Front end help - Dave? Mike Z? Brant?

[Scott S]

Hi All -
Been in lurk mode for a while (new job - hope everyone is doing great. I have a strange situation. I just bought a set of front rotors drilled for my 5 bolt conversion. I pulled the front end apart on my stock 1972(#472 290 5971)and prceeded to put things together. The rotors hit the rear splash guards (not just barely - I could hardley get the outer nut started). Closer inspection shows that the rear breaking surface on my stock rotors is flush with the hub surface (where the grease seal resides). On my 5 bolt rotors the hub is recessed close to a half an inch. Was this part of the change from 72 to 73? I purchased these rotors from a mutual 914 guy who actually pulled them from his car. Again, my car is bone stock!
Please help, my white car is just sitting there slowly dripping breakfluid into a pan!!!
Thanks
Scott S

[jabb]

Look at the pelican online catalog.
70-72 same rotor. 73-76 different rotor.

What year was the Donor Car ??

1970-72 914-4 Front Rotor, each
411-407-075 $55.00

1973-76 914-4 Front Rotor, each
411-407-075B $55.00

[Joe Bob]

The front ends changed in 73....send me an email if you need more help...

[DDS]

I'm selling all the old drilled 5-bolt stuff from my '73 as I've converted the whole thing except for steering rack to '80 SC. Calipers work, rotors OK. If you need anthing LMK.

DDS

[DDS]

Ditto above from a '72, but 4-bolt. (my parts car)

[Scott S]

I took my stock front rotors to a local Porsche race shop here in CO (3R). They are going to call me on Monday to let me know if they have the means to drill them and as well if they know someone to farm them out to. 99% of the shops I contacted only show one rotor available for all years which caused me to be concerned. Had my front end been altered? I finally went to our local Porsche wrecking yard and found that only the folks on this site and the Rennlist have it right - they are definitely different! So my quest continues. Does anyone have any experience with the AA setup? They use screw-in studs vs the press-ins. They supposably have them in stock and ready to ship.
Thanks for the above replies, very appreciated.
Scott S (shoveling snow)

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

I dislike screw-in studs. A PO of my first 914 had installed them. The rears were too short for safe engagement of the lug nuts, and one of the fronts wound up pulling out. And that's from a four-bolt hub that was intended to have four bolts threaded into it.

I would be even less thrilled about the idea of drilling five holes and tapping them. I don't remember about the front hubs, but the rear hubs very definitely have reinforcements for where the stock bolts go. They don't have reinforcements for where the other pattern goes. (With very few exceptions.) It strikes me as rather less safe than I would want.

The press-in studs have a press fit rather than the threads. Between that and the wider part on the back of the stud, I would be more comfortable with those.

--DD

[Joe Bob]

I agree with DD, screw in studs are NOT the way to go. Rear rotors can be had from GPR on an exchange basis. www.********.com 800-321-5432. Rotors are 914/6 style and are cheap at 50 each.

The fronts....any competent machine shop can redrill the rotors for a five lug. Be sure to use Porsche oem studs. Be advised that you will need a 1/4 inch spacer if using closed top lug nuts. Other wise they will bottom out. OR use VW style open head lug nuts.

The down side, the rotors are not easily replaceable due to the lug conversion needs and you are limited as to calipers.

My personal choice is a swap with a 911 SC front end....vented rotors, bigger calipers and pads, no conversion woes if you need to replace the rotor. More money upfront, but on the long term you will save...

YMMV