icat

Well, it took longer than I expected - but the procedure is finished and the new web site is online! Right now the only thing posted is the 968 Mirror Upgrade Procedure, but that will change in the coming weeks. Let me know what you think.

<a href="http://www.951motorsports.com" target="_blank">968 Mirror Upgrade Procedure</a>

Danno

Wow, cool write-up, thanks!!!

Does anyone know of the aero improvements? I know that by flipping in my motorcycle mirrors, I get about 5mph more top-speed. I saw some little triangular little mirrors on a 911 that fit into the triangular corner of door-frame at the front of the window. Those may really be aero (no gap to body of car) and save some weight too (didn't look electric).

icat

Thanks Danno!

I'm looking forward to finishing all of the exterior improvements so I can start looking at one of your GURU kits. The Aero Mirror upgrade is obviously cosmetic, but I was surprised to find that the new units are lighter than I expected. The "aero" portion is plastic with a metal base. As for the electrics, the motors are fairly light as they are mostly plastic. I've got to take a set apart that I've sold tomorrow. I'll try to weigh them and get a comparison between the aero units and the flag mirrors that came stock.

Later,
<img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

Olli Snellman

This is mainly cosmetic upgrade.But i like.It makes car look much better especially if there is 968 handles as well.
I read Keith's 968 mirror installation guide and there is one thing i would do differently.There is no need to use bolts/nuts and any other "hardware".You just need to have a socket extension & vice bench.Hope i got the right english words for the tools needed.Just put socket extension into vice bench, place that piece which is inside of that stiff spring.Hold the mirror assembly on your hand and push very hard and then turn; then it will lock up! It will take only few SECONDS to put it into its place.I tried to do it the same way as Keith did, but it was just too time consuming.

Olli
'88 951

Tom Pultz

Keith, if you don't mind I will add a link to your procedure on my website

One thing I would say is you don't need any additional electrical connectors if you buy the aero mirror update kit. It comes with everything necessary for the job, including new pins.

Nice write-up.

icat

Thanks Tom! Yes, please add the link. Your site has been a great help to me as well.

The Porsche kit does come with new pins, but they are the same size as the stock connectors. Which is somewhere between .093 and .062 inches. Unless someone can figure out how to get those connectors out using "everyday" available tools from standard sources, then you still have the same problem. I tried everything that everyone suggested, but the connectors would not come out. Finally got fed up and cut the darn things off. I spent at least 8 hours over three days - not an estimate but actual time - trying to remove the pins without destroying the connector. I eventually used a dremel tool to "cut" the connector apart to see what it is that makes the pins seat so well. Turns out the pins have several "arms" that pop out to hold the pin in. Unless you can fold all the pins in at once, the things will not budge. So, I suggest cut and crimp. Less time, same results!

Olli, you are correct. You can use shear strength to man-handle the mirrors - BUT IT IS VERY DIFFICULT! I was able to take one of my "used" 968 aero mirrors apart in this fashion. But I felt there should be an easier way to accomplish the same purpose using everyday tools without having to be able to bench press 350 lbs.! I worried constantly about marring the paint when I tried to force the halves together. The hardware solution eliminates the risk of damage and can be done by anyone.

Thanks for the comments guys - keep them coming. Please feel free to link to your sites if you'd like. One request, please let me know if you link so I can keep you updated if there are major changes. The page you are now seeing is <a href="http://www.951motorsports.com" target="_blank">www.951motorsports.com</a> - which will become a home page in the near future with a page dedicated to the 968 Aero Mirror Upgrade.

icat

Well here's an eye opener!

I weighed the mirrors tonight and here's what I found...

3lbs. 9oz. for the 944 Flag Mirrors
2lbs. 2oz. for the 968 Aero Mirrors

That's a 1lb. 7oz. savings per side (for those of you who are math challenged)! That's alot more than I expected - of course I could save that much by skipping dinner a few nights!

I also weighed the mirror motors - these only weigh 2oz.! I've read a few post where some of you were searching for manual mirrors to save weight. Here's a heads up - the glass mirror face attaches to the mirror motor! So, if the motors only weigh 2oz., and if you figure that there must be something for the mirror face to attach to on the manual mirrors, then it's doubtful that there is any weight difference at all between the manual and the electric units. I can only assume that there is a weight savings in the wiring to the motors, but if your car already has electric mirrors, then your not going to save anything by going with a manual mirror setup - unless you strip out the wiring harness wires to the mirrors. Even then, I'd think we're only talking oz. instead of pounds. However, there is a significant difference between the 968 Aero Units and the 944 Flags in terms of total weight.

At the next update of the web page I'll add these new details along with all the part numbers for the individual pieces.

Thanks for the comments - keep 'em coming!

Olli Snellman

If used 968 mirrors are not available, then the chapest way to do this conversion is to use 968 CS mirrors which come without the electrics.Then it's up to you would you like to use it manually or do you want to install the electrics from old 944 mirrors.

Olli
'88 951

CPTdooberhead

This was a great walkthrough - This is one of those things I have been wanting to do for a while, but never got around to it. How much are they from the dealer - also, what do the 968CS mirrors run?

David Floyd

Great write up Keith, this is now on my to do list.

TaboII

Thanks Keith, This is well thought out and very clear. I am glad you took the time to do this as my mirrors will be arriving and will be installed using your informaion.

Thanks Again.
Keith M
A.K.A TaboII <img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />

icat

Hey TaboII,
As a matter of fact I just got back from the electronics store where I picked up a second set of connectors for you. I was there on Friday and only picked up one set! DOH! I guess I didn't read my own procedure close enough!
Later,
<img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />