35 Years Old. Mid-engined. In pieces. SWEET!

[KA24DESOneThree]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/OppositeLock/DSC04680.jpg
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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/OppositeLock/DSC04682.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/OppositeLock/DSC04685.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/OppositeLock/DSC04691.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/OppositeLock/DSC04689.jpg

1970 Porsche 914 1.7. 3 Riviera wheels, one random steelie. Lots of surface rust, very little actual rust. Completely jacked-up fuel injection system. Decent interior. Was running when driven into the body shop; that was probably 5 years ago.

Currently waiting for... dual Dell'orto DRLA 40s and associated linkages.

Random shit I've gotten for it: 009 dizzy, two more sets of 1.7 rods, full set of rocker arms, shafts, lifters, one set of 2.0 rods (GOLD!) lots of random hardware, new rings, new plugs.

Purchase price? $600.

Questions? Comments?

[smellslikecurry]

good luck and may the force be with you

[S14DB]

Looks like a total rebuild.

[theicecreamdan]

arent they actually rear engine?

[S14DB]

arent they actually rear engine?
Are you fucking blind?

[KA24DESOneThree]

arent they actually rear engine?

I do believe it would be rather hard for me to make that mistake considering the car is sitting in my driveway and I happen to have eyes.

Body needs a lot of completion. It's missing quite a bit of trim, but then again the trim probably would have needed replacement anyway. I'm anticipating spending quite a bit on making the car look new. I'm still looking for any real rust, though, so I am quite happy about that. In fact, the most common place for the 914 to rust is actually not even in existence. The previous owner decided that the battery tray was not needed and took it out. I think that means the battery is in the as-of-now unaccessible front trunk. (It has two surprisingly large trunks.)

I'm surprised I'm not hearing anything about how lame the 1.7 is. Wrong crowd, I guess.

[unwed_transient]

looks like you have work cut out for you. good luck.

[ThatGuy]

Since the car needs alot of work anyway. I'd take and give Renegade Hybrids (http://www.renegadehybrids.com/914.htm) a call and pick up one of their conversion kits. You know it'd be a blast to drive. :rawk: :rawk: :rawk:

[theicecreamdan]

well, it is kinda hard to tell in the pics, but as far as I knew porsche put their engines behind the transaxle, like Volkswagens.

[240meowth]

The 914 is actually a mid engine, 911's and such are rear engine. That was one thing that was special about the 914, it was cheap and had great handling. But you could of gotten a running 914 for like 2k... you spent 600 bucks on it, i don't hink 1400 more will take care of it =b Best of luck to you

[SW20Racer]

thats in better condition than some of the 60's model beetles ive helped rebuild. if you do it right you will have a great find on your hands. why did you expect ppl to hate on it? good luck

[Tygma]

I know you're going to paint it OEM Vomit Green... I can feel it.
http://www.porschecars.wz.cz/Porsche/Wallpapers/73_914_1024.jpg
Check out how hip you'll be if you paint it that color. You too can park on an airstrip in style :bow:

[haggards13]

I do believe it would be rather hard for me to make that mistake considering the car is sitting in my driveway and I happen to have eyes.

Body needs a lot of completion. It's missing quite a bit of trim, but then again the trim probably would have needed replacement anyway. I'm anticipating spending quite a bit on making the car look new. I'm still looking for any real rust, though, so I am quite happy about that. In fact, the most common place for the 914 to rust is actually not even in existence. The previous owner decided that the battery tray was not needed and took it out. I think that means the battery is in the as-of-now unaccessible front trunk. (It has two surprisingly large trunks.)

I'm surprised I'm not hearing anything about how lame the 1.7 is. Wrong crowd, I guess.
It's a Porsche, not an NSX. His questions is legitimate as they actually have rear-engine cars, as opposed to mid-engine cars.
People here suck.

[SW20Racer]

i could look @ the pics and tell it was midship its not that ppl here suck its just that some ppl have thin skin(no seriously, i think ive seen reynolds wrap that was thicker)

[Sil Beer S13]

i freakin love those cars. good luck with the build.

[KA24DESOneThree]

i freakin love those cars. good luck with the build.

Thanks, Levi.

Haggard- The car is currently in my possession and the engine placement is in the thread title. People tend not to make mistakes when they can actually go outside and see and touch the car.

Tygma- Eh, Vomit Green has that certain je ne sais pas to it. It'd definitely fit a concours car.

SW20Racer- I've been going through the car and I can't find any rust deeper than the surface. Even the rust spot I thought I had in front of the window was a dent that had been bondoed. The car has never been hit hard enough to crumple anything that I can see. I finally got the front trunk open and found a bunch of seals, mostly shot, and all the missing turn signal stuff. Also found brackets and assorted trim, so I'm pretty happy about that.

