Camera Bar Construction

Overview

This guide walks you through building a camera bar for your Porsche 944 S2 (3.0L engine). The bar attaches to the rear seat shoulder belt mounting points, providing a sturdy spot to mount a camera for track days or other recordings. It’s a handy DIY project that ensures your camera stays secure, but you might need to tweak it based on your specific camera model. The process uses basic materials like aluminum and steel, with some reinforcement to handle the stress of tightened bolts.

Tools Required

• Hack saw
• Drill
• Drill bits (3/8 inch (10mm), 1/2 inch (13mm))
• 10mm (3/8 inch) wrench
• 11mm wrench (for shoulder belt mounting bolts)

Parts Required

• 1-1/4 inch aluminum channel, 49-1/4 inches long
• 2 pieces of 1/8 inch thick galvanized steel plate, 1-1/4 inches wide x 4-1/2 inches long
• 1 piece of 1/8 inch thick galvanized steel plate, 1-1/4 inches wide x 6 inches long
• 2 pieces of 1/8 inch thick galvanized steel plate, 1-1/4 inches wide x 1 inch long
• 5 bolts, 1/4 inch x 1-3/4 inches long (standard thread)
• 4 nuts, 1/4 inch
• 2 bolts, 7/16 inch fine thread, approximately 1 inch long
• 1 C-clip, 1/4 inch
• Rubber padding (for camera mounting)

Step-by-Step Procedure

Step 1: Prepare the Aluminum Channel

1. Use a hack saw to cut a piece of 1-1/4 inch aluminum channel to 49-1/4 inches long. This will be the main body of your camera bar.

Step 2: Make the Mounting Brackets

2. Cut two pieces of 1/8 inch thick galvanized steel plate to 1-1/4 inches wide x 4-1/2 inches long. These will form the brackets that connect the bar to your Porsche 944 S2.
3. Bend each piece at a 90° angle, about 1 inch from one end. This flat section will support the camera bar.
4. From the inside of the 90° bend, measure 1-3/4 inches and make a 35° bend in the same direction. This angles the bracket to fit the car’s mounting points.
5. Drill a 1/2 inch (13mm) hole in the part bent at 35°. This is where the bracket will attach to the shoulder belt mounting point.
6. Drill a 3/8 inch (10mm) hole in the part bent at 90°. This will secure the bracket to the aluminum channel.

Step 3: Create Reinforcement Plates

6. Cut two pieces of 1/8 inch thick galvanized steel plate to 1-1/4 inches wide x 1 inch long. These will reinforce where the brackets bolt to the channel.
7. Drill a 3/8 inch (10mm) hole in the center of each reinforcement plate.

Step 4: Attach Brackets to the Channel

8. Line up the 3/8 inch (10mm) hole in one bracket with one end of the aluminum channel. Mark the spot, then drill a 3/8 inch (10mm) hole through the channel.
9. Repeat for the other end of the channel with the second bracket.
10. Secure each bracket and its reinforcement plate to the channel using a 1/4 inch x 1-3/4 inch bolt and a 1/4 inch nut. Tighten to 10 Nm (7 ft-lbs) with a 10mm (3/8 inch) wrench.

Step 5: Add a Center Reinforcement Plate

11. Cut a piece of 1/8 inch thick galvanized steel plate to 1-1/4 inches wide x 6 inches long. This strengthens the middle of the bar where the camera mounts.
12. Position it centered on top of the aluminum channel. Mark and drill two 3/8 inch (10mm) holes through both the plate and the channel.
13. Attach it with two 1/4 inch x 1-3/4 inch bolts and nuts. Tighten to 10 Nm (7 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Set Up the Camera Mount

14. Drill a 3/8 inch (10mm) hole through the center of the 6-inch reinforcement plate and the aluminum channel for the camera mounting bolt.
15. Insert a 1/4 inch x 1-3/4 inch bolt from the bottom of the bar. Check how far it sticks out the top. If it’s too long, add two flat washers under the bolt head to shorten the protrusion so the camera sits flush.
16. (Optional) To keep the bolt in place permanently, cut a small groove around the bolt where it exits the top, and install a 1/4 inch C-clip. Add rubber padding on top of the plate to space the camera above the clip.

Step 7: Mount the Bar in the Car

17. Locate the rear seat shoulder belt mounting points in your Porsche 944 S2. Since the S2 (1989-1991) comes with rear shoulder belts, use the existing bolts (approximately 11mm fine thread).
18. If the bolts are missing, use two 7/16 inch fine thread bolts, about 1 inch long. Secure each bracket’s 1/2 inch (13mm) hole to the mounting point, tightening to 40 Nm (30 ft-lbs) with an 11mm wrench.

Step 8: Add a Safety Strap (Optional)

19. For track events, add a safety strap. Attach a small steel plate to one of the center reinforcement bolts on the bottom side of the bar, then connect your strap to it.

Post Procedure Checklist

• Ensure all bolts are tightened to the specified torque: 10 Nm (7 ft-lbs) for channel bolts, 40 Nm (30 ft-lbs) for mounting bolts.
• Check that the camera sits flush and secure on the bar.
• Verify the bar is firmly attached to the shoulder belt mounting points with no wobble.
• If you added a safety strap, confirm it’s securely fastened.

Sources

• Clark’s Garage
• Pelican Parts
• Porsche 944 Workshop Manual, Volume 1
• Youtube