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!

[BigFour1973]

Say one decides to just swap out the struts with 3.5" struts. does it matter if i go with pinch or wedge style? will both bolt up to my early style ball joint?

[mepstein]

Say one decides to just swap out the struts with 3.5" struts. does it matter if i go with pinch or wedge style? will both bolt up to my early style ball joint?

You would need wedge style. Early pinch bolt ball joints won’t work on later wedge struts. There is a pin on the wedge style that acts like a cotter pin. The early style has a semi circle cut out to accept the through bolt.

Edit - I’m not aware of any 3 1/2” struts that use pinch bolts but ....