LWB ft suspention on SWB questions

[mjmoran]

Ok, I am getting ready to replace the front suspention on my 68 to the later style. I have an Al crossmember, 73 a arms, Konis off a 73S and the braces...
Are there any surprises that I will be getting into? Do the same mounting bolts and hardware fit? I am pretty sure the torsion bars fit... How about the alignment...how close are the two struts in keeping this in to get it to the shop? What about the upper mounting points for the struts...do they need to be changed, you know the part in the trunk.

Bring it on...Im going in this weekend.

Cheers,

[gruen911]

I retrofitted an entire 78 911SC front suspension onto my 67. Bilsteins and 911S alloy calipers. Your set-up should bolt right on. One piece of advice - Don't drive the car any distance until you have had it professionally aligned.....

[mjmoran]

Thanks, thats what I was looking for. I am planning on driving directly to the alignment shop after the install for a 4 wheel and balance. On yours, did the top strut bolt and wheel bearing locking bolt all fit as well? I seem to recall there being a few differing thread pitches for the struts...

[mjmoran]

Well a little more info for those interested in doing the same. As far as the cross member, A arms and struts mounting...there was no problem – they all bolt right in. I did have to drill two new holes in the steering rack access panel to accommodate the revised cross member and braces. Not a big deal though and nothing a ½ inch bit couldn’t fix. A few issues to watch out for though are the lock nuts and thrust washers that hold on the ft wheel bearings…you know the one that has the 6mm allen head to lock the nut in place when you are adjusting your bearings. There are two sizes, small and large; the SWB cars that I have all have the small size. The newer Koni strut has the larger one. Not sure when they changed. The only other item that takes a bit of patience is removing and reinstalling the inside bearing race that is on the strut. I transferred the race from the original SWB strut to the new one. This requires using a MAP torch to heat up the race before it is knocked off. You will need to remove the caliper mounting plate to do this. I will post a few photos a bit later and give my final results after an alignment

[mjmoran]

Well, here it is all ready to go on. I did run into another problem as the inner spacer ring for a SWB is 22mm wide as the later ones are 17mm...nothing a lathe could not fix though Otherwise you could buy the later one at $50/each. Another note is that the larger nut and thrust washer showed up in 74...so to save a bit, you could find a 69-73 strut...
Just awaiting the larger lock nut and thrust washer from Parts Heaven and shes off to the alignment shop.

[bob tilton]

Michael,
How is this project progressing? I am interested in feedback for this swap.

[mjmoran]

Hi Bob...I was quite impressed with the front suspension swap. The ride was much more solid with less chance to wander at speed. I kept the original steering box for a quicker ratio and am happy with that decision as well. Right now though, I have all the suspension back off adding ERP bushings, 21/26 T bars, 18mm RS swaybars and have designed a bracket to fit Carrera rear calipers and rotors ( to match hthe front Carrera brakes). I hope to be finished in the next week or so. All the parts are comming together and others are at the Cad platers right now. I will update again soon.

I had fun a week ago and did some design work on the interior too. Here is a photo of my new dash trim...I am now sending it in to get matte black anodized.

[bob tilton]

Hi Bob...I was quite impressed with the front suspension swap. The ride was much more solid with less chance to wander at speed.

This was the feedback I was looking for. So many great brains to pick around here!

[bob tilton]

PS...Do my eyes decieve me or are your gauges green? Interior is looking great...love the tach!

[kenikh]

Michael, are you brining the car to North meets South? I didn't see your name on the list.