DIY rear wheelarch liners?
 

OK, had a search and cant find anything on this. I am not sure why 964's dont have rear arch liners, and surely they would be a good idea?

Not only are the rear quarter sections a huge mud trap and a bad place for rust as a result, but on the 'oil side' there is the oil tank and all the lines going to the filter etc which all get subjected to 100mph wet salty grit, and bigger gravel and stones. This isnt good, especially when you need to replace an oil line, effectively in a sand pit. Porsche knew what they were doing, the rest of the 964 is full of loads of great design...and I wonder if it was just about heat? Cant think of another reason.

Anyway, at a recent trip to the ring I saw an RS with rear arch liners, made of plastic mesh, which of course makes sense. The mesh allows heat and air flow, but will substantially reduce the flying crap - if you aim a jet wash at a piece of plastic mesh it stops it in its tracks. I wish I'd had a camera to get some pics of the RS, cos this is something I'm keen to do with my car.

Has anyone any experience here? TBH, buying some plastic mesh, cutting to the correct shape and cable-tieing to the bumper brackets would make a big difference, but finding mounting points at the top and the leading section (covering the oil tank) doesnt look like it would be easy.

So. what do you think?

Good points, all, Johnny.
It is a mystery.

I'll kick this thread-can further down the road, hoping to see possible answers.

Personally, I'd posit Porsche's plastic encapsulation guy probably had a nervous breakdown by the time he got done with the front arches, and entire underbelly. Seeing he had those rear arches left to do likely did him in!

(And the open mesh idea sounds good so long as it's restrained from ever making tire contact.)

I like this idea as well. I made some radiator shrouds for my turbo Miata once, years ago, and the hot tip for that was to use thin cardboard as a prototyping material. I used the non-corrugated type, like from a cereal box, and just kept cutting/drawing/tweaking until I had the exact fit I was looking for.

As for heat escape, I can't see why that would be an issue, really- don't block the fan exhaust nozzles and you should be good to go.

I'll be installing my snow tires in a couple weeks, and may consider this further then.

[QUOTE=Johnny G Pipe;8974581]OK, had a search and cant find anything on this. I am not sure why 964's dont have rear arch liners, and surely they would be a good idea?

Great idea. Porsche installed liners on the front wheel wells, engine, front suspension--why not the rear wheel wells?

This could be an opportunity for a entrepreneur on this board.

Porsche installed rear liners on the 993 but forgot about us:)

The non oil side does have a wheel arch liner forward of the wheel

I have it in my garage off the car at the moment (UK Car) I will post a picture tonight

And that was the side I had the worst rot ! as I got half a bucket of mud from behind it
The oil tank side has less corrosion as it is the tank is so close to the arch

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSC_0993.jpg

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSC_0983.jpg

Before you all panic this was exceptional

All good now

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/d369fb46.jpg

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/DSC_0538.jpg

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o...roject/282.jpg

The liner does do a poor job and I have under sealed really heavily now

The rear PU could do with some mesh as it does get very warm un there so solid plastic will not cut it

If any of you guy remove the rear PU make sure you get in behind the very corners of the rear quarters with a hoover or other as you will not believe the amount of dirt in there too

Yep, I know about the single piece on the left, a nice gesture but hardly comprehensive - and like you say, that doesnt seem to stop crud build up behind the sill and sharkfin, there are still loads of 'shelves'. Its amazing the weight of dirt that can be excavated from a 964's nether regions..

I was thinking on the oil side, probably the heat of the oil tank and secondary silencer (remember those?) combine to make it pretty toasty in there, enough to seriously soften any plastic from 1989. Maybe there is better stuff available these days. Maybe its OK if the secondary silencer isnt there. Maybe it would need to be metal mesh, but that feels like it would be a bit rusty/scratchy.

Edit: feral, I just got snow tyres fitted for the first time ever, cant wait. Trouble is we're suddenly having a mild spell... dammit!

Clinchy, my liner on the left side is MIA which appears to be a good thing :)

Johnny, agree, the secondary muffler must be the answer on why Porsche did not fit a liner on the right side rear.

A 993 liner on the right side front shields the oil tank & lines so Porsche must not be concerned with the heat build-up on that side of the wheel opening.

Johnny,

try dropping a note to Dom at the address below he has developed liners for IB cars not sure how good a fit they would be on a 964

p.s did I miss the finished pictures of your respray ?



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http://www.specialistvehiclepreparations.com/

http://www.worcesterporscheservicing.co.uk

Thanks Gaz, will check it out. On 1st thoughts an IB should be similar, but I guess mounting points etc would be different in the '85% new' 964.

Sorry havent got round to pics yet, have been busy undersealing and waxing, but I'm driving to work in Perth in it tomorrow in case you see a dazzlingly shiny slate grey 964 going by!

Edit, the IB liners here. I think we should gang up on them to make 964 liners...

remember and take some nice shiny pics when the sun is out, I take it you are happy with the finished result ? would have been nice to catch up tomorow and have a look unfortunately heading to chilly Dalwhinnie first thing.

cheers

Gaz

This is my first attempt. Drove it for a couple hours yesterday and it stood up to the temps ok. Construction is kevlar with carbon fibre to reinforce some areas. I used the lower bumper mounting as a pickup point, made a bracket to attached the inner bit to the engine tinware, and 2 self tappers at the top. The back is lined with aluminium tape to reflect heat. There is an approx 1inch gap to the cat heat-shield.

Mark II will have slightly different shape (see top left which modified with ali tape) and neater layout of the carbon additions...

how did these work out - any pics?

I made some up a while back here I later sprayed them matt black though to blend in.

No issues at all and work a treat.

Not sure why the pics got deleted... need to dig them out again.
Made anotherone for the RH side to protect all the way round. I had just replaced the oil hose and refurbed the tank-sender, and I could stand seeing them dirty again, never mind corroded :to_order:

As a note, my car is with G-pipe and sport-cat. Trying to do this with the full OEM exhaust system would produce some major heat-management issues, which I suspect is why Porsche didn't get round to doing this...