Ultimate Backdating Thread

[Joeaksa]

Jens,

Thanks, will take a look.

Joe

[techweenie]

Originally Posted by Jens

Joe, I think it's the early stock rubber fender-to-bumper gasket. The white backing paper is supposed to be removed so that it self adheres to the fender to keep in place and not squeeze out. In a normal situation, that is. Here there is a pre-tension problem that needed this creative solution.

Correct, Jens. The paper is removed just before the bolts are tightened. The adhesive won't hold the seal to the quarter by itself. It's only to keep the seal from slipping sideways in the forward 12-14". There's a groove in the seal that fits the flange in the quarter where it supports the tail light housing. In this area, the adhesive sticks to the tail light housing gasket.

[puffinator]

Has anyone bought this product from TRE motorsports?
"Specially made Fiberglass long hood with short hood frame (our "bolt on" exclusive - allows use of original latch / seal from your 74-89 car without modifying your chassis)"

If so, what do you think of it? Does it look exactly like a 73 hood?

[will hung]

Originally Posted by puffinator

Has anyone bought this product from TRE motorsports?
"Specially made Fiberglass long hood with short hood frame (our "bolt on" exclusive - allows use of original latch / seal from your 74-89 car without modifying your chassis)"

If so, what do you think of it? Does it look exactly like a 73 hood?

Many have used it. It requires some work with the latch. Since the hood latch is placed so much further back, you need either really long narrow fingers, or a way of attaching a wire or something else to pull on to release the hood. Clever product.

[Series900]

Just love the "exclusive"! 30 days after i came up with this solution the "others" start making it.

The pitfalls of FRP production, takes relatively nothing to replicate! Now marketing is another story

[puffinator]

Damon
If you offer the hood and light boxes to go on an 86 turbo I am interested

[Series900]

I can do that. Searching through some boxes of parts I found several sets of the turbo width parts. Send an email to series900 at nhvt dot net. Will be at the PRI trade show in Fla for the next week.

[Joe Bob]

Originally Posted by will hung

Many have used it. It requires some work with the latch. Since the hood latch is placed so much further back, you need either really long narrow fingers, or a way of attaching a wire or something else to pull on to release the hood. Clever product.

A gentle tweak to the right, flat hand, plam up and a flick of the finger.....no problem. I don't even think about it anymore.

You can always ad a wire loop if you have fat hands.

[puffinator]

Anyone know of a Viper Green RS clone for sale?

[brock911]

Originally Posted by puffinator

Anyone know of a Viper Green RS clone for sale?

Saw one advertised here on the Pelican site by the Chef... 73 Viper Green RS-T California car 48K

Good luck with your search.
Mike

[redturbo911]

Great thread.....

[superfoamy]

yes indeed, great thread

[redturbo911]

Keep the pictures and details coming guys I need inspiration for a possible RS back date of a 911 SC.

[74USCarrera]

About to acquire an 87 Carrera 3.2 and would like to backdate. Looking for advice on the best body panels (hood, front fenders, front and rear bumpers) to use. I have an RSR recreation, but this time am looking for a more classic early look (st, r, s etc.) I don't have an elaborate shop, so need parts to fit well and willing to pay a little more for a premium product that needs less "tweaking". Any ideas? Also, looking for info on lightening the vehicle. Want to get it way down and minimize engine work, in favor of dropping weight and keep reliability.

Car is black on black and have been inspired by some of the stripes I am seeing. I think Magnus Walker has a great eye for stripe color combos. Simply love the new one he is working on. Anyway, I was thinking of doing 2 thick silver stripes on hood and tail, as this gives me a cool look without needing to repaint the whole car. Then use silver decals on sides and rear. Finish with polished/black fuchs. Thoughts welcome and I will post all progress, of course.

[Joeaksa]

Start looking NOW for a set of early front fenders and turn signal housings. They are hard to find without rust or corrosion. Or you can find the turn signal housings on Ebay but they are reproductions... still they work and look nice.

I used MA Shaw glass on my backdate and quality was excellent with little work required. You have to decide if you are going to have someone switch the nose sheetmetal or if you are going to use one of the "adapted" setups to use the "short hood" latching with a long hood.

[Joe Bob]

You need to decide if you want repro fiberglass fenders and lids or go with steel.

Dave at TRE has a nice set of pieces in glass. The advantage is price compared to oem steel and that the front lid is compatible with later hood latches. Otherwise there is the expense and hassle of moving the latch receiver or abandoning it and just using rubber latches on top. I bought Dave's stuff about 7 years ago and have held up well.

MA Shaw has a good rep, is local to me....haven't personally used his stuff.

As to the graphics, I can help.

[Jens]

Damon at Series 900 makes excellent lightweight panels. His rear bumper was a snap-fit for my car with no tweaking necessary at all, just paint and bolt on. He also makes excellent bolt-on hoods for backdating with very clever latching solutions. Composite decklids and doors too.

[jackb911]

My '87, before & after it morphed into a '74 RS...

[74USCarrera]

Thanks Joe Bob, I think FG probably makes the most sense for me, as the budget for this project is on the lower side. Have dealt with TRE before, when getting bits for my RSR 3.6 hotrod. Good guys and they were great to deal with. I guess calling them and explaining what I have and what I need would probably be a good first step. I intend to have the rubber latches front and back, so hope that avoids having to deal with latch receiver issues entirely.

Appreciate the pointers...

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

You need to decide if you want repro fiberglass fenders and lids or go with steel.

Dave at TRE has a nice set of pieces in glass. The advantage is price compared to oem steel and that the front lid is compatible with later hood latches. Otherwise there is the expense and hassle of moving the latch receiver or abandoning it and just using rubber latches on top. I bought Dave's stuff about 7 years ago and have held up well.

MA Shaw has a good rep, is local to me....haven't personally used his stuff.

As to the graphics, I can help.

[74USCarrera]

Will reach out to Damon and get his thoughts on this. Thanks for the advice Jens. It just seems that an 87 Carrera 3.2 backdate "should" make so much sense. Let me know if I am missing something here:

1. Get the look of early car by swapping front fenders, bumpers and decklid.
2. 3.2 with added Steve Wong chip would deliver plenty of power, so little or no changes needed to motor.
3. Strip out a bunch of the weight (takes time, but not much money) to improve performance
4. You end up with an early-looking car, with modern motor, power and reliability.

So, if I do the bodywork and painting myself, I am guessing I can get all FG panels for less than $2k? What am I missing?

Nathan

Originally Posted by Jens

Damon at Series 900 makes excellent lightweight panels. His rear bumper was a snap-fit for my car with no tweaking necessary at all, just paint and bolt on. He also makes excellent bolt-on hoods for backdating with very clever latching solutions. Composite decklids and doors too.