Replacement of front bonnet and engine lid struts with a carbon fibre and aluminium stay.

[brian williams]

Hi all, I am considering setting up a small company to sell these stays which can totally replace the virtually useless conventional struts with a very lightweight and very functional stay. They are easy to fit and are for early 911's and 964/993's. Not sure as yet if they will fit later models as I have a 964 myself. I have already fitted some to my own car - the fronts are really easy, the rears are a little more tricky, but basic skills only required. What I would like some feed back on is the whether anyone would be interested in these items. The company that manufactures them also make other Porsche related products, more for racing purposes, such as a gear lever gate system and a cooler system, but initially the strut/stay items are my main focus, but who knows! Thanks in anticipation of any interest shown. Brian

 

[RSIMON]

What do they look like,what do they cost?

SR

 

[Mark Elder]

Brian,
First - I don't think there is a need to post your question on every sub-page of the forum - we are all capable of reading a post wherever it arrives.
Secondly - the existing Porsche struts work fine (albeit for only around 10 years[]) and don't exactly weight multiple kilos, so are not high on many peoples' lists of weight saving changes to make. I would not put your life savings into this business if I was you.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Blimey, spam alert!

If it's an advert, please pay for an ad in the magazine. If it's a free offer to froum users please either post it once in the genaral forums, or in one specific forum if it only applies to that model? [8|]

 

[brian williams]

In answer to all replies so far - Sorry if I have been a pain in posting on multiple forums. I initially posted on the members for sale forum and only got a couple of replies, so thought I would target all the forums of the cars that the struts would fit, hence the multiple post. Also I thought that most people mainly only look at the forum for their particular car, (like myself) and perhaps not look for all new posts each day. They are not on sale yet, as I am considering doing so depending on feedback. The good thing about them is that they are virtually fit and forget, unlike the usual struts that do fail and for a lot of people are awkward to fit. They are lightweight, only a few ounces each, so will appeal to the racing fraternity too. I will advertise them through the proper channels if and when I start selling them. Apologies again. Brian.

 

[Robert Teague]

I am surprised that Brian was jumped on so quickly when his mail and the reasons why he posted it where he did seem sensible. I have no idea who Brian is but this is clearly not an advert. If the forum is not the right place to canvass interest from owners by an owenr then where is?

I have a 993 so i dont read the 964 or 3.2 posts.

Brian:None of the struts work on my car and neither did they on my 3.2. They dont all look easy to fix to me or I would have done it for the tenner replacemetns cost. I would not see an advantage in a fibreglass item and would not pay any more for one.

Hope that helps.
Robert

 

[clyde]

ORIGINAL: brian williams

I am considering setting up a small company to sell these stays ...

Seems like an advert for a retail operation to me [8|] If Brian had been asking for interest to organise a group buy that would have been different

Both front and rear stays are exceptionally easy to fit Robert. Fronts should only take ten minutes max to remove the old ones and fit the new ones; the rears are a bit more awkward and I found it easier if the airbox is removed but still only twenty to thirty minutes max total.

There probably is a bit of a weight saving installing a stay in place of the struts but if you are that bothered about such a small saving I suggest you don't have any lunch before you go on track. It works out cheaper overall []

 

[Robert Teague]

Hi Clyde, thanks for the technical guidance. The lower attachment do seem well hidden but you have motivated me to have another look.

PS: Market research I'd have called it.

Best wishes
Robert

 

[clyde]

Maybe I was a bit harse, OK I'll go with market research

The hood and engine cover struts really are a doddle Robert. I had read the P-car walk through (http://p-car.com/diy/hoodshock/) on this a couple of times and it put me off tackling the job for a couple of years or more as it seemed so damned awkward. However, the base of the front structs is a push fit not the clip and pin described and this makes it much easier. It's a useful overview notwithstanding this.

It has been covered before on this forum but basically at the front you disconnect the top clip and pin and then lever the bottom fixing off with a blunt screwdriver or a bit of wood. Re-fit is a reverse as they say. I didn't have any issues getting the lower push fit on but some have said it took a fair bit of force.

The rear are clip and pin to both ends of the struts but apart from the risk of the clip springing away is more just awkward than difficult. The nearside one is hardest as it's not really feasible to remove the ducting, etc to get a clear shot at it. Expect a skint knuckle or two when you're doing it and you won't be disappointed. Somebody suggested tieing a bit of dentil floss or similar to the clip before levering it off to ensure you don't lose it when it pings away, which seems a good precaution.

 

[jason]

Just buy an RS lightweight stay....Porsche still sell them and they are pretty cheap.

Seems a mad idea to me when there is already an answer to this issue out there made by Porsche and its not expensive?

 

[Stewart Rix]

I'd be more interested if someone could come up with inexpensive surrounds to the two banks of centre tunnel switches (roof, spoiler, rear wiper etc). I've only got a cf oddment tray and the bit under the handbrake so far.