968 body panels

[fierochris]

what panels can be adapted to fit a 944.

can the front clip with headlights be used?
what about the taillights?

[fierochris]

just did a search and still cant find anything.

[CJFusco]

I don't think there are any straight swaps.

Sorry.

[Rmills944]

The tail lights can be used and people have swapped the whole rear section. it does involve cutting and welding of a panel on the back of the car, but you can use the back section under the hatch.

As far as the front, you will have to do modifications... it's not goign to be a straight bolt-on, but you can use the lights if you change the whole front clip. I've never seen this done, but if the doors are the same between the 968 and 944, it just may work.

[AaronM]

Originally posted by Rmills944
As far as the front, you will have to do modifications... it's not goign to be a straight bolt-on, but you can use the lights if you change the whole front clip. I've never seen this done, but if the doors are the same between the 968 and 944, it just may work.

The problem with that is engine placement. It's not exactly the same on the 968. I know for a fact that the radiator and airbox placement are a good bit different from those of the 944. It'd definitely take a good amout of custom fabrication to make sure that all the engine ancillaries fit. It would probably be cheaper and faster to buy a 968 with a grenaded engine and work the transplant from there if you can do that.

Not saying that it can't be done, but the front clip will need a lot more engineering than just bolting it up.

[Jason Judd]

Have you considered contacting GT-racing...they have that stuff.

Unless I missed the point of the thread, you can get almost everything to do a complete body swap from Hank at GT-racing.

Jason

[PhillysMostWntd]

they have a 968 rear end conversion for the 944, although im unaware of what the name of the company or whoever it was that did it.

[BananaClip]

Originally posted by AaronM
The problem with that is engine placement. It's not exactly the same on the 968. I know for a fact that the radiator and airbox placement are a good bit different from those of the 944. It'd definitely take a good amout of custom fabrication to make sure that all the engine ancillaries fit. It would probably be cheaper and faster to buy a 968 with a grenaded engine and work the transplant from there if you can do that.

Not saying that it can't be done, but the front clip will need a lot more engineering than just bolting it up.

oh god 160hp and 1400kg

[Dantilla]

The rear hatch. That's about it for a direct bolt-up.

[CJFusco]

I'm afraid I just don't see the point... sure, the 968 is a good-looking car, but the 944 looks good enough to begin with. What I'm saying is, the difference isn't so huge between how a 944 and 968 looks - and their respective images (the difference between a Fiero and a Ferrari, for example, which leads people to do Ferrari kits for Fieros) - to warrant spending so much money on a conversion.

For example, the guy that took a $70,000 Acura NSX and made a Ferrari body kit out of it. Why bother? The NSX is already a great-looking exotic, rare sports car to begin with.

[AaronM]

Originally posted by BananaClip
oh god 160hp and 1400kg

Actually, he's intending to drop in a 951 engine into the 944 and seems handy with tools and fabrication. I just meant to suggest that he might be better off selling the 944 and buying a clean, straight 968 with a blown engine if he can find one.

As for why bother, well, why do people with 1970's 911's update the bodywork to 964-style? If he's got the time, the ability, and the space, and knows what he's getting into then why not?

[fierochris]

well guys, thanks for helping me find more information about this
conversion, as for kits, well im more of a monster garage kind of guy
so would rather do it myself, im not wanting a 968 or a 951.
i just want a make a very unique yet atractive 944 that makes the
gurus wonder want model it is. as for the front end conversion want im wondering is. on the 968 is the engine placement farther aft or forward
than the placment in the 944? if it is farther aft then im am pretty sure
it would be a simple conversion.

thanks, Chris

[AaronM]

Originally posted by fierochris
well guys, thanks for helping me find more information about this
conversion, as for kits, well im more of a monster garage kind of guy
so would rather do it myself, im not wanting a 968 or a 951.
i just want a make a very unique yet atractive 944 that makes the
gurus wonder want model it is. as for the front end conversion want im wondering is. on the 968 is the engine placement farther aft or forward
than the placment in the 944? if it is farther aft then im am pretty sure
it would be a simple conversion.

thanks, Chris

I don't think the engine itself is in a different place, rather that the ancillaries are relocated throughout the engine bay.

