Suspension swap, Swap 911/930 front suspension to my 914 Options

[spyder9014]

What are the benefits of using 911/930 front suspension on a 914.
I have installed gas shocks, turbo tie rods but I have seen it recommended to use the 930 front suspension. Is this just to get the brakes or is this for struts/brakes/torsion bars?
If I upgrade the calipers and rotors will it be just as good as a complete swap?

[J P Stein]

Most guys do the 9eleben front end to get bigger brakes/vented rotors and 5 bolt wheels.
You can do strut only....which bolts to the 914 A arms (73 & later). You can use 911 A arms, which gives a wider selection of torsion bars. You can also use the aluminum
rack support from the 911...it all bolts in.

Caliper selection is very limited for the 914 struts. The caliper mount spacing is 3 inches. The 911 strut to caliper mounting is 3.5 in.

[Jeroen]

Early 911 struts have 3" caliper mount spacing as well

And I believe you can get torsionbars for the 914 a-arms up to 23mm

cheers,

Jeroen

[Mueller]

IMHO.....swapping over to the 930 front end and parts are really only for very serious big track guys or for bragging rights (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

One positive of the the 930 front hubs is that the track is two inches wider due to the hub being of a different design....this way for guys running GT flares and 15x7 or 16x7 rims you can bring the wheel further out to increase the track and fill up the fender well without using spacers.

For your average Joe, regular 911 front suspension will be fine...if you want a little more, then get an SC or Carrera suspension...both of these also give you the option to easily upgrade to Big Reds or Monoblocks.

[pnewman]

Early 911 struts have 3" caliper mount spacing as well

And I believe you can get torsionbars for the 914 a-arms up to 23mm

cheers,

Jeroen

what size torsion bars come in oem 911 a arms? 21 mm?
thanks

[brant]

Early 911 struts have 3" caliper mount spacing as well

And I believe you can get torsionbars for the 914 a-arms up to 23mm

cheers,

Jeroen

what size torsion bars come in oem 911 a arms? 21 mm?
thanks

19mm

[pnewman]

Early 911 struts have 3" caliper mount spacing as well

And I believe you can get torsionbars for the 914 a-arms up to 23mm

cheers,

Jeroen

what size torsion bars come in oem 911 a arms? 21 mm?
thanks

19mm

question: I have 180 lb rear coil springs, rear oem sway bar, front oem sway bar, and am converting to 911 struts (I was told that the struts were out of a 1988 no a arms included.)

What size front torsion springs should I go with 21mm?

I think that I swapt out my oem's w/ a pair of used 18 or 19 mms about 6 yrs ago. Just trying to get a good balance. Were oem torsion springs for all 911's incl. 1988 19mm?

thanks, Pete (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)

[Spoke]

I converted my 71 914 to 911 a-arms, torsion bars, aluminum crossmember mainly for the sway bar which fits right onto the a-arms without drop links. This configuration really stabilized body roll and firmed up the ride.

For my 74, I'm going with a complete front end from an 88 Carrera including the struts, calipers, and vented rotors, 5-lug hub, aluminum crossmember, a-arms, torsion bars, and I may even use the steering rack.

Spoke

[brant]

All 911's were 19mm
in fact its not even really a full 19mm
its actually like 18.8 or something (while the 914 bars are 17.9mm)

if you are not using the 911 A-arms then that means you are still using the 914 A-arms and thus the 18's (for example if your just changing struts)

I imagine some of the really special 911's might have come with bigger bars, the turbo's might have ? but otherwise all 911's were 19mm from 1965 until 1989

brant

[army dude]

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/blink.gif) OK Spoke, ya got me!! You are telling me that everything frontend wise from the 88 Carrera will BOLT IN????? Everything? Bolt in? HUH?? (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/blink.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/blink.gif)

So for my 74 with a v8 I could ,in effect, go to junk yard, or someone else ,get this suspension and have it done for a weekend project??

Confused in Iraq (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/blink.gif)

[Aaron Cox]

All 911's were 19mm
in fact its not even really a full 19mm
its actually like 18.8 or something (while the 914 bars are 17.9mm)

if you are not using the 911 A-arms then that means you are still using the 914 A-arms and thus the 18's (for example if your just changing struts)

I imagine some of the really special 911's might have come with bigger bars, the turbo's might have ? but otherwise all 911's were 19mm from 1965 until 1989

brant

i concur with brant...

