911SC Widebody Conversion Thread

[Hill3312]

In the spirit of my last build thread, which started way earlier than the actual project, I'm going to do the same here. I'm pulling the trigger on going as goofy-wide as possible with my fresh SC turbo conversion. Think RWB, but without the price tag.

I can't tell you guys how much you all helped with the turbo project, so much so that I wouldn't dare take on any large custom job without my Pelican Peers. I'm already looking for some info, so please sound off below if you have any insight.

- The Car (Relevant Info) -

- 1980 911SC, California car it's entire life. Zero rust... tight as a drum.
- Torsion bars that are slightly stiffer than a 930... I forgot the specs.
- New Bilstein shocks, bump steer kit, all new hardware.
- 17 X 8 ET 33 (Front 225s) 17 X 8.5 ET 24 (Rear 255s) Kinesis 3 piece wheels.

My main concern right now is getting the wheels/tires right. I don't want to change to coilovers so my height adjustment will be limited. It's currently at Euro-height. Since I have three-piece wheels, would I just have to get new outer lips at the proper extended length? The inner barrels should be correct, the distance inwards wouldn't change... right?

I've gotten very lucky with wheel sizing and offset in the past without fully understanding it. I'll probably need some help getting this right.

I'm a stone throw from the Better Bodies shop here in San Diego. I'll probably be heading down there with the car later this month. They offer a kit with 13'' flares, pretty much exactly what I'm looking for. I'm going after a bolt-on appearance, so there shouldn't be a massive amount of bodywork involved.

Thanks for checking out the new thread. I always appreciate my fellow members!

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

Really looking forward to following this build. As far as wheel sizing and offset, take a look at the link below. It's a great guide with some good points to follow - hope this helps you out a bit!

Wheel Fitment and Spacing Guide

[75 911s]

This guy got it done for about 10k. His wheel budget is probably more than yours. Wheels are key on this conversion imho. He did the bolt on look too.

Budget Wide Body Project

[Hill3312]

Originally Posted by 75 911s

This guy got it done for about 10k. His wheel budget is probably more than yours. Wheels are key on this conversion imho. He did the bolt on look too.

Budget Wide Body Project

I bet I can do it for under 5k. That's the plan.

- His cost included a 2k wing and 3.2k paint job. Oh and 6k wheels. Thanks for that thread though, it cleared up a lot of concerns. Kyle actually inspired my turbo project.

[dos531]

FYI Better Bodies doesnt have the best reputation for quality. Hopefully since you're local you can get them to help you out. That and the youtube clout should help a bit. Have you thought about a 934 style widebody? Maybe not as wide as you want, but has a really timeless race car look. The 934 and the dzug project mjolnir are some of the best looking widebodies imho. If you like the fuchs look, I know rota has the 15x9, 15x11 setup for $1599 now. Add a couple reasonable spacers and it would look killer.

Ive been following your videos and it seems to be turning out great, so im sure itll work out whatever you decide.

[David 23]

IMO 17" wheels are too large, and aren't going to have the right look. I'd suggest you go 15".

[quattrorunner]

tires are an important part of the decision making process. 17" makes sense in this case.

[H-viken]

You can always copy the 935 and go with 19" wheels in the rear Personally I'd stick with 15", looks best in my opinion

[Sboxin]

Originally Posted by Hill3312

- The Car (Relevant Info) -

- 1980 911SC, California car it's entire life. Zero rust... tight as a drum.
- Torsion bars that are slightly stiffer than a 930... I forgot the specs.
- New Bilstein shocks, bump steer kit, all new hardware.
- 17 X 8 ET 33 (Front 225s) 17 X 8.5 ET 24 (Rear 255s) Kinesis 3 piece wheels.

My main concern right now is getting the wheels/tires right. I don't want to change to coilovers so my height adjustment will be limited. It's currently at Euro-height. Since I have three-piece wheels, would I just have to get new outer lips at the proper extended length? The inner barrels should be correct, the distance inwards wouldn't change... right?

I've gotten very lucky with wheel sizing and offset in the past without fully understanding it. I'll probably need some help getting this right.

We also have 17" Kinesis wheels that came with the '78 911 SC race car. When we
recently did the Turbo 11" wide body conversion we took the rear 9" wheels and
moved them to the front with 245/40/17 Hoosier R7s - - - and asked Bogart Racing
Wheels to make new outer barrels for the rear wheels, keeping the inner barrels the
same. The rears are now 10.5" with the Kinesis centers and 315/35/17 Hoosier
R7s. Most recently we had a rear stub axle failure and the left rear wheel came off
the car at 80 MPH on track. Bogart then made another outer barrel for that
damaged wheel - and determined the Kinesis bolt pattern is NOT a standard 40 bolt
pattern - had to use the Kinesis center as a pattern. Also, we have had to use
spacers with the Kinesis wheels to clear the fenders, the oil lines and
trailing arm bolts - this is trial and error to get the 1/2" clearance we now have -
and alignment makes a difference too because of the close tolerances we are
running. The front is also very close to both the coil over springs and Turbo fenders.

You will have more room to work with by converting to the 13" fenders.

Regards,