Dear PO, I wish you hadn't...(advise needed)

[801coppertop]

Dear Previous owner,

I wish you had not cut slits in the firewall to fit 50 Lbs of ****ty speakers in this car... I really dont like finding your old issues...

Anyways, I need you guys advise. As you can see in the pictures the previous owner of my car cut slits in the firewall/parcel shelf and pounded the hell out of the sheet metal to allow room for bigger speakers... I found this when stripping the interior, not fun. It was sealed with a black silicone which I have removed. My question is this.

Should I:

A) POR 15 the slits to prevent rust and leave them? (obviously the quickest, not really leaning towards this.)
B) Try to pound the sheetmetal to the original state and find a welder to quickly weld the pieces back together.
C) Fill in your answer here...

I am by no means an expert here. Just want to have a bad ass fun 911 to take to the track and drive around the mountains...

Thanks for the help!

[Reiver]

I'd pound them level and weld them up...they could be sealed in another fashion but a nice weld would make me happy.
Having a way for exhaust fumes to enter the cabin (even if remote) is just not a good idea.
The PO wasn't overly bright.

[DaddyGlenn]

Shouldn't be too difficult to cut out the whole panel and weld in one cut from a junk yard car.

[Reiver]

The title of your thread would make a good open 'blog',,,as soon as I read that I thought about my own PO issues.

[801coppertop]

Originally Posted by Reiver

The title of your thread would make a good open 'blog',,,as soon as I read that I thought about my own PO issues.

Your right! I am sure I am not the only one cursing my PO!

[801coppertop]

Originally Posted by Reiver

I'd pound them level and weld them up...they could be sealed in another fashion but a nice weld would make me happy.
Having a way for exhaust fumes to enter the cabin (even if remote) is just not a good idea.
The PO wasn't overly bright.

I think I may try this and see how it works... Seems the least obtrusive. Unless there is a better Idea that also doesn't involve mass anxiety....

[801coppertop]

Originally Posted by DaddyGlenn

Shouldn't be too difficult to cut out the whole panel and weld in one cut from a junk yard car.

I thought of this... scariest option I could think of... Funny I was reading through your thread the other day! I got all excited to see you replacing the dash and it looking so good.. I am trying to DIY my dash now... When I am finished I will post results. Yours looks great! Love the yellow plad seat inserts by the way!

[mreid]

Disconnect your ignition electronics if you have them prior to welding. If you have an msd, it 100% will fail. DMEs, etc may vary.

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by Reiver

The title of your thread would make a good open 'blog',,,as soon as I read that I thought about my own PO issues.

My PO was a mixed bag:

1) K&N cone air intake. But PO he saved the stock airbox. I have since reinstalled the stock airbox, and sold the cone.

2) Strut brace. I will remove this, sooner or later.

3) 16x9 Turbo Fuchs upgrade. Thanks PO!

4) Hacked up the rear deck to install huge speakers. But, PO saved the speaker grilles. I bought another rear deck, and reverted back to stock sized speakers.
I sold the rear shelf with big speakers. I also reverted the door speaker grilles, which PO saved.

5) B&B stainless steel exhaust.

[tctnd]

I'm with daddyglenn on this one. Pounding has already stretched and distorted the metel. more pounding won't undo that. A nice clean panel welded in by a pro will yield the best result.
Just my opinion.
regards,
Phil

[801coppertop]

Originally Posted by tctnd

I'm with daddyglenn on this one. Pounding has already stretched and distorted the metel. more pounding won't undo that. A nice clean panel welded in by a pro will yield the best result.
Just my opinion.
regards,
Phil

This is definitely the end all be all. Any idea what this might cost? Does anyone have a welder that they might recommend in the Atlanta/Alpharetta area?

I appreciate all the response. Keep 'em coming! And keep the PO stories coming!

[Mick_D]

it'll be pricey , the panel runs about 300 bucks or so and the welding will take at least r4 hours at whatever the welder says it'll cost. But it's the only way to fix this issue. If you can take out the glass it will save time and labor.

[CatsEyes]

I just thought I'd add my signature to this discussion...

[DaddyGlenn]

Originally Posted by 801coppertop

I thought of this... scariest option I could think of... Funny I was reading through your thread the other day! I got all excited to see you replacing the dash and it looking so good.. I am trying to DIY my dash now... When I am finished I will post results. Yours looks great! Love the yellow plad seat inserts by the way!

Thanks! When I started my project so many years ago, the thought of cutting and welding was a very scary thought. Turned out to not that big of a deal.

[DaddyGlenn]

Originally Posted by Mick_D

it'll be pricey , the panel runs about 300 bucks or so and the welding will take at least r4 hours at whatever the welder says it'll cost. But it's the only way to fix this issue. If you can take out the glass it will save time and labor.

Restoration Design has the part for $285 but if your edges are good you could probably find someone to cut one out of a junker for a lot less. Try some of the Porsche dismantlers. And I bet you could find a Pelican in the Atlanta area that would weld it up for you for very little, if anything.

[Tippy]

There's something wrong with you guys.

It's covered, no one will ever see it. Geez...

[A horse with no name]

Originally Posted by Tippy

There's something wrong with you guys.

It's covered, no one will ever see it. Geez...

Ahhhh, but You will Tippy

A quote to keep you on the right track ...."Just when you think that it is good enough - It isn't"

[Lapkritis]

Originally Posted by Reiver

I'd pound them level and weld them up...they could be sealed in another fashion but a nice weld would make me happy.

X2.

Grind/paint after weld. Then cover with dynamat before oem parcel shelf cover installed.

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by Tippy

There's something wrong with you guys.

It's covered, no one will ever see it. Geez...

Exactly. A bit of duct tape here and there.

[irl]

I'd pound it back and brush some seam sealer on the slits. It's thick and will seal it right up. Carpet the top and put an engine liner on the backside.