1981 928 - can you tell me about it?
12-05-2008, 04:45 PM
#92
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12-05-2008, 05:11 PM
#93
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The front and rear fenders will be the biggest challenge. You could buy front GTS fenders and try fitting them to your chassis. There are some differences in mounting, but with a bit of enginuity, it could be done. The rear fenders are flared on the GTS. You could cut and weld GTS fenders in, or you could pay a panel beater a lot of money to try modifying the originals.
The rear trim? Are you talking about the trim inserts around the quarter window? If so, those are designed to force the rubber seal against the window, and the steel body. If you remove it, your window could fall out on a warm day at high speed with an open front window. Same for hatch trim, it should not be removed.
Front spoiler is completely different, as is the front bumper, lights and valance. It would all need to be custom worked to get it looking like GTS.
I'd say if you're a DIY guy, and started with a decent shell, to make an 81 look similar to a GTS would be around $8-11k in materials, and roughly 100-120 hours of dedicated pro body and fender work. After that, you'd have an 81 that's worth maybe $8k? If you don't mind being badly upside down on the car financially, it can be done. That doesn't include any suspension or engine/trans work. Add $$$ for 5 speed conv and shocks/springs/brakes.
12-05-2008, 05:22 PM
#95
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I can look up the invoice cost if you want, cause I have been paying my mechanic to do lots of the big tasks ...
Frame straightening, new (NOS) arms, new steel lowers, new rack, new tie rods, install bilsteins with S4 sport springs, gear box rebuild, gear box replace, second gear box replace and upgrade, new clutch and im-plate, 993 TT rotors front and back, install S4 Big Reds, 4 different steering columns (related to frame straighten), replace/install NOS distributor, replace all bosch injector connectors/clean all injectors, the list is longer but I don't want to scare you.
There are two types of 928 owners, those who pay others to do the work and those who do the work themselves, and the third is when the former becomes the latter
Frame straightening, new (NOS) arms, new steel lowers, new rack, new tie rods, install bilsteins with S4 sport springs, gear box rebuild, gear box replace, second gear box replace and upgrade, new clutch and im-plate, 993 TT rotors front and back, install S4 Big Reds, 4 different steering columns (related to frame straighten), replace/install NOS distributor, replace all bosch injector connectors/clean all injectors, the list is longer but I don't want to scare you.
There are two types of 928 owners, those who pay others to do the work and those who do the work themselves, and the third is when the former becomes the latter
i'm just getting this car for a fun hobby and adventure and something to with my dad... it's exciting that the car has a lot of potential to be a super cruiser with comfort. it's not like a 944 that is light and nimble and cheap though...
12-05-2008, 05:26 PM
#96
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That is incorrect also. The rocker covers, and the fender rollout is replaceable. They are bolt on and stick on parts.
The front and rear fenders will be the biggest challenge. You could buy front GTS fenders and try fitting them to your chassis. There are some differences in mounting, but with a bit of enginuity, it could be done. The rear fenders are flared on the GTS. You could cut and weld GTS fenders in, or you could pay a panel beater a lot of money to try modifying the originals.
The rear trim? Are you talking about the trim inserts around the quarter window? If so, those are designed to force the rubber seal against the window, and the steel body. If you remove it, your window could fall out on a warm day at high speed with an open front window. Same for hatch trim, it should not be removed.
Front spoiler is completely different, as is the front bumper, lights and valance. It would all need to be custom worked to get it looking like GTS.
I'd say if you're a DIY guy, and started with a decent shell, to make an 81 look similar to a GTS would be around $8-11k in materials, and roughly 100-120 hours of dedicated pro body and fender work. After that, you'd have an 81 that's worth maybe $8k? If you don't mind being badly upside down on the car financially, it can be done. That doesn't include any suspension or engine/trans work. Add $$$ for 5 speed conv and shocks/springs/brakes.
The front and rear fenders will be the biggest challenge. You could buy front GTS fenders and try fitting them to your chassis. There are some differences in mounting, but with a bit of enginuity, it could be done. The rear fenders are flared on the GTS. You could cut and weld GTS fenders in, or you could pay a panel beater a lot of money to try modifying the originals.
The rear trim? Are you talking about the trim inserts around the quarter window? If so, those are designed to force the rubber seal against the window, and the steel body. If you remove it, your window could fall out on a warm day at high speed with an open front window. Same for hatch trim, it should not be removed.
Front spoiler is completely different, as is the front bumper, lights and valance. It would all need to be custom worked to get it looking like GTS.
