924Board.org

[bacook]

Well, I finally got the car back on the ground with 944 brakes. Here is a link to the pics:
http://members.rennlist.com/bcookt06394/924.html

[Smoothie]

I don't know exactly how much of a clearance problem you have between the tires and fenders in the rear; but, you can tuck the wheels in a little closer by removing the current spacers and putting on some thinner ones. I did this on my car with 5-lug 5/16" spacers (JC Whitney). My slightly fatter than stock tires were scraping the fenders on bumps and turns. One problem that arises once you do this though - the closed-end lug nuts are not long enough to accomodate the extra length of the bolts that will be exposed. I just went ahead and put each lug nut on and tightened down. This broke through the end of each nut a small disk about the same diameter as the bolts. (These are aluminum lug nuts of course.) Then, I took each one off and prettied up the broken-through ends with a chamfering bit on a drill. When reinstalled, they can be touched-up with black or silver paint. (My lug nuts weren't too pretty to begin with, so; I didn't mind doing this at all - much better than cutting the bolts.) I also put in stiffer springs in the front to keep those tires away from their fenders and some "Ride Control Helper Springs" (JC Whitney again), on the rear shocks for a bit more support there.

[bacook]

Thanks for the advice. I'll give that a try. I've jumped up and down on the front and they don't rub. The rear is the only problem.
Also, today I reshaped the rear brake lines and bled the whole system. Later this week I will install the tie rods and give it a test spin. FWIW, I stayed with the stock '81 master cylinder because, from what I've read, the '81 MC is adequate with the 5-lug. I know the dual circuit system is different between the 944 and 924, but I tested the front-rear bias according to the Carroll Smith book and it is as it should be.

[Smoothie]

Actually, I have 2 (either 1/4" or 5/16") spacers on the rear wheel shown in the first two pics for a total of 1/2" (or 5/8") of spacing in place of the stock spacer that's 13/16". (Only about a 1/4" difference.) As you can see, the bolts are flush with the ends of the lug nuts.
http://www.geocities.com/j_p_mckenna/0537-10.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/j_p_mckenna/0537-13.jpg
I included a shot of the front tire (on Fuchs wheel also) to show how far it extends past the wheel well. You should have a similar situation there.
http://www.geocities.com/j_p_mckenna/0537-15.jpg
No spacers on the front - just stiffer springs. I also put a sway bar (anti-roll bar) on the back and a thicker-than-stock one on the front. Of course, these also help to keep tires from rubbing on fenders.


For whatever reason, this link doesn't always work under IE 6, but; does work with Netscape Communicator 4.7.

In IE 6, if you click on the link and get "This page is not available", click on the down arrow to the right of the web address, then click
on the address that's highlighted in blue (yes, it's the same address that was just in the address line), then press enter

[Body Shop Rob]

Lighten the car more in the rear and you will have more clearance for those tires. Body height increased about an inch and a half over the tires on my car. Lose the rear seat back, the sound pad and maybe get a race hatch. A lexan rear hatch only weighs 12lbs versus the 50lb glass one. They cost about $500 but thats less than it would cost to heighten the wheel arches and repaint the quarter panels.

[John H]

Rather than cutting the end sof the wheel nuts you can go to VW Transporter wheel nuts.

These are the same thread as the porsche (14mm), can't use beetle ones as they are studs like the 924.

[bacook]

Thanks, everyone, for the tips. With the help of some heavy blunt objects, I was able to sculpt the fenders into a form that will accomodate the new tires using the 944 spacers. When you have no budget, you get rather creative. End product looks agressive and somewhat clean, and it clears the tires. If and when I paint the car, I will smooth it all out. I hope to get better pictures soon.