924Board.org

smart931 · Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2010 4:54 am Post subject: Face lift.

The 924/ 931 is one of my favourite body shapes of all time. Only slightly pipped by the 928.
Don't want to offend anyone but, the 944 isn't on my list.
I've never been a fan of the second version of any car. The early Countach IMO is far better looking than the later bloated versions. Same goes for nearly any car, Series 1 E type is sexy, V12 version is bloated and ugly. Datsun 240Z, Mustang, 911!!

BUT.... I never really liked the bumper treatment on my 931. Especially in Federal spec.

My idea is to give my 931 a face lift. I want to eventually fit a FMIC, which i reckon will require some extra space up front. I removed the a/c radiator all ready.
Next, once finances are available. I want to purchase a 924 Carrera or 951 front bumper and mount that onto my narrow body.
the Carrera bumper from GTracing looks good but i hear bad things about their quality. Also i want to fit the headlight conversions. I'm hoping to end up with a low drag version of the Carrera. Narrow body GT.

Before anyone slates me for cutting up a perfectly sound 931 i should add that the passenger side front wing already has repairs and the drivers side was recently raped by a Corvette. Ill also fit a 944 rear bumper, and "maybe" the 951 under spoiler.
I don't want the car to look too modern, just what the 931 could have become if the 944 hadn't stolen its thunder.
I like the look of the rudimentary sketches i've drawn. Not too over the top in my opinion. Looks a lot like Applebits car before he added the widebody kit.

As an aside... How did they make the windscreens flush fitting on the Carrera?

Please pass opinion. I know most people here seem to like the wide body look, but spare a thought for those of us who like our Porsches skinny.

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1982 Porsche 931 (Sold)
2000 Smart Fortwo (Waiting for import)
1972 Opel manta (Left in England)
1965 Chevrolet Corvair (Left in England)
2010 Mazda 3 (Ex got this in divorce)
1974 Triumph TR6 (sadly gone)
1968 Ford F250 Camper Special (Daily)

JayZzzz4 · Joined: 23 Sep 2008 Posts: 544 Location: Milwaukee, WI USA

Looks very nice, I say go for it!
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White 1987 Porsche 924S manual

Rasta Monsta · Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 11733 Location: PacNW

joejax · Posted: Sun Sep 12, 2010 9:16 am Post subject:

The narrow body sure does grow on you after awhile.

I'll admit I liked the '44 better before I got my '24, but not anymore.
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I got nothin'
Uhhh...you got any pics?

ideola · Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 15550 Location: Spring Lake MI

I like the idea, and say with gusto, go for it! Just be aware, you'll have to section the front valance and the rear under tray diffuser...they'll both need to be narrowed to work on the 931. But I love the idea.
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

Nein37 · Joined: 29 Dec 2009 Posts: 513 Location: New London, CT

The best body mods for a US spec narrow body are euro bumpers front and back. 944esque front valances just ruin the lines IMO. A pair of GTS headlights would look cool though.

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1981 931 CGT replica, OEM CGT intercooler, .8 BAR WG spring, GTS Headlights, Innovative Wide band A/F, A/C delete, 16" Fuchs, Weltmeister 200lb lowering springs, Bilstein HDs front, Koni Sport rears.

BionicBalls · Joined: 05 Jan 2009 Posts: 642 Location: Charlotte, NC

+1 to Dan. It's a good idea, but unless you are good at plastic or glass work so that you can narrow the bumpers you're going to need a wide-body conversion. The 951 bumper will also require 951 fenders or some body work on your fenders. The shape of the 951 bumper and fenders are different where they join than 944 or 924 fenders.

An alternative is to shave the bumper pads and drill the bumper shocks ( thereby pushing the bumper in an inch or so).

Or, as mentioned, source a set of euro bumpers. I personally love the look of these cars with euro bumpers.
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1980 924 NA
1982 931

Grenadiers · Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 12:41 am Post subject:

I really like this front valance that I have, it was almost in 3 pieces when I got it. After securing it with the ugly metal strip on the bottom, I fiberglassed the back side to put it back together. Not sure how that will work long term on oem material. This is for the GT racing or AIR wide body front fenders. Not sure which one. But, the side 'wings' might be a problem adapting them to stock front fenders; on all fiberglass front ends I reckon. On my CGT project for next year, it's either this one with a Euro bumper, or the GTS front end.

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'83 944 Track car.
'88 924S Track car.
'89 944 Turbo
2004 Winnebago Vectra monster RV
2012 Jeep Wrangler
2014 Kia Soul
2001 Ford F350 powerstroke

ideola · Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 15550 Location: Spring Lake MI

Dave
That front valance works with the AIR wide body fenders, it will NOT work with the GT Racing wide body fenders.
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

Grenadiers · Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 7:20 am Post subject:

Sweet, I have two sets of those to choose from. I can install the fenders once, and mock up both valances.
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'83 944 Track car.
'88 924S Track car.
'89 944 Turbo
2004 Winnebago Vectra monster RV
2012 Jeep Wrangler
2014 Kia Soul
2001 Ford F350 powerstroke

Joes924Racer · Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 7:55 am Post subject:

smart931 you can draw! I like it..the narrow look
is awesome on the 931/924 so sleek and all Im glad i have
the gt and
sleek nose.. Go 4 it.
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1979 porsche 924 Na
1980 porsche Turbo 931GT Replica
Have u ever driven a turbo.

Catamax944 · Joined: 14 Jan 2009 Posts: 140 Location: London UK

In Europe there are these front valance's that mimic the 944 front valance.They mount to the 924 body just like the 944 valance under the original front bumper,only difference is that it blends a little with the bumper unlike the 944 but i find that nice. They are very rare however,i don't know who made them originally, maybe Lester but i'm not sure .

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'86 944 Club Sport replica
www.cardomain.com/ride/3094204

JayZzzz4 · Joined: 23 Sep 2008 Posts: 544 Location: Milwaukee, WI USA

That last picture of the silver car looks like that's how the 924 should have been out of the factory or at least an option to buy IMO.

AIR sell's a 944 front valance for a 924:
http://www.americaninternationalracing.com/custom.asp?id=259246&page=95
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White 1987 Porsche 924S manual

smart931 · Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 1:54 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all the input guys.
I like the pics catamax944, That's the look i want. Ill look out for those valences.
I also like the Euro look 924, but i like the 951 look more. The early 944 style bumper with valance would be easier to do but i really like the smoothness of the 1 piece front the 951 has. If i go with a GTracing bumper ill also save weight into the bargain.
I have plenty of experience with fiberglass. I built an Opel Manta 400 Rally car years ago. It was while building that car i realised i prefer cars without huge wheel arches. Especially as it was a wide arch kit and the price of wheels to fill those arches was crazy.

At the moment i have a maybe car..... The engine was recently completely rebuilt and is beautiful, as is the suspension, however the old electronics are giving me headaches. This makes me question whether i should keep going with the car or sell it quick and buy the E type i promised the wife? If i can modify the car so it reflects my tastes more i'm pretty much 100% guaranteed to keep this car for many years.
_________________
1982 Porsche 931 (Sold)
2000 Smart Fortwo (Waiting for import)
1972 Opel manta (Left in England)
1965 Chevrolet Corvair (Left in England)
2010 Mazda 3 (Ex got this in divorce)
1974 Triumph TR6 (sadly gone)
1968 Ford F250 Camper Special (Daily)

flosho · Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2010 11:44 pm Post subject:

Those euro cars need some rocker panel pieces and a 944 turbo rear diffusers to complete the look.
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