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> How to make a 914 better than a 916, How to put a steel fixed top on your 914
Root_Werks
post Sep 16 2007, 09:04 PM
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This is not a project for any sort of beginer or not anything I would recomend for anyone who cannot do it all themselves. I spent waaaaay too many hours to justify having an actual shop try it. I also probably wouldn't ever do this again for fear that I wouldn't be able to reproduce the same results. Yeah, it turned out that good. That said, as I post pictures, understand this project is already DONE. So it WORKS and looks as though the factory installed every piece. So sit back, enjoy and maybe dream that you might one day yourself embark on such a task. Hopefully this will help those few people who dare to be as stupid as I. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif)
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Root_Werks
post Sep 16 2007, 09:13 PM
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The first thing I started with was a handful of measurements and compound curve demensions. Then my son and I zipped on down to a local bone yard and started checking out roofs on various cars. I wanted to keep it in the "Porsche family" or at least in the P-VW-Audi family, so we started there. Turns out, the 944 has an almost spot on match to the first main raidus required for the job. Hmm, $100 and a sawzall later and we had the top of a 944 sitting back at the house. Here is the basic starting piece I had. This is where the fun and frustrations began. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

My first cut was for the front, measured from the windshield frame back to where I figured the back should end correctly. I studied 100 916 photos and had them plastered everywhere during this whole process.


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Root_Werks
post Sep 16 2007, 09:18 PM
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Here is a little more cut off, there is A LOT that was removed and yes, I wanted a sunroof and yes, the drain tubes are hooked up and yes, it all works and is completely unseen as if done by the factory. So yes, you can have your cake and eat it too on this one. This conversion completely changes the car. I also have the Engman inner long kit installed and holy crap, it's a stiff one!


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Root_Werks
post Sep 16 2007, 09:23 PM
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This is one crappy photo, sorry about that. But after cutting off much of the sides that would meet up with the doors and rear quarter windows, I was able to start laying the steel section on top of a 914 top to start getting ideas of where to go from here. One thing I noticed right away was I was going to have to create something to add about 1 inch to each side and make it have a compound raidus. Nothing like keeping it simple huh? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)


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effutuo101
post Sep 16 2007, 09:24 PM
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Keep the pic's coming Dan! It looks like you have done a wonderful job.
Now you go drive? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)
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Root_Werks
post Sep 16 2007, 09:26 PM
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QUOTE(effutuo101 @ Sep 16 2007, 08:24 PM) *

Keep the pic's coming Dan! It looks like you have done a wonderful job.
Now you go drive? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)


Drive it daily to Seattle, rain or shine. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) The only car I have.
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Root_Werks
post Sep 16 2007, 09:31 PM
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Here is a better shot showing more of the material removed. I must of drilled out 1000 spot welds, ground down and cut off gobs of metal trying to leave as much alone as possible to retain strength. You can also see some 944 interior parts laying around. I went through I think about 5 versions before finally settling on the final one. Oh yeah, the finished top with sunroof in and all interior parts wieghs 6lbs more than the glass top, I figure with welding and skim coating(body work) max of 10lbs added to the car.


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Root_Werks
post Sep 16 2007, 09:37 PM
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Here are the final first version removed pieces from the 944 roof section. I wound up having to build and box in top out longitudes for both sides to acomplish my goal, stiff as a 916, but still with an open roof. It was too cool watching the Yard Dude cut the roof off the 944, he pretty much sawzall'd right through everything, glass, sunroof cables etc. 944's are plentiful at bone yards right now. Last post for the night, more to come later this week. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)


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KaptKaos
post Sep 16 2007, 10:04 PM
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More! More!
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markb
post Sep 16 2007, 10:10 PM
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QUOTE(KaptKaos @ Sep 16 2007, 08:04 PM) *

More! More!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smiley_notworthy.gif)
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ClayPerrine
post Sep 16 2007, 10:12 PM
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You have WAY too much time on your hands...


And why a sunroof???
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Aaron Cox
post Sep 16 2007, 10:20 PM
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QUOTE(ClayPerrine @ Sep 16 2007, 09:12 PM) *

You have WAY too much time on your hands...


And why a sunroof???

yes


and


yes!
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PeeGreen 914
post Sep 16 2007, 10:28 PM
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QUOTE(ClayPerrine @ Sep 16 2007, 09:12 PM) *

You have WAY too much time on your hands...


And why a sunroof???


He said he was going for an open feeling while making it stiff as a 916.
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ClayPerrine
post Sep 16 2007, 10:30 PM
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QUOTE(Blood red 914-6gt @ Sep 16 2007, 11:28 PM) *

QUOTE(ClayPerrine @ Sep 16 2007, 09:12 PM) *

You have WAY too much time on your hands...


And why a sunroof???


He said he was going for an open feeling while making it stiff as a 916.



That is just me... I don't like sunroofs in any form. I would probably have gone for a non sunroof top if I were doing this.


To each his own.....
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SirAndy
post Sep 16 2007, 10:38 PM
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QUOTE(ClayPerrine @ Sep 16 2007, 08:12 PM) *

And why a sunroof???


because that's how the factory did it in '68/'69 ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) Andy



914.006:

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Rand
post Sep 16 2007, 10:42 PM
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I love it! I've thought about running bars just under the edges of the top. But yours accomplishes the same thing, even stronger, and is a much cleaner finished product.

I would make the sunroof piece completely removable, so it's still *almost* a targa with just a smaller top. And make a new holder/clips to still stow it in the trunk. (Is this one removable or tip up?)

Now all you need to do is make a door frame around the top and put a modern one-piece window in that can roll up and seal in the frame. It would make a perfectly water/air tight seal like a new car.
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Nice work Dan! I love seeing unique projects!
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sww914
post Sep 16 2007, 11:20 PM
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Nice work, I can't wait to see the rest.
If you weren't 1,000 miles away, I'd bring you some sawhorses so you wouldn't have to work all bent over on those rubbermaid containers anymore. It makes my back hurt just looking at it.
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Aaron Cox
post Sep 17 2007, 12:10 AM
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more pics!
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effutuo101
post Sep 17 2007, 01:15 AM
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QUOTE(sww914 @ Sep 16 2007, 10:20 PM) *

Nice work, I can't wait to see the rest.
If you weren't 1,000 miles away, I'd bring you some sawhorses so you wouldn't have to work all bent over on those rubbermaid containers anymore. It makes my back hurt just looking at it.


I think that was just for pictures.
I down loaded the picture. the detail on the welding is right on...
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drive-ability
post Sep 17 2007, 06:46 PM
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I think that's a nice addition, sunroof or not. My question about the addition of the roof is would it put added pressure on the windshield frame? I wouldn't mind doing the job on my car. Has anyone had any experience with the long term effects. It would be a shame if the windshield or windshield frame became damaged due to flex.. Just wondering If you have to do any structural work in that area first ????


I hated driving with my top on, but once I got a good rear targa seal and set up my rear glass using "two" panes its rather nice in the cab.
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