I'd say if you're a DIY guy, and started with a decent shell, to make an 81 look similar to a GTS would be around $8-11k in materials, and roughly 100-120 hours of dedicated pro body and fender work. After that, you'd have an 81 that's worth maybe $8k? If you don't mind being badly upside down on the car financially, it can be done. That doesn't include any suspension or engine/trans work. Add $$$ for 5 speed conv and shocks/springs/brakes.
but how do you get $8-$11k in cheap used parts to do that?
if i can get 10 or 11" wheels on the back then i dont need quarter panel flares
looks like the gts door (red pic above) is a different door
the rocker panel differences look complicated, i'd just stick with what it has, the big things are the updated rear bumper and front bumper, hatch and wing...
why does the front need so much work to get ugpraded?
12-05-2008, 05:27 PM
#97
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12-05-2008, 05:34 PM
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12-05-2008, 05:54 PM
#100
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but how do you get $8-$11k in cheap used parts to do that?
if i can get 10 or 11" wheels on the back then i dont need quarter panel flares
looks like the gts door (red pic above) is a different door
the rocker panel differences look complicated, i'd just stick with what it has, the big things are the updated rear bumper and front bumper, hatch and wing...
why does the front need so much work to get ugpraded?
if i can get 10 or 11" wheels on the back then i dont need quarter panel flares
looks like the gts door (red pic above) is a different door
the rocker panel differences look complicated, i'd just stick with what it has, the big things are the updated rear bumper and front bumper, hatch and wing...
why does the front need so much work to get ugpraded?
You asked how to make a 81 look like a GTS. I just gave you the steps. No flared fenders is fine with me, but it won't look like a GTS.
It is.
Rocker panel changes is another upgrade from the 81 to a GTS which you asked about, I'm just providing you with info.
The front bumper and spoiler are somewhat integrated with the lower valance. If you want it to look like a GTS, you'll need to strip off the 81 bumper, fog lights, and turn signals, and mate up a GTS front. You'll find the mounting points are all different, and the valance attach that provides the air flow for the GTS oil cooler is completely different. You're going to need to make some attachment points for that trim stuff. If you go with GTS front fenders, some of the attach points on the side will be present but not underneath.
Look, you asked about changing the 81 to look like the GTS. I just gave you a basic run-down of the steps involved. If you want to cut corners that's fine. It just won't look like a GTS then. BTW, I don't think that red car is a GTS model.
12-05-2008, 06:16 PM
#101
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yeah i feel sorry for you paying someone, but if you have the money then thats great!
i'm just getting this car for a fun hobby and adventure and something to with my dad... it's exciting that the car has a lot of potential to be a super cruiser with comfort. it's not like a 944 that is light and nimble and cheap though...
i'm just getting this car for a fun hobby and adventure and something to with my dad... it's exciting that the car has a lot of potential to be a super cruiser with comfort. it's not like a 944 that is light and nimble and cheap though...
Just want you to realize that even good drivable cars can become a sequence of events.
Not even close, he is still asking questions.
12-05-2008, 08:13 PM
#103
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You'll see.
You asked how to make a 81 look like a GTS. I just gave you the steps. No flared fenders is fine with me, but it won't look like a GTS.
It is.
Rocker panel changes is another upgrade from the 81 to a GTS which you asked about, I'm just providing you with info.
The front bumper and spoiler are somewhat integrated with the lower valance. If you want it to look like a GTS, you'll need to strip off the 81 bumper, fog lights, and turn signals, and mate up a GTS front. You'll find the mounting points are all different, and the valance attach that provides the air flow for the GTS oil cooler is completely different. You're going to need to make some attachment points for that trim stuff. If you go with GTS front fenders, some of the attach points on the side will be present but not underneath.
Look, you asked about changing the 81 to look like the GTS. I just gave you a basic run-down of the steps involved. If you want to cut corners that's fine. It just won't look like a GTS then. BTW, I don't think that red car is a GTS model.
You asked how to make a 81 look like a GTS. I just gave you the steps. No flared fenders is fine with me, but it won't look like a GTS.
It is.
Rocker panel changes is another upgrade from the 81 to a GTS which you asked about, I'm just providing you with info.
The front bumper and spoiler are somewhat integrated with the lower valance. If you want it to look like a GTS, you'll need to strip off the 81 bumper, fog lights, and turn signals, and mate up a GTS front. You'll find the mounting points are all different, and the valance attach that provides the air flow for the GTS oil cooler is completely different. You're going to need to make some attachment points for that trim stuff. If you go with GTS front fenders, some of the attach points on the side will be present but not underneath.
Look, you asked about changing the 81 to look like the GTS. I just gave you a basic run-down of the steps involved. If you want to cut corners that's fine. It just won't look like a GTS then. BTW, I don't think that red car is a GTS model.
12-05-2008, 08:17 PM
#105
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Look. If a V8 sports car with a non-interference engine runs, you are golden at your price.
Drive it, patch it, enjoy it.
I wouldn't worry with a fancy upgrade / restore unless you are rolling in money.
Drive-on!!!
Drive it, patch it, enjoy it.
I wouldn't worry with a fancy upgrade / restore unless you are rolling in money.
Drive-on!!!