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AznDrgn · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 11:57 pm Post subject: 5 lug conversion question

I know this is covered in the FAQ and in other posts on the board and I've read them I just want to make sure I understand them correctly. For the front I mainly need the front spindle, calipers, and rotors. I should be able to use my existing struts and A arms. For the rears I just need rear hub assemblies, brakes, and spacers off an early car since there was no change there throughout the years. Up to here I think I'm alright but now is the part that is really questionable. Can I use the front strut assemblies from an '89 S2? I'd imagine they have a higher spring rate and the upper strut bearing is definately good and is the new style as opposed to my old ones. Next I was planning on using the rear brakes off of the '89 S2 but I was wondering if I needed to put the 4 piston calipers on there or if a regular NA caliper bolt onto that assembly? If I do put on the 4 pistons in the rear and standard NA brakes in the front I think that will really cause problems with brake proportioning. Lastly wheels won't be a problem as I am planning on using late offset 16" 968 rims 8" in the rear and 7" up front.
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-'87 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L 6" of lift 33" Super Swampers

-'83 Callaway 944 2.5L turbo, 300HP, 1 of 42 ever made

gohim · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 4459 Location: Rialto, CA

No, you can't use the front struts from an S2. How would you connect the speedometer? The S2 has a transmission driven speedometer (solid left front spindle), the 924 is driven by cable by way of a drilled (hollow) left front spindle. the spacing of the mounting holes on the calipers was changed from 86 Turbo, and 944S, so the higher end calipers will not bolt onto the 924S/944 spindles wihout custom adapters or modification of the spindles.

On the rear, a normal conversion requires calipers, caliper mounting brackets/parking brake mounting plates, bearing/grease seal bearing caps/covers, parking brake cables, rotors, wheel hubs, and wheel spacers (depending on the wheels you are using, stock Porsche 6 inch wheels require spacers). I don't know for sure, but I would not be surprised if the spacing for the caliper mounting bolts was changed as it was on the front. The S2 rotors are thicker, so Porsche must have made other changes to the brake components to allow them to fit properly. Stuffing 8" wheels under the fenders will not work without some flaring of the sheet metal, and careful selection of wheel spacers, wheel offset and tires.

-nick · Joined: 16 Nov 2002 Posts: 2699 Location: Cambridge, MA

Much more problematic than the hole for the speedo cable in the spindle is the fact that the later strut assemblies angle out further and the strut mount bearings have some angle built into them (ie- you can't even use the later bearings in the early cars). The only way to use the parts would be to also use the later control arms, which would also give you a 944 wheel offset (not to mention potential problems fitting the control arms).

Can't help with the brake proportioning using 4-piston rear calipers, but I do believe both the front & rear caliper mounts were changed with the later calipers.

If you want some stiffer springs, then I would suggest just finding a pair of 944 or 951 springs (any except S2 & 968 will fit). People often get rid of them for cheap as they upgrade.

8" rears fit with the stock 21mm spacer and the later 52mm offset. You may or may not having some tire rubbing (seems tire-specific). I had to roll the fenders on mine and now I don't have any trouble.

-nick

AznDrgn · Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 12:38 pm Post subject:

well apparently I didn't really understand the swap as well as I thought I did. I'll just get the entire setup off of a pre 85.5 car. One last question though what about the master cylinder? Is the S2 master cylinder and brake booster usable on the 924?
_________________
-'87 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L 6" of lift 33" Super Swampers

-'83 Callaway 944 2.5L turbo, 300HP, 1 of 42 ever made

Lizard · Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 3:39 pm Post subject:

the 80 and later 924 dont need a replacement booster,

why so obsessed about the S2?
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3 928s,

AznDrgn · Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2004 11:40 pm Post subject:

Lizard this conversion is going to go on my '78 so I will need to change the master cylinder. Not really an obsession with the S2 I just have one that I'm parting and I'm trying to cut corners and save money by using parts I already have.
_________________
-'87 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L 6" of lift 33" Super Swampers

-'83 Callaway 944 2.5L turbo, 300HP, 1 of 42 ever made

Lizard · Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2004 3:52 pm Post subject:

so is this project still on now that you have had a mishap?
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3 928s,

AznDrgn · Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2004 4:01 pm Post subject:

This project is definately on hold now that I have no car at all.
_________________
-'87 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L 6" of lift 33" Super Swampers

-'83 Callaway 944 2.5L turbo, 300HP, 1 of 42 ever made