GT4CS Tow Strap for 997
#31
I hope this thread becomes a sticky
#32
Drifting
#34
Instructor
Sorry to revive such an old thread! Did you decide on selling these adapters? I would love to get one!
I dig your commitment to this project and fully understand your reasoning behind doing this setup!
I dig your commitment to this project and fully understand your reasoning behind doing this setup!
#35
Racer
Thread Starter
Since this has been brought back to life, I'd like to apologize for not responding to those who have reached out to me.
I never actually got the custom component quoted. My overall concern with the project, is the total cost of the assembly (OMP tow strap + custom machined component + labor + shipping + headaches/liability/time dealing with people).
Based on the low production volume there are no savings or economy of scale for machining or on the OMP strap it self. Some rough estimates on my part put this strap at $300-500 each, which seems high, but it is the reality of the situation. I haven't done a market study or poll to see if there is a tolerable price point. Again, I did not set out to do this as business, but more of a I want this, it doesn't exist for the 997 and I can make it happen, so I did it. As some have pointed out this could also be done for the rear, which would actually be pretty cool too.
Given the community interest and the fact that I would like to give back to our RL 997 GT3 forum, I will submit this part for quote and I'll update this thread. Once I have an accurate quote, I'll be able to get a better grasp of pricing the Tow Strap Assembly.
For good measure some pics from Buttonwillow a couple of weeks ago, tow strap is not just for "show".
I never actually got the custom component quoted. My overall concern with the project, is the total cost of the assembly (OMP tow strap + custom machined component + labor + shipping + headaches/liability/time dealing with people).
Based on the low production volume there are no savings or economy of scale for machining or on the OMP strap it self. Some rough estimates on my part put this strap at $300-500 each, which seems high, but it is the reality of the situation. I haven't done a market study or poll to see if there is a tolerable price point. Again, I did not set out to do this as business, but more of a I want this, it doesn't exist for the 997 and I can make it happen, so I did it. As some have pointed out this could also be done for the rear, which would actually be pretty cool too.
Given the community interest and the fact that I would like to give back to our RL 997 GT3 forum, I will submit this part for quote and I'll update this thread. Once I have an accurate quote, I'll be able to get a better grasp of pricing the Tow Strap Assembly.
For good measure some pics from Buttonwillow a couple of weeks ago, tow strap is not just for "show".
Last edited by Belinko; 03-30-2022 at 05:16 PM.
#36
#37
Racer
Thread Starter
Definitely good thinking, and do-able. Which might be a possible solution for some here.
Some of my initial thoughts are:
Assume we use the OEM tow hook, it's some kind of steel, it's cast then machined, let's say we say saw/cut off the loop end.
1. You need to be able to hold the work piece to, cut to length and drill and tap. Unfortunately the major diameter of the knuckle threads are the largest OD on the OEM tow hook and I don't like clamping or work holding on threads (it's not accurate/concentric and not much clamping surface area). But does it need to be accurate? I'm pretty confident, that I could do it with hand drill if I really wanted to, but that's not me. Most likely anyone that would be doing this in some limited production would design/fabricate a holding fixture to do it this way.
2. You'd still need to some flats so that you could tighten one part against the other and possibly to the chassis or fabricate a Female knuckle thread (nut).
3. Tiny bit concerned about the wall thickness/material properties on the OEM tow hook, given that there was no intent to drill and tap. In the section view below, gives you an idea of what it would look like by modifying the OEM tow hook.
Bottom line is yes, it could be done, if you're willing to "hack and whack" or don't have access to machines. Depending on labor rate/who is doing the work, I'm not sure if it would be much cheaper than a custom threaded adapter that is CNC machined.
Providing/selling the adapter is probably the cheapest and easiest thing that I could do and leave it up to the individual to source the OMP tow strap, disassemble, reassemble and figure out clocking.
I officially sent out the drawing for quote today, hoping to get a price per part quote soon.
