to flare or not to flare

[viperstang]

Hi guys i am new to the site i have a 88 carerra. i am in the middle of doing a turbo conversion to my 3.2. I got all of my info from the guys on this site that has done this conversion. i have always loved the turbo look and i am thinking about doing a flare job and wing installation. was hoping to hear from a few ppl that have don't this to there cars? was it worth the money? what are expected cost? should i go with steel flares vs fiberglass button on flares. any info would be grateful.

[NY65912]

I'm going thru a similar problem. I need to flare to accomedate wider wheels due to a BIG power increase. My wrench/track advisor wants RSR 11"/13" flares for max tire. I like the astetics of 9"/11" 930 flares, so I debate the pros and cons.

The general concensis is that steel flares are much better on the street and will hold up in the long run.

Steel will be an easier resale because it is "done right".

FG is the easier way to go, but beware of cracks developing.

It depends on budget and end use, track or street, the easy way or the correct way. Your call.

Good Luck

[911st]

If that is what you want, save your self a bunch and sell your car to buy a 930. In the end the car will better maintain its value, would come with big brakes, LSD, and better rear suspension.

I would not. One of my dream cars is a G50 Carrera turbo narrow body like the RUF CRT.

I would keep the stock wing. I would spend the money on taking the SR out, lt wt interior, & a limited slip. Maybe a FG front hood.

Then, I would get some of Jeff's 3 pc Fuchs and run 225/255/17's with Dunlop Star Spec's.

Step two for me would be to make it look like a 73 RS and have about 500 hp.

[myamoto1]

also keep in mind with F/G you run the risk of getting stars in you paint from rocks hitting the inside of the fenderwell. by the time you add enough undercoating, etc to minimize the chance of that happening, you're up to the weight of the steel. Like Mike said, the "steel is real" mentality tends to help out w/ resale.

[Zeke]

Steel flares butt welded are the best way to go. Bonded flares are OK, but not if you want to keep a paint job for the rest of your life. Things go wrong. FG is for race cars, IMHO. and FG bonded to steel will give you problems down the road.

As I said, if you don't mind painting, do it anyway you like. You can fix the cracks, etc. as they appear.

On the fronts, you may score a set of whole turbo fenders. That would be the easiest. Then, you will need rockers and bumper parts to finish.

[PcarPhil]

It gets expensive quick. I know this first hand as I've been working on a widebody conversion for the past year.

Financially I think you'd be better off selling your '88 Carrera and buying a factory 930 if want a widebody turbo car. Though I can understand if you're attached to the car you have and want to build what you have.

Personally I wouldn't go any bigger than 9&11" 930 flares. You can fit plenty of tire width under them. I recommend steel rear flares. For the front you could go with full fiberglass fenders, factory 930 steel fenders, or weld steel flares to your fenders. Steel is best for long term durability. I'd consider installing fiberglass bumpers at the same time to drop some weight off the ends of the car.

If you did the widebody conversion would you do any of the work yourself?

I'll say the price for a DIY job will start at $2500 (flares/fenders, bumpers/extensions, welding/paint) plus another $3k for proper wheels and tires. The less work you do yourself the price will get exponentially more expensive.

A widebody 3.2 G50 turbo Carrera would be a sweet ride. Then again so would a narrow body (perhaps Ruf Yellowbird look) 3.2 G50 turbo Carrera!

[sand_man]

Originally Posted by 911st

If that is what you want, save your self a bunch and sell your car to buy a 930. In the end the car will better maintain its value, would come with big brakes, LSD, and better rear suspension.

I would not. One of my dream cars is a G50 Carrera turbo narrow body like the RUF CRT.

I would keep the stock wing. I would spend the money on taking the SR out, lt wt interior, & a limited slip. Maybe a FG front hood.

Then, I would get some of Jeff's 3 pc Fuchs and run 225/255/17's with Dunlop Star Spec's.

Step two for me would be to make it look like a 73 RS and have about 500 hp.

^^^What he said^^^

[viperstang]

well i guess i will have to keep the narrow body. after reading what you guys have to say. i do like the yellow bird look. does anyone know if the front and rear spoiler replaces the stock bumpers? are there any weight savings there? and who sells a good yellow bird kit?

[PcarPhil]

Originally Posted by viperstang

well i guess i will have to keep the narrow body. after reading what you guys have to say. i do like the yellow bird look. does anyone know if the front and rear spoiler replaces the stock bumpers? are there any weight savings there? and who sells a good yellow bird kit?

Yes the Yellowbird fiberglass front and rear bumpers replace your stock bumpers.

On my previous car ('80 SC) I purchased the Yellowbird bumpers from Rennspeed. The fit was ok. Getty/MA Shaw is another good source. There are significant weight savings by going to fiberglass bumpers - something like 40lbs. on each end of the car.

You can click on the '80SC link in my sig to see my Yellowbird bumpers project (part of the Ultimate Ruf thread).

[flatsixnut]

Originally Posted by 911st

If that is what you want, save your self a bunch and sell your car to buy a 930. In the end the car will better maintain its value, would come with big brakes, LSD, and better rear suspension.

I would not. One of my dream cars is a G50 Carrera turbo narrow body like the RUF CRT.

I would keep the stock wing. I would spend the money on taking the SR out, lt wt interior, & a limited slip. Maybe a FG front hood.

Then, I would get some of Jeff's 3 pc Fuchs and run 225/255/17's with Dunlop Star Spec's.

Step two for me would be to make it look like a 73 RS and have about 500 hp.

^^^what he said x3.

[Schwarzeritter]

Steel or Alloy wide bodys are nice.
I think it sincerly depends on the conditions the vehicle will be subjected too.
I think for anything that plans on seeing any healthy amount of track time you might consider fiberglass, as it is typically cheaper to replace or repair.

Again the grade of composite will play a huge role in the way items age.

If you cant aford a turbo fashioned wide body I then might recommend something along the lines of a 934 turbo. I cant imagine the 934 flairs being do pricey, certantly it would both look nice and present function.

Good luck.

[TRE Cup]

if budget constrained, get a set of four 930 flares and do the bolt on route. we have them available at reasonable prices

934 flares will not work; they are for cars that have turbo flares already. The rally cars you see posted here time to time are NOT 934 flares- been there, tried it. Those are made by Almeras Fres. in Montpellier France and not cheap

[911st]

Originally Posted by viperstang

well i guess i will have to keep the narrow body. after reading what you guys have to say. i do like the yellow bird look. does anyone know if the front and rear spoiler replaces the stock bumpers? are there any weight savings there? and who sells a good yellow bird kit?

Me, I would keep it looking stock and do the mechanical first. Then if you need a change, do the body. May decide it is not worth it or your tast might change. Go for the HP instead, brakes, suspension...

[TRE Cup]

you can fit 255/40 x 17 rear and 225 x 17 fronts with some negative camber under that SC bodywork. so that is a lot of tire to work with

Ruf style bumpers? contact me at tremotorsports@gmail.com
thanks
dave

[rattlsnak]

wide body is BY FAR a better look. However, heed the advise mentioned above about cost etc...

[wowzer911]

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=457299

[Doug&Julie]

Originally Posted by 911st

...Carrera turbo narrow body like the RUF CRT...

+5 or 6 or whatever number I'm voting.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=94997&highlight=Ultimate+Ruf+Conversion+Thread