jordanolder

anyone put a 968 rear end on a 944?

I'd like some info on the procedure and costs and what is really involved.

I got these pics from someone on rennlist who did a 968 rear end. And it looks like the body shop missed the mark on the alignment of the the rear bumper. See my red marks on the images.

I may be seeing things?

Anyone know the correct procedure?

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bad 944-968 rear conversion:

from rear view


from side view


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actual 968 rear end

from rear angle


from side angle


different 968 from side angle


actual 1995 968 cab from rear right


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944/924-968 conversion done right


cool looking 968 pic

FXMaster

Nope sorry my man. That's my car and the alignment is correct. Remember this is a cabrio. It has a platic cap on the rear and the fenders are a tiny bit different. That's why it looks like that. Also, because the 968 rear quarters come with what is basically a cutout for the rear end it is going to be flush where as the body shop had to make measurement to fit this. There was a 968 at the shop as well as another 944 and this was the optimal placement. I will try and take some pics with the trunk carpets out. You cannot tell it did not come from the factory like this. Excellent job and gives my 44 the clean lines it should have had from facotry. Thanks for looking.

FXMaster

As far as cost expect to pay $1,100 for the factory bumper, or $700 off a wrecked one, or $400 for a fiberglass repro. Also, $250 for two tail lights from parts heaven and $35 dollars for the wiring harness for the lights. The job at the body shop should cost around $2500. Maybe a little more or a little less dempending on the shop. If they tell you they will have a hard time leave immediately and go to a real body shop. Make sure they have a guy there that does nothing but work with metal. There is tons and I mean tons of metal work involved. But after all is said and done and the new sheet metal is welded in it's really nice.

jordanolder

Glad that its done right!

That would have been an expensive mistake.

What would a body shop have to do to make do the conversion on a 944na?

I'd like to see some steps from start to finish.

Your car looks great, btw.

Thanks!

FXMaster

Jordan, I was gonna go after ya there with the post of "bad 968 converson". This is the optimal placement for this piece as the cars are similar but still different. I was at the shop every other day checking on the progress late into the night with these guys. It was very cool to see the transformation. Unfortunatley I don't have the pics of the progress. They were taken by the metal guy and he put them in his portfolio. he has since left that body shop and I was really bummed about that.

FXMaster

Oh, and just so you know, the yellow conversion is really shabby. Go to the club auto sport web page and look for the link with a review from Porsche and 911 World magazine. They pan the conversion overall for the lack of seams lining up all over the place. That is why I used only factory parts and not fiberglass replicas. As many of you know fiberglass parts are usually needing much TLC before you put it on your car.

Operator

where in CT are you fxmaster? ever go to autox or any other kind of events? ide like to see youre neato conversion car

FXMaster

I'm in Trumbull. I have not autoX because someone at work told me they don't allow cabrio's without roll bars. Also, I am not a PCA member and have limited contacts. Anyone willing to help me out here.

jordanolder

I think your car looks great especially the seats.

What is the difference in the fenders that your talking about?

Can you summarize the "metal work" done?

FXMaster

OK, check out the red lines you made on the yellow coupe. Now look at my cabrio. Do you notice that it has a cap around the rear quarters. This cap is to cover the alterations made to the stock 944 by Porsche. Look at some of the side pics and you can plainly see it.

jordanolder

just where is this cap and what does it cover?

sorry if I'm dull...

jordanolder

do you mean on the top portion of the rear quarters? Just over the top?

FXMaster

OK dude, go to my post and check out the third and sixth pictures. In the third picture look up from the back wheel well until you see a slight line breaking the silloette. This enitre piece is not part of the quarter panel. This is screwed on from the inside. On the sixth pic you can see it clearly.. From the trunk lid to the line that you drew, all that is not really part of the quarter. That is a metal cap put on the car for the cabrio alteration. I don't know how to best point it out. Anyone with better skills at communicating around here. : ]

FXMaster

Yup, you got it. That is metal all the way around. It bolts onto the car from the inside somewhere. That cap is what makes the coupe different from the cabrio. Even though the 944 and 968 still have little differeces. All in all though it was well worth it to me. It would be a lot easier on a coupe.

jordanolder

I think I see.

Does it give it a little lip/bump?