Marti

I have been on and off the Rennlist forum over the last few years since I bought my S4. I’ve not posted very much, mostly learning and educating myself as well as observing developments in the 928 world. It is not until recently that I actually worked out what I wanted to do with my 928 so I wanted to share the project in case it helps other owners. The clarity in decision took some time as the path to get here was not exactly without challenge.

The turning point that helped me decide was when I managed to wake the engine up with a intake refresh and refurbished MAF. This helped restore the performance the car had lost and convinced me I should go further.

I am not interested in restoring the car to strict factory specification and instead believe (if you have the ability) you should have your car the way you want it and forget about it as an investment.

There is a long way to go as you will see from the pictures (to be added), which will only confirm that the car is currently looking ‘worn’ but the wheels are already in motion.

My objectives are to have the looks of an GTS, increase the engine power output and refit the interior which at present is a worn black/linen

My intentions are to:
Replace the S4 arches with GTS arches along with changing to GTS mirrors
Fit custom forged wheels made for the car to fit the GTS arches without the need for spacers at the rear. The should create a nice dish effect on the rear which I like.
Paul Champagne is working on the interior leather which will now change to black/classic grey
Engine wise I going to change to headers (with long runs and nice collectors) and ditch the S4 cams in place for Colin’s stage ii cams. I already have a x-pipe and a sharktuner to set everything up once changes are made.

I am following intake manifold developments as I would be interested in changing the standard one and I have obtained a standard short block with a view to pumping the power up further with a 5.9 or 6.0 build in the future.

I will update this when there are tangible changes trying my best to cover the ups and downs of the process

Thanks, and all the best for now

MainePorsche

That sounds like a plan.
Best Wishes

FredR

Marti,

Some ambitious stuff there and plenty of advice/expertise available on this list to help you as and when needed.

If you are hell bent on doing the GTS rear arches fair enough- personally I would give it a miss unless you want some really super wide rubber. 10 inch rims with ET60 fill the rear wheel well of the S4 nicely without a spacer and can take a 295x30x18 section leaving $$$'s for other goodies and no need to mess around with different mounting studs.

The rest of the mods will be rewarding.

Rgds

Fred

Lizard928

Instead of the GTS arches, get a set from Louie Ott, much nicer than GTS ones imo

karl ruiter

I love the look of the arches on my GTS. However, for as subtle as they are, they stick out pretty wide and tend to get in the way and pick up parking lot rash. Also, on a GTS, at least, there is not really any difference in what size rears you can or would run. I run Carerra III s with the same tires on my GTS and on my '79. Are you planning on buying factory arches for your GTS conversion car? Also, in my GTS I find myself moving my head around trying to see things in the GTS mirrors that I can see in the flag mirrors without the neck exercises. Have not decided what to do about my S4's rear arches yet.

Marti

I did look around at many types of arches including the ones Louie produced. Hats off to Louie for developing them. I admire anyone who has the dedication to follow through with something like like. In the end I decided on a more standard look and have brought genuine gts arches.

Marti

I bought a set of fiberglass gts arches which are a excellent mould taken from a gts. Prior to fitting the fiberglass arches I got the opportunity to buy a set of genuine Porsche metal arches which I thought I would rather have as I thought it would be better to keep it as genuine as possible and I am happier working with metal. I will be doing a complete rear quarter change and trying to preserve the S4 arches in case I can sell them on as there is no rust at all on them.

Marti

It was a tough decision to decide on changing the arches as it was broadly for looks only - as you say you can get massive rubber under a non gts arch. In the end I believe the cost and time to perform the change are worth it (for me at least). I was slightly swayed by the 911 world and how much time they spend changing arches - they are at it all the time!

I would live to create a Singer 928 and spend like 1000 hours messing around with arch shapes - that's actually quite enjoyable for me but life dictates otherwise

jeff spahn

Did you ever consider having your current arches modified by a true metal worker. That's what I did. Had them mirror the front arch. Looks very factory and flows well.

Marti

For me I put that approach into the total custom build 'singer' bucket. I would have loved to have the time to do this. For me going with the gts arch was a the best fit in terms of efforts and look. There are very subtle changes I would make to the gts arches to make my ultimate 928 arch. So many other things need done that I could not justify the time

FredR

Marti,

Sounds as though you know what you are taking on and why. Do post some pics as work progresses.

Rgds

Fred

Marti

Fairly unspectacular





Rear wing off so it can be stripped back





Strip down in progress, getting ready for the new interior

FredR

I see you have have the bowed GTS reflector syndrome- you need some toilet bolts for your upgrade!

There is a thread on this that quite a few posted to including some pics of mine after bolting the toilet lid down!

The rest of the car look promising. Similar colour combo to that of my friend who relocated to the UK from Dubai [Mr Dictys].

Still not convinced that going to the GTS flares is a good idea but whatever floats your boat as it were- you are the only one that matters in that debate.

Rgds

Fred

the flyin' scotsman

congrats on the project.

there a few others on RL who post from Scotland who can perhaps provide local support.

Where in Edinburgh are you? I have family in Glendevon as well in Livingston and Peebles

Marti

Yeah, the car is generally solid and everything works except the PDK - which does not really matter as I will be replacing the wheels anyway.

I do like the look of the GTS arches. In my head it's a must have. I started work on the arches and estimate each side will take around 50 hours to complete. In fact I will be pleased if it's only 50 hours.

I will need to look up the toilet bolt thread as its a point that has bugged me for some time