Howdy Folks. Some of you might know that I have briefly defected to the 911 camp to write "101 Projects for Your Porsche 911." The book has been a great success (see
www.101projects.com), and is enjoying healthy sales. I am pleased to announce that they are getting ready to do printing number 2, about five months ahead of schedule!
So, what does this have to do with you? My editor at MBI today broached the subject of doing a 914 book. They are starting a series of smaller project books that will be nearly identical to the 101 projects format (again, see
www.101projects.com for the format), but scaled down to only 30 projects. If the 30 projects book sells well, it may be replaced by a full-scale 101 Projects book *upgrade* that will include 71 more projects.
Needless to say, this book would have to encompass a wide array of projects for the 914, yet still remain within the page-count and picture count specs dictated by economic concerns.
So, I have tentatively suggested the following subjects and topics for this 914 book:
0- Tools / How-To Intro
1- Jacking up your car
2- Changing Engine Oil
3- Fan Belt Replacement
4- Replacing Air Filter
5- Fuel Filter Replacement
6- Engine Removal
7- Clutch Replacement
8- 914 Engine Teardown / Rebuild Overview
9- Fuel Injection Tuneup / Overview
10- Rebuilding 1st Gear
11- Transmission Fluid Replacement
12- Short Shift Kit Install
13- Pedal Cluster Rebuild
14- Heater System Repair
15- Brake Pads / Discs
16- Master Cylinder Replacement
17- Lowering the 914/Bump Steer Kit
18- New Shocks
19- Turbo Tie Rod Kit
20- Front Sway Bar Install / Rear Sway bar install
21- Rekeying your Locks
22- Ignition Switch Replacement
23- Valve Adjustment
24- Timing Adjustment
25- High Torque Starter
26- Shifting Improvements
27- Caliper Rebuild / Bleeding brakes
28- 911 Five-lug pattern upgrade
29- 914-6 Conversion overview
30- Odometer/ Gauge Repair
Anyone familiar with this website would immediately see that a lot of the content would be similar to what's already on the website. However, we also need to remember that you can't take a computer with you under your car, and a bunch of people out there still haven't seen this site (hard to believe, isn't it?)
I predict that the book would be about 80-100 pages long, and have about 125 full-color photos. Based on my own assumptions, I would predict it would sell for just under $20.
What do you think? Would you buy this?
-Wayne
P.S.
I realize that people have been disappointed with the most recent 914 book that recently came out. I think that it's main problem is that it was billed as a "How-To" book on the cover, but inside really didn't deliver on the promise. Note that my involvement on that book was very limited - I took most of the photos, but only saw the final text when the finished product arrived on my desk. It's still a good overview book - just not a very good how-to book.