Is the 5 lug neccessary?

cruiksdr · 04-05-2003, 06:05 PM

I recently converted my '73 914 to a 2.2T six. It's a nice setup, but by no means a monster. Last summer at a 914 gathering, someone suggested that I needed to convert to a 5 lug set up -- that the 4 lug would be too weak. So, do I really NEED to do the conversion? I know bigger breaks would be nice, but there are a number of options there.

If so, can early 911 front strut assemblies be bolted directly in w/o changing out the rest of the front end? I see talk of drilling and lugging a five lug pattern in the rear hub. Does that mean that you mount the lugs in the hubs and use nuts instead of the origional lug bolts?

Any and all advice is appreciated.
Thanks!

Bleyseng · Bleyseng's Garage

You don't have to change to 5 bolt as long as the brakes are in good shape they are fine.
Most do it (myself included) so I have access to more rim choices.
Geoff

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

It is definitely nice to have the better brakes, but strictly speaking it isn't necessary. Particularly with the ~130 HP of the 2.2T motor, and relatively-light weight of the small Six.

If you swapped, the 911 struts bolt on to some of the 914 A-arms. Depends on which ball joint is used on each. I think you're fine if you use the ball-joint from the new strut.

Swapping the rears generally means pressing in studs and using lug nuts, rather than bolts as the 914-4 uses.

--DD

anthony · 04-06-2003, 10:58 AM

Big brakes are not necessary and 5 lug is not necessary. I'm doing it because I like the 5 lug Fuchs look.

I think stock 4 lug brakes get a bad rap because often braking systems are not maintained in A1 condition.

I also think the stock system gets a bad rap because of the pedal pressure required to make it stop fast. I find that to make my car stop on a dime I can litterally stand on the pedal with all of my 215 pounds and the car still doesn't lock up but stops very fast. I think people put bigger brakes on a car and then think it stops a lot faster because of the lesser pedal pressure required.

I wonder if anyone has ever measured actual 60-0 braking before/after a 911 brake conversion. Maybe I should do it as a service for everybody before I do my conversion.

cruiksdr · 04-12-2003, 07:24 AM

Thanks to all of you. I appreciate the wisdom. The guy who told me I needed to do the conversion made it sound like I would spin my whhels right off the hubs if I didn't get this done soon. I think I will eventually do the conversion, but I feel better about taking my time now.

Happy driving!