How to make a Carrera GT replica?

[JAM35F]

Hi have just joined so excuse my lack lack of knowledge! Am on the look out for a 924s which will be my first ever Porsche and will be my weekend toy. I've wanted a carrera gt since I was a boy but as they are out of my price range I'm tempted to create a replica.

Have seen some kits advertised, but has anyone actually done this? Which is the best kit? Whats involved? Any recommendations as to who could do the job and how much? (I'm in Hertfordshire)

Apologies for all the questions, forum is great with loads of advise, just what I need! Many thanks in advance.

 

[JAM35F]

thanks, perhaps I should have explained more. I'll be starting with an 924s due to financial reasons and their relative abundance. So it's more of the cosmetic changes I am interested in, namely the body kit.

Has anyone done this conversion to a 924s, who did it and how much roughly did it cost? Any further tips on the cosmetic conversion would be appreciated.

many thanks in advance

 

[Neil Haughey]

You can talk to EMC in Birmingham, or better still if Lali on here reads this he could replay as AFAIK they built/maintain his 924 cgt replica beast aka widowmaker or similar he calls it. Very low weight, somewhere around 1000 Kg and with 968 engine it has some very serious performance. I believe the fibreglass panels would have come from or through club auto sport in Birmingham, however as not my car I don't know but I am pretty sure they have sold a few panel conversion kits.

I would love to do something similar myself. Weight makes such a huge difference to the feel of these cars, after stripping 120 Kg of my S2 it felt so alive it was amazing. When the race car is built I am expecting another jump up again as it will have the chassis/suspension stiffness to match. Also IMHO a replica if done right will be probably a much better performance car then the real thing, you could put as much as possible from the latter cars in combined with the low weight and mean looks. Awesome.

 

[GeoffB]

Hers one we built for my son, he used a 924 Turbo as base Used Club Autosport for some of the panels, need to get good bodyshop for cutting rear arches so dont get distortion in panels. Turbo 911 wheels are expensive! but you need them to get look correct,

 

[JAM35F]

Thanks Neil, I'll do a search for EMC.

I found club auto sport on the web and saw their panels, anyone have any feedback on how good they are? Porscheshop also do them I believe.

Also came across Pro-9 selling a similar kit for less money, anyone used these kits?

I intend my 924 to be an affordable weekend toy but also capable for a novice trackday so I will address suspension and all the other bits and pieces one step at a time.

The body kit is a weight saving but mainly an indulgence as I have also wanted a gt carrera but at the moment its out of my budget.



Geoff, that car looks great, I'd love to start with a turbo but the rarity and added expense makes it impossible i think. Where did you buy your kit from and who fitted it? How much cutting is involved?

I've noticed the wheels are rare and expensive so something else may have to do to begin with. Yours looks so good I will have to save up, now I just need the right base car!!

 

[geoff Ives]

This is going to be expensive.

I suggest that you find one that has been done already. A friend of mine has bought 2.

If you get one based on a Turbo (the way to go) make sure that it is a series 2.

Good luck.
Geoff

 

[JAM35F]

what makes it expensive? Surely its just a case of fitting a kit, painting it and then getting wheels to fill the arches?

Not ridiculously expensive or have I missed something?

Though a ready converted car would be great? Any for sale?

 

[tref]

Hmmm... should I admit that between all the other projects I have a 924 Turbo shell, onto which I am gradually bolting a whole heap of early 944 parts, that will end up looking something like a CGT replica... In my case a 2.5 944 engine, running through a 924 Turbo gearbox, 944 suspension, brakes etc...

You wouldn't believe the number of subtle differences, I would say that the 924S is more closely related to a 944 than a 924. Apart from the obvious cross-members, engine mounts, various engine bay brackets... things you wouldn't notice normally - a different profile to the bulkhead and passenger footwell, the heater mounted 20mm further forward... all sorts.

The classic give away for a replica to genuine CGT is still "do-able" from the parts bin - namely the flush mounted screen...

 

[JAM35F]

Thanks Tref, I must admit most of what you said when way over my head! Have never been a porsche owner so am learning slowly! (BMWs - I know all, Porsche, nothing!)

Anyway, I don't intend to make a 100% replica, mainly just inspired in style with the body work and wheels (maybe graphics).

May not be to all tastes but its what I want to do. So is it still possible to add a cgt kit relatively easily to a 924s?

 

[924nutter]

Effectively what you will be building is a pre-oval dash 944, with the wrong colour gauges (and no economy gauge) with only 150 bhp unless you get one from the run out year when both the 944 and 924s shared a slightly de-rated 160 bhp engine. Quite frankly I can't see the point. Why not buy good 944 using the additional £950 for the body kit (and who knows how much for the suspension mods+wheels to put the wheels in the right place under the arch)and not have the hassle. Then whack on a replica scoop and a turbo front panel if you must. Make sure you get a pre-oval dash car as the turbo badge panel has a different curve to the S2 front.

 

[JAM35F]

Have got costs back for a professionally fitted gt kit and its £2.5k! A crazy amount when you think how much the car is! So looks like I will go back to my original plan of finding a nice 924s, keeping it standard body wwise and just tweaking the mechanicals as necessary.

I may consider a 944, but it would be an early 2.5 for the money I have so I may as well go for a 924 with virtually the same engine in a slightly lighter car. Seem to be more around for less money too. Anyway the search starts.

