Weltmeister Strut Bar upgrade project

[911pcars]

The ubiquitous Weltmeister Strut Bar gets a lightweight facelift. It's been around a long time - maybe the first aftermarket strut bar made for 911s.

You might ask, why don't I just buy a new setup. There are now about 13, maybe more, different manufacturers of 911 strut bars. Some even offer different designs among their offerings (single tube, twin tube, different bar materials). Plenty of choices you say. However, I've got a WM so I'm thinking it can be upgraded along with a slight weight reduction and without spending additional $$ for a complete new setup. If you've priced them, you know what I mean.

This upgrade was inspired by Willem Fick and others who performed similar upgrades.
New Owner of 73 2.7 RS needs advise

By way of a reference point, the WM bar with its steel rod ends weighs just about 3 lbs. (according to the USPS). The steel bar is a little overkill as well as weighty, so I replaced it with aluminum pieces.

This is the before shot:



...and here's the aluminum strut bar with aluminum rod ends: 1 lb. 12 oz.



BTW, the original WM strut tower brackets were opened up so the top of the strut isn't constrained by the bracket - a recommended modification as announced on this forum.












Here's the fully triangulated, level 2 WM upgrade:



The driver side strut bracket is modified to accept another bar. On the trunk floor, a reinforced bracket anchors the other end of the strut bar. The total weight of the new pieces is 3 lbs., the same as the single WM steel bar. About 4.5 lbs. with the WM brackets. AN-spec threaded fasteners complete the install.

Is the single or twin tube upgrade something of interest to current WM users? Will be at Treffen next weekend for a show and tell.

Sherwood

[Zeke]

No lightening holes?

Very nice. I had a Welt on the Ragamuffin with the cutouts. (Not as nice as yours.) I never changed the top strut bushings to monoballs. You think the stock rubber bushings do bind enough to cause the shaft of the shock absorber to snap? I realize what would happen if monos were installed.

[johndglynn]

Looks good Sherwood, very tidy job. Also interesting that you have kept the hood shocks as well as adding a carbon support rod. I like the courtesy light on the left side of the car too. Never noticed one on the left before, good idea with the brake reservoir and fusebox over there.

[Zeke]

Sherwood makes the hood support rod and sells them here on Pelican. He's got some neat stuff.