adding 911 front struts/spindles to 914
 

I have a 1975 914 chassis and I want to convert over to 911 5 bolt pattern front spindles/struts. What do I need to purchase to do this? I want to end up with 1984 + Carrera 24mm rotors and calipers. ThanksSmileWavy

911 and 914 front ends are interchangeable. If you want carrera brakes and rotors just buy a 84 carrera front end and bolt it on. The steering racks, brace, a-arms etc. are interchangeable. You can swap your 914 strut/spindle assembly with a 911. replace the a-arm/strut/spindle assemble, or the entire shooting match. However, get a new front end alignment when you do.

If you go for the 911 a-arms, you will get stiffer torsion bars.

Just to clarify I can keep the 914 A arms and replace the struts/spindles with 911 parts right? In other words I can purchase 911 struts/spindles and bolt them to the existing 914 A arms right? I want tp pursue the most cost effective way to get the 5 bolt 911 spindles on the 914.

Yes you can. While you have the struts off you might as well replace the ball joints...while you are there. Also, get new pins that are used to secure the struts to the ball joints.

Jim

p.s. peek under your 911 and you'll notice the front ends look identical. Only real difference are the torsion bars and spline count on the bars (can't swap torsion bars between 911/914 a-arms).

just remember 3.5" on fleabay :)

If you go with the Carrera 24mm rotors and calipers you will need to change to a 19mm master cylinder and add a brake bias control valve.

The most cost effective way would be to use 911T struts with 20mm rotors and M calipers more than enough stopping power for a 914 and you can keep the 17mm master cylinder and skip the brake bias control valve.

Patrick3000 thanks for the heads up. But when you say "T" struts what exactly do you mean? What I mean is I assume I want 3.5 inch spaced calipers, if that is correct then I want SC struts don't I ? They will accept SC calipers and SC 20MM rotors.Just trying to clarify.

No (I think), he is suggesting as a cheap solution to get the "T" strut which is undesirable in general. It will give you a decent size rotor and 3" M calipers that are cast iron. Cast iron are rigid and give great pedal feel and clamping force, but......I'll keep my "S" struts.

Not to discount Patrick's thoughts, but I would rather install some S or 74 up struts with the 3.5" allowing room to get crazy if so inclined down the road. The 3" just locks you "IN". Depends on longterm plans for the car I guess. You can find S calipers, if you know how to rebuild them for reasonable....a set was ALSO offered for like $2k here last year in which many of laughed at him.

I would suggest the 19mm MC with any 911 brake setup. The stock proportioning valve can (relatively) easily be swapped with an aftermarket adjustable piece, allowing you to dial in the proper amount of front brake bias. (If you don't know why you need front brake bias, stop immediately and stick with your stock brakes!!)

The M calipers (those are the steel ones with the 3" bolt spacing) realistically will provide all the brake a 914 should ever need, unless it has a whole lot more weight than stock and will be driven at high speeds--and braking often! The S- or A calipers (S are aluminum, A are steel, both have 3.5" bolt spacing) are nice to have, but in many ways are overkill.

Would I turn down a set of A-caliper struts for my 914? Heck no!! But I wouldn't insist on them, either.

--DD

So the M calipers take a 20mm thick rotor but are 3 inch bolt spacing? And these come from 1970-1973 911's? And the S and A calipers are 3.5 bolt spacing with 20mm rotors from 911's from 1974-1983?

rfuerst911sc

Thats it the 70 – 73 911T struts with 3” M calipers and a 20mm vented rotor, unless you are installing a big motor and lots of weight they are more that enough. After all this is the set up that came from the factory on the 914-6.

Good luck with your conversion!

PS: You should be able to find the complete 911T set up struts, hub, calipers, rotors etc. cheap. As stated above they are less desirable = less money.

I've got all you need
 

Rfuerst911SC,
I just sent you an e-mail if you are interested?
I've got all the parts that are required for the early style set up.
both front and rear.

Jeff