[Dr. Roger]

QUOTE

OK Spoke, ya got me!! You are telling me that everything frontend wise from the 88 Carrera will BOLT IN????? Everything? Bolt in? HUH??

yes. =-)

\see my progress thread on th elast few entires. same deal. '74 even. =-)

[Dr. Roger]

prolly swap in some new brake lines while it's apart. =-)

[brant]

Pete,

19mm would be a good match for 180 rear springs.
measure what you already have.

if you in fact have 17.9 then consider upgrading to 911 A-arms and T-bars while you are there...

but even if you have the stock 17.9's then that is not bad with the 180's either.

brant

[pnewman]

Pete,

19mm would be a good match for 180 rear springs.
measure what you already have.

if you in fact have 17.9 then consider upgrading to 911 A-arms and T-bars while you are there...

but even if you have the stock 17.9's then that is not bad with the 180's either.

brant

Brant,

Thanks for the advise on the 911 a arms.
What other benefit is there for going w/ 911 a arms w/ their stock 19 mm t bars

vs.

going w/ (let's say) 21 mm t bars for the oem 914 a arms?


note: I have compiled through hull sway bar assembly w/ all new bushings and hardware so I am not necessarilly looking to use an under body sway bar, although it seems easier to install.

I have not yet removed any of my front end yet and my used front "1988 strut assemblies" come this week. I don't plan on getting to this part of the project for atleast month or two so I have time.

thanks, pete

[brant]

Brant,

Thanks for the advise on the 911 a arms.
What other benefit is there for going w/ 911 a arms w/ their stock 19 mm t bars

vs.

going w/ (let's say) 21 mm t bars for the oem 914 a arms?


note: I have compiled through hull sway bar assembly w/ all new bushings and hardware so I am not necessarilly looking to use an under body sway bar, although it seems easier to install.

I have not yet removed any of my front end yet and my used front "1988 strut assemblies" come this week. I don't plan on getting to this part of the project for atleast month or two so I have time.

thanks, pete

ok...
I'll take a crack at this.
bunch of random thoughts here"

911 A-arms offer no benefit in geometry or anything like that.
they are splined different (for 911 bars) and there may be a tiny bit more selection in bars of that spline.

overall, with either style of A-arm a through body anti-sway bar is going to give you better geometry than an underbody style. In fact for an all out track car you would really want to convert the late 911 A-arms to the through body style.

both style's used early ball joints prior to 72 and late ball joints post 72. Late ball joints are theoretically better, although you don't really hear of many failure with the early style either.

a 19mm torsion bar is a NICE spring rate for a street car and even track cars. A 21mm might be a tiny bit too stiff for 180lb springs, but if you have it then go ahead and give it a try.. (it shouldn't be too far off)

if I were in your shoes I would base my decision upon suspension bushing condition. if your 914 a-arm has already been upgraded or had bushings replaced that is not something you would want to have to repeat on the 911 style.

on the other hand, if the 911 style was cheap enough and had really good bushings in it (used) and your 914 ones were shot... then I would consider switching over.

brant

[pnewman]

Brant,

thanks for the info! (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)

I think that you have given me the info that I needed to make my decisions.

I will be inspecting and measuring my stuff over the next couple of weeks.

I cannot stress enough how appreciated your input is.

Pete (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/pray.gif)

[pnewman]

Brant,

Final front end suspension.

1988 struts

New pads, bearings, seals, and flex hoses

New Zimmerman cross drilled rotors. I am painting the rotor hats red.

1988 calipers rebuilt and painted red

koni adjustable red inserts new

197? 911 a arms w/ the old through body tabs for my oem through body sway bar.
- My car didn't come with one thus I will be installing that too.
- I kept the bushings and front and rear brackets from the 88' 911 a-arms as they were in much better shape. I don't like the poly or bronze? bushings as I personally find them to loud as far as transfering vibration.

I have 2 different through body sway bars one oem diameter and another a monster.

my old 74' 914 cross bar in great shape.

turbo tie rods

bump steer kit

all rusty old parts have been dropped off for bead blasting and powder coating in gloss black.

I will post pics when all is assembled.

Pete

[brant]

sounds like you've worked your butt off...
thats a ton of work.

would love to see the pics when you get to it.

brant

[Eric_Shea]

Bolt on Army Dude, Bolt on.