It seems like the 1.7 is universally frowned-upon for its low power. As a daily, that was fine for me, until I found a cheap 2.0 case and was given some 2.0 rods. That means it is my duty to build a 125-150hp ~2L

Dan- It's an understandable mistake, but I did have the engine configuration in the thread title, hence the sarcasm.

The car will be Signal Orange. I will try and have the painters match the OEM color as closely as possible, but instead of the factory single stage I'm going to go with a base and clear. Side marker holes will be shaved. Front and rear bumpers will be fiberglass. Front bumper may have GT lip just because it looks damn good. Rockers will be covered with fiberglass repro panels.

This week and the next will hopefully be devoted to dropping the engine, cleaning it up, putting it back in, getting it to run, rebuilding the brakes, upgrading to BMW 320i calipers, replacing rotors, upgrading to 911 BMC, upgrading to stainless lines, and rebushing the pedal assembly.

This post will be updated with new pictures shortly.

[Tygma]

Are you going 5 lug with it? If so, run the Turbo Fuchs. Yeayuh.

[240_sx_guy]

The 914 is the only car that didn't have the Porsche crest badge on the hood because it had a VW engine.

[420sx]

well this looks like ALOT of work so good luck and cant wait to see it done!

[Annoying Eric]

Those cars make really good autoX cars.. My dads buddy use to have one i love it.

Right now me and my dad have a 1955 porsche 356a speedster. Motor has 2 liter jugs on. Skat 041 heads, and i recently jsut did a weber dual carburator setup. Plus the regular bolt ons like a monza exhuast. Well goodluck with your project i hope you know about corrosion protect and how to restore cars the right way, or atleast have alot of money to pay someone else todo it.. LOL

[ThatGuy]

I'm telling you this is what that car needs. :rawk:

http://www.renegadehybrids.com/customer_files/JohnT/914%20v8%20disk%20119.jpg

http://www.renegadehybrids.com/customer_files/JohnT/914%20v8%20disk%20224.jpg

Yet still maintain outward stock appearance!
http://www.renegadehybrids.com/customer_files/JohnT/914%20v8%20disk%20237.jpg

Now I'm only suggestiong this in jest. It is your vehicle, do with it as you wish. me personally, I would love to have a V8 944, just for shits and giggles.
http://www.renegadehybrids.com/customer_files/Charles%20B/CharlieB1.jpg

[Nan Desu Ka?!]

hawtness!

good luck with the rebuild that thing looks awsome... well it CAN look awsome. keep us updated!

[HyperTek]

wow dude, i think majority of your time is going to be in replacing all the rusty parts.. I want to get a 240z but best option is to spend more to get a better condition chassis.

[HyperTek]

i say FWD sr20det gitr motor.. that would be crazy.. esp hearing a BOV from one of these..

[SochBAT]

GOOOOOOOOOD luck!

You'll need it. :wiggle:

[theicecreamdan]

i need a tetanus shot

[infinitexsound]

i say gut the whole shit, rebuild the block to race spec.. and turn it into a race car for shits and giggles... youd have more fun that way instead of restoring a car that looks like its already dead....

kinda reminds me of the 510 i bought for 200 bucks just about the same condition as the porche..

[KA24DESOneThree]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/OppositeLock/DSC04798.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/OppositeLock/DSC04800.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/OppositeLock/DSC04797.jpg

I think the project might go extremely slow while I save up $750-1250 for the December 4 Pomona swap meet.

ThatGuy- If I weren't in the air-cooled Porsche business, I'd consider an SBC or 13B conversion. That 914 is flippin' hot, though... narrow-bodied on Fuchs. Me likey.

So far I have done NOTHING to the Porsche since my last post. I got my Whiteline sways in for the S13 and I love them; instead of working on the 914 yesterday I just went to my favorite mountain for a while. I'm waiting for a master cylinder and then my 180SX brakes go in and probably the first week of next month I'll buy an Autopower roll bar to help address my stiffness needs. Why did I tell you this? Because I didn't want you guys thinking I was giving up on my old friend.

New and improved tentative mod list:
-Engine-
Rebuilt and balanced 2.0 rods with ARP bolts
96mm pistons and cylinders, new
Standard 2.0L heads, minor port work and machined to fit 96mm P's&C's
Balanced 2.0 crank
High-rev valve springs (high-revving type 4 is an oxymoron, but they're like $2 each)
Larger oil pump
Carb cam
Twin Dell'orto DRLA 40s or Weber IDB 40s (depends on what venturi sizes I can find)
Empi valve covers (STFU, they look sweet)
Bosch 009 dizzy
Bosch blue coil
My own plug wires
Electric rotary fuel pump
new fuel lines
New mounts
Possible oil cooler

