'73 Rs

greywuuf · 03-28-2003, 05:22 PM

I was wondering if I could get some comments from people that have actually driven the early RS's. I have read that the relocated rear suspension points helped on the track but made the car feel "twitchy" on the street. The reason I ask is that I have a SWB shell that I was considering makiong the RS type mods too
but it will be run mostly on the street. ANY comments on handling SWB/LWB converssions are apreciated.
Thanks
Dan in Alaska

Randy Webb · 03-28-2003, 05:49 PM

I read the same thing but am not sure where. It might be in BA's book or in an article on how to convert a std. early car into an RS.

greywuuf · 03-28-2003, 05:52 PM

BA's Book definately Says that..... but I wanted some other opinions

greywuuf · 03-29-2003, 08:14 AM

BTT

marc weintraub · marc weintraub's Garage

I owned and have driven a few RS cars. I never found the car to be twitchy on the street and in fact, I found the car well planted and very sure footed.

I have never understood the comments about some of the early cars, especially since the rubber has gotten much stickier. I have driven twitchy cars in the past, but much of the problem came down to who set the car up and the age of the overall suspension. One bad shock and you can certainly have twithcy conditions. Bad tierods and you can have twitchy