Training944

My friend suggested to ask from Rennlist about my problem - so here I am and hello to everyone!

But let's get to the problem.
I bought nice '91 928 S4 from Japan. Beautiful as all the Porsches.
There is one silly thing about it, the car has steering wheel on the right side.
In order to drive it in my country I need to convert the steering wheel to the left side.

My question to Rennlist members is that can the conversion be done and what might be reasonable budget for conversion?
What do I need for conversion besides lots of free time and a garage?
Maybe you can pass along some guidelines about the conversion process?


I apologize for any language mistakes - English isn't my native language.


Thanks in forward!
Training944

AO

First off welcome. I like the '91s... best car in my opinion!

It can be done, but it would be very expensive. You will need to change the pedal assembly (including master cylinder), dash, steering rack and lines. I think it would be cheaped to purchase a LHD car.

Edit: Fuse panel will also need to be moved... very scary in my opinion. I'm sure there are other things too that need to be changed.

Training944

Thanks

How about using a donor car?
I mean - somewhat wrecked S4 or GTS if they are compatible to do the conversion then it should be easy?

dprantl

A project like this would involve disassembling most of the car, then replacing all RHD parts with LHD parts. Most of the wiring would also have to be removed and reinstalled. It would take an *insane* amount of time and money and would not be worth it unless the car is a Porsche 959 and is worth $1 million or something...

Dan
'91 928GT S/C

Training944

Do you really think that it would be near to Mission Impossible? Even with donor car?

Training944

Cone_eater

Welcome!
The entire setup of a car consist around the driver, if you move where the driver sets then the whole car has to be adjusted.
You will be talking big $! like 15k or so... to do it right...
What country do you live in?

Training944

I have heard that steering conversion with Imprezas and Skylines might cost up to $4000 - $5000.
I understand that Porsches are totally different - but it can't be that expensive? Can it?

If the process is really that complicated and expensive - then my next thought might be to sell the car in the UK - which might be also pretty difficult and near to impossible...


Edit.
But still I am not giving up the conversion and I don't believe that the budget of the project (it rhymes) will go up to $15 000...


Training944

rixter

it's more than steering involved... the Central Electrical Panel is in the passenger footwell... this would all have to be moved and rerouted... not worth the money/time, you're better off selling this car and getting a LHD

Garth S

Most of the 928's available from Japan are LHD: I imported one of these to Canada. The last I checked on Japanese prices, it would be far cheaper to buy the correct car from Japan, and advertise your car in the UK or Australia verses undertaking a conversion.
Good luck!

LeRox

I would suspect that if one attempted this conversion, their would be alot of ing........

Vilhuer

Its perfectly doable but way too much work even if you count any price for your own work. Selling it to UK or some other RHD country is far easier and simpler option. Geting LHD S4 from Japan might even be cheaper overall than trying to do conversion.

Friend has '88 MY S4 shell and many parts you would need in conversion close to Helsinki for sale if you really want to go ahead with it. There is also '90 MY LHD wiring around here possibly for sale too. I think we have practically everything as used parts easily available in Finland if you want to proceed.

Training944

Thanks for all the replies so far

I think that I will sell the car in the UK (or even Australia) for couple of weeks and after that, if the car isn't sold. I will look up for LHD wreck and then proceed with the conversion.

Also can anyone tell where can I find '91 928 S4 workshop/service/technical manual?


Training944

daveo90s4

Better aim for UK rather than Australia. Australia has stupid archaic laws that in effect prevent the importation of any vehicle manufactured after 1 jan 1989 (unless owned and operated by the importer who is returning to Australia permanently etc etc). New Zealand would be possible though.

jon928se

LHD 928s are cheap in England (Cheaper than RHD) - Sell your RHD 928 into the UK - Try www.928.org.uk - email Angus and get him to put your 928 on the website - join the email list and ask around for LHD 928s for sale in the UK - Then drive your 928 to the UK when it sells , have a holiday then drive back in in a LHD 928.

You could as DaveO says try to sell it in to New Zealand but Shipping costs would be approx £2500 (4000 Euros) and finding a buyer at that distance would be difficult.

ColinB

You can't be serious. This is a joke right?
There are hundreds of parts that would have to be changed to make the RHD to LHD conversion work. Some of the more obvious are
Dash
Dash wiring
Consol
Central electrical panel and wiring
Steering column and rack.
Pedals
Most of the electronics (to make room to swap CE panel and pedals)
Brake servo
Handbrake assembly
Radiator header tank

Less obvious items include
Engine bearer/crossmember (To accomodate LHD steering column)
Possibly engine mountings and exhaust headers.

Even if you changed all that and more you would still end up with small things on the 'wrong' side such as windscreen wiper 'park' position , bonnet release handle, mirror switch etc, etc. Sure, a donor car might provide all these things too but I'd say FORGET IT unless you are looking for a life's work! These cars are difficult enough to keep running even if not modified and even a good '91 with a value of say $25000 is just is not worth the trouble. You would end up years later with a troublesome car worth nothing which you could never sell. Rather try to sell it now in the UK as Jon suggests. There is an active 928 following there. Cue Brit members please.

Colin. 89 GT