CONVERSION ADVICE - SUSPENSION, From stock 1.7 FI to 5 lugs carb'd 6cyl Options

[HIPPIEKILLER]

Dear all,

I am enjoying my car as it is right now: all original and solid with the stock 1.7 FI working fine.

However, since I joined this community and met some people around SoCal, I just changed my mind for a 6cyl conversion and extra candies.

Today I am seeking for advice on suspension conversion. I have read this article that I found very interesting:
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=105728

Still I am not sure if the cost of replacing struts, hubs and everything is worth it when I see very looking cars with the simpler re-drilled hubs and BMW 320i calipers.

From a petrol head point of view of course I want top, but I want to take a compromise (performance/look/budget/time).

I do not mind keeping non vented discs as long as I change to 19mm master cylinder and better calipers (BMW or 911) but I think this option is not existing unless I go to the re-drilled hubs.

Anyway, I listen to experiences and advice from this excellent community. I am going on Sunday to the swap meet in Riverside hoping there will be interesting parts.

The 6 cylinders conversions will be another topic.

Cheers!

[Spoke]

You've got the right idea by upgrading the suspension before upgrading the engine. Before you can go very fast you have to be able to stop very fast.

A 911 front end is a good way to quickly upgrade the front. Most everything is bolt-on and may even include an under-body sway bar.

The rear end can be 911 or re-drilled 914 hub.

The key is to find the parts economically from someone selling their 5-lug upgrade or someone parting a 911.

I found the parts below on ebay for $450 for my '74 914. This was a complete 914 5-lug setup. Just needed cleaned and tuned. For my '71 914 I found someone on Pelican Parts selling the entire suspension off of a '72 911 for $150. He even delivered it to my house!

Once you go 5-lug, then many wheel choices come into play. Euromeister makes a very economical fake Fuchs rim for your upgrade.

[mepstein]

You've got the right idea by upgrading the suspension before upgrading the engine. Before you can go very fast you have to be able to stop very fast.

A 911 front end is a good way to quickly upgrade the front. Most everything is bolt-on and may even include an under-body sway bar.

The rear end can be 911 or re-drilled 914 hub.

The key is to find the parts economically from someone selling their 5-lug upgrade or someone parting a 911.

I found the parts below on ebay for $450 for my '74 914. This was a complete 914 5-lug setup. Just needed cleaned and tuned. For my '71 914 I found someone on Pelican Parts selling the entire suspension off of a '72 911 for $150. He even delivered it to my house!

Once you go 5-lug, then many wheel choices come into play. Euromeister makes a very economical fake Fuchs rim for your upgrade.

Just remember that once you buy a used 5 lug setup, you will still be looking at another $1-2K to get it all up to par.
Overhaul calipers
new master cylinder
New rotors
new soft lines
new strut inserts
new rear shocks
new bearings
possibly softer torsion bars
ect

[Chris914n6]

You've got the right idea by upgrading the suspension before upgrading the engine. Before you can go very fast you have to be able to stop very fast.

A 911 front end is a good way to quickly upgrade the front. Most everything is bolt-on and may even include an under-body sway bar.

The rear end can be 911 or re-drilled 914 hub.

The key is to find the parts economically from someone selling their 5-lug upgrade or someone parting a 911.

I found the parts below on ebay for $450 for my '74 914. This was a complete 914 5-lug setup. Just needed cleaned and tuned. For my '71 914 I found someone on Pelican Parts selling the entire suspension off of a '72 911 for $150. He even delivered it to my house!

Once you go 5-lug, then many wheel choices come into play. Euromeister makes a very economical fake Fuchs rim for your upgrade.

Just remember that once you buy a used 5 lug setup, you will still be looking at another $1-2K to get it all up to par.
Overhaul calipers
new master cylinder
New rotors
new soft lines
new strut inserts
new rear shocks
new bearings
possibly softer torsion bars
ect

I wish you would stop scaring people with your high end shop prices. I just paid $700 for an SC front susp, recent rebuild maybe 5000 miles. Still need to buy a 19mm BMC (914rubber). Got a set of 7x15 cookies for $100, need refreshed. Need to buy tires but that's expected. Locally machined hubs and rear bearings <$200.
A 5-lug swap/upgrade can be affordable for CSOB 914 owners (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif)