71R and the Rival 1.5 are the two I'm aware of. I ran RE-71Rs last year on my 997. Those tires are nutty sticky. I swear they took a set of R-comp tires and put a wear rating of 200 on them. They wear fast though. I would try the Rival 1.5s out for giggles but the sizing option isn't really great for the 986.

Of the available tire options, 18" rims have more tires available. So I'll likely stick with 18s. My plan is to retrofit and M030 coils and sway bars with Koni Sport shocks. The bump stops are shot so I'll replace them while I'm doing the suspension work.

[JayG]

17" tires are a lot less $$ 255/40-17 rear and 225/45-17 front is a good combo. Pleanty of tire choices available

I recently upgraded my car with M030 ROW springs and struts and camber plates on the front. That and a good performance string alignment made a huge difference. I did not change out the sway bars, still have stock S bars

No more understeer and the turn-in is amazing
The camber plates make a huge difference. I have -2.2 front and -2.5 rear camber now. Without the plates, you get maybe -.9 fromnt

[Rotmilky]

Originally Posted by JayG

17" tires are a lot less $$ 255/40-17 rear and 225/45-17 front is a good combo. Pleanty of tire choices available

I recently upgraded my car with M030 ROW springs and struts and camber plates on the front. That and a good performance string alignment made a huge difference. I did not change out the sway bars, still have stock S bars

No more understeer and the turn-in is amazing
The camber plates make a huge difference. I have -2.2 front and -2.5 rear camber now. Without the plates, you get maybe -.9 fromnt

You're not kidding about the price difference. Almost $50 a tire cheaper. If I could find a lightweight 17" wheel in 7.5 and 9 widths with the correct offsets, I'd certainly do it. Not tons of options and most aren't very light -- like 22lbs+. In 18" wheels, a set of O.Z. rims are in the 16-18 lb category and can be ordered thru Tire Rack. So, the lack of light 17" wheels is driving me to 18" at the moment. That said, I might decide that gaining 5 lbs per wheel in 17s, but saving $200 in a set of tires is worth it.

Unfortunately, camber plates aren't legal in SCCA stock. Otherwise, I'd be all over those things.

[Stroked & Blown]

For OEM wheel weights, check this list:
944racing