Hello all,
Planning on a widebody for my 914, and I'm curious if there is any strength added to the unibodies through the fenders? Doing the inner long stiffening kit, as well as the 914-GT rear frame stiffening kit, and one day a cage, however that will be a while. I was looking at flares, and I'm not a huge fan of all the molding work needing to be done to make the metal ones fit, and then I found FULL fender and quarter panel replacements, that would look seamless, and I'm curious if these are a BAD idea to do on a unibody, or if the fenders are not structural? Here is a link - if this is not allowed I can take it down, let me know.
Fenders:
http://www.autoatlanta.com/Porsche-Qrs-Fib...PN-RQRS011.html
Thanks,
Francesco

Elliot has those or very similar and his are attached with dzus 1/4 turn fasteners.

Yes. Every piece on a 914 helps. The full fiberglass fenders will still take fitting and bodywork. There are a couple different vendors for them so it's worth shopping around.

To answer your titled question:
"Do fenders add to structural rigidity?"

Yes, all unibody vehicles are designed for structural integrity using the entire body shell as originally designed, including multiple layers in longs, A-pillars, sails/rollbar or roof, etc.

That said, when Porsche went to race their 914-6GTs, they used welded flares to maintain body rigidity, & added the steel welded-on roof panel - in addition to the roll cage, & other race oriented improvements/add-ons.

So how you add flares, rolled, blown, puffed or nicknames for otherwise extended fenders will determine what other structural support which you'll need to add to make up for the lost 1/4 & 3/4 panel rigidity.

I'm with you on never really liking the factory flares, & much prefer the way Ethan eased out the fenders on his -6 conversion (pix on his topic on here & at Excellence article in 2016 IIRC).

Since you're looking at the AA 3/4s & plan to race, why not call George Hussey on Monday & explain your plans & ask what he recommends for structural strengthening on your racer.

Rich Bontempi at HPH is another top ex-914 racer in SCCA who could offer guidance, in addition to the race guys on here - but get the recco's first hand from them.

Good Luck!
Tom
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You could always go for the riveted look, at looks pretty cool if done right

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=317212

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=7435