[fierochris]

well maybe i can use the 968 parts and drill some new mounting holes
if nessary

the front frame/ unibody is different from 944 to 968. Note how the 968 hood tapers aggresively towards the front, where the 944 is much more rectangular. That is reflected in the twin frame tubes and other components. You would have to weld in the 968 frame at the firewall... but if you have access to that you might as well just use the whole 968.

[fierochris]

but if i find one rear ended or posibly hit in the side, then i will have just what i need and would pay much less for it. besides i think your missing my point, i dont want a 968 i want a custom creation of my own
i want somthing really different i even considering a midengine powerplant and a choptop

okey doke... have fun!

[x3m944]

Well for what its worth:

The 968 is a very hard conversion and requires the making of a frame around the front to a except the fenders and front panel.

You can adapt the 968 FRONT complete. Of course the lights and that sort of stuff are something to work out, You could do fixed lights inside the pods, lexan covers, lot easier than those pop ups.

But dealing with the meat of it:.

You will need two pieces of metal to bolt the fenders to, these will be laid across the engine bay to form a V the fenders will bolt to this, so locate the attachement points for the fenders in the door area, secure the fenders temporarily with them laying on the car, locate mounting points, etc, you will have to move the radiator over flow, etc.. a few things that would now sit under the fenders. Some stuff Can stay. The hood hinges are basically the same, I would use fiberglass for all of this, save weight and pick up some good looks. These metal strips should be solid enough to secure the weight and stress.

Now once you sort the mounting points secure the afore mentioned strips, now align fenders and drill and tap the strips, secure with the same type of fastners as stock. Please note the v nature of the fenders will covers some areas of the engine bay, but clearance issues are not a factor. You relocate a few non-critical pieces so that you have access to them.

YOU CAN DO THIS ON THE 924 as well.

Once you sort out the fenders and align the hood, you have to do the nose and bumper... since these areas are very very different 924/944 vs. 968. I think one other consideration, one piece, reverse hinge with quick disconnects and hood pins. Simply mold and attach everything together mocked up on the car, take off reattach, with suppors and build frame for it to rest on. See pics below for more details on either way to go.

WHAT A 968 SHOULD LOOK LIKE IF YOU ARE GOING TO CONVERT THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT TO END UP WITH WIDE AND BEAUTIFUL. CAN USE 944 WIDE BODY quarters, attach 968 rear, then 968 fenders with flares and mold in (note the non-stock front nose and BOOST!):


CUT AWAY:

ENGINE BAY OF 968


Jim Grady - 1988 944 TurboS converted to 968 TurboRS looking bodywork - Race engine by JME - 450bhp @ 15psi boost, 520bhp @ 20psi boost - 2503cc - PCA class GT3R, Weight 2250lbs:




944 WITH 968 FENDERS AND NOSE (note the radiator and other minor mods) Basically remove area around radiator, washer bottle moved to drivers side.:

[x3m944]

In case anyone is wondering, yes I have done this, no its not as easy as it sounds, but its not impossible very straight forward, not going to look factory, but certainly impressive results are possible.

YOU do not have to weld in the subframe, in fact their are two companies that come to mind that do the conversion. The primary issue is the placement of items in the engine bay and that nose area must but cut away (badge area) along with bumper support fabricated to give you support.

Car I did/assisted with was a 931. Subsequently lost to an engine fire and parted out. Fiberglass sucks when you have a fire. Not my car, but seeing a grown man cry... 2 days of work, and the car and garage go up in smoke. Good thing: NO ONE was hurt, but insurance company was not forthcoming in the settlement.

Parts USED: GT RACING 968 PIECES for front and rear end, but 944 wide body quarters and 968 flares for front. More work than a 944, but certainly something worth doing if you want something differnt -LOOKING, car was a 82 damn shame, with the 16" wheels, sport seats, upgraded suspension, rebuilt motor... did manage to salvage motor as a core.

The Hausbrauen Stables might be another source of useful information.

[x3m944]

Chris email or something I can go into more details and more pics.