924Board.org

Pat · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 12 Location: Manila, PHILIPPINES

Hi everybody! This is the first time i`m posting on the 924.org forum, though i`ve been reading them on and off for a few years now. My question is wether i can just have holes cut in my front HEADER PANEL to take the TURBO GRILLS so as to avoid taking the header panel off(i`ve read a few posts here that detail the difficulty of removing the header panel w/out risking destroying it all together! Being that i`m located in the PHIL. 924`s are VERY RARE, seen only maybe 10 cars here since i`ve owned my 924 9 yrs ago(a mix of EURO and U.S. versions, some already carburated)! There are more old and new 911`s running around,especially since there is ONE Porsche dealer here in Manila. And NOBODY here sells just parts from a 924, and will always insist on selling you the whole car inspite of its really trashy condition(no offense to you restorers out there, if i had my way i`d like to see all the 924`s here restored,especially since their very rare over here and shipping and tax costs to import an old 924 even in the poorest possible condition is ASTRONOMICAL to say the least, actually ABSURD! and the same goes for importing even used parts over here). So there`s my sob story. So any suggestions from you guys(we do have some machine shops over here)? THANKS A LOT! PAT

1979 924 U.S. Version w/single side draft weber 40

Sleykin · Posted: Sun Sep 19, 2004 5:14 am Post subject:

With careful layout and a hole saw of the right size you could cut the round ends and then just cut between with the saw of your choice. Or use a nibbler and cut em out and finish with a file to clean up. Masking tape should protect the paint and you would want to treat the edges to slow rust and then get some sort of trim to go around the inside to dress it up.
You could always have someone in the states forward your parts for you. Might make customes think you had a lot of birthdays but hey

_________________
Glenn Neff
Medford, OR
87' 924S

numbbers · Posted: Sun Sep 19, 2004 10:11 am Post subject:

I think it would be easier to change the panel.
_________________
1980 924 Turbo

Sleykin · Posted: Sun Sep 19, 2004 11:27 am Post subject:

Yeah it probably would be easier if you happen to have one or could get one easily enough. But then paint would be involved to match things up so $$ goes up too. A template from a turbo nose piece would be very helpful to lay things out in the proper place and a careful look under the thing so ya don't go cutting more than you meant to would be in order too.
Might have to haunt the parkinglots with yer crayons and butcher paper till ya find one to make a template from <LOL>
_________________
Glenn Neff
Medford, OR
87' 924S

My924gtc · Joined: 14 Aug 2004 Posts: 1362 Location: 248

Pat I'll get a rubbing for you as soon as I can. I have to get the nose back from the mold makers.

I would rather sell you a nice new FG panel for a mere $150 plus shipping, but I will help you out nonethless.

I'll let you know when I have it ready to ship.

Unless one of you other 931 owners can help this guy out in the spirit of the board philosophy of supporting fellow ehthusiasts! nudge nudge

_________________
MJ
'81 924 2.0L T
'82 924 2.3L SC/EFI <---online fall '06

Sponsor of the 944 Cup and Super Cup
Sponsor of the "2006 Battle in the Badlands"

D Hook · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 3158 Location: Omaha, NE

I've got one I might be willing to sell but I'm sure Mark's FG one will be cheaper way to go.

Pat · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 12 Location: Manila, PHILIPPINES

Well thanks for both your offers(Mark and My 924 gtc) to sell your FG panel, but i`m on a pretty tight budget. Mark i really appreciate your sending me the rubbing. Uh, by the way, i might sound ignorant, but whats a rubbing anyway? thanks again! Pat

My924gtc · Joined: 14 Aug 2004 Posts: 1362 Location: 248

Simply put... a rubbing would be a template that you can use to cut the panel.
_________________
MJ
'81 924 2.0L T
'82 924 2.3L SC/EFI <---online fall '06

Sponsor of the 944 Cup and Super Cup
Sponsor of the "2006 Battle in the Badlands"

My924gtc · Joined: 14 Aug 2004 Posts: 1362 Location: 248

Pat---Not to nit-pick your post but Dhook offered a panel and so did I so thanks should have went to him for his offer and for my offer really, right Don?