Some of my initial thoughts are:
Assume we use the OEM tow hook, it's some kind of steel, it's cast then machined, let's say we say saw/cut off the loop end.
1. You need to be able to hold the work piece to, cut to length and drill and tap. Unfortunately the major diameter of the knuckle threads are the largest OD on the OEM tow hook and I don't like clamping or work holding on threads (it's not accurate/concentric and not much clamping surface area). But does it need to be accurate? I'm pretty confident, that I could do it with hand drill if I really wanted to, but that's not me. Most likely anyone that would be doing this in some limited production would design/fabricate a holding fixture to do it this way.
2. You'd still need to some flats so that you could tighten one part against the other and possibly to the chassis or fabricate a Female knuckle thread (nut).
3. Tiny bit concerned about the wall thickness/material properties on the OEM tow hook, given that there was no intent to drill and tap. In the section view below, gives you an idea of what it would look like by modifying the OEM tow hook.
Bottom line is yes, it could be done, if you're willing to "hack and whack" or don't have access to machines. Depending on labor rate/who is doing the work, I'm not sure if it would be much cheaper than a custom threaded adapter that is CNC machined.
Providing/selling the adapter is probably the cheapest and easiest thing that I could do and leave it up to the individual to source the OMP tow strap, disassemble, reassemble and figure out clocking.
I officially sent out the drawing for quote today, hoping to get a price per part quote soon.
#38
Drifting
I checked the LeBlonde at the shop and 8TPI should be no problem. I might turn one of these for fun on the manual lathe..but, I also promised myself I'd never single point thread by hand again
Powerhound got me thinking...just eyeballing the OMP tow hook it appears that you might be able to cut off the existing threads and cut a new set of ACME threads on the larger OD. Or, is that material not solid?
Powerhound got me thinking...just eyeballing the OMP tow hook it appears that you might be able to cut off the existing threads and cut a new set of ACME threads on the larger OD. Or, is that material not solid?
#39
Drifting
1. You need to be able to hold the work piece to, cut to length and drill and tap. Unfortunately the major diameter of the knuckle threads are the largest OD on the OEM tow hook and I don't like clamping or work holding on threads (it's not accurate/concentric and not much clamping surface area). But does it need to be accurate? I'm pretty confident, that I could do it with hand drill if I really wanted to, but that's not me. Most likely anyone that would be doing this in some limited production would design/fabricate a holding fixture to do it this way.
#40
Racer
Thread Starter
I checked the LeBlonde at the shop and 8TPI should be no problem. I might turn one of these for fun on the manual lathe..but, I also promised myself I'd never single point thread by hand again
Powerhound got me thinking...just eyeballing the OMP tow hook it appears that you might be able to cut off the existing threads and cut a new set of ACME threads on the larger OD. Or, is that material not solid?
Powerhound got me thinking...just eyeballing the OMP tow hook it appears that you might be able to cut off the existing threads and cut a new set of ACME threads on the larger OD. Or, is that material not solid?
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greasem0nkey86 (08-26-2022)
#44
Drifting
#45
To add to this thread, I just installed a tow strap made for BMWs by Turner Motorsports. It's beautifully machined from a single billet piece of steel and uses the same oddball 20 x 1/8 thread as Porsche uses. For the rear the 55mm (on a 996 anyway) works perfect for the OEM bumper. They also sell a 75mm version but judging by the picture in post #25 the 55mm version I used would be the perfect length in the front. I folded the strap over for a more compact set up and secured it with a zip tie which can be quickly pulled off if needed. One could also sew on a small patch of velcro instead to fold it up onto itself like the OMP one. In any case, for the $90 I spent on this it can't be beat and the quality is top notch. Of course for the purists, it doesn't have the OMP logo.....
https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3...with-bolt-red/
https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3...with-bolt-red/
Last edited by powdrhound; 07-29-2024 at 02:11 AM.
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