Backdate question

[pkabush]

I have a 77 that I’ll be backdating. I have a 3.3 turbo and a short bell 930 trans for it so, it’ll probably be wide bodied. However, I’m still on the fence about that.
So, opinions are welcome.
Something that bothers me about most, if not all of the backdates I’ve seen is the interior doesn’t get backdated. Other than the usual. Steering wheel, seats and carpet.
So, my question is, can anyone tell me if the signal and wiper stocks from a 69-73 will fit my 77 column ?

[jac1976]

Don’t widebody. Slim and sneaky.
I can’t say for sure, but I believe the stalks should work.

[Dpmulvan]

No point in a wide body unless you got the horsepower to back it up.

[pkabush]

Originally Posted by Dpmulvan

No point in a wide body unless you got the horsepower to back it up.

Like I said in my description, I have a 3.3 turbo going in.
Lots of go fast part on it as well as larger port Carrara heads

[pkabush]

Originally Posted by jac1976

Don’t widebody. Slim and sneaky.
I can’t say for sure, but I believe the stalks should work.

Thanks

[icarp]

I'm doing a 1972 rs clone with 350hp 3.5 NA with 7's and 8's 2200 lbs
I like smaller tires more fun on the street
Ian

[Jonny042]

If it was that easy, everyone would be doing it..... you need to change out the column too, or the stalks will be 4" too far forward.

Not to sound like a know-it-all, but if there's a backdate detail worth knowing, there's a good chance it's covered in my build thread. Including getting rid of those newfangled power brakes but also dash, glove box, heater controls, etc.

Originally Posted by Jonny042

So here's something interesting. My new, old, column on the left, and the old, newer, one, on the right. This cracks me up..... and strikes me as something that needs to be undone. I promise not to drive into anything hard enough to need a collapsible steering wheel



I was lucky enough to find a NOS Porsche switch for the wipers, and got a matching new turn signal/dimmer stalk made by SWF for the left. The metal stalks feel a lot different compared to the bendy plastic ones.

The wiring is even 90% the same, Out of something like 19 wires only 1 is unaccounted for but I'm sure I can sort it out. One of the 6 wires going to the wiper motor seems to be missing, But as near as I can tell it should work without it.

I colour coded the 6 pin plugs that go through the luggage compartment floor using 5 different colours of vinyl tape. The 6th plug is hard to mix up



Of course with the different column comes a different steering wheel. There is an absolutely bewildering array of parts necessary to put this puzzle together! I can see why Singers come with a Prototipo. It was too expensive and time consuming to procure the parts to do it the old fashoined way!

[jac1976]

Originally Posted by Jonny042

If it was that easy, everyone would be doing it..... you need to change out the column too, or the stalks will be 4" too far forward.

Not to sound like a know-it-all, but if there's a backdate detail worth knowing, there's a good chance it's covered in my build thread. Including getting rid of those newfangled power brakes but also dash, glove box, heater controls, etc.

Well, here’s the truth. His thread is worth following, especially if you want to feel like a mere human. Incredible build.

[pkabush]

Thanks Jonny,
I read your thread but somehow missed that. Or, more likely forgot it.
Well, dang it, looks like I have my work cut out.
I have the 69-73 heat controls and dash. Actually, I’m going to modify my dash. I still need to source a glove box. ILl definitely be revisiting your thread when I get my project started.
You definitely set the bar.

[pkabush]

OK, one more question. Can anyone confirm that a 915 shift base will work with a 930 Wevo shifter?
From what I can tell they’re interchange but, I’d like to confirm.
Thanks for the answers and suggestions so far.

[Jonny042]

Originally Posted by pkabush

Thanks Jonny,
I read your thread but somehow missed that. Or, more likely forgot it.
Well, dang it, looks like I have my work cut out.
I have the 69-73 heat controls and dash. Actually, I’m going to modify my dash. I still need to source a glove box. ILl definitely be revisiting your thread when I get my project started.
You definitely set the bar.

You're welcome! I had to look through quite a few pages before I found that pic of the two columns. One of these days I'll have to try to index the thread somehow.

Honestly I probably went a little overboard with the build and the column swap is one thing I might not do again - the time, money, complexity, and complication in terms of steering wheel choice might not be worth it. I've got probably $2k in that steering column and wheel!!!!

Best of luck with the build!

[pkabush]

Yah, this might be a place to say it’s good enough.
The Achtung stocks may be a option but they don’t look to much different than SC stocks.
I guess I’ll jump off that bridge when I get there

[evan9eleven]

Good point about knowing when to say “close enough.”