BTW Don, we are all set and the other panel is on it's way back Monday.
_________________
MJ
'81 924 2.0L T
'82 924 2.3L SC/EFI <---online fall '06

Sponsor of the 944 Cup and Super Cup
Sponsor of the "2006 Battle in the Badlands"

Pat · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 12 Location: Manila, PHILIPPINES

Oh i`m sorry to both of you (924gtc and d hook)! I really meant to thank you both for your offers of selling your FG panel. I just got your names accidentally mixed up(maybe coz i just got home real tired from work!?). Also, arent you(924 gtc) and Mark the same person? Again, sorry about the mixup. Pat

My924gtc · Joined: 14 Aug 2004 Posts: 1362 Location: 248

Don't worry about it Pat...I was just jerkin your chain. I will have the template for you like end of next week. If you wanted to send me a few bucks I can send you the template along with some nice aluminum mesh for closing off the openings that you are going to cut. I like to use a fine honeycomb mesh which from a distance is not seen, but keeps debris from entering the openings.

You may have aspirations of installing the OE style plastic grills but this will be quite difficult since they utilize a small tab at the top of the opening to secure them and you will not be able to reproduce this tab easily when you cut. Not to mention that finding the grills is difficult enough and the are pretty pricey for nice ones.

$10 should cover the mesh and shipping if you are interested. I have the mesh in bulk and could cut a strip the correct size for covering all four grill openings.

Just let me know and I can do this for you.
_________________
MJ
'81 924 2.0L T
'82 924 2.3L SC/EFI <---online fall '06

Sponsor of the 944 Cup and Super Cup
Sponsor of the "2006 Battle in the Badlands"

Pat · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 12 Location: Manila, PHILIPPINES

Hi Mark! Sorry for the late reply, just too busy with my new job these days that i get home too tired to be doing stuff. Anyway, yes i was planning to use the OE plastic grills, although that fine honeycomb mesh your offering is a thought, dunno yet. Being that Customs over here is pretty weird and confusing sometimes over import taxes and such(old or new, small or big , heavy or light things,etc..) maybe it might be less hassle to just send it to my sister in CA who might be visiting over here soon, but thats a might. So may i ask you if you could give me an idea of the approx. wgt and size(measurements when template and mesh is already packed in box) so i can check with Customs over here and check if my sister can bring it over here just in case? Sorry for makin a big deal out of all this. Gotta run to work now. Thanks again! PAT

Smoothie · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2004 11:47 am Post subject:

Something to think about in deciding how or even if you really want to do this. -
The grill openings on the original nose panels were cut undersize, then the edges rolled in for strength and to fit the grills, then tabs were bent from some of that rolled-in metal for the grills to clip and screw into.

<click>

If I found myself taking on this project on an NA nose, after cutting the openings (which will leave some narrow and weak strips of sheet metal), I'd cut some wood pieces to the exact width to fit behind each of those strips, epoxy them in and paint them the cars' color. Maybe do the same along the inside top and bottom of each opening also for strength, but keeping in mind the wedge shape of the grills, place the top pieces further up. The vertical wood pieces on the sides of the grills could be used to mount the grills - a couple small head countersunk phillips screws through the sides of each grill into the wood...
_________________
"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."

'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox

My924gtc · Joined: 14 Aug 2004 Posts: 1362 Location: 248

Pat---The package would be a rigid cardboard tube approximately 30" long and 4" in diameter (to protect the mesh) weighing no more than 1.5 lbs.

I also have perforated aluminum that would add strength to the panel where the openings create the thin strips. This would be a little more expensive, but more of a rigid backing for the openings. Only draw back to perf is the the flow of air is more restricted by the design.

I can email picks of both options if you'd like.
_________________
MJ
'81 924 2.0L T
'82 924 2.3L SC/EFI <---online fall '06

Sponsor of the 944 Cup and Super Cup
Sponsor of the "2006 Battle in the Badlands"

Pat · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 12 Location: Manila, PHILIPPINES

Well thanks for your ideas and suggestions Smoothie, i`ll definitely keep them in mind. I `ll wait till i get the template and honeycomb grill(yes i`m thinking about maybe using Marks honeycomb grill), then decide what to do then. And if anybody else has any suggestions or ideas, feel free to let me know. PAT