Coleco

Hi, can a late model 944 with the aluminum arms be fitted with the early steel arms?

Are they the same control arms except for the material?

This is for a track car and I don't want to spend the money on FABCAR type arms just yet(maybe after everything else is up to snuff). Thanks

Skip

No, the early steel arms will only fit 85.5-86 cars (non-ABS offset). 87 and later cars all have the ABS offset and thus longer arms.

You might also consider Charlie arms (lighter than Fabcar = less unsprung weight).

Good Luck!

Tabor

I would like to point out that if you wanted to, you could swap a complete front suspension off of an early car onto a late car.

Also you could put '86 951 suspension on with early steel a-arms (so you get 951 brakes).

Coleco

Thanks guys for the info. I have an 86 NA so I guess they will fit, that's good news . Kelly that sounds like a great idea. Thanks again guys.

Coleco

Couple more question before I do the conversion to the steel arms.

Can I use my 86 spindles?

Porsche has it:

944 83-85/1 477 407 312L spindle RIGHT
944 85/2-86 477 407 312L spindle RIGHT Both the same.

944 83-85/1 477 407 311L spindle LEFT
944 85/2-86 477 407 311N spindle LEFT Not the same

What is the difference between the left spindles, one has a L at the end and the other has a N?

Do I need anything else to do the retro fit?

It looks like all I need is early arms, bushings, ball joints and some nuts/bolts.

Thanks yet again.

Skip

I think, but am not sure, that the spindle for the early 944 is different because of the speedo cable mounting... regardless, you do not have to swap spindles.... the steel arm only connects to the spindle via the ball joint... and that mounting is the same.

That said, there are some other parts you will be needing. If just purchasing the arms, you'll need the front and rear bushings, and ball-joint (this you already know)... you'll also need the sway bar mounting assembly (clamp, bushing, and bolts), and the rear caster mounting assembly (clamps, bolts, washers) All of the additional parts should be available from a dismantler like 944 ecology, Okalahoma Foreign, or Parts Heaven.

Not sure if you are getting your Arms custom made by Markus Blaszak, but he can modify them to accept the later drop-link for the sway bar mount... I had this done so I could use the larger diameter sway bars from the 968 M030.

Good Luck!

Coleco

I think, but am not sure, that the spindle for the early 944 is different because of the speedo cable mounting... regardless, you do not have to swap spindles.... the steel arm only connects to the spindle via the ball joint... and that mounting is the same.

NICE

That said, there are some other parts you will be needing. If just purchasing the arms, you'll need the front and rear bushings, and ball-joint (this you already know)... you'll also need the sway bar mounting assembly (clamp, bushing, and bolts), and the rear caster mounting assembly (clamps, bolts, washers) All of the additional parts should be available from a dismantler like 944 ecology, Okalahoma Foreign, or Parts Heaven.

COOL I can get them cheap then.

Not sure if you are getting your Arms custom made by Markus Blaszak, but he can modify them to accept the later drop-link for the sway bar mount... I had this done so I could use the larger diameter sway bars from the 968 M030.

I think I am going to have to give him a call. I saw his link on Paragon.

Good Luck!

Thanks

rplencne

On the left spindle with the speedo cable ... if this is on a track car and having a non-operating speedo is not a big deal, I'd suggest going with the newer solid spindle. I know of cases (not on the 944 though) where the spinlde has broken due to the weakened area of the speedo hole. Probably not a major deal, but if you want to be 100% confident in that left corner when you enter the up-hill at Lime Rock (or any other left hander that has no room for error)... I'd rather have a solid spindle.

-Bob P.

David J. Harrington

His speedo is in the tranny, so he is fine. His spindles are already solid. Tell us how it turns out Coleco. Make sure to weight the individual arms while they are off of the car. I'd like to know how much weight is saved. I am considering making some 7075 billet arms, but if the steel arms aren't that heavy, then I might just get those instead.

Good luck,
Dave

Coleco

Thanks guys. I will definitly weight them, but it is going to be a while before I do the conversion because I want to put a whole new suspension(springs, struts, bushings, etc.) in at the same time and I haven't even ordered that yet. It's going to be a track car for 02, so it may be a while, but I will post numbers when I do get them.

rplencne

Yea, now that I've read thru and see exactly who said what, it's obvious that Coleco has solid spindles. But, my point is still ... if you've got a pre-85/2 that is mainly a track car you may want to go with a solid spindle from an 85/2-86, even if it means loosing the speedo.

-Bob P.

sm

Does using early front control arms on a late offset car, change the offset (i.e. Decrease it)?

Also, what are Lemfoerder arms?

V2Rocket

Yes

sm

I thought offset was dictated by the hubs?

V2Rocket

afaik in the rear only