Porsche 996 Seat Installation Notes

Where the 996 needs to be trimmed so that the seats can slide back fully

Under-Carpet Trim Modification for scheel-mann Seats

Installing scheel-mann seats into the Porsche 996 chassis is possible, but space constraints under the carpet and along the center console require careful consideration. The photos shown document a minor but deliberate modification to the plastic trim panel beneath the carpet that allows proper seat positioning while preserving protection for the factory wiring harness.

Under carpet trim is marked before removal for cutting

Under-Carpet Plastic Trim Modification

The Porsche 996 uses a molded plastic trim panel beneath the carpet along the inboard seat rail area. This panel interferes with rearward seat travel when installing scheel-mann seats, particularly when paired with a recline adjuster.

Trimmed piece shown

Rather than removing the panel entirely or cutting the carpet, the trim can be selectively relieved:

• Only the plastic trim beneath the carpet was trimmed

• The carpet itself was left completely intact

• The remaining plastic continues to shield the wiring harness routed underneath

Once reassembled, the modification is not visible and the carpet lays normally. The remaining plastic still provides meaningful abrasion and impact protection for the harness below.

Sportline seats mounted in the Porsche 996

Seat Clearance and Fitment Observations

The fitment envelope in the 996 is tight but workable with appropriate expectations:

• With the seat slid rearward, the recline adjuster contacts the carpet

• Trimming the plastic underneath allows the carpet to flex slightly, providing just enough clearance

• A slim recline adjuster is strongly recommended

When the seat is slid forward, the outer bolster of the seat bottom lightly contacts the center console. This does not prevent operation and occurs only at the forward extreme of travel. In normal driving positions, the clearance is acceptable.

seat clearance on the 996

Final Fit and Ergonomics

Despite the tight tolerances, the final installed result is clean and functional:

• Seat travel remains usable fore and aft

• No visible interior trim modifications are apparent after reassembly

• Factory wiring remains protected

Final seat fitment on the Porsche 996

Summary

This installation demonstrates that scheel-mann seats can be successfully integrated into the Porsche 996 chassis with minimal, well-controlled modification. The key takeaway is not aggressive removal, but strategic relief of hidden plastic components to allow the interior materials to work with the seat rather than against it.

A test fit was performed with a 6 ft 3 in occupant seated in a scheel-mann Sportline, confirming that both driving position and clearance are acceptable even for taller drivers.

This approach preserves interior appearance, protects underlying wiring, and maintains full seat functionality while enabling a significantly improved seating experience.

Porsche 911 - 996 - (1998 - 2004) - Seat Bracket Kit

$410.00

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