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Posted by: Tdskip Feb 13 2018, 09:00 AM

IF the donor car is going to get cut up (this is the one without vin numbers where the front clip has some funky stuff going on) couldn't I harvest the inner longs and bottom of the rear firewall to weld into my 914/6 project?

Similar to the Maddog interior bracing kit but using the actual factory stampings? The 2.7 or 3.0l engine will handle the modest weight easily I think.

Mark, you did this on your Orange car if memory serves, right?

Posted by: mepstein Feb 13 2018, 09:18 AM

Sounds like a lot of work.

Posted by: Andyrew Feb 13 2018, 09:27 AM

Factory steel is extremely thin, like 18ga. The stiffening kits are 16 or 14ga.

I dont think you would see a noticeable difference if you were able to make that work. Not to mention the days of work to do such a thing.

Now the aftermarket stiffening kits, ala Engman and the like actually produce a noticeable result for a small investment in time and money.

Posted by: burton73 Feb 13 2018, 09:41 AM

Engman inner stiffing is the way to go. Have clean holes to weld on. Are you going to do you own welding? This has to be done very slowly to allow to cool or you will bend up your car. People have done it here and their doors will not close or they lose the door gap. Look it up on a search eng.

Bob B

Posted by: Tdskip Feb 13 2018, 10:05 AM

Well, turns out that may been such a good idea. Glad I asked.

Bob, I do my own structural welding and know to not warp the panels. That said, that is an excellent and very-very important reminder. Thank you.

Posted by: bbrock Feb 13 2018, 10:17 AM

But I think it could work, at least on the long. You'd have to strip all the inner wall out of the inner long, then cut it in the right places. But I don't see why it wouldn't work. The factory pieces are actually 19g, so even a little thinner than 18g., but still, welding that on top of a sound factory structure would add a hell of a lot of stiffness over stock. Can't speak to whether it would be race worthy.

I'm not sure about the firewall. I'm not sure the bead channels would nest to lay flat. Would have to try it and see.

Posted by: mepstein Feb 13 2018, 10:30 AM

Maddogmotorsports.com


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Posted by: Tdskip Feb 13 2018, 01:37 PM

Yep, on order.

Posted by: Front yard mechanic Feb 13 2018, 01:53 PM

In theory it would only be 100% stronger

Posted by: 914_teener Feb 13 2018, 03:02 PM

And what theory is that?

Ultimate strength?

Tensile strength,

Posted by: enf2232 Feb 13 2018, 06:21 PM

These are old cars. Lets not talk Ultimate Strength but stick to ASD!

Posted by: 914_teener Feb 13 2018, 07:06 PM

Nice.....lol. Ok so we can agree then at 50 years old the inner long renforcement kit will 100 percent help to keep a 50 year old car from folding in half.

I.ve welded two of those kits in and the amount of care taken not to warp the chassis and time plug welding cannot be underestimated.