lumpking

I just bought the front half of the OEM cage from Fritz (very smooth deal) and I'm in the process of having it installed. The rear section was installed by the dealer prior to me taking delivery when it was new. What was supposed to be a realativly simple procedure has turned very ugly. Any ideas on why they don't fit properly? The car didn't come with factory mounting points and it's not bent.

tcsracing1

First thing i need to see is where the dealer mounted your plates for the rear roll bar. If they are not in right place they will need to be removed and put in a right place even if for only a couple of inches.

Second of all the front half is a very tight fit. It come very close to the a pillar.

Third, do you have factory plates to weld in?

Not to worry. It will fit. Your installer might need to haul out rear bar and start all over again. But it will fit.

lumpking

No plates from the factory . My suspision is that the rear is not located properly. That sux. Nothing like doubling labor costs.

911SLOW

AFAIK for the 7, Porsche now sells only one rear cage (the newer 2 tab version, part # ends with 05) and two fronts (older one with one side bar and one with two). They are interchangeable.
Your rear cage (probably the 7.1 version / discontinued now) should fit the newer 2 side bar front version and vice versa.

I can't understand how they managed to install the rear cage in such a way though. Very odd.
Got any pics of the rear struts ?

lumpking

Just got off the phone with the installer. We're going to Reinstall the rear and see where that gets us. I didn't know there were different versions, sure hope they work together.

tcsracing1

the 997.1 and 997.2 front/rear bars are interchangeable.

when you install the rear bar, make sure they use the factory plates. Same goes for the front.

the factory plates are thin and maybe to help clearance....

once aligned properly you will be in business.

FVD sell the plates if you need them.

homemade plate can make the difference of fitting and not fitting....

i sure hope they didnt use homemade plates the first time around....

lumpking

Champion Motorsport plates were used the first time. With everything lose it still wont fit. It's like my car is shorter??

996FLT6

What's a Champion Motorsport plate? Mike

tcsracing1

The legs of the rear roll bar are most likely installed a little different than factory spec. Perhaps a little too forward which is why you are comming up short.

I would order the factory plates for the front and rear from FVD and have the old plates removed.

This way you will have the full factory bolt in feature.

There are pictures on rennlist of factory plates in the car as a reference.

lumpking

I will see if I can find factory plates (looked on FVD and their site is on the fritz). My plates are removed, every bolt is lose, and I'm being told that it won't fit. The car is 800 miles from me at the moment so I think I'm going to have them stop until I can see this for myself. Thanks to all for the advice.

tcsracing1

Fed ex the plates from FVD and the cage will fit once installed in proper location.

Get some pictures of your floor where old mounts were located.

Also get. Picture of your rear roll bar.

I have done two cars to date. One of them required the factory plates to be installed.
( dont forget the factory hardware either. Studs and nuts)

Not to worry. The end result is beautiful. .

lumpking

The cage is in! Can't wait to see the labor bill on this one. Thanks for all the help.

NorthVan

Pictures?

Congrats on winning the battle

Nick Wong

Is there a TSB or install sheet from Porsche on how to locate the plates for welding to the chassis?

911SLOW

^Only instructions for the assembly of the cage itself. One for each generation.

The plates are not an "official" part, and don't even exist in the workshop manual / PET.


That being said, it's not rocket science. You have to deploy the cage in the car, lock it in position, measure, mark, weld/drill and paint.

Weld the plates with studs, use an equivalent plate with pass through bolts, it doesn't really matter. If the materials and dimensions (thickness of the plates, position of the trio of bolts, tensile strength etc) are right, the end result will be the same. The point is to strengthen the floor and distribute loads.

A qualified tech can do it blindfolded.

To the OP, please ask your shop to explain what was wrong. I am very curious.

Thanks