installing the front of a 997 to my 968 - need advice on plastics
07-06-2011, 04:55 PM
#46
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i've used very high-quality resins from the start — including finishing resins with microfibers to preclude any possibility of future cracking. it's taken some time, but the two pieces are now 1. completely seamless. i'll post photos on monday or tuesday and you'll be able see the results.... anyway, the video below is pretty close to what i ended up with....
in the past few days i've been learning how to use the cheese grater. that's the missing link to making smooth curves.
i have a fair amount of finishing putty left to put down and smooth out. and the grill openings are still crude.
and other than being slow, all is well.
pics deleted for slightly better ones coming on page 6. >>>>
Robert,
can you believe they want 2 grand for 14 year old 993 Xenon/Lit headlamps at L.A. Porsche?
btw, that LS1 with your parts and the fast intake on the 44 forums is slamin'.
/
in the past few days i've been learning how to use the cheese grater. that's the missing link to making smooth curves.
i have a fair amount of finishing putty left to put down and smooth out. and the grill openings are still crude.
and other than being slow, all is well.
pics deleted for slightly better ones coming on page 6. >>>>
Robert,
can you believe they want 2 grand for 14 year old 993 Xenon/Lit headlamps at L.A. Porsche?
btw, that LS1 with your parts and the fast intake on the 44 forums is slamin'.
/
Last edited by odurandina; 07-14-2011 at 10:03 PM.
07-06-2011, 05:12 PM
#47
Looks like they're smokin more than the fiscal budget in L.A.
You're front nose mod is incredible. You could get Eric to mock up a 1-piece fiberglass and sell the snot out of them, just don't get all L.A. on 'em LOL.
You're front nose mod is incredible. You could get Eric to mock up a 1-piece fiberglass and sell the snot out of them, just don't get all L.A. on 'em LOL.
07-07-2011, 09:31 PM
#56
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While it's inevitable to see all the "Hey, I'm next, LOL" posts, let's get serious for a second...
What would be involved in moving this towards a production item? Who would be able to do something like this on any kind of real scale?
RS Barn, D9, one of the body panel shops (GT Racing, etc)?
As with anything, the price would dictate how many people are truly serious about picking one up, but I have a feeling this would become the 'go to' item for changing/upgrading the appearance of the 968 (aside from the elusive fixed headlight conversion, which may not be far off!)...
The way the side openings fit in a natural line with the inward sweep of the fender/headlights, the center opening being visually in line with the hood and fog lights... it really looks like it came from the factory/was designed that way. Moving it one step further, you could enlarge the center nose opening ala the Turbo nose setup...
I see GREAT potential here... VERY well done, Odurandina!!
Dave
What would be involved in moving this towards a production item? Who would be able to do something like this on any kind of real scale?
RS Barn, D9, one of the body panel shops (GT Racing, etc)?
As with anything, the price would dictate how many people are truly serious about picking one up, but I have a feeling this would become the 'go to' item for changing/upgrading the appearance of the 968 (aside from the elusive fixed headlight conversion, which may not be far off!)...
The way the side openings fit in a natural line with the inward sweep of the fender/headlights, the center opening being visually in line with the hood and fog lights... it really looks like it came from the factory/was designed that way. Moving it one step further, you could enlarge the center nose opening ala the Turbo nose setup...
I see GREAT potential here... VERY well done, Odurandina!!
Dave
07-08-2011, 04:43 AM
#58
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thank you very much. i really appreciate all the positive comments from you all.
about the headlamps. don't they look out of place even more now?
the car desperately needs the stock lights GONE.
btw, the photos i posted yesterday are crap.
but, i'm getting it all smoothed out now, and in order to keep the ultraviolet light off the exposed plastics, i've been laying down some semi-gloss white so the next day's uv wont get on the plastic. anyway, it's looking better.
i was approached by someone [who has earned the trust of the community].
he's at the front of the line for making up a mold.
.
Last edited by odurandina; 07-14-2011 at 10:10 PM.
07-08-2011, 07:25 AM
#59
I was skeptical as well and I still am.
IMO the center lower opening is too big with regards the overall dynamic rendering of the original design as it looks like someone has tried to pull down the bumper wider open than it should.
Perhaps side skirts to "pull" the lower lines lower in line with the bumper would balance it, though.
Regardless I wish I had such craftsmanship skills, as far as as work quality is concerned it IS impressive!
IMO the center lower opening is too big with regards the overall dynamic rendering of the original design as it looks like someone has tried to pull down the bumper wider open than it should.
Perhaps side skirts to "pull" the lower lines lower in line with the bumper would balance it, though.
Regardless I wish I had such craftsmanship skills, as far as as work quality is concerned it IS impressive!
07-08-2011, 10:26 AM
#60
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bringing it in the garage now... just to be clear, i set the pitch to be less extreme than a 997. i.e., the ride hight from front to back of the lower valance doesn't change as much as a stock Carrera S. i had tried a couple of variations here and none of them looked right until i got the pitch to about where it is now....
ok, the bottom of the side skirts reach their lowest point at exactly 5.0 inches.
the front of the lower lip is at exactly 6.0 inches from one side to other.
the rear of the lip comes down gradually to 5.25 inches.
that puts my car about 1/2 way between a 2008 997 Carrera S and GT3.
btw, i don't want to go too far here; there must be a bit of truth to what Thom says in the above post..... what comes with this project is a fair amount of ambivalence. but i still wanted in.... at the very least, the result further demonstrates that the front of the 968 is not an easy fix — or worse, it could be stated that the narrow front profile (vs the height) makes the car 'homely' regardless of what you try to do to it.
/
ok, the bottom of the side skirts reach their lowest point at exactly 5.0 inches.
the front of the lower lip is at exactly 6.0 inches from one side to other.
the rear of the lip comes down gradually to 5.25 inches.
that puts my car about 1/2 way between a 2008 997 Carrera S and GT3.
btw, i don't want to go too far here; there must be a bit of truth to what Thom says in the above post..... what comes with this project is a fair amount of ambivalence. but i still wanted in.... at the very least, the result further demonstrates that the front of the 968 is not an easy fix — or worse, it could be stated that the narrow front profile (vs the height) makes the car 'homely' regardless of what you try to do to it.
/
Last edited by odurandina; 07-08-2011 at 11:59 AM.