Which brings me on to my next question, I have yet to even sit in a 924. Does anyone live near Rickmansworth Herts (m24 junc 17) who would be willing to let me look at their car, sit in it and even take me for a drive. (don't worry I won't ask to drive!!) Will of course repay the favour with a few bottles of your favourite tipple

 

[tref]

So... correct me if I am wrong, but you are open-minded about your first Porsche, 924/944, but would ideally like a 924 CGT replica.

In truth, the only real starting point for a CGT is a 924 Turbo... others will correct me if I am wrong, but the badge panel is welded in, and rear arch mods are quite a major undertaking. The 944 is all the wrong shape at the back, so is a real non-starter for a CGT replica... and making the other changes would end up, er, still being a 944, but with a bonnet scoop!

924, 924S, 924 Turbo, early 944, are, in my opinion, all very, very different cars... two of the same model feel pretty much the same... but the different models feel amazingly different. Which ever you pick as a first car, the looks will grow on you. I shouldn't say it on this forum, but I used to hate the appearance of the 924, so my first was a 944. Having had a 924 spares car sat in the garden for a while, it has grown on me... But that is probably the subject for a different thread.

The question for this forum is probably is "Are 924 Turbos really any more expensive than a base 924/944, and are they ideal as a first Porsche?"

If you can't find any-one else, I work over in Borehamwood, and go back to the west country at weekends in a beat-up 944 S2. Happy to let you look over the car - and it probably goes pretty much as well as a CGT replica might...

Regards,

Tref.

 

[944 man]

ORIGINAL: tref
You wouldn't believe the number of subtle differences, I would say that the 924S is more closely related to a 944 than a 924.

Indeed. The 924S is a series one 944, in a 924's clothes. Which torque tube are you using to join the 944 angine and the 931 transaxle?

Simon

 

[944 man]

To the OP: £2,500? Theyre having a laugh: the wings and front bolt on as do the rear arch extensions after a little work.

 

[JAM35F]

Thanks guys, you'll have to forgive my lack of knowledge as I am so new to Porsche, am learning all the time.

I have a budget of 2.5ish so was thinking 924. My question regarding a carrera gt kit was just to see if I could go some way to fullfilling a boyhood dream with a replica but the cost now makes that out of the question.

I like the 924 looks, grew up with it, so would be very happy to own one. With regard to 944s, love them too but for my money I see I either get a ropey one or an early 2.5, in which case it's so similar to a 924 I may as well stick to a later model 924.

Apologies for annoying everyone with silly questions but I know nothing (well I know more now since you all kindly helped!).

Would every one agree that a 924s would be a good way to get in to porsche ownership? Good fun to drive?

 

[tref]

ORIGINAL: 944 man

ORIGINAL: tref
You wouldn't believe the number of subtle differences, I would say that the 924S is more closely related to a 944 than a 924.

Indeed. The 924S is a series one 944, in a 924's clothes. Which torque tube are you using to join the 944 angine and the 931 transaxle?

Simon

I have the choice, but was planning on using the 931 one... unless there is good reason for using the 944 one??? Please tell me the difference!

 

[JAM35F]

Thanks for the offer Tref. Again forgive my lack of knowledge, but yours would be a 2.7? Is that right? So will drive alot differently to a 924s?

Would love to see it and get a feel for porsches in general but as a car sadly an s2 is out of my budget I think.

 

[tref]

ORIGINAL: 944 man

To the OP: £2,500? Theyre having a laugh: the wings and front bolt on as do the rear arch extensions after a little work.

Surely that depends upon the quality of the workmanship? What would you say is a reasonable price? Does it include cutting off the old badge panel? How will the cutting back of the rear arches be carried out and finished off? How will teh scoop be bonded to the bonnet and blended in? how will it be finished underneath? how much of the car will be painted afterwards?
I dare say that much fibregalss is probably close to £1k, which leaves £1.5k for fitting and spraying... you don't get an awful lot of good quality paint for £1k.

Work costs the same, irrespective of the value of the final product... as many a picture on "Barry-boys" (or what ever it is called) will testify!

 

[tref]

ORIGINAL: JAM35F

Thanks for the offer Tref. Again forgive my lack of knowledge, but yours would be a 2.7? Is that right? So will drive alot differently to a 924s?

Would love to see it and get a feel for porsches in general but as a car sadly an s2 is out of my budget I think.

I think the basic dynamics of the 924/944/968 range are very similar. the big difference is the way the power is delivered. The driving style to get the best out of them changes accordingly... The S2 is a 3L 16v... and I paid £1500 a couple of years ago... tatty, high mileage, but well serviced and with a years MOT. But, yes, it was a good deal.

I would hazard to suggest you might be better off determining what is important to you, be it colour, mechanical simplicity, performance, bodywork condition, mechanical condition, ease of conversion to CGT, prioritise them, and then look at everything accordingly - that way you don't turn down the steal of a 944 S2 because you have focused on looking for a 924T. All of the range are great cars, and so long as you buy what is right for you, with the knowledge in the club and on this forum, you won't be disappointed.

 

[JAM35F]

I personally have no idea how good their work is but they have good reviews on the web. Price was a guesstimate until they see the actual car.

But for me at the mo its too much for budget porsche! Am lucky my wife is letting me get one in the first place without then telling her I'm spending the same again on new arches! Another time maybe!