C2 body kit for 911SC (early 911) - Anyone done it?

[jam]

Tried doing a search on this one but "c2" is not a valid search word

Anyway, I was originally thinking about upgrading to one, but just learned that the kit I was being offered was more of a "cover" than direct replacement. Meaning, the kit goes over the original bumpers instead of replacing them. I didn't like the idea of this.

Has anyone here done a fiberglass C2 body kit upgrade? I mean, I love the clean look of the post '88 911, but I don't want to spend the money on bumper "covers". Could it be the shop I went to that sells the "cover" version, or are all the C2 kits "covers"?

Maybe I should save my dough and get a real C2 down the road

As always, any info is appreciated.

Thanks,
jam

[DavidI]

Jam, I have a 83SC that was converted to a 92 C2. The PO (actually about 3 PO's ago) did the conversion in steel. I don't have any info as to the price or where it was done, but I am researching it. They did an absolutely beautiful job.

Let me know if you want some pictures or something, David

[moazam]

I've seen it done but I've never seen one that looked 'right'. They always look medicore and kit-like (well..it IS a kit..but you know what I mean).

I think there was one guy here on Pelican who had a C2 body kit on his older car and it actually looked good, at least in the photos. Not sure how it would be once you get right next to it.

Heck, it might even be cheaper to sell your current car, take the cost of the kit, installation, and painting and put it towards a C2.

[jam]

wow, thanks for the quick replies.....

David, your steel kit sounds nice......did your kit replace the original bumpers or cover them?

moazam, you have a good point. Personally, I havn't seen any c2 kits on the early 911's myself other than in the shop catalogs that sell them. They look good in those catalogs though. They probably use "real" C2's for their pics.

[jstgermaine]

Countless members on this board including myself have the C2 'kit' installed or waiting to be installed or half installed.

No matter what kit you purchase, from the low quality to the factory C2 bumpers you will be 'replacing' your current panels. I don't see how any of the 'kits' out there allow for mounting over the stock bumper.

The actual finished project will vary some in fit and finish based on the amount of work put into installing the panels as well as the quality of the aftermarket panels.

I have seen countless Porsches with this kit that look stunning! Most of them you couldn't tell from a real C2/C4/C2T.

[Rufblackbird]

Just wait till RarlyL8 chimes in...I love his car.

http://www.geocities.com/rarlyl8/

[tsuter]

I don't see the C2 but I always wonder about these guys.

http://www.usbodyconversions.com/bodykit.htm

[Kevin Stewart]

well you would have to look my car over pretty good up close to be able to tell its not a c2 and know what your looking for, c2 fenders steel, glass bumpers exact copies, two piece rockers not one piece, rs america dash, c2 seats, and c2 lights, the only way you can tell is the spacers for the wheels and they will be going later this year, the car also has a 3.6, most conversions dont do the rear lights, if you do the conversion do it right and buy the heat shield and rear light kit, the rear lights on a c2 are enough different that you can spot them a mile away, you may call my car a pretender, but one i get the big brakes on and the spacers off, you will really have to know what your looking for, Kevin

[anh911]

Hey Kevin - what kind of wheels are those??

Body conversions are only as good as the installer. I worked for a well-know conversion shop back in the slope-nose days and most of the 'glas panels (regardless of where they came from) required real effort to make them fit well. The diff is in the prep and attention to detail - like most things.

There was a C2 turbo kit on ebay last week - it sold for $700 cheap!
I know a guy with a 993 kit if you are interested PM me and I'll give you his number.

[moazam]

What are the costs on doing a C2 Body Kit conversion?

[Kevin Stewart]

anh911, the wheels are ATI Spa's 18x10 and 18x8.5, they are either two piece or three piece, anyway this is one of the wheels that started the stainless steel lip craz and they are FOR SALE, I will trade for a set of three piece cup wheels 17 or 18, they can be after market,

moazam, generally for a narrow car your talking 995 for bumpers and rockers, then 1000 for the lights or less if you find them else where, plus paint, if you shop around and spend wisely you should be able to do it for 1750-2500 painted, but remember the mirrors, early c2 cars still had flags which is an option, i got manual aero mirrors and the prices are falling on them, Also remember the fuchs will look out of place if you have them, Kevin

[anh911]

Kevin,
you have a PM

[smestas]

Jam,

I did the similar update to my car pictured below. I also did the work myself but in hindsight I highly recommend you have a professional do the install. I purchase my kit from http://www.betterbodiesmotorsport.com and was pleased with the quality. The only problem that I had using the rocker panels that I did were that they cover the torsion bars by not allowing them to be removed or upgraded. Yes there is a hole in the kit near the area of the torsion bar but in no way is it lined up or curved for a torsion bar removal. It really is more of an air duct. If I were to do it over again I would just purchase standard C2 rockers which would enable you to still access the torsion bars. I still need to do my side mirrors and head lights but it will have to wait since I'm rebuilding the motor right now.

Hope this helps you make a decision.

[anh911]

Looks great Simon. I thought the rockers were meant to be removed to service the torsion bars?

[maresdesign]

I have the same rockers with the brake duct on my SC. The PO put them on. I have the same concern with changing the torsion bars. They would be great for a race car that really needs the extra brake cooling and could attach the rockers with quick-release fasteners for torsion bar changes. I will most likely source some C2 style, two piece rockers.

[DavidI]

Originally posted by jam
wow, thanks for the quick replies.....

David, your steel kit sounds nice......did your kit replace the original bumpers or cover them?

moazam, you have a good point. Personally, I havn't seen any c2 kits on the early 911's myself other than in the shop catalogs that sell them. They look good in those catalogs though. They probably use "real" C2's for their pics.

Jam, I did not do the conversion myself, but the conversion parts were swapped out. The bumpers are replacement not something that went over the previous bumpers. The conversion looks great. When I get home, I'll post some pics.

David

[smestas]

Originally posted by anh911
I thought the rockers were meant to be removed to service the torsion bars?

Most normal rockers are made with a hole or removable cover to acess the torsion bars. The rockers I have are one solid piece of fiberglass and the holes are actually air ducts. I had a very hard time accesing my torsion bars (How Much Further To Remove) because of the location of the ducts.

If I were to do it again I would get regular C2 rockers. They come in two pieces and allow you to get to your torsion bars.

[jam]

wow! Thanks everyone again, for all the info and pics.

It sounds like the c2 kit is definity available as a bumper replacement. For some reason, the shop I went to sells the "bumper cover" style, which totaly disappointed me.

Kevin, doesn't matter what people have to say....your car looks very bad ass!

Smestas, thanks for the details & link to that shop. I had seen them in excellence mag. and was curious on their kit too. I might give them a call for pricing, and I'll keep in mind your rocker suggestions. Your car also looks very sweet! Love the clean look. Now throw on some 993 or turbo twist wheels!

David, thanks for the reply. Stupid Question Time: What's the "PO"?

All these sample c2 conversions look really sweet (and inspirational!) I'm excited.

jam

[smestas]

Originally posted by jam
What's the "PO"?

Previous Owner

[Kevin Stewart]

there are several companies that sell fiberglass two piece rockers, the reason you want two piece is not only because the oe pieces were two piece, but each 911 is a little different and the two piece helps to adjust length, as far as mounting you drill hole in the rocker, then there is clips on the back of the glass rockers, you take a hammer and dent in your cars rocker where you put the holes, the glass rockers your putting on have door panel clips you just push the rocker on, you dent it so the rocker will be flush against the car,(clips are raised some, Kevin