924Board.org

1st car · Joined: 23 Aug 2005 Posts: 57 Location: VA

I was thinking of doing a little personilazisoin to my 79 924 sebring and would like to know what you all think.
First I was going to get a body kit on it (GTR carbon fiber front with 944 wheel flares on the back). I also wanted to put an LS-1 engine in but I don’t know if the body will handle the torque. I need to get a new pant job done because the previous owner didn’t tack good care of the body or the car for that mater. Not sure what color to do and would like to have some input from you all (I dint like original color).
The interior needs allot of work but IV found some place that sells interior carpet and floors mats. The dash has un-reparibal cracks and needs to be replaced. I was going to put some sport seats in. I want to do a red and black interior scheme. I was also planing on replacing the old back speakers with some alpines and putting 2 12-inch subs in but IM skeptical about it.

Any input is very helpful thanks.
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1979 924 sebring project car (first car)
and a 1996 saab 900 turbo SE

Lizard · Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2005 10:18 am Post subject:

each person has different taste,
I prefer functionality over form,
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3 928s,

WhoDak · Joined: 22 Mar 2005 Posts: 492 Location: Akron, OH

I'm guessing that later on tonight you'll get quite a few people telling you not to "bastardize" a sebring edition.

I'd normally show concern too because it's a special limited edition, but as you're saying it's not in too great of shape.

If you want the widebody, I'd suggest having the suspension and power to back it up. If you did the LS-1 engine you'd have to consider upgrading your torque tube and tranny, along with the suspension from a later car, 944, 951 etc. Having a later, 944 suspension will help fill out the wheel wells more too...they look sort of silly with the fender overhanging the wheels by 6 inches ya know.

I'm sure you'll find PLENTY to spend your money on just bringing it up to being a clean and reliable driver.
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Mike
'82 924 N/A
'91 Toyota Pickup SR5 4x4 Xtra cab

timstar92404 · Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 2075 Location: richmond BC

If you're in highschool I don't think you can afford to put a v8 in the 924. that will cost a ton of money, its not just buying the engine but you basicly have to change everything (suspension, better brakes etc) and a ton of work.

If you have that much money to throw into an old car then why wouldn't you just get a 928, then you just have to maintain it instead of building a car.
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78 924 sold.
85.5 944

1st car · Joined: 23 Aug 2005 Posts: 57 Location: VA

your right at my curint state i can't aford to throw away the money. If i were to do any thing like this i sure as would not drive it to my school.
The reson i dont whant a 928 is because curintly being in high school theres no way my perints would let me get one. I also enjoy personalizin it so i dont have a 928 but insted a "bastardize" car.
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1979 924 sebring project car (first car)
and a 1996 saab 900 turbo SE

WhoDak · Joined: 22 Mar 2005 Posts: 492 Location: Akron, OH

timstar92404 · Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 2075 Location: richmond BC

I would just get it to run properly without paying for cosmetic stuff.

if you don't plan on keeping the car for many years its a waste to paint it or make the car look nicer because when you sell it you'll lose all the money.
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78 924 sold.
85.5 944

timstar92404 · Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 2075 Location: richmond BC

stexch · Joined: 05 Dec 2003 Posts: 90 Location: Mankato, KS, USA

The 924 is a great car for a first project! In the following comments, I'm assuming that this will be your only transportation.

I would postpone the engine swap for the reasons listed above, plus your insurance company will charge you a much higher premium for a V8-powered car, plus you need something that will get you good gas mileage (your Porsche 2-liter will get you about twice the mpg of the V

.

I would also advise against putting in an expensive stereo, as this increases the likelihood that your vehicle will be broken into, especially in school parking lots. Buy an inexpensive stereo and focus on appearance instead.

Rather than investing in a body kit, I suggest that you take an auto body class and paint your car as your project. You'll learn valuable skills, and all you'll have to pay is the cost of your materials. If your high school doesn't offer a class, check with your local vo-tech.

As for the seats, make sure that the ones you're buying have enough padding for the kind of driving you want to do. While competition seats look great, they will get uncomfortable on a long trip. Also if you're wanting to take a date out in your car, (s)he may not share your appreciation of a firm seat.

While it's tempting to spend every dime you get on your car, it's a good idea to keep some saved back for unexpected mechanical repairs.

