914 Windshield replacement option, good deal? Options

[ri914]

so my 914 needs a windshield, I found a new one from glass America for 270$ they are local so I don't have to pay for shipping. Any experience with this glass? figured I would let the 914world know. I will update this thread when I receive it and install it.

I bought a viper gts windshield from them as well and was quite impressed. the fit was great and they were about 1/2 price.

[mepstein]

There's pretty much two choices. China and Germany. The Chinese is fine. The German is maybe a touch better. It's the installation that makes more of a difference than the glass.

all my opinion only.

[ri914]

There's pretty much two choices. China and Germany. The Chinese is fine. The German is maybe a touch better. It's the installation that makes more of a difference than the glass.

all my opinion only.

thanks for the info. I think this would be the Chinese version. I have watched a good install video about 3 times. Assuming the 914 install will be easier than the viper I should be good to go.

[mepstein]

There's pretty much two choices. China and Germany. The Chinese is fine. The German is maybe a touch better. It's the installation that makes more of a difference than the glass.

all my opinion only.

thanks for the info. I think this would be the Chinese version. I have watched a good install video about 3 times. Assuming the 914 install will be easier than the viper I should be good to go.

Make sure to use new plastic clips

[bbrock]

There's pretty much two choices. China and Germany. The Chinese is fine. The German is maybe a touch better. It's the installation that makes more of a difference than the glass.

all my opinion only.

thanks for the info. I think this would be the Chinese version. I have watched a good install video about 3 times. Assuming the 914 install will be easier than the viper I should be good to go.

Make sure to use new plastic clips

And butyl rope caulk and not urethane.

[ri914]

Make sure to use new plastic clips

And butyl rope caulk and not urethane.

ok, so new clips would make sense if i had window trim (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) guess I am in the market for that too...

butyl rope is original but I thought urethane was the standard now. Would love to hear more convincing info on this.

[bbrock]

Make sure to use new plastic clips

And butyl rope caulk and not urethane.

ok, so new clips would make sense if i had window trim (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) guess I am in the market for that too...

butyl rope is original but I thought urethane was the standard now. Would love to hear more convincing info on this.

Yes, urethane is standard now but doesn't play well with these cars. 914s flex, including the windshield frame and lots of people have reported windshields cracking in a short time when using urethane because it doesn't flex like butyl. 5/16" butyl is the right size. A search should turn up some good discussions on the subject. I'm the same as you in that I need some convincing whenever someone says a superior modern product should not be used. In this case, I was convinced.

[Tdskip]

So Glass America is the Chinese one?

[PanelBilly]

In the short amount of time that my car has been on the open road, I've had 2 windshields chipped with rocks. Better the glass than the body... This winter, I'll be putting in my third one from an independent glass business. Will be doing the install myself. I use glass cups from Harbour Freight to handle the job. I think I paid $250 last time

[brcacti]

Yes, urethane is standard now but doesn't play well with these cars. 914s flex, including the windshield frame and lots of people have reported windshields cracking in a short time when using urethane because it doesn't flex like butyl. 5/16" butyl is the right size. A search should turn up some good discussions on the subject. I'm the same as you in that I need some convincing whenever someone says a superior modern product should not be used. In this case, I was convinced.
[/quote]
Wow, did not know they flex that much to cause possible problems BUT when you think about it, it makes sense.

[MM1]

Great tip, Brent-thank you.

[yellowporky]

I was told that it is important to get the clips from Porsche not aftermarket because the factory ones have a bit more flex to them and will not break.
Also i read somewhere that when going with the chinese glass you are to use a thicker butyl cord because the glass is thinner.
I did end up buying the install kit and instructions from Auto Atlanta to install my NOS glass and everything went very smooth.

[wattele]

Yes do not use the 914Rubber clips they do break.
I had a specialist coming over to install the windshield everything went fine but we had a lot of problems with the clips.
A lot of them broke so we had to glue in the trim and keep them with strong adhesive tape. Messy...
Use the original Porsche clips.

[jim_hoyland]

Re the clips: the clip holes can be prone to rust. When replacing, inspect each hole, some clips have been a tad larger and would scratch the holes and expose the metal.
Not as common today, but something to check... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[DRPHIL914]

couple things here, those using cheaper glass not OEM found the contour and shape of the glass different and difficult to get to line up and for trim to fit properly - not me but i am telling you what others have posted i verified before replacing mine.
2. the clips- yes first clips from 914rubber had brittleness issues, not the newer more recent ones.
also , i got my glass from the Porsche dealer parts, $400 i believe for the windshield and only $100 for installation , so check with the parts department at the dealer, I know mine well and they use a independent guy that does all their installation, both new and old cars, so he was experienced in both and even picked up the windshield from Porsche for me and came to my house! i had it ready to go - remember prime the surface , apply the butly tape, i let them place the window and i put in the trim afterward. aftermarket trim has a reputation for not fitting as well as OEM too.
And, clips have to go in before the window.
other than that take your time, with the trim its difficult, if you hve nice paint or new paint i would tape off the area its easy to slip and scratch your new paint job.
there are a couple jobs in reassebly of my car i can do with out ever having to do again, the most frustrating was installing the triangle glass and seal, the other the front window trim, id rather pull and engine and transmission. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[VaccaRabite]

For what its worth...
I used frit paint and windshield glue and rubber trim (no clips) when I did mine about a decade ago, and it has never chipped or cracked.

Zach

[ri914]

these windshields do flex a bit for sure. I agree the butyl is a better choice. I am going to test fit my glass first to see how true my body is to the chinese glass.

yes glass america is the chinese variant. I believe all their glass is from china unless they are purchasing it through a dealer as oem due to the complexity or age of the vehicle.

[buck toenges]

I just called my local porsche dealer. They quoted me $540.00 for a windshield. I then called glass america and they told me they don't carry 914 windshields. Any options out there?

Buck

[rbzymek]

I had the same experience. Ended up buying from the P dealer. It was (OEM) Pilkington glass. Make sure you use the rubber spacers (914Rubber) between the bottom edge of the glass and the clips. It provides some room for the clip to deflect when installing the trim.

[mepstein]

I just called my local porsche dealer. They quoted me $540.00 for a windshield. I then called glass america and they told me they don't carry 914 windshields. Any options out there?

Buck

Call around to other glass people. The cheaper option isn’t rare.