What’s the Widest Seat I Can Fit in My Porsche 986?
The Porsche 986 Boxster is a compact sports car with a restricted cockpit space, making it difficult to install wide aftermarket bucket seats. When upgrading to motorsport seats, it’s essential to choose a seat that fits within the available space, especially considering the width of the floor and the placement of the door cards.
From previous experience, we know that the OMP WRC bucket seat is the widest option that can physically fit, but only if the door cards are removed to allow the wide shoulder supports to clear the interior panels. If you want a wide seat without modifying the interior, the OMP Champ-R bucket seat is the widest possible option that fits while keeping the door cards in place.
To ensure a proper fit, we recommend keeping the seat base width below 500mm, as the Porsche 986’s floor measures just 515mm wide from the center tunnel to the door card. Below, we break down both seat options, their dimensions, and what you need to consider before making your decision.
OMP WRC-R Bucket Seat – The Widest Option (Requires Removing Door Cards)
The OMP WRC-R is one of the widest FIA-approved bucket seats available and is the largest seat known to fit inside the Porsche 986. However, due to its expansive shoulder width, fitting this seat requires the removal of the door cards to allow enough clearance.
Key Features:
- FIA 8855-1999 approved, making it suitable for all forms of motorsport.
- Fibreglass shell construction, offering a strong and lightweight design.
- High wraparound side bolsters, ensuring maximum lateral support.
- Large harness slots, suitable for 4, 5, or 6-point racing harnesses.
- Removable base and lumbar cushions, allowing for an adjustable fit.
Dimensions:
- Base width: 470mm – Narrow enough to fit within the Porsche 986’s limited floor space.
- Shoulder width: 620mm – Too wide for the cockpit with the door cards installed, requiring removal.
If you’re willing to modify the interior by removing the door panels, the OMP WRC-R offers excellent support, comfort, and FIA-approved safety, making it the best choice for larger drivers who need extra width and shoulder support.
Sparco Grid-Q Bucket Seat – The Widest Shoulder Support Without Removing Door Cards
For Porsche 986 owners who want the widest possible shoulder support while keeping the door cards intact, the Sparco Grid-Q is the best option. Measuring 600mm wide at the shoulders, this seat offers excellent upper body support without requiring modifications to the interior. With a base width of just 485mm, it comfortably fits within the Porsche 986’s 515mm-wide floor space, allowing for easy installation and precise driver positioning.
Key Features:
- FIA 8855-1999 approved, making it fully suitable for competitive motorsport.
- Ultra-lightweight fibreglass shell, providing a strong yet minimalistic structure.
- Modular cushion system, allowing for a customized fit and adjustable comfort.
- Deep bucket design, ensuring the driver remains securely positioned during aggressive cornering.
- Side-mounted installation, offering a solid and secure fitment.
Dimensions:
- Base width: 485mm – Narrow enough for easy installation while allowing for lateral adjustment.
- Shoulder width: 600mm – The widest seat that fits without removing the door cards, providing exceptional upper body stability.
If you’re looking for maximum shoulder support while maintaining the full interior trim, the Sparco Grid-Q is the ideal choice, offering a race-focused design with superior comfort and adjustability.
OMP Champ-R Bucket Seat – The Widest Option at the base Without Removing Door Cards
For Porsche 986 owners who don’t want to modify the interior, the OMP Champ-R is the widest bucket seat that will fit without removing the door cards. It offers a slightly more compact shoulder width, making it an ideal choice for those who need a wide, FIA-approved bucket seat without permanent modifications.
Key Features:
- FIA 8855-1999 approved, making it fully suitable for competitive motorsport.
- Fibreglass shell, providing a lightweight yet durable structure.
- Side-mounted installation, ensuring a solid and secure fitment.
- Deep side bolsters, giving excellent lateral support during high-speed cornering.
- Ergonomic design, offering comfort and stability for long races or track sessions.
Dimensions:
- Base width: 500mm – The absolute maximum width that can fit on the Porsche 986’s floor without modifications.
- Shoulder width: 580mm – Narrower than the OMP WRC-R, allowing it to clear the door cards.
If you’re looking for the widest possible seat that fits without interior modifications, the OMP Champ-R is the best option, offering a race-ready design while maintaining full interior trim.
Other Recommended Seats for the Porsche 986
If you’re looking for more bucket seat options that fit within the Porsche 986’s restricted cockpit, we have a selection of seats that measure below 500mm wide at the base and below 600mm wide at the shoulders, ensuring easy installation without major modifications.
Keeping the base width under 500mm is crucial, as it allows for better lateral adjustment during installation, helping drivers fine-tune their seating position for the perfect driving setup. This ensures optimal comfort, pedal reach, and visibility, especially for those using the car for fast road driving or competitive motorsport.
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From £682.50 Excl. VAT Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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From £199.50 Excl. VAT Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
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From £235.00 Excl. VAT Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Final Thoughts – Choosing the Right Seat for Your Porsche 986
The Porsche 986’s compact cockpit limits seat choices, meaning not all aftermarket bucket seats will fit. For those needing the widest seat possible, there are two main options:
- OMP WRC-R – The widest possible seat that fits, but requires removing the door cards to accommodate its 620mm shoulder width.
- OMP Champ-R – The widest seat that fits without modifications, keeping the door cards intact while still offering a spacious, FIA-approved design.
If you’re unsure which seat will work best for your Porsche 986, feel free to contact us or visit our showroom, where we can help you choose the perfect seat and ensure the best possible fitment for your setup.