-Transmission-
Side-shift conversion/upgrade with all new bushings
New mounts

-Body-
Rust repair (might have rust down in the hell hole, not really sure)
Full repaint in Signal Orange and black
Fuchs 15x5.5s, full black center with polished lip with Falken RT-615s
Euro front turn signal lenses
Euro rear lenses
Shaved side markers
Fiberglass repro rockers
Fiberglass repro rear bumper
Fiberglass repro front bumper "rubber"
Fiberglass repro GT front valance
Shaved antenna hole
Shaved rear trim
"Porsche" script on engine cover
Kraft square mirrors
ALL new seals
Convert rear trunklid to strut operation
New windshield

-Interior-
Tighten sagging upholstery
Dash cover to hide nasty cracks
Reglue dash face vinyl
Recover knee pad
Refurbish or replace gauges, might update with new VDO stuff
Four-point harnesses
Suede/Alcantara wheel
Rebushed pedal assembly
Billet shift knob (either that, or I make some sort of adapter to fit a JDM flower shiftknob)
911R window straps
Headliner on the targa top
Sound deadening on the floorpan
New carpeting everywhere, the German stuff

-Suspension-
Turbo tie rod conversion
Koni dampers all around
100# rear springs
New wheel bearings
Stiffer front sway
Poly bushings like... everywhere

-Brakes-
All rebuilt calipers
Porterfield R4-S pads all around
New rotors
Stainless lines
19mm 911 master cylinder
Master cylinder brace

That sounds about right.

All the engine work will be done by me, if possible. Anything I cannot do will be done by John Edwards of Costa Mesa R&D in Newport. He's the machinist of choice for the shop I work at, and he has written several books on the subject. He also happens to be a nice guy and a damn good human being, as well as a Type 4 guru.

[ThatGuy]

Sounds like you've got a good plan for it. Good luck and keep us posted. :bow:

[Romeyo07]

I was looking into restoring an old porsche, but it was going to cost me way more than I thought. Good luck.

[420sx]

hopefully your finances will alow you the project to be finished. good luck man

[i8yourfwd]

Good luck with the porsche! I'll be keeping an eye on this thread, it should be a great project to watch from here.

[KA24DESOneThree]

I was looking into restoring an old porsche, but it was going to cost me way more than I thought. Good luck.

My latest estimate puts the project around $11,500. It will be $1500 less provided the engine is rebuilt as claimed and has decent power. That way, I'll just leave it the 1.7 for a while.

Currently, good 1.7 914s are going for around $6500. I don't think I'll end up selling the car unless I NEED the funds, so I don't really care that I'll end up losing money on the project. Hell, I already have something like $12k in the S13 and I doubt I could sell it for $6500.

The profit car comes next year. 912 updated to 911 spec with ~200hp six, big brakes, and suspension work. Figure I could do it for ~12k and sell it for ~25k. Then I can make the 914 into a 914-6 with big rubber. Or, I could actually buy a daily driver that's comfortable and reliable. Decisions, decisions...

[KingKong8247]

Good luck KA24DESOneThree You have on hell of a project ahead of you

But here is a fine example of a finished product. It says that its a 914-6 Not sure what the 6 is though
http://homepage.mac.com/farquasi/Sept18autox/Sept.%2018%20autocross-Images/6.jpg
http://homepage.mac.com/farquasi/Sept18autox/Sept.%2018%20autocross-Images/15.jpg

[KA24DESOneThree]

Good luck KA24DESOneThree You have on hell of a project ahead of you

But here is a fine example of a finished product. It says that its a 914-6 Not sure what the 6 is though

Thanks to you and to everyone for the well-wishing.

The six is usually the six out of a 911. I've heard of people putting V6s in there, but the cg goes up and I REALLY don't see the point. Displacement of the 911 six used could be 2.0, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, 2.7, 2.8, 3.0, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, or 3.6... or at least those are the sizes I've heard of.

Personally, I think a high-revving 2.5 sounds nice. We currently have one awaiting shipment in our shop. Of course, there's also the idea of a MFI 2.8 or even a slightly massaged 2.2. All in due time.

This weekend, the drivetrain will be dropped. Expect pictures of busted knuckles and spilled oil. Prior to dropping it, though, I'm going to try to get it to turn over. If it does, then I'm a happy dude and I'll just do a valve job and get the engine looking good then back up it'll go.

[mbmbmb23]

I gotta say........mesh with lip goes a long way on that model.

[rainier]

my dad had that car when he was younger. bought it broke in sd for about 500 dollars. rebuilt it in sd for like 300 dollars and drove it to sacramento and then sold it there. it was so F'in nice. white with white wheels

[KingKong8247]

This weekend, the drivetrain will be dropped. Expect pictures of busted knuckles and spilled oil. Prior to dropping it, though, I'm going to try to get it to turn over. If it does, then I'm a happy dude and I'll just do a valve job and get the engine looking good then back up it'll go.

Sweet cant wait for more pics!