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Posted by: JimSar Mar 20 2008, 01:49 AM

A few months ago I bought a "Porsche 914 Gas Shock Kit" on eBay from this vendor:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=014&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=330219178155&rd=1

I've misplaced the instruction sheet, and repeated emails to the vendor over a span of a couple of weeks didn't generate any response. All I really need are the measurements, say from the taillight lens to the 1st hole, and on the lid side, from the front edge to the 1st hole.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Jim

Posted by: TINCAN914 Mar 20 2008, 05:55 AM

I bought these as well.
Not to bash, but return them if possible, or cut your losses and contact Craig at CAMP914. IMO they are much easier to mount and after you open and close your trunk lid over time, I believe the screws hold up better at the mounting points with craigs. Just my .02, good luck.

Posted by: dr914@autoatlanta.com Mar 20 2008, 07:15 AM

I second. Don't do it! And by the way the rear trunk spring rods work perfectly. The rear shocks restrict movement and utility (like swinging the top into the trunk) Don't do it!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: SLITS Mar 20 2008, 11:15 AM

3 cars I've installed these on ... never a problem ... one 3 years ago .... Now I don't worry about torn from the body hinge brackets or replacement of those stupid rollers and the potential blood. I can put my targa top in the trunk with no problems and with the same effort it took when it had torsion bars. If you're a CW more power to you ... keep dealin' with those idiot torsion springs. With his kit you don't have to cut the seal.

Worried about screws .... spot weld the brackets. Jeeeeeeezzzzzz

Posted by: blitZ Mar 20 2008, 11:23 AM

I have an internal cable release for my rear trunk. Do these struts pop the trunk lid up, when the latch is released?

Posted by: Rand Mar 20 2008, 11:31 AM

I took some shocks off a hatchback at a pull-a-part wrecking yard and fabbed & welded my own brackets. Cost me $5 in parts. Works perfect, still easy to get the top in and out. Glad to have that stock torsion spring outta there.

I mounted the lid/top ends first, propped the trunk up fully open, that told me where to attach the other ends of the shocks. Simple, no instructions or measuring needed.

Mine does not lift the lid as soon as the latch is released... It pops enough to get under it, then I lift the lid a few inches, then the shocks lift and hold from there.

Posted by: SirAndy Mar 20 2008, 11:35 AM

nope ... there's no pressure on the lid with the struts all the way down ... however, on my car, just the pressure from the rubber trunk gasket is enough to make the lid come up 1/4" or so when you press the lock ...

i also have the gas shocks in the front trunk and i added a small spring next to the lock which will pop up the lid just enough when released ...

and i second welding in the brakets. much cleaner and no leaks around the screws/rivets!
Andy

Posted by: SLITS Mar 20 2008, 11:41 AM

The spring on your rear trunk latch will "pop" the trunk up enough to get your fingers under the lid. You then just start to raise it and the gas shocks will take over with a nice smooth motion ... not a chin busting fly up like the torsion springs.**

** Ok, so I exaggerate a bit.

Posted by: Kargeek Mar 20 2008, 11:46 AM

I made my own using 944 rear hatch shocks. Welded my own bracket and attached the front hinge pin to the trunk hinge bracket. I had to notch the rear bulkhead to clear the shock rod. Not factory but hey, I at least used porsche parts.

No problems with the top fitting and removing the torsion bars cleaned up the engine compartment and gave room for my rear facing carb throttle linkage.


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Posted by: Rand Mar 20 2008, 11:49 AM

Nice. I mounted my top ends the same way to the hinge bracket.

Posted by: JimSar Mar 21 2008, 12:33 AM

Thanks, everyone, for your help/opinion. SLITS, special thanks for taking the time to post pics of the directions.

Jim

Posted by: blitZ Mar 21 2008, 05:23 AM

Kargeek

I was looking at your rear shock support. Where did you get it and does it help?

Posted by: Bartlett 914 Mar 21 2008, 06:01 AM

Your installation looks really clean. What shocks did you use?

Posted by: MoveQik Mar 21 2008, 08:49 AM

I just got a set of these shocks that were donated to the Route 66 run by ??(sorry I can't remember) The directions called for cutting the front of the trunk . I couldn't bring myself to doing it so I mounted them in a way that avoided any cutting. They work perfect, top fits in...did I mention no cutting?




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Posted by: MoveQik Mar 21 2008, 08:56 AM

Decklid




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Posted by: MoveQik Mar 21 2008, 08:59 AM

Trunk still intact The mounting brackets are reversed relative to which goes on the car vs decklid when compared to the "proper" way the instructions called for. But like I said, I couldn't see cutting the trunk for these things. It is never good when the instructions list a hacksaw as required tool for installation.

They do work perfectly installed this way. I wouldn't do it on a FG lid but stock lid is plenty strong.


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Posted by: SLITS Mar 21 2008, 09:25 AM

Smooth move Slick .... I believe those are Boxtsers kits that "require" cutting. The other kit sold on eBay doesn't which is much preferable.

Posted by: ericread Mar 21 2008, 10:23 AM

How about the kit that is sold on CAMP914? Does anybody know how that kit installs.

Posted by: MoveQik Mar 21 2008, 01:56 PM

Wellll Ron, you know me. I'm quite the wizard when it comes to fabricating and such.

Posted by: SLITS Mar 21 2008, 02:50 PM

Camp914 = Boxster

Posted by: stateofidleness Mar 21 2008, 03:02 PM

do you notice any difference with that strut tower brace installed? doesnt the rear firewall basically act as a strut tower brace?? been lookin into this

Posted by: computers4kids Mar 21 2008, 03:10 PM

I have the kit installed from ebay on my 74 and the kit from Craig's on my 75. Without a doubt, Craig's kit is far superior and easier to install.

Posted by: Kargeek Mar 25 2008, 07:52 PM

[do you notice any difference with that strut tower brace installed? doesnt the rear firewall basically act as a strut tower brace?? been lookin into this]

Probably not...this was something I picked up 25 years ago at the Pomona Swap meet. Looked Cool, that about all I can say. The same vendor sold a kit for the 911 front strut towers which I'm told there is an advantage.

Some asked about my shocks. 944 rear hatch shocks and the mounts were fabricated and welded to the trunk channel. Yes, with my mounting pin on the trunk hinge, you have to notch the bulkhead to clear the shock rod.

DH

Posted by: TINCAN914 Mar 25 2008, 08:23 PM