How to make a Carrera GT replica?

[JAM35F]

thanks Tref, apologies for not knowing the spec of your car! At least I have learnt something this lunch hour!

Budget has to be top priority, cost of vehicle and then running it. I want the best condition car I can get, both body and mechanicals, as neither are my strong points so any work will have to paid for at a specialist. Also I am quite in to detailing so the looks are important to me.

I don't expect supercar performance for my budget, just a bit of fun and capable on the odd track day. Again I am a novice so it shouldnt be too powerful!

I like the sound of a 924s, both price and servicing cost wise and all the reviews say they are good drivers cars and handle well, hence why I started my thoughts their.

 

[tref]

No problem with not knowing the spec on my car, or anything else... we all have to learn it somewhere... it is a pleasure to help any-one honest enough to hold up their hand and admit where they lack knowledge.

I think from your priorities, you have probably sellected pretty much the ideal version... with one caveat... I don't think there is any difference in the purchase or running costs of a 924S and 944. The 944s used to command a premium - I don't think they do anymore, but there are a lot more of them around.

 

[944 man]

ORIGINAL: 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!

Its a long time since I did a deal with 924s, but I remember the torque tube as being different. I was hoping that I was mistaken and that they were the same...

 

[tref]

Damn, I guess if I make the wrong selection, I'm going to find out!

 

[JAM35F]

Tref, when you say little difference in running costs do you mean all 944's? Or just the early 2.5 cars that are mechanically similar to a 924s?

I assume 944 turbos are more to run, are 2.5 and 2.7 (luxs?) similar in price to run as a 924s?

 

[tref]

The early cars similar to the 924S. There isn't that much of a price difference any more between the early and late dashboard cars, but there is a premium for either S2 or Turbo models.
The 944S and 2.7 models offer little advantage over the base 2.5, but add to complexity by being 16valve. OK, it is a one-off check (and possible bill), but it is unlikely you can do this before you buy the car.

Fuel costs depend upon how you drive - drive the same and they are all much of a muchness... but put your foot down hard in a Turbo and you can get it to be expensive. Maintenance costs are higher for the Turbo, and there is a potential one-off expense on the 16v models, where-after it is good for another 100k miles, otherwise they are all much of a muchness. Insurance is generally higher on a Turbo or S2.

How-ever... to put it into perspective... if you do your own maintenance, my experience is that anything other than a 944 Turbo is cheaper cost per mile than a ropey VW Golf Mk II 16V. based on about 30k per year.

 

[JAM35F]

cheers Tref, you have been a huge help, apologies for all the questions. Will keep an eye out now and see what comes up.

 

[924nutter]

ORIGINAL: 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!

You must use the 931 torque tube, luckily the clutch plate is the same as the 944 so the sharp end will fit the splines. Not wishing to be sarcastic, but did you not spot the bell housing on the 944 (audi derived) box which is about 18 inches across and the 5 inch wide trapezoidal mount of the 931. The 931 tube is also shorter by about a foot with the mating surfaces as shown here in the attachment

 

[tref]

Thanks for that. Nope, didn't notice... probably on account of never having dropped a 924 'box. The 944 gearbox is the easiest 'box I have ever taken out and refitted in a car - out of interest, is the 924 any different?

 

[924nutter]

The 016/9 (5 speed H pattern) is a releative doddle once you now that the selector rod runs through a nylon tube which has to be slid forwards to allow the gear box to be tilted to clear the fuel tank, which is very close (10mm) to the fifth gear appendage, the four-speeders had about 100 mm but the fifth gear is in that space on the five speed.

The 016/Z is a nightmare for access to the top bolts which are 10mm socket cap heads, and releasing the selector knuckle is no sinecure either.
It doesn't balance that well either. I made a wooden cradle to sit the box in.

Some 924 2.0, those with the M474 sportpack had the /Z box but look out for the 20mm input shaft if you buy one from any auction sites. It would be worth asking the vendor what the size was. ( For any Turbo owners who think they have stumbled accross a bargain)

 

[lali]

Wow this is a fast moving thread!

Umm.. where to begin....

Cars for sale... I know where there is a real CGT for sale in silver for less than £10K.

Modifying cars... Yes I own a replica.... but mines not a simple bolt on conversion.

The car is fitted with the running gear from a 968, including the T/tube and box. So its got as much power as a CGT without the fragility.
The car was bought to be a track sl4g so the fact that it was a little on the "ugly" side didnt bother us, the car went to EMC to be checked over and a few issues with brakes were sorted and set of GAZ shocks went on it. We then succesfully ran it on track for a couple of years laying waste to all manor of exotica and taking great delight in making grown men cry.

The biggest problem with tracking a 924 is that they are a narrow track car and without some sort of modification will always be lacking in that department, so when we made the dicission to wide track the car the obvious choice was to get the CGT kit put on at the same time. The kit was from Club Auto Sport and EMC have been using them for years for the race car panels. ( I have a F/Glass front for my 968 from them as well )The car was red anyway so that was ok... and when/if the windscreen needs replacing we'll have it fitted flush.

The wheels are a crippling cost... yes you can fit the 911 ones but the fronts are normally only 6" wide.

All in all it's a great package... it looks fast even when its stood still and it turns more heads than any other porshe I've owned.

You only live once, and it's better to regret the things you did, not the things you didnt.

Lali

 

[Neil Haughey]

Wow is all I can say, and great contribution Lali. Guys I have seen this car a couple of times now and it not only looks awesome it genuinely looks like a thoroughly sorted well built bit of kit. I would love to have either a replica like this with the 968 engine or the real thing.

 

[JAM35F]

Beautiful car, a real inspiration. Makes me want a replica or the real thing even more! Maybe one day...

 

[tref]

Yep, inspirational indeed... I just need to finish all the other projects! Lali, May I ask how you overcame the engine mount/cross member issue? I presume you are running 968 radiator etc as well? I kind of like the idea of the dog-leg box given the power output of the base 924 engine, but what was the box swap like? More brackets to weld on?

 

[lali]

TBH I couldnt tell you.... the car came to me with all of the mechanicals done, well apart from the very shonky 3:1 brake circuit, and the mental big rear brakes!

I'm the least hands on owner of an old porsche I know.... It's something I keep meaning to address but when it comes down to it... I cant be arsed!

I'll take some pics of the engine bay if you want, the only think i know for sure is that there is no P/steering or ABS. and I think Im running a master cylinder from an early 44 turbo.

I'm fortunate enough to have a really good relationship with EMC in bham and I trust Kevin and Alex 200% They have looked after the car since we bought it. They gave it a proper going over on day 1 and said that the only thing that let the car down was the quality of the F/glass body work. But that wasn't a priority for us at the time, we just wanted it out on track.

There are some vids on youtube of its first outing at Silverstone....

924 at Silverstone

We did try and have a chat with the guy in the 996TT after we came in... but he stormed off... I dont think he liked my "RAT Look" 924. at the time it had 3 different coloured wheels, the fronts were teledials and the rears were D90's, the front wings had more Ducktape on them than Jack Duckworths Glasses and the bonnet was so thin that at anything above 60mph it curved up at the edges....

 

[tref]

Photo's of the engine bay would be wonderful - especially down either side of the engine if at all possible.

Sorry about the phone camera picture... but... I think I have close to the ultimate "rat look" 924 project... I'm thinking I will run it "as is", without so much as washing the lichen from it, for a while... maybe with a "my other car is concour" sticker!
It is, as it is, from necessity... It was a donor for the cabrio project, my 944 was written off and supplied the missing panels. The decent bonnet went on the cab, so it has the cabrio's old bonnet too. I don't have a suitable front bumper, hence the parcel tape until I find something better... What is important to me is how it feels to drive... if it is good, then I'll probably do something about the bodywork... if it isn't... it'll be in the "for sale" section.

 

[theorangeperil]

I'm just around the corner in Northwood. I bought my 924S at the end of last summer and have been using it daily.
It's a great car. I'm no expert but PM me and I will happily bring it over.

Peter
1986 924S RHD
1969 911T RHD

 

[JAM35F]

PM, sent, thanks Orangeperil