911 Front Struts

Bill K. · Post by **Bill K.** » Fri Dec 30, 2005 11:53 pm

914'ers upgrade to 5-lug and better brakes by swapping to the 911 strut asssembly, can '73 412 do the same? ...swap 911 strut assembly?

ubercrap · Post by **ubercrap** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 12:10 am

I suppose nothing is impossible, but it certainly isn't a bolt on.

Bill K. · Post by **Bill K.** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 1:41 pm

Maybe the lower spring perch of the 412 could be welded to the 911 strut tube (with spindle needed for caliper and hub mounting). Porsche strut inserts?, 412 coils, 412 assymetric strut mounts. 911 ball joints... 911 spindle can be relocated on strut tube as necessary. Just an idea. Need to do some measuring... Other worries too, I'm sure...

Wally · Post by **Wally** » Sun Jan 01, 2006 11:27 am

Hi Bill,
As I wrote you on Germanlook.com, there is somebody on the 914club.com forum that has the disk of the early 914 made for 5-bolt...
As you may know, the disk of the early 914 is the same as the 412's.
Not sure if early porsche S-calipers fit in the same location as stock 412/914 calipers.

Regards,
Walter

ubercrap · Post by **ubercrap** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 12:48 am

Right, if one just wants the Porsche 5x130 bolt pattern in the front and better calipers, that is a a bolt on affair. Is place/person you were thinking of Wally?

http://www.914club.com/bbs2/index.php?a ... ntry359306

Then, you could probably do the BMW E21 320i caliper swap the 914 guys do. See the Pelican Parts website for details. Then, you would have moderately upgraded brakes and the Porsche 5 bolt pattern, with no big hassle.

Wally · Post by **Wally** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 1:41 am

Thats exactly what I was thinking about Uber!
The BMW Caliper thing is just the ticket to round it all off.
Thanks!

Walter

Bleyseng · Post by **Bleyseng** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 8:40 am

I imagine that you can use the billet 914 hubs and mount vented 911 discs and also mount spaced Carrera Calipers on. That would give you killer front brakes.
Geoff

Wally · Post by **Wally** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 10:13 am

Bleyseng wrote:I imagine that you can use the billet 914 hubs and mount vented 911 discs and also mount spaced Carrera Calipers on. That would give you killer front brakes.
Geoff

Billet Hubs? Cool! Tell me more, please! What, where, how much

Are they also available for the old 914 model (=411/412) until 914 mid '72?

TIA,
Walter

raygreenwood · Post by **raygreenwood** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 11:01 am

Relocating the 911 spindle to the 412....of course can be done. Of course the ball joints must come also. The 911 cartridges will trash the 412 ball joint in a day. Main problems will be that the 911 cartridge is nowhere near the shape and size needed to run in a 412. You really really need to look carefully at the architecture of the 411/412. Also.....in what respect is anyone sure that the 911 strut valving would do anything positive for the 411/412? Especially without the same weight ratio on top of it...or the same spring rates, bushing rates and design...etc.

Other than having 5 bolts hubs to use different wheels....I'm not sure what benefit there would be to using 911 parts. Ray

Bill K. · Post by **Bill K.** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 12:40 pm

I had in mind two benefits to the 911 spindles -- 1) 911 ball joints are available, 2) lots of bolt-on ventilated disk options. But, a modified 944 hub (with inserts for T1 bearings) can give the ventilated disk option and rebuilding T4 ball joints is acceptable.

BTW, would the Audi 4000 cartridge fit in the 911 strut tube? Would the 412 lower spring perch fit on the 911 strut tube? ...911 spindle & ball joint with Audi 4000 cartridge and 412 springs...

Wally · Post by **Wally** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 12:52 pm

Wally wrote:
Bleyseng wrote:I imagine that you can use the billet 914 hubs and mount vented 911 discs and also mount spaced Carrera Calipers on. That would give you killer front brakes.
Geoff
Billet Hubs? Cool! Tell me more, please! What, where, how much

Are they also available for the old 914 model (=411/412) until 914 mid '72?

TIA,
Walter

Ah, found them:
http://www.914club.com/bbs2/index.php?act=ecCatalog

Unfortunately, it says that they only fit the late style (73-76) 914 axles...so they won't fit our 411/412's

Thanks for the suggestion tho.

raygreenwood · Post by **raygreenwood** » Tue Jan 03, 2006 6:30 am

Not sure what will fit from the 911 Wally. Of course ifr tehy fit...and can work...and are definately more available than stock...its all worthwhile. Can you possibly measure a few things like tube length....diameter etc from the 911...or post a few pics? Ray

Wally · Post by **Wally** » Tue Jan 03, 2006 7:02 am

Hey Ray, the 911 strut was not my idea, I don't have any and I probably wouldn't go that route myself...
So, sorry, but can't help you there.
I WILL have another look at my 412 rear suspension, I can assure you that

Bleyseng · Post by **Bleyseng** » Tue Jan 03, 2006 7:29 am

914's use the same wheel bearings for all years..

311-405-645-M92 outer
311-405-625D-M92 inner

What bearings does a 411/412 use?

As long as the bearings fit you should be able to use the hubs.

Wally · Post by **Wally** » Tue Jan 03, 2006 7:49 am

Yes, that makes sense, but what would the reason for the explicit warning on the 914club.com site be for? Caliper or strut interference? That may or may not be an issue on our 412's...

With those expensive parts, you don't want to take chances

Tnx,
Walter