When did aluminum front cross members start?

[yundar]

Did the aluminum front cross members start with the SC in 1978? I am starting the process of collecting parts for the 78 Targa roller that I picked up in December. Just wondering what would be stock for this. Sounds like either steel or aluminum would work but I wonder what it originally came with. Is anyone out there selling a complete front suspension for a 78 SC?

Thanks, Andy.

[don gilbert]

My all original two owner 77S has one.

[356911930]

I believe it is a "G" model thing, so starting with 1974.

Rahl

[Evan Fullerton]

My '75 has a steel cross member. Frankly i'm not that big of a fan of the aluminum ones as where the steering rack mounts is fairly flexible in the fore/aft direction and the little bales that contain the torsion bar adjuster screw are quite easy to snap off.

From what I understand. '74 they were all steel, and '75-'77 the aluminum ones started getting phased in. First appearance was on '73 RS/RSRs with a forged unit that made its way in to some other special models and then the cast version we all know started appearing on some '75 and later car.

[Daugaard]

They come in 76'
I have had two ROW 76' one with steel cross member number 635 build car and number 1705 with aluminium cross member.

[djdsc]

'74 911S had aluminum front cross member and aluminum trailing arms too along with alloy S front brakes. There are a few other bits and pieces that make the first year '74 911S the lightest weight impact bumper production car produced.

[manbridge 74]

Djdsc,

Do you have a source for 74S having an aluminum cross member?

[djdsc]

Originally Posted by manbridge 74

Djdsc,

Do you have a source for 74S having an aluminum cross member?

Other than the '74S in the garage?

I really try to post "correct" info so I did spend some time on this. As we know, these cars could be optioned many ways and my understanding is the '74 911S as opposed to the plain 911 had the alloy parts mentioned. The confirmation information is available but you do have to dig for it. I spent some time to provide "proof" but fell short on actual confirmation for you.

I don't have all my factory info at hand, the '74 sales lit info is stored away but I believe this info is contained there.

The first mention of the alloy cross member in the factory repair manuals (assembly group 4 pg. 2.1-3/1 printed XXVI 1973) is for the '74 Carrera 2.7.

The '74-'77 online PET illustrates both cross members with the 1/1 designation as the alloy and indicated for the 911S and Carrera.

No mention in the '74 Factory Spec book for alloy cross member and trailing arms but did confirm the alloy S brakes.

Rennsport articles mentioning alloy parts as stated.

[manbridge 74]

Interesting as I wonder if early MY 74S might’ve got the forged aluminum piece then later a switch to the cast part.

[Bill Verburg]

The first use of the alloy cross piece was in the '74 RSR & 3.0RS
here's a pic of an RSR and later 911


First street use was the '75 930

Some other street cars did get the alloy pieces in 74 & 75, but the whole range so equipped as standard was the I series 1976

[larrym]

if you really absolutely need one - i have one io b'ot off this forum a couple yrs ago - decided not to use it on my 914-6 - no appreciable gain except for bragging rights

- PM

[Oneredspyder]

Is the cast aluminum crossmember strong enough to Jack the front of the car up on my '86?

[group911@aol.co]

Originally Posted by djdsc

Other than the '74S in the garage?

I really try to post "correct" info so I did spend some time on this. As we know, these cars could be optioned many ways and my understanding is the '74 911S as opposed to the plain 911 had the alloy parts mentioned. The confirmation information is available but you do have to dig for it. I spent some time to provide "proof" but fell short on actual confirmation for you.

I don't have all my factory info at hand, the '74 sales lit info is stored away but I believe this info is contained there.

The first mention of the alloy cross member in the factory repair manuals (assembly group 4 pg. 2.1-3/1 printed XXVI 1973) is for the '74 Carrera 2.7.

The '74-'77 online PET illustrates both cross members with the 1/1 designation as the alloy and indicated for the 911S and Carrera.

No mention in the '74 Factory Spec book for alloy cross member and trailing arms but did confirm the alloy S brakes.

Rennsport articles mentioning alloy parts as stated.

So, my 74 and 75 Carreras both have steel crossmembers. For some reason, it sticks in my mind that all the aluminum crossmembers are forged.

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by group911@aol.co

So, my 74 and 75 Carreras both have steel crossmembers. For some reason, it sticks in my mind that all the aluminum crossmembers are forged.

Interesting, Since the '73 2.7 RS was a homologation model for the 2.8 & 3.0 RSR it got the alloy crossmember, I'm wondering if the '74 & 75 Carrera equipped w/ the /83 MFI motor might also have the alloy part and a few S or Carrera may have gotten them too due to availability or shortages

It's funny that the PET for those years is pretty nebulous too.

It's for sure that the '74/75 930s have alloy and all '76 up have alloy

Here's the shop manual notification for the '73 2.7 RS use of alloy, which appears to be the same as the RSR version

[group911@aol.co]

Originally Posted by Bill Verburg

Interesting, Since the '73 2.7 RS was a homologation model for the 2.8 & 3.0 RSR it got the alloy crossmember, I'm wondering if the '74 & 75 Carrera equipped w/ the /83 MFI motor might also have the alloy part and a few S or Carrera may have gotten them too due to availability or shortages

It's funny that the PET for those years is pretty nebulous too.

It's for sure that the '74/75 930s have alloy and all '76 up have alloy

Here's the shop manual notification for the '73 2.7 RS use of alloy, which appears to be the same as the RSR version

Bill
I know of a very late 73 RS that was also equipped with the steel crossmember.
What do know about it being forged instead of cast?

[manbridge 74]

I would not jack up on a cast crossmember. Many other places to lift the car.

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by group911@aol.co

Bill
I know of a very late 73 RS that was also equipped with the steel crossmember.
What do know about it being forged instead of cast?

That's what PET says too, but as w/ many other parts the factory seems to have used what was available at the time of production. Also only the first batch of '73 2.7RS were the homologation models later were just gravy because of unexpected demand, similar changes to the modified rear trailing arm design were also implemented

It says right in the part description, "forged light-alloy"

[yundar]

Thanks for all the info !

[yundar]

Still looking for parts for my car @larrym are you still interested in selling the cross member? It's not necessarily bragging rights I'm after but using what originally came on the car. Again Thanks for everyone's input, Andy.