Backdate options: please advise

Deschodt · 06-29-2006, 05:53 AM

Guys,
I've sold my spliced 73T and got the 83SC which I am going to backdate - good week !! Except for the $$$ loss !

Since I sold the T instead og gutting her, I need to buy the early parts now, I read the utlimate backdate thread(s) and know about "the kit" but my body guy really is pushing for metal, at least on the fenders and hood !

For a backdate of an SC into a 73 RS, would you recommend:

a)glass fenders
b) used early car fenders (they all just fit an SC, right?
c) just the extremities of those early fenders (under the
headlight) welded to the existing SC ones? the only reason for that path would be if the SC front fenders are any more flared than the early car ones, are they ? I know the rears are,
but the fronts ?

Thanks !

PS: this will make for a fun picture thread within a couple of weeks !

jester911 · jester911's Garage

Look for the thread by Souk called ultimate backdating.

I think you will find much info you need.

Sorry, I should have read closer.

Deschodt · 06-29-2006, 06:25 AM

Thanks but I just mentioned "I read the ullimate backdate thread(s) and know about "the kit""

I am asking specific questions about the fender size and best way to go ;-) thanks anyway !

Zeke · 06-29-2006, 06:34 AM

AFAIK, front flares are all the same '69> except the Turbo. Fiberglass takes time to fit and finish, so if you have the metal parts, the time factor is probably the same w/o having to buy the FG. The bolt pattern is the same on all the fenders, even the door was the same shape until the 996, IIRC. Could have been the 993. Anyway, you could backdate a 964 the same way.

The front latch panel will have to be changed on your '82 to accept the long hood. Or use a specially built long hood in glass with the plunger mount moved back to fit the '74> latch panel (Personally, I'd prefer that).

I don't know how one does it, buy you should try to lose a pound in the rear for every pound you take off the front. Just the glass hood should save a bunch. The front fenders aren't that heavy, but, again, the glass is lighter. One more tip. FG fenders are subject to "spider web" fractures in the gel coat due to stones off the tires. Use lots of schutz. (All things considered, like the schutz, the weight savings would not be great using glass fenders.

Maybe you don't care about weight savings. Not everyone does. Just some thoughts and my .02.

Dutchie · 06-29-2006, 06:36 AM

Depends what you want to do with the car i think. Fiber is much lighter but doesen,t look as good as steel and getting them to fit nice is alot more work. If you want a street car and you don,t mind spending more money i would go for steel.
If you want to track the car go for the fiber ones. Good luck on getting the front fenders off

Deschodt · 06-29-2006, 06:41 AM

Ok thanks ! If the fender flares are indeed the same, I prefer steel.
The glass long hood with the plunger moved back is what I had in mind after reading the backdate thread, but for the fenders, I'm ok with steel, I don;t need to remove weight from the nose so much !!! Thanks !

ianc · 06-29-2006, 10:18 AM

Hey Greg!

What ARE you going to do with this car? Just a street machine, or will you be Sebringing it?

Looking for pics!

ianc

Deschodt · 10:37 AM

Ian, buddy, both !

I plan to drive it to work now and then, insurance permitting, and might repair the A/C to do so, but it's primarily going to be a track machine. However I remember it was not all that good as a track machine back then, so I don't suppose it's gotten magically better 6 years later - my friend did not spend much on it, oil and gas, pretty much ! Except for one replacment brake caliper from an even older car (79 vs 83, what a deal) ;-)

So, the plan is as follows:
-first, re-establish a baseline... Full service, oil change, clutch, tires, possibly brakes refurbish. Then we'll run it a bit and decide if it's due for a top end job or not. You may recall it was running hot on track (Thunderhill - you were there, frantically actuating your turn signals) despite the upgraded carrera cooler and fan ! I think a new thermostat and possibly tired piston rings are guilty. Remember it's got 178000 miles on the stock motor ! Also, suspension: new shocks, possibly new bushings here and there.. anyways...

- Then, finances permitting (so possibly later), SSI headers since I no longer reside in california, a font and rear FG bumper in 73RS style, one of those fancy long hoods in FG which reuse the Sc's original latch position, a duck tail, 2 metal 70 something fenders and presto, RS clone!! Front cooler is a distinct possibility at that stage if the rest has not proven sufficient at resolving the issues...

The first thing I will do upon receipt is replace the seats and interior carpet and redye the interior panels with fresh surflex !

It's held up (the surflex, not the seats!!!) well but it's been 6 years ! Pictures prior to delivery (tomorrow, I am excited!! it's like seing a long lost friend again). Free recaro SE's to whomever wants them by the way !

Greg.

ianc · 06-29-2006, 10:43 AM

Hmmm... Opening up that 3.0 to do rings and head work is going to be $$$... Thought about a 3.6? It does have that trick Bosch fan on the oil cooler that Votz put on there though...

Good old Votz. I called him yesterday about doing my heads. I'm bringing them over next Wed.

As for the heat, I remember that day being extremely hot! I don't think there was a car there without its engine lid up between sessions.

Sounds like a cool project though, so you damn well better post some pics!

Tell Erica I said hi!

Deschodt · 06-29-2006, 10:56 AM

Remember this is Florida, not california. The guy I use just rebuilt a 356 motor with a broken crank for $500 of labor... I bet I can get the top end done with all the ancillaries for <$3000 here. I have thought of the 3.6 (see your PMs) but having had a 993, I also know all about the blocked air passages and there is no guarantee an unknown 3.6 would be great either ! Yes, I still have that trick oil cooler ;-)

Votz was great but I gotta say he kinda exagerated on the bill for the T repairs when I dropped it off there before shipping the car to FL. And he never mentiond it was spliced, which I am sure he knew, just went ahead and dropped $6000 of work into it.. I'm a bit mad at him for that.. Just a bit !!

I did post photos, but will keep a photo log of the mods !

PS: the boxster never needs to exit the track early due to heat, you gotta give it to the watercooled beasts !

Rich76_911s · Rich76_911s's Garage

Deschodt,

Are you serious about those seats? I'd be rediculously interested in them. I sent you a PM.

Sorry I can't help with the backdate information. I tossed around the idea of backdating my SC, but never really got too serious about it.

Rich

Deschodt · 06-29-2006, 11:17 AM

Yes, I am serious, but they are tired and I am not looking forward to shipping them ! Can't think of a box big enough ;-) If you want to come get them though, they are yours ;-)