I say keep the narrow body or at most do rear flares if you’re going for something in between. I totally agree that many backdates are a letdown on the interior. The part that irks me the most? Even the guys that do beautiful interiors that look the business, often skip the gauges. Nothing worse to my eye than a stunning backdate build with some faded G-series instruments in the dash. Looking forward to seeing your build, post pics!

[pkabush]

Yep, I have all the silver dot gauges. The tachs been modified to 10k and the combo gauge will be modified with either a afr window or something else. Not quite sure yet. I really wanted to do the afr but John (Jbell959) said the conversation wouldn’t play well with my PLX So, we’ll see.
Originally my plan was to use reshaped turbo fenders but I’ve been on the fence lately. Kinda a tough decision because I already have the turbo flares and
9&11 x 15 Fuchs. It’ll either be skinny or wide. No SC flares.
Thanks for all the comments so far. I’ll post pix as soon as I get under way.
Gotta finish the 930 first though.

[jac1976]

I’d keep it narrow and look into 7r rears or something similar to wiggle in wider tires if so desired. A pocket rocket.

[75 911s]

I advocate for the widebody. Why not? 73 RSR looks amazing. Go ahead and bolt those turbo flares on man. 3.3 turbo will be plenty of power for some 9s and 11s.

[SWS911]

I've owned a few 911/912s since 1976 so I'll throw a few of things at ya. On the turn signal switches, The early ones kinda sucked. Stiff, cracking "handles" and antiquated mechanics. The newer ones, 76- up, are plentiful, better mechanisms and have a give to them. I'm putting a later steering column in my 71 for better and more available parts. I think the RSR look is cool, but when you start hangin' that much wide rubber out there it gets real expensive. Wheels, flares, tires and on on and I don't think the expense is worth it compared to a RS/SC flared car. Remember, these cars weren't designed originally as wide bodies. I like the looks of those 7 and 8 X 15 Fuchs with the "new" Pirelli CN 36 tires under RS-SC rear flares. Now that's retro cool! On the seats. I had Sport seats in my 71 and yes they looked cool, but they were heavy with too many parts and not very comfortable. I sold 'em many years ago when $1500 for 'em was a lot of $$$. Do I miss 'em? No, but I wish I could've sold 'em at todays prices. I like the 81-84 manual Sport seats I have. The 69-73 door pockets etc suck too. Mine were trashed twenty years ago. A poor design. I'm converting to the later pockets and handles which are a much better functional design and plentiful. Why do you think they used those later type seats, turn/wipe levers, door pockets/handles, flares etc for so many years? It worked! Functional evolution. Too bad the Feds screwed us with their bumper height agenda. Those LWB car exteriors are so fine. The evolution of the SWB.

[pkabush]

I’ll likely stick with my original plan to go wide. Like I stated in my post above, I’ve been collecting parts for several years. I already have the flares and wheels. My indecisiveness is due to the fact that I already have a 930 and I do think it’d be cool to have a narrow body hot rod.
But, I’ll probably stick to my RSR plan

[pkabush]

Sorry, I was confusing my response to another posters thread. Here’s a copy of my response for better context. Including a list of some of the parts acquired.

I bought a 77 for my upcoming backdate project. I personally think they’re the best option if you can find one that meets the bill.
For example, mine is completely straight, no dents, no rust, has a terrible Earl Shieb respray, trashed interior and came with the motor and trans separated from the car. The motor spins freely but that’s all I know about it.
It was $12,000. Granted that was three years ago.
So, probably, 18-$20,000 in today’s market.
But here’s why I think it’s the best platform.
Fully galvanized body, pop out rear windows, chrome trim, and roll up windows.
Unfortunately mine has a sunroof:-( Not for long though. But a decent amount of the middies don’t
By the time I sell the motor, trans, 6” Fuchs, impact bumpers, short hood, rear reflector and a hundred other fiddely bits I’ll close to recouping my initial investment.
During the last three years I’ve been like a kid on a Easter egg hunt. Scavenging all the parts I need/want for my build.
3.3 turbo motor, short bell 930 box, Wevo shifter, Elephant Racing coil over suspension, 9&11x15 Fuchs, 69-73 front fenders, turbo flares, RSR bumpers, silver dot gauges, RSR seats. Just to name a few.
The list is long but, I feel like the middies take a lot of the work out of the equation. At least that’s what I tell myself
keep us posted, whichever route you choose.
__________________
81 Pacific Blue 930 Euro coupe slicktop on a strict diet, Rarlyl8 headers, Blowzilla turbo, Tial waste gate, Full bay I/C, Home made center out exhaust, Leask WUR, MSD 6A

[Fixer]

My 77 backdate with modified 3 3 makes the kinda power that it needs all the rubber it's got. Also it'll need LSD.

Glad I went wide.


https://youtu.be/Z6sdSgpgJzA


Good luck with your build!

Matt