RSR replica project update 2

[Johnny B]

Time for another update on my 912 to RSR replica project.

By now I had changed my mind yet again and decided my 3.0L RS project was to become an RSR replica in full Jagermeifler racing spec.

I really liked the extra wide body look and the big wheels, also since no-one at the local Durban SA Porsche club had either an RSR replica or an orange car, that kind of finalized things.

The shell had now been fitted with a full weld in custom roll cage and we were about to weld the sunroof closed. The gear shifter and handbrake position were both moved back about 3 inches to make for more comfortable positioning for the driver. This was done using a plasma cutter which did a very neat job.





Front fenders have been removed to be replaced with fiberglass ones, and rear arches have been removed at the rivet points and will be cut higher up once the new rear arches are molded in.



I decided I really liked the RUF 17" rims and although they do not suit the time period of the project I thought they would look really good and I could always get a second set of period right rims at a later stage. Here they are sitting on my lounge floor shod with Michelin sport tyres, 255/45/17 fronts and a massive 335/35/17 rears. I used the 10" rear rims as fronts and had the 9" fronts widend to 12" for the rear. Just hope I can steer this baby with tyres that wide on the front, any thoughts and comments welcome.



My last car had no stopping power and with my heavy right foot I always find it difficult to stop in time. This time I come prepared and spent some hard earned cash on brand new 993TT big red brakes all round, discs, calipers and pads from the local Porsche dealer, sweet! Using Racers Group adaptors to make them fit.




Body kit has now arrived, manufactured locally but quality is pretty good and I have been lucky enough to find a bodywork specialist who only works on one car at a time. Takes about 6-8 weeks and he works with one helper, his field of expertise is fiberglass body kits. His work is absolutely amazing looks like the car rolled off the factory floor, hopefully you will all agree when you see the finished photos later on in the project.

Body kit includes, front & rear bumpers, rear arches, custom side skirts, boot and huge rear tail, front fenders, and bonnet. As you can see the installation has began with all parts being linned up slowly and carefully.



Well thats it for this update, all comments welcome, good or bad.

Next update next week.

[Vipergrün]

Ok, I'll go.....why the saw tooth cut on the rear quarter?

[jpnovak]

Do you have any pics of moving the shifter back? Was the whole top of the tunnel cut and rewelded or just new holes cut? How did you modify the ebrake and heater cable tubes? I would love to move my shifter back.

[Johnny B]

Brad, apparently according to the bodybuilder, it creates more surface area for better bonding.

I leave these things to the experts and the end result was fantastic so it looks like he knew what he was doing.

[Johnny B]

Jamie only photo I have is shown below. The top of the tunnel was cut and everything sort of shifted backwards about 3 inches.

Once again I am no expert but will ask my mechanic for more details. I know he made all new linkages and as we have no heater, we did not worry about heater cables.



Thanks for the interest.

[Jack Olsen]

That thing sounds like it's going to be awesome.

One thought on the tires, though. 255/335 is going to produce a car with chronic, nagging understeer, unless you do a lot with the suspension to counteract it. I recently went from 255/315 to 275/315, and I wished I had thought of it before I'd finished my front flares.

You might want to consider 275/315, or 275/335 if you're set on those big rears. If you're limited to 255 in front, then at least knock the rears down to 315. More than 2 inches of difference in front to rear width is asking for handling headaches, in my opinion.

Also, 255's have a small enough overall diameter that they look out of proportion with 315's (which would be even worse with 335's, since both 315's and 335's are 35% height tires).

Finally, 255's are going to hurt your stopping power, since the fronts are doing pretty much all the work in hard stops. 275's will make for more of an improvement than any brake caliper change.

[Johnny B]

Thanks for all the great advice.

Unfortunately I bought the tires early on in the project, this is what happens when you let an unqualified car nut loose with his own cheque book.

With regard to suspension, I have Racers Group set up as per photo below, plus TRG adjustable sway bars and Bilstien coil overs built by Bilstien here in SA. Also Turbo tie rod ends, TRG adjustable brake bias setup and my mechanic is building his own trailing arm set up at the rear.

I am no expert and unfortunately if we discover the car handles badly we will just have to correct it from there, the idea is to build it, test it, and then replace all the parts the idiot of an owner (me) bought without supervision.

More pictures of suspension to follow with later updates.

Once again thanks for the great advice.

[Jack Olsen]

Most places will let you return the tires even if you've mounted them. I made a similar mistake when I was building my own car, and TireRack took them back.

Make sure you have a good suspension guy to set up that ERP-style front end.

[Jeff Alton]

That is the same front and reat set up that I have. If you are going with raised spindle struts you will need a bump steer kit. Rack spacers will not cut it. Quality pieces though, just make sure they send you the right stuff.....

Jeff

[911teo]

It looks like it is going to be a awesome car! Can't wait to see it done.

I can second Jack's comments on the tires... I have the 275/315 and still the car needs to be set up properly to avoid understeer...

Also a note on those RUF wheels... How heavy are they? They look fantastic but I heard they are amongst the heaviest rims around....


Good luck with the project!

[khyden]

This will be nice to follow. I got myself a 3.0 engine in parts, which I´ll put together during this winter. I plan to build a 3.0 RSR replica.

But first the -74 3.2 RUF-looker should be completed.

Kris

[RarlyL8]

10 and 12 X 17 Rufs. I have achieved full wood with not a Viagra in sight. May I print out a pic of those wheels to paste on the ol' ladies back this Saturday night?

Seriously, I have a set of 9 & 12 x 15 three peice Fuchs with new 345/35-15s if you feel the need to be period correct.

[Rufblackbird]

Ditto Jim...those Ruf wheels look awesome!

[m325ix]

welcome to the club!
take a look at this pic, on the left (dr side) is the 9x17 RUF rim with 255/45/17 tire. On the right (pass side) is the 13x17 BBS 3 piece rim with 315/45/17 tire. See the difference?



some more pics for you -

[Tex3]

ok, ahhhhhhhhh.........I vote for the right wheel MASSIVE!! Beautiful project and keep us posted on the monster. by the way what brand is the tire love the pattern? good Luck

[Johnny B]

Jack, thanks for the tire and suspension advice.

Jeff, I am using Weltmeister bump steer kit and Bilstien locally made the coil over set up to suit what i had so hopefully all works out.

Matteo, thanks for comments on Ruf rims, I am not sure how much they weigh, will check as it would be interesting to know.

Kris, look forward to seeing your RSR replica when you begin building, keep me posted.

Rarlyl8, thanks for comment on rims, my mechanic and I laughed so much we nearly had a heart attack. We have done a little change later on in the project which makes them look even better. Pictures to follow in later updates.

To all those who viewed this thread and offered advice and comments, many thanks, keep them coming.

Next update tomorrow afternoon.

[Dutchie]

guys please stop posting pics i,ve just got all my parts needed for a 73 rsr conversion. So please stop before i decide to go RSR 3.0 as well. Serious now those are great projects Kris and Johnny ! can,t wait for the next updates.

Cheers,

[m325ix]

Originally posted by Tex3
ok, ahhhhhhhhh.........I vote for the right wheel MASSIVE!! Beautiful project and keep us posted on the monster. by the way what brand is the tire love the pattern? good Luck

yokohama ADVAN A032R

Here is another pic of that rear tire




sorry if I took the topic in another direction

[d5c5b]

thats wild that you are in durban south africa....i was born in umhlanga rocks.... lived there till i was 7 and have since been here in the states....now 21 and just recently aquired an american passport.....thats amazing to see you doing such work down there....i know how difficult it is to get parts, good labor etc....