Help Installing Turbo Bumper

[Chunkerz]

Alrighty, well I'm 90% of the way there with my turbo bumper conversion, but I've run into a few snags. I included some pictures with each description to make it easier to see what I'm talking about. They were taken with my cellphone, so sorry for the quality.

The first one is when I removed my NA bumper I came across this box attached to the lower valance. Does anyone know what it is? It looked like it was installed from the factory. Below are some pictures.



My next problem is the turbo fender I bought doesn't line up (I only bought one because my right fender was all messed up. I plan to cut the left fender to save a few $$). When I bolted it on some of the bolts are still visible between the fender and the hood. Also, the bolt at the front of the fender next to the windshield washer bottle doesn't line up with the hole in the body. Is the turbo hood/body different than the NA hood/body, or is my fender just messed up? Here are some pictures (first picture is hard to see, but if you look closely you can see the bolt heads):




Another problem I'm having is the rubber drain hoses (I think that's what they are?) for the fog lights run into the bumper bar when installing the bumper. Should I just leave them off? Here's a picture:


The last one is how do I install the side markers? If I leave them on I will have no access to the 3 bolts on each side of the bumper that attach it to the car. If I install them last how will I attach them to the bumper? Reach up under the bottom and sort of feel around until I have them attached? I don't have any pictures for this one

And what would this thread be without a picture of a 944? Here is my car of many colors The bumper hasn't been bolted on yet and my left fender hasn't been cut (that's why the side of the bumper kind of sticks out a bit). I just slid it on there to see how it would look


If anyone can help me with these issues it would be greatly appreciated!

[asidrave]

the "beltronics" box is most likely a radar dectector. mant of the high end ones were mounted behind the front bumper

[Techno Duck]

The Beltronics unit is a radar detector, had one just like like that on my n/a when i bought it.

The rubber pieces squeeze inbetween the bumper bar, dont be afraid to squish them to put the bumper on.

Put the 3-bolts for the ends of the bumper cover in first and tighten. Then put the side marker in.. you can reach up and do it by feel from behind. The later fender liners have a little access door / flap also that you can squeeze your hand through, but this is only needed if you have the batwing (bumper undercover) on.

[Ederd]

might as well splurge for the rear valence as well. just don't throw on the turbo decal!

[Chunkerz]

Originally Posted by asidrave

the "beltronics" box is most likely a radar dectector. mant of the high end ones were mounted behind the front bumper

What does a radar detector do for me? Let me know if cops are coming? Does anyone have a recommended place that I could mount it? There doesn't seem to be a place on the turbo bumper to mount it.

Originally Posted by Techno Duck

The Beltronics unit is a radar detector, had one just like like that on my n/a when i bought it.

The rubber pieces squeeze inbetween the bumper bar, dont be afraid to squish them to put the bumper on.

Put the 3-bolts for the ends of the bumper cover in first and tighten. Then put the side marker in.. you can reach up and do it by feel from behind. The later fender liners have a little access door / flap also that you can squeeze your hand through, but this is only needed if you have the batwing (bumper undercover) on.

I was wondering what that flap in my fender liners was for.

Originally Posted by Ederd

might as well splurge for the rear valence as well. just don't throw on the turbo decal!

No thanks. I'm not a fan of the rear valence. I don't like how it curves up around the outside of the rear fenders. I plan to stick on a Euro rear bumper to get rid of those horrible foot long rubber pads.

Any thoughts on the fender?

[Dave Colangelo]

I would chuck the radar detector, its old and looks very dated. Police do not use radar that is on the same bands as it was when that unit was made so you will only pick up radar from old radar guns. A new unit can be had for about 500$ and is tiny, will fit on your dash, and will work against the modern stuff.

As for the bumper it looks good. Have you tried to loosen the bolts, push the bumper back and then tighten them while holding it there. You may be able to slide the hood forward a bit as well. I have the same issue with the bolts holding the front wheel well panels on. I can see the bolts but its so hard to notice that I dont mind.

As for the drain hoses, tube can always be rerouted if need be.

Regards
Dave

[Chunkerz]

Could I just cut the wires for the radar detector, or should I trace the wires and unplug it? How/where could I reroute the drain hoses?

[Dave Colangelo]

The wires you should just be able to cut. They most likely go somewhere, there must be some form of a display on the dash somewhere as detecting radar does no good unless it warns you. Im not sure where the drains go originally but if they just drain straight down you should be able to run the houses where you want as long as they are out of the way and drain down.

Regards
Dave

[FrenchToast]

Looks good. Why does your fender look gold? o.O

I would try to remove as much of the radar wiring in tact as possible. I'm not a fan of just 'leaving wiring in there' if it's easily removed. If it's with an alarm, or the DME, or main harness, yeah that's a different story. But if it's in its own separate loom I would just remove it all.

I do hope you are still running a true bumper. The grey piece is not a bumper, merely a bumper cover. The 951 and S2 have an aluminum bumper (your stock bumper is aluminum) that goes behind the bumper cover, which some call a batwing. On second thought, in one picture it looks like its installed.

As for the misaligned fender, either your frame is bent or the fender is bent. It looks like the fender was bent previously perhaps - wavy finish. Your third to last picture looks like it was banged on with a hammer.

You can make new drains with some latex tubing.

Take care!

[Chunkerz]

I'll see if I can trace the wires. I do have the turbo/S2 bumper bar and shocks, if that's what you mean by a "true bumper?" The fender was already like that when I picked it up. I didn't do any banging on it. I did push on it a little bit with my body when I was trying to get it to line up right. I really hope that my frame is not bent. If it is then I just might cry

[Chunkerz]

I attempted to cut my N/A fender tonight and it came out ok, but not perfect. It looks alright from a distance, but up close it's not as nice as I would like it to be, so I guess I'll just find a turbo fender. Another snag I came across is the connectors for the turbo fog lights are different than the N/A ones (don't have any pictures at the moment). Do I have to replace the connectors too?

[Chunkerz]

Anyone?

[Dave Colangelo]

In terms of the connectors if they dont line up you will have to either replace them or change one of them. It should just be 12V and ground, you can get some weather pack connectors to put in or try and find the ones you need that is up to you. Making body panels fit can always be an issue especially when the cars are of this age. Dont forget that even though all these cars rolled of the line the same they have all slightly twisted and warped over the years, you may get lucky and the bumper will be a perfect fit but if the second one proves to yield the same result I personally would call it a day there and live with the small gap.

Regards
Dave