Frame Help

[LabGuy]

Hello Everybody
I purchased two 1979 928 several years ago as a project then life got complicated so needless to say they went into cold storage.
Now that things are starting to settle down I am looking at starting this project up this summer. So I figured I had better start getting some information under my belt.
One is a Euro and the other is a US version and both were fairly complete.
I had originally decided to repair the Euro because it was an all leather interior with a lot of options. The US version was a simple stripped model.
I am now changing my mind and I think I will repair the US version.
Here comes the ugly part the US version has no sunroof and no rub-strips but I have found some slight damage to the passenger side frame rail. The damage is forward of the sway bar mounts and maybe even forward of the rear front control arm mount. I have done some preliminary measurements and I know the Drivers side rail is straight according to the 928 frame book. The damage is almost unnoticeable but that may be because someone attempted to repair it.
My options would be
1. Just suck it up and repair the rail (advantage no sunroof no strips)
2. Use the Euro frame (I think its straight but may have unknown damage also)
3. Use Euro rail to repair US frame.
I need some opinions here.

[whatudrivin]

I personally would repair the Euro as they have a bit more power. Or both! haha.

But in my opinion I don't think I would want to take a stab at a car with a bent frame if you have a straight frame car already. You can always remove the rub strips and sunroof from the euro if you so desire.

[Danglerb]

79 Euro and US have no real power difference with the same exhaust system as required by the location you have them, both with cats, or both without, no real difference.

Pictures of the damage would help are we talking accident related or improper lifting? or?

What is your goal with the car, drive or show?

Sun roof in a 79 Euro? That is odd.

You may need to make 5 or 10 posts before forum software allows pictures, but we need them and lots more info on the two cars.

Swapping the entire interior isn't a big deal, and several steps in restoration like replacing carpet will have most of it out anyway.

[LabGuy]

Whatudriven,
I was thinking that but replacing the roof and fixing rub strips seems like just as much work as the frame repair.

Danglerb,
Pictures won’t show anything it looks normal but measures out bent.
It’s not going to be a show car. I don’t think these cars will ever be collectable for investments. So I know this thing will be a money trap.
The US version is completely disassembled at this point which is how the frame was discovered.
I am thinking of doing something similar to the 928RS project someone did.
Only taking it a bit further to the darkside you might say (noise and comfort secondary to weight).

[LabGuy]

Both cars are rough so they are not canidates for restore.
I think I can make one good fun car from what is there.

[uBoat Commander]

Originally Posted by LabGuy

..... I don’t think these cars will ever be collectable for investments...

Maybe not investments, per say, but the 928 has very recently hit that sweet spot of the bell curve where the value is now increasing annually.

I kick myself in the ass for missing out on the same timing with the 911, the 914. Remember when you could find a 914 anywhere you looked, and if it was $1500 it was over-priced?

[LabGuy]

uBoat,
So with your thoughts it would seem to go with repairing the US frame as this will at least match the VIN configuration if someday they are worth something. If I transfer the roof from the US to the Euro it will just cloud the VIN.

On a second note how does one look to see if the Euro was imported correctly?
I have a clean title for the Euro does that mean anything?

[LabGuy]

uBoat,
I just saw your sig line " Worst Pile of parts" on Pelican Forum... I may bring you some competition on that one!

[LabGuy]

A little internet digging on the Import issue is now making me think that at the very least the Euro car was not federalized correctly. It still has the H4 lights with adjustment in the floor, Kph Speedo, no bumper shocks or added sidemarkers.

[DougM]

If it already has a title the federalization really doesn't matter at this point.

[JhwShark]

I neve had to change out my spedo for any of my imported gray market cars and it was very easy for me to swap back in the H4's though it was not a DOT/FMVSS issue I faced...though it has been a decade or so. In fact my coupe I did nothing except file the paperwork.

Originally Posted by LabGuy

A little internet digging on the Import issue is now making me think that at the very least the Euro car was not federalized correctly. It still has the H4 lights with adjustment in the floor, Kph Speedo, no bumper shocks or added sidemarkers.

[Danglerb]

I'm not following the exact nature of the frame damage. There is one shop I know of in the USA with a 928 frame jig, and its on the west coast. Maybe you could get it close to correct during a full cage install, but straight bodies are out there at low prices, they get given away a couple times a year.

Euro as long as it has a title you are golden, at least silver, Euro cars that have never been registered in Calif back when it was easy to do in the early 80's are not practical to register here. That may eventually apply in some other states if Cal emission rules get popular.

Sounds a bit like you have two parts cars, unless this is a money no object exercise. Restoration is very expensive, so most start with the nicest possible car they can to save thousands of dollars and end up with a nicer car.

[LabGuy]

Danglerb,
The passengers side front frame rail is pushed up starting some where in front of the rear mount for the front control arm. I work in a lab and have some unusual tools at my disposal. One being a six foot caliper with center point adapters so I was able to confirm some of the frame dimensions and I have determined that the rest of the frame is straight only about the last 24" of the pass side frame rail is pushed up approx1/2"

You are correct on the two parts cars and I have stated they are not worth restoring.
I have no intentions in a restoration just want a unique fun ride which I believe these cars are capable of.

[Danglerb]

If the bend is forward of the control arm mount, isn't that cosmetic?

If you know the details of the bend, maybe you could talk a decent frame shop into giving it a little tug?

I was including even "mild" restoring, not the great leap, just making into a nice driver. What I have found is that it is very difficult to get a satisfying result from a 90% 928 unless ALL of the -10% is in stuff you honestly don't care about.

[LabGuy]

Danglerb,
The bend includes the front mount for the control arm so it is more than cosmetic.
I never had it aligned but from the frame measurements I took I don’t think you could ever get the passenger’s side caster correct.

You sound very experienced with the 928 platform from your last comment I assume you have restored several 928s but were not satisfied with your efforts. Can you comment more on this point as to why you were not satisfied with 90% restore?

Cosmetics or originality are not a high priority at this early stage.
I have come to the conclusion that it will be less work to fix the US frame by obtaining a replacement section from a dismantler or someone parting a car out.
In order to get the part from the Euro would require pulling the engine and cutting up a possibly good frame and if the US frame does not repair well I have screwed up both frames. Not a good option.

[Danglerb]

Too long to answer now, but I have seen the results of a lot of projects, driven a variety, and getting that last 10% is often what Porsche ownership is all about. It can be hard to see until you drive a really nice 928, but once you know its hard not to want it.

For a track car with a cage I would be ok doing frame welding, but for a car I intend to drive and enjoy, its just too easy to start with a good frame and paint.