Hi guys, I know this topic has been covered to death for OB to GTS conversions, but this is regarding a perhaps more similar S4 to GTS Conversion. I have done a search of the forum but did not quite find what I was looking for.

I am thinking of picking up an RHD S4 and I would like to convert it to a GTS look (mostly because GTS's appear to be rare on the market, and it would be cheaper since the S4's engine is more than enough for me).

Questions:
1) Front bumper and Fenders are the same for both right? Are there differences at all with the lights, etc? The 'chin spoilers' are painted for the GTS correct, and matte black on S4's, correct?

2) Rear spoiler. It is body colour on the GTS, so does this require a new part?

3) Rear bumper cover. Obviously it is a completely different part with different lights. Will all the connections and bolts for the cover and lights fit on an S4? Or is there some conversions involved? And is there any additional wiring for the the centre light strip?

4) Quarter Panels. Perhaps the crux of the GTS look, how expensive/difficult are these to acquire/install. I get the feeling OEM parts are difficult to find.

5) Wheels. Different I know Cup I or II. Most importantly, what are the offsets/spacers required to fill the GTS's larger quarter panel wheel flares.

6) Mirrors. Does the wiring fit interchangeably?

7) Rub strips. As with OB models, does removal mean I will be left with a series of holes along the side of the car? Perhaps is it easier to just buy the last piece of the GTS rub strip and fit it to the new quarter panel?

8) Exhaust. Is it in the same place? Will the S4 exhaust live harmoniously with the GTS bumper cover?

9) Am I missing anything else for a complete cosmetic conversion?

Thank you in advance for any help. The reason I am going down this route is because I cannot take my pristine OB 1986 S to Hong Kong, and this seems like a nice alternative to buying another OB with the added advantage of modernity!

 

I can answer some of the questions, but the biggest one is why.

They are pretty much the same except for the rear quarters, they can be bought from Porsche depending on where you get them they can run from 2200 to 4000.

I have no idea about the rear cover as far as price.

GTS mirrors come as a kit, that unless you get it from one of our vendors that goes through it to make sure you have what you need it will not be complete.
The gasket can be easy or very difficult.

The only reason I did it was to fit bigger rubber under it in prep for a blower.

Looks great, but not a $$ choice IMHO, not sure I would do it again.

There are a few of us here that have done it.

Fuel filler door, buy a used one if at all possible, they are a bitch to put together.

 

There is no difference between S4 and GTS on the front of the car.

Here are the differences are in the rear:
- Wider rear quarter panels; models with rub strips had shorter pieces there. Those are NLA, so I hear.
- Bumper cover with reflective strip between the tail lights
- Painted wing (there was a no-cost option for matte black wing)

Then there were the 17" wheels and the GTS mirrors.

That's it.

 

Thank you everyone for the input.

Is changing the gasket necessary? I was looking to leave all the mechanics underneath as an S4

 

What gasket?

 

You know that, you'll spend the price of the car on the conversion to end up with a fake GTS?

 

Fiberglass wing $300 + paint and sell old one for $200. Rear bumper cover (used) $350-500 plus reflector strip $125 plus paint and sell the old one for $200 too. Mirrors $350 plus paint and sell the old ones for $25. Skip the GTS fenders.... not worth the grief & aggravation and leave the rub strips to protect your aluminum fenders & doors. There are plenty of 18" wheels better looking (waiting for the flame) than the 17" stock wheels for $600 (or less) and they will update the car more. Think about the old Ford Cobra. They had the as revered narrow body model as well as the muscled up wide body....... the same applies here, they both look great.

 

GTS has 37mm rear spacers and longer studs from factory. Those can be replaced with 35-40mm or what ever wheels require bolt on spacers.

 

Leave the rub strips and no GTS fenders, then you are not doing much IMHO.

 

IMHO! So you'll spend a ship load of money on the conversion. Then you'll go to sell it and discover that no-one wants a non-oriiginal S4.

In my humble expreience, eveyone is always looking to the best 'most original' car they can find and will usually pay good money for it.

With the money you'll save, go buy a real GTS! Just a suggestion

 

RHD? Can you import a Japanese GTS car? Where are you that requires RHD?

 

I'm not too worried about resale, or originality. The S4's in Hong Kong are going for really cheap, but there seem to be no GTS's where I've looked. Possibility is to import a car but it seems like such a pain. Plus Hong Kong charges a First Registration Tax even on imported vehicles which I would like to avoid. The extra cost for GTS + Tax will be more expensive than finding a GTS within Hong Kong. Having said that, since this process seems to be a bit daunting, I may try to find a Japanese or UK vehicle to import if I can't be bothered with the trouble hah! Lazy man.

As for originality, I have a pristine 1986 928 owned from new, so that can be my concourse baby (though it will remain in LHD country).

For the rub strips, do those leave a series of holes along the side of the car?

I really appreciate the suggestions on this forum! Always so helpful!

 

I always have a figure in mind when I start a project and I know what I want the end result to be.

I knew I could have bought a pretty nice GTS for what the end money was going to be, but half the fun of it is in the doing and I get t thrill when folks say "What a nice car" and then tell them it started as a 400 dollar car.

So not everybody wants or needs the most original car they can find, it would have been stupid for me to cut up a good car and may have been stupid to cut up a 400 dollar one, but that is what I wanted.

I am sure Sterling and a few others feel the same way.

I would not advise most to take that route though.

 

Exactly.

 

As do I, I also like the front of a early car, but that may or may not be for another day.

No air bags, digital dash, and a lot of other things that can and do cause problems.