Installing GT Flares on a Porsche 914 – Martin Mid Engine Guide
A stock-bodied Porsche 914 is sleek, simple, and built to be an affordable corner-carver. But one thing it doesn’t have is an aggressive, wide-shouldered stance. With the tiny factory fender wells, you just can’t stuff big tires under the car—at least not without a little metal surgery.
That changes the moment you break out the cutoff wheel and install a set of GT flares. Suddenly, the 914 can swallow seriously wide rubber and take on a race-bred look that transforms the whole car.
Let us walk you through how we at Martin Mid Engine install GT flares and help our customers squeeze up to 11 inches of tire under the rear of a 914.
And if this sounds like it’s WAY out of your comfort zone—don’t sweat it. We specialize in body restoration and GT flare installs, and we can turn your 914 into the aggressive, wide-bodied machine you’ve always pictured. If you’re interested, get in touch. Now, let’s get into the process.
Phase 1: Choosing Your Flare Kit
Before any cutting, you’ll need to choose between fiberglass or steel flares. The best choice depends on:
Your body-work skill level
The look you want
Whether the car is meant for the street, track, or both
Once you’ve got your kit and the car is on a level work surface, remove the wheels and inner fenders and clean the area around each wheel arch. A clean surface makes everything easier.
Phase 2: Mockup & Alignment (CRUCIAL Step)
Now comes one of the most important parts of the job—mocking up the flares to see exactly where they’ll land.
When positioning each flare, confirm:
The flare sits flush against the body
The lower lip aligns with the rocker panel
The top of the flare sits evenly side-to-side relative to the rocker
Use Sheetmetal screws or, even better, Cleco pins to temporarily fasten the flare in place. Once everything lines up, trace the inner edge with a paint marker. This outline tells you exactly where your cuts will be.
GT flares are very symmetrical from side to side, so take your time—measure everything: left vs. right, front vs. back, top vs. bottom. Fitment starts here.
Phase 3: Cutting the Factory Panels
This is the part that scares people—but it’s just another step in the process.
Using the trace mark as a guide, cut inside the line to avoid removing too much material. You can always trim more later. After cutting, smooth the edge with a sanding disc.
Refit the flare to confirm your cut line is clean and your fitment is still correct.
This is also the right time to test fit your wheels and tires. If possible, cycle the suspension to ensure nothing rubs on full compression or droop.
Phase 4: Attaching the Flares
Here’s where fiberglass and steel take different paths:
Fiberglass Flares
Bond to the quarter panels using high-quality panel-bonding adhesive
Secure with screws or Clecos until cured
Blend the edges using fiberglass filler or body filler
Steel Flares
Welded directly to the factory panels
Use low heat and weld in short bursts
Keep water or compressed air handy to avoid panel warp
Finish by grinding and smoothing the welds, then applying filler
No matter the material, the goal is a clean, smooth transition between the flare and the body.
Phase 5: Final Fitment & Clearance Check
With the flares now attached, reinstall the wheels and cycle the suspension again. This final check makes sure you have the proper clearance before moving on to primer, blocking, and paint.
With GT flares installed, most 914s gain 2–3 inches of extra tire clearance up front and in the rear. This allows:
7–8 inch wheels with standard GT flares
Up to 11-inch wheels with extreme race-style flare kits
That’s a massive jump from the slimmer tire profile with the factory setup—and it completely changes the stance, handling, and personality of the car.
Summary
Flares are a massive addition that completely changes the look of any car they are installed on and delivers that classic road racing look many of us crave. It just takes a little knowledge and a lot of patience to make it exactly the way you want it.
If this is too much work for you or you don’t have the time, be sure to contact us, we can help give your Porsche the exact look you are after.
Visit Our Porsche 914 Shop — Just Over an Hour from Salem
Martin Mid Engine
📍 25858 S Elwood Rd, Colton, OR 97017
📞 (insert phone number)
🕘 Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm
Just northeast of Salem via OR-214 through Silverton. If you're serious about fixing your 914’s rust the right way, we're worth the drive.