belz

OK Porsche 944/951 parts guys I have a question for you regarding Porsche Motorsports Aluminum Control Arms for the 951.
I purchased a 951 race car from a guy who was sponsored by the local Porsche dealer and his chief mechanic was a Porsche mechanic with ties to the factory who later went on to work as a tech adviser for PCNA in Atlanta. Basically ... the guy had factory connections.
Here are the part numbers: 951.341.150.01 and 951.341.149.01. Supposedly, these are some kind of factory motorsports alloy control arm for an 86 951. They are definately different than the stock arms. Does anyone know anything about these? Are these part numbers the stock numbers for an '86? Did Porsche Motorsports take factory control arms and modify them? Or is all this a bunch of whooey? Any information would be appreciated!

adrial

According to the Parts catalogue...
Those aren't valid part numbers...the part #'s for the "track control arms" for an '86 are: 951 341 028 00 and 951 341 027 00
It may be possible that the PET doesn't have these special parts...

belz

Thanks Adrial for checking the PET. I re-checked the control arms and those are the numbers on them .... anyone else have any thoughts etc.?

Julian Allen

Panorama had a letter from Porsche Motorsports NA several yrs ago with part numbers for the motorsports arms available only from them (ANDIAL). The essential difference is reportedly only in the configuration of the pin in the balljoint: usual cars have a slot all the way around the pin allowing the pinch bolt from the steering knuckle to be placed at will. Motorsports arms have a pin with a single cut in it (removes less metal) and the bolt path must align with this.
Hope this helps.

Gord

I just replaced the control arm on my '88 944S and the part # stamped 951 341 150 10 on the casting is not the same as the part catalogue number. The parts manager indicated the # stamped on the part was the casting batch # from the manufacturer.

Inspecting the control arm after the installation I noticed an extra socket protruding from the arm not being utilized. What is that used for? Definately different from the other arm. Anybody have any clues?

Gord '88 944S

Skip

Julian: the info here was gleaned partially from that source, but does not list that number. Also, the PMNA arms listed in that memo were for later offset cars, which Belz would not be able to use. I'm still confused as to the numbers Belz reported... the suspense is killing me!

Gord: I remember we had this same conversation not too long ago... so are the parts folks telling us that Porsche stamped a number on the arms you have that is NOT the actual part #? That would really confuse things... also, the latest PET does not reflect those numbers... and this is *supposed* to reflect the most recent data and superceded parts.

Gord: where is the extra socket located? what's it look like? got a pic? Could it be on the leading edge of the arm, where the later model brake cooling fins were placed?

Belz: Two words... Charley Arms! Have fun at Rainbonnet?

belz

Gord ... please explain "extra socket" can't visualize. You're not describing the swaybar mount are you?
So, if the number cast on the arm is not the part number how does one reference what arm they have and for what year etc.? That answer doesn't make sense to me. There are other "code" numbers stamped into the arm and these might be the "casting" numbers.
I tried to post pictures of the arm and part number stamp & cast etc. but for some reason it didn't work ... probably me.
The biggest visual difference in the arm is that the front has solid aluminum bushings ( the part of the arm opposite the ball joint and not the caster mount)There is no rubber/plastic on this arm except for the rubber ball joint boot.
Definately a trick factory piece ... maybe only available in Europe? The previous owner did mention that these arms were air delivered to them from the factory. They had damaged an arm (?) and the factory wanted to see it... so they returned the damaged arm and the factory replaced both arms with these ... Comments / thoughts anyone?

Skip

Here are the mystery arms in question:





Also, here is a picture of a late 944/968 arm with the adaptation for the brake cooling fin:

belz

Thanks for posting the pics Skip.
For those that are interested ... I spoke to someone @ Porsche Motorsports and they said that there were "different" control arms available in Europe (and possibly Canada) for the Turbo Cup cars etc.
They were going to check further and get back to me via e-mail. I'll pass any info. along.
In the meantime, if anyone has additional info. please post!

Skip

So we finally find the answer to this saga... the part # 951.341.149 or 150 is the part number for the arm without bushings. Assumedly, this reference does not exist because you cannot purchase unfinished arms anywhere (I know of).

The distinction is:

951.341.149.01 - left 85.5-86
951.341.150.01 - right 85.5-86
951.341.149.10 - left 87+
951.341.150.10 - right 87+

I'll annotate the Tech-Session article that was lacking this info so the confusion may end here.

Funny thing though... Tabor's post forced me to look at my own spares and find the answer was right there the whole time... thanks TT(?) for pointing us away from the parts catalog paradigm.

belz

Thanks for the info. Skip!
Certainly solves the Part # issue. But where did the solid bushings come from? These control arms are Porsche parts sent to the PO from Germany. Porsche Motorsports "suspects" these arms are factory race parts used in one of the race series the factory supported in the mid-late 80's.

Skip

Ha, if you want me to make up something, I can... otherwise... they're your arms... you make up the story.

Skip

Roy LaZelle

This brings up some questions that I have regarding suspension mods and autocross class.
(1)Would I remain in a stock class (S2) for my local club with an upgrade to the M030 suspension on my 89 S2?
(2) If I did an equivalent mod with stiffer coilovers would I be moved to (P2) prepared ?
(3) Would charley arms change move me to a prepared class.