Project Guidance Needed - Widebody Conversion

[bryankloos]

Hi all,

Happy new year. I hope 2020 is off to a good start for everyone.

I'm hoping to get some advice on a widebody project that I've had on my mind. I really like the look of the 73RS type, ducktail, restomods, and of course the singer 964 projects.

I currently own a 83 ROW Cab, my first 911, which is entirely too original to wrench on with just 42K miles. While I love this car, and enjoy weekend drives on sunny days, I'm timid to beat on it and wouldn't think of wrenching on it...

I've been working on cars on and off as a DIY garage mechanic all my life and am familiar with mechanical work and maintenance. I can weld a bit, though my experience with body work is minimal though I"d like to learn more. I've rebuilt a few VW engines in my day, and have pulled the wifes Subaru engine a couple times. Im familiar with Ford V8s. I'm not afraid to learn and I enjoy the process of building, learning and acquiring skills and tools through projects.

My son was diagnosed with cancer last year, and the past 7 months have been entirely focused on helping him win his battle. He's doing well, though not out of the woods entirely, but well enough that the family is starting to look forward again and resume life.

I would like to start this project as a means to build a dream car, but to also include my son (and daughter if she likes) in the process and to teach them some of what I know, and to learn/experience new things together. It would be a long term project as we are in no rush as we want to enjoy life and start being a family again. I'm willing to outsource aspects that I"m not comfortable with.

I've been reading and researching and see people using MY 911s, SCs, and 964s as starting blocks for their projects.

Some questions:

1. What are the pros/cons of the above models as a start?

2. What would be a the "ideal" starter car (age, miles, engine etc) other than one with little rust and clean title?

3. Where is the best place to find a good starting car? Most of what I see online is either flipped or extremely rough. I'm assuming a well maintained but higher mileage donor is preferred.

4. What years have the best product support for widebody conversion?

5. What do I need to research and where would you point me?

I'm aware this project will not be cheap. I have a couple jobs and fortunately make a good wage. Given the timeframe, putting money in over several years, I'm semi-comfortable with potential costs. That said, I'm not looking to spend 100K...

All this said, what do you suggest? Am I crazy? Should I run the other direction or jump in?

Any and ll help and guidance is much appreciated.

Thanks,

Bryan

[supersignman]

I've had similar aspirations but haven't pulled the trigger yet. This car at Dick Barbour Performance is one I've had my eye on as a project car but I doubt I'll buy it at this time so here you go...

https://dickbarbourperformance.com/1983-Porsche-911/Used-Car/Atlanta-GA/13673165/Details.aspx

[Kevin Stewart]

I like mine been setting for a decade getting ready to do a bunch to it.

[coomo]

Originally Posted by bryankloos

Hi all,

Happy new year. I hope 2020 is off to a good start for everyone.

I'm hoping to get some advice on a widebody project that I've had on my mind. I really like the look of the 73RS type, ducktail, restomods, and of course the singer 964 projects.

I currently own a 83 ROW Cab, my first 911, which is entirely too original to wrench on with just 42K miles. While I love this car, and enjoy weekend drives on sunny days, I'm timid to beat on it and wouldn't think of wrenching on it...

I've been working on cars on and off as a DIY garage mechanic all my life and am familiar with mechanical work and maintenance. I can weld a bit, though my experience with body work is minimal though I"d like to learn more. I've rebuilt a few VW engines in my day, and have pulled the wifes Subaru engine a couple times. Im familiar with Ford V8s. I'm not afraid to learn and I enjoy the process of building, learning and acquiring skills and tools through projects.

My son was diagnosed with cancer last year, and the past 7 months have been entirely focused on helping him win his battle. He's doing well, though not out of the woods entirely, but well enough that the family is starting to look forward again and resume life.

I would like to start this project as a means to build a dream car, but to also include my son (and daughter if she likes) in the process and to teach them some of what I know, and to learn/experience new things together. It would be a long term project as we are in no rush as we want to enjoy life and start being a family again. I'm willing to outsource aspects that I"m not comfortable with.

I've been reading and researching and see people using MY 911s, SCs, and 964s as starting blocks for their projects.

Some questions:

1. What are the pros/cons of the above models as a start?

2. What would be a the "ideal" starter car (age, miles, engine etc) other than one with little rust and clean title?

3. Where is the best place to find a good starting car? Most of what I see online is either flipped or extremely rough. I'm assuming a well maintained but higher mileage donor is preferred.

4. What years have the best product support for widebody conversion?

5. What do I need to research and where would you point me?

I'm aware this project will not be cheap. I have a couple jobs and fortunately make a good wage. Given the timeframe, putting money in over several years, I'm semi-comfortable with potential costs. That said, I'm not looking to spend 100K...

All this said, what do you suggest? Am I crazy? Should I run the other direction or jump in?

Any and ll help and guidance is much appreciated.

Thanks,

Bryan

If you want to do a "start again" build then a well used, car is obviously preferable.The 911 range (pre watercooled) is largely interchangeable.So any car from 65 to early 90s will work.
This forum will provide everything you need to know.Just search some build threads.
Regarding cost.Obviously this will vary depending on your skill levels.If you farm out 90% of the work,it will eat up 100k in a heartbeat if you specify a top spec build.
Whatever, your budget is, double it.They rarely come in close.Ive completed many over the years.Never on budget.
If you decide to continue, you will find the guys on this forum wonderful, knowledgeable company.It might be a good way to work with your son following his difficult times too.
If you procrastinate for too long, you likely will not do it.Fight the urge NOT to.The rewards are many.Good luck.

[johnkszabo]

Bryan consider yourself in good hands dealing with Dick Barbour. Dick in addition to have a fabled racing history is a true standup guy. If the world had more people like Dick we would be much better off ! Good luck with your project. John Szabo

[kinein]

here is my widebody conversion. Plan ahead and know what wheels before hand.

[kinein]

I can help with many of your questions.

[Kevin Stewart]

My car has steel front and rear fenders I was concerned about fiberglass on a car that I thought I was gonna drive weekly. Glass is definitely cheaper but I have seen some steel flare kits that were fair priced. Going to a 964 look you will need different tail lights and rework the tail light mounts cross bar. The bumpers are a little complicated unless you stay with stock bumpers. And as another poster stated figuring out wheels may be an issue unless you use turbo spacers then you can use the new Fuchs 17s by Rota or others our host sells you made need a dual out muffler or headlight updates. Kevin

[Tremelune]

Going from narrow to wide is a $20k proposition, unless you do the bodywork yourself. The highest cost is paint and them rear flares. The only real wrenching involved is taking the bumpers, hood, and fenders off...High quality work results in a higher resale value, potentially nearing the expenditure, but I don't see kids getting too involved here...

You might be better served getting a tired factory car and putting the time/money into refreshing the suspension/steering, sorting the motor, etc..Sweat equity is nearly guaranteed if you don't deviate too far from stock.

Every year has its pros and cons, though I would say they trend better right to '89. '73 and earlier are big money. '74-77 "middies" introduced the impact bumpers, and are probably cheapest (though '74-75 fetches a premium in California, as they are smog exempt). Galvanization of the chassis was fazed in gradually during this era. They have a 2.7L motor that had issues, but most have been modified to solve the issues by now. '78-83 is the SC with the 3.0 motor and 915 transmission. In '84 the motor gets bumped to 3.2L with a little more power. In '87 they replaced the 915 transmission with the G50 (there is an absurd amount of info and opinion comparing these two). The 964 that comes after...arguably doesn't lend itself as well to widebody conversions.