Nice conversion
- Thread starter charles.y
- Start date
sawood12
New member
I don't think Perspex is a good choice - it have the impact resistance of Polycarbonate. The kit from these guys looks like a really nice professional finish. They are currently working on a twin projector light version as well. GT-racing parts have a reputation for not fitting particularly well and needing alot of fettling. The Deutsch Nine kit is expensive, but like with most things in live, you get what you pay for. http://www.deutschnine.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=porsche-transaxle&Product_Code=D9-944II951S2-GTS&Category_Code=porsche-transaxle-944-turbo-s2-aero-dynamics
944 man
Active member
Its hard to know what they use Scott, because they use two different terms (Makrolon a tradename for polycarbonate; and Plexiglass which is a tradename, along with Perspex, for PMMA) which contradict each other. Polycarbonate is better than acrylic for replacement windows, but its not as easy to thermoform. Polycarbonate is hygroscopic and in order to successfully thermoform it, you have to dry it out in an oven beforehand. This is easier said than done: and I have had problems with bubbles forming in the finished items. Acrylic is a good deal easier to work with and whilst it isnt as shatter resistant as polycarbonate, it is still far more durable than glass in that respect and more than adequate for the job. With regards to D-9's product: at almost £500 they are taking the piss! At half of that price they would be making a handsome profit but they manage to make the German fellow on eBay look as though he offers good value (2x GRP bowls and 2x sheets of acrylic for £75)!
TTM
Well-known member
A friend fitted the GT Racing kit on his 944 turbo and even regardless of them being shaped for a 924/944 I can tell you the finish is far from great. It can be acceptable for a race car with which panel alignment is likely to go wrong more quickly than on a road car because of increased stress applied to the bodywork but on a nice road car I woud definitely budget for the D9 kit.
I don't know about polycarbonate being hygroscopic but I do know the professionals form it in an autoclave. I have certainly formed polycarbonate at home on a number of occasions both in the oven and using a hot air gun. In my experience the trick (without an autoclave) is don't over heat it and don't heat it up too fast IIRC, without an autoclave, there may be some reduction in over all impact resistance as you don't achieve sufficient temperature for all the molecules to realign within the new shape. I made several racing car screens out of 6mm polycarbonate and there was certainly some evidence of internal distortion under polarised light. The main issue with both acrylic and polycarbonate however is surface hardness. There isn't any. Both materials will scratch if you wipe them with a cloth. I am assuming the expensive, professional solutions are both expensive and slightly heavier because they use toughened glass.
Well I'm not convinced of any alternative to the D9 no matter how expensive they are. They actually took over the manufacturing of the German ones due to it not working so well either. If you want something cheap and cheerful, go for the others. As for saving 100+lbs, they're dreaming. Probably about 20-30lbs I'd say. The room is helpful for other underhood mods however. Oh, and as for the rectangular lights looking less modern than the twins, well the white one in Car Domain looks crap in my view, but I'm sure if done properly it could look more modern than the authentic rectangular version. Each to their own. IMHO of course.
J.C944TurboMan
New member
I do like both these type of lights , the white 944 does look a bit kit car tackle .If I was to buy any I would have the ones from DEUTSCH NINE INTERNATIONAL . They look really fantastic as if the 944 was made from factory like this. They are not just for good looks but most importantly they provide better aero dynamics for the 944 . I tested my 1991 S2 with full Janspeed Decat system and induction K&N at high speeds reach 157mph running with lights down , and tried to push the car at night with the lights up and felt the front end go very light . I could not reach no were near the 157mph mark , so I do believe pop up lights create a lot of drag to the car , Has any one else experienced this in there 944 ? Best regards J
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