Best wishes on your project!

CBass · Joined: 03 Nov 2002 Posts: 2807 Location: Vancouver, Canada

As was already stated in the thread, to swap in an LS1 you're going to need custom motor mounts, nobody makes a swap kit, although you might be able to convince someone who has swapped a SBC in to fabricate and sell you a set of mounts.

Renegade Hybrids makes a kit, but it's not cheap. The motor mounts for the kit won't work for a 924, as the kit is made for the 944, and you'll need a 944 transmission. The body is quite stiff, I wouldn't worry about twisting it up too much. Add a roll cage and you'll be able to handle more torque than that LS1 can make.

Now IIRC, you can bolt up a 944 tranny to a snailshell type torsion tube housing without too much trouble. Anyone care to confirm or debunk that for me?

As for body kits, it's all a matter of personal taste. I don't like them, but I'm not against customizing the body of the car. I just think that they look like they try to hard, and give an image of performance that the car simply doesn't have. In stock form, it looks like a Porsche, and handles like a Porsche. Try to make it look like some exotic racing special, and it'll still handle like a Porsche, but it won't have the straightline speed to match the look, and people will always want to race, etc... Big hassle. Paint is a matter of opinion, this thread has a lot of cars in it, might help you get some ideas.

http://www.924board.org/viewtopic.php?t=231&start=0

The dash can be repaired, one of the board members here has done it using bondo and fiberglass resin, then paint. It came out looking really nice.

Welcome to the board!
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'81 931 in various states of assembly

1st car · Joined: 23 Aug 2005 Posts: 57 Location: VA

My school dose offer a vo tech class but I wont be eligible for it till next year and even then its hard to get into so iv been looking for places around me that will tech me and hire me. As for the engine I kind figured that the incurring company would jack up the price but even still I cant afford it yet. I’m acutely thinking of panting it more of a gardes red or black I was even thinking of 2 toning it but I’m probably not going to do that. All your input is very helpful thanks.
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1979 924 sebring project car (first car)
and a 1996 saab 900 turbo SE

CBass · Joined: 03 Nov 2002 Posts: 2807 Location: Vancouver, Canada

Worry about getting the thing in original running tune before you start modifying it. I started my project with the assumption of "I'll just upgrade things when they need to be replaced, and save a little money". Well, often as not, I found myself with my car off the road for long periods of time, when I could have just had it running in more or less stock form while I waited to collect more parts for upgrades.

Reliable and restored, that's the way to go. Then you have a really nice car to start modifying.
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'81 931 in various states of assembly

PORSCHEV · Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 10:07 pm Post subject:

Or....build the car you want. Start by buying everything you need to swap the V8 in. The LS1 isn't the best route.....LT1's are way less money and make close to the same power and can make the same power with a cam upgrade and head work. You can ugrade your brakes in the mean time to get ready for the power...buy your body parts as you can afford and store them till you can do it. It took me 8 years to finsih my car...but it's all worth it.

I had my car appraised at 20g's and used specialty insurance...only 385 a year for the works!
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1976 924
5 lug conversion, 17'C2 wheels,custom body work,327 vette engine.

1978-#53 "D" track racer.

1st car · Joined: 23 Aug 2005 Posts: 57 Location: VA

I had sent renegade hybrids an email about putting the LS-1 engine in the 924 and I just herd back and they say its unsafe and that it shouldn’t be dun has any one done this swap or do you think it is unsafe.
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1979 924 sebring project car (first car)
and a 1996 saab 900 turbo SE

PORSCHEV · Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 10:28 am Post subject:

Thats because Mike at Renegade is a business man, and as such he can't sell you a "kit" for a 924. But he could sell you one for a 944. That would be his point for saying the 924 platform is unsafe. The 924 and 944 are virtually the same shell with wider fenders and quarter panels. The only downside to the 924 is the drive train in stock form isn't up to the power. The tranny and Torque tube won't take 400 HP. Then like I said you would have to upgrade your brakes similar to a 951 or at least a 944 na. If you want to learn more...join me on the dark side... http://www.porschehybrids.com
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1976 924
5 lug conversion, 17'C2 wheels,custom body work,327 vette engine.

1978-#53 "D" track racer.