Electric cabriolet top conversion to Manual
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Noumea
Electric cabriolet top conversion to Manual
Hi all,
I just had to change my complete top on my 1990 Cabriolet C4, very expensive if bought new but I was lucky enough to score one on ebay!
I am understanding now why many Cabriolet owner convert the electric system to manual operation, and I would like to do it as well. I believe there is a conversion kit ? Does someone know where I could buy this from and if it comes as a kit ?
If not, I believe it is only the closing mechanism which needs to be changed, am I right ? or do I need something else ? Does someone have a link or parts number please.
Any information or details about this operation o would be highly appreciated as I do not know where to start from.
Many thanks in advance.
I just had to change my complete top on my 1990 Cabriolet C4, very expensive if bought new but I was lucky enough to score one on ebay!
I am understanding now why many Cabriolet owner convert the electric system to manual operation, and I would like to do it as well. I believe there is a conversion kit ? Does someone know where I could buy this from and if it comes as a kit ?
If not, I believe it is only the closing mechanism which needs to be changed, am I right ? or do I need something else ? Does someone have a link or parts number please.
Any information or details about this operation o would be highly appreciated as I do not know where to start from.
Many thanks in advance.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 110
From: Cambridge/Boston, MA
I’ve had quite a few ask about this and wrote this up for someone else recently. There is no “kit”, just buy the parts and convert.
Parts list:
911.561.729.03 latch handle/key x2 (there are a few versions of these, just slightly different handles)
901.565.299.45 header panel bezel for latch handles x2
911.565.031.63 /Left roller latch mechanism
911.565.032.63 /R roller latch mechanism
911.561.729.03.03C /L latch catch (gray='86-'88, black=964 targa)*
911.561.730.03.03C /R latch catch (gray='86-'88, black=964 targa)*
*I have a pair of gray receivers for sale at the moment ($100/pair). These weren’t available from Porsche at one time, but appear back in stock now.
The padded header panel for the manual latch cars is practically impossible to find. However, it's pretty straight-forward to cut extra holes into a power top panel and add the manual bezels to finish it off. The difference being that you'll still have the bezels for the power top emergency unlock holes. To get rid of the extra unlock holes you can take off those plastic bezels, pull the vinyl off, and glue on a new piece. Additionally, the metal panel on the top that has the holes for the roller latches will have two empty holes where the microswitches once were. Anyone who notices that should get an award!
The raising/lower motors, transmissions on the side of the back seats, and the one arm that the motors use to raise/lower the top, all just get completely unbolted and removed. That's a very easy process.
Using the 964 wiring diagrams, once you convert to all of the manual parts you can simply unplug and remove the power top controller and wiring. It isn't integrated with any other components. Once it's unplugged, the cabrio warning light isn't used anymore.
I changed mine over a year ago and I absolutely love the manual version. Completely simple mechanism now and it saves over 16lbs!
Parts list:
911.561.729.03 latch handle/key x2 (there are a few versions of these, just slightly different handles)
901.565.299.45 header panel bezel for latch handles x2
911.565.031.63 /Left roller latch mechanism
911.565.032.63 /R roller latch mechanism
911.561.729.03.03C /L latch catch (gray='86-'88, black=964 targa)*
911.561.730.03.03C /R latch catch (gray='86-'88, black=964 targa)*
*I have a pair of gray receivers for sale at the moment ($100/pair). These weren’t available from Porsche at one time, but appear back in stock now.
The padded header panel for the manual latch cars is practically impossible to find. However, it's pretty straight-forward to cut extra holes into a power top panel and add the manual bezels to finish it off. The difference being that you'll still have the bezels for the power top emergency unlock holes. To get rid of the extra unlock holes you can take off those plastic bezels, pull the vinyl off, and glue on a new piece. Additionally, the metal panel on the top that has the holes for the roller latches will have two empty holes where the microswitches once were. Anyone who notices that should get an award!
The raising/lower motors, transmissions on the side of the back seats, and the one arm that the motors use to raise/lower the top, all just get completely unbolted and removed. That's a very easy process.
Using the 964 wiring diagrams, once you convert to all of the manual parts you can simply unplug and remove the power top controller and wiring. It isn't integrated with any other components. Once it's unplugged, the cabrio warning light isn't used anymore.
I changed mine over a year ago and I absolutely love the manual version. Completely simple mechanism now and it saves over 16lbs!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Noumea
Hi Nick,
Thank you so much for the detailled explanation on how to do this. I am just a bit unsure about the installation on the padded headed bezel, would it be too much to ask you for a photo of yours ? I'd love to see how you did it.
At this stage I will buy all the parts I need (thank you for all the numbers) and then will have to decide if I will try to do this myself or if I will take it to a mechanic to have it done. I would not like to ruin anything !
The mnaul version is way better better because there is no reason to be scared when you are opening / closing the top of the car !! Recently one of the cable broke and then the whole top went sideways and the I broke a few parts in tje top, with a manual system, this would never have happened.
Thank you so much for all your help,
Regards,
Thank you so much for the detailled explanation on how to do this. I am just a bit unsure about the installation on the padded headed bezel, would it be too much to ask you for a photo of yours ? I'd love to see how you did it.
At this stage I will buy all the parts I need (thank you for all the numbers) and then will have to decide if I will try to do this myself or if I will take it to a mechanic to have it done. I would not like to ruin anything !
The mnaul version is way better better because there is no reason to be scared when you are opening / closing the top of the car !! Recently one of the cable broke and then the whole top went sideways and the I broke a few parts in tje top, with a manual system, this would never have happened.
Thank you so much for all your help,
Regards,
