What is the correct and professional way to install these?

[Kroggers]

I have received my new Carrera GT rear arches (for the 924 project), and have no idea how to install them
I know I have to cut the existing arches and weld them together to give more clearance - that i have no problem with, it is the installation of the new glass arches I am not sure about. As you can see in the picture, they have a leading edge, now I will assume to install these and make them look good, I will have to create a sunken edge in the existing body work on the car to install these so that there is not an edge that I will have to try and hide - or am I wrong about that?



Any guidance and advice (treat me like the idiot I am at the moment) would be very appreciated

[xsboost90]

there is a tool that body men use that you roll along the edge of sheetmetal and it makes an indentation that countersinks the next panel or makes them sit flush. You would need to place them on the car where you want them, trace the panel, cut the fenders off about 1" or so inside the line, then use the roller gadget to sink the edge of the panel. There are some cool epoxy systems out now- one is made by Kent - that is meant for glueing panels on like that- you can glue the glass panel to the metal, then use it to mold slightly - then do bodywork over that. Should work pretty well but its a job for sure.

[Kroggers]

I like the sound of that tool, will have to try and find it...

[18wheelerbob]

Looking at the arches and not knowing your skill of bodywork and finishing. I recommend that you seek professional help and perhaps for $600.00 you now have someone to blame ( with a guarantee for the work perform) oppose to kicking yourself?

[Kroggers]

Originally Posted by 18wheelerbob

Looking at the arches and not knowing your skill of bodywork and finishing. I recommend that you seek professional help and perhaps for $600.00 you now have someone to blame ( with a guarantee for the work perform) oppose to kicking yourself?

Now, where is the fun in that

[bt1211]

Are those 'glass or metal? You dont see lips around parts like that often. Most dont like them because they hold water.

1. You can cut that lip off and just butt-weld as you would any repair.

2. that lip goes under the exsisting panel on your car(meaning when you cut your QP it should be flush with the step and not the edge). If this is the method you try, trim that lip to about half its size. You don need a lip that big.

I own that tool that they are talking about. If you were in the States I would loan it to you. I'll look for a link.

[bt1211]

eastwood tools part# 31060

sorry, couldnt get the correct link but that is the part #

www.eastwoodco.com

[Kroggers]

Thank you for the info bt1211.

They are glass, and on first test fit are actually not that bad quality. I had not even considered the option of mounting them with the lip from behind the existing arches. That might work.



I did find some instructions on the internet from someone in Germany who had installed these exact same arches, and he had mounted betted a lowered lip into the metal to accept the lip on the glass arches.

Personally (although it might generate more work, I like the idea of mounting from the rear as you suggest...

[bt1211]

Paul you dont have to trim that edge because its 'glass. You'll need all of that area for your panel adhesive.

bryan

[Kroggers]

That is good to know Bryan. Would you still recommend mounting it from behind the existing panel? I do have to cut a large portion of the old arch away and weld in new metal to allow for wheel clearance of the new larger wheels, so no real issue with cutting some extra metal away at the same time.

[bt1211]

Mounting it from behind is the way that 'glass piece is designed.

So yes, I would mount it from behind. It has that step so it will set flush with your panel. When its time to use body filler, it would only require a small amount.

Check with your paint supplier to see what type of adhesive they have in your country. After its attached, it will only require a small amount of filler to cover that seam.

bryan

[Kroggers]

Cool, then that is what I will do. Will adhesive be enough, or should i use some rivets as well?

[Kroggers]

Cool, then that is what I will do. Will adhesive be enough, or should i use some rivets as well?

[bt1211]

You would only need screws to hold it until the panel adhesive sets. The adhesive is all you'll need. Lots of car panels are glued on.

Talk with your paint/autobody supplier to see what they have. Sometimes they have a deal if you buy enough adhesive they will give you the gun(or give you a deep discount on the gun). The gun looks like a big caulk-gun.

bryan

[Kroggers]

OK Bryan, I am back with some more questions

If you look at the picture I posted before, you will see that the new glass arch comes rather high up the existing car. If I cut away that much of the outer body, will it not end up very prone to bending? i am also not 100% sure now I would attach the remained of the outer wing with the inner wing when the glass arch is installed.

I have been sent the following word document which documents a past installation of these arches, and here it was done on the outside. I would really appreciate you view on this approach?

[bt1211]

I was having trouble opening that file(I'll try it again later).

You could attach them on top of the QP if you like. Its just that, you will need more filler to smooth it out.

You wont have a problem putting them on top, if thats is the way you want to try it. Its not "wrong" to do it that way.

Its like "six in one hand and a half-a-dozen in the other".

[tmsautoart]

i always thought the lip would fold back the other way towards the inside of the arch to allow the black beading to be installed. Examples:

[bt1211]

Terry you are correct. Thats why I said they mount from the inside out. I thought he was going to smooth them out into the body( to make it look more like a 944). I might have presumed too much.

Paul if the pics that Terry posted are what you are trying to achieve, then again, they are mounted on the inside-out.

Bryan

[Kroggers]

Yes, that is correct Terry. On the factory Carrera GT there is black beading between the extended arch and the body. But I am not trying to build a CGT replica, just after the clearance for more rubber. Therefore I opted for the cheaper option of arches that are not bolted on with the beading. These ones are moulded into the body, and do not have a beading installed. Here are some good pictures to demonstrate (borrowed from 924.org)

[Kroggers]

Originally Posted by bt1211

I was having trouble opening that file(I'll try it again later).

You could attach them on top of the QP if you like. Its just that, you will need more filler to smooth it out.

You wont have a problem putting them on top, if thats is the way you want to try it. Its not "wrong" to do it that way.

Its like "six in one hand and a half-a-dozen in the other".

Hmmm, I have no problem - it is a normal Microsoft Word document. I can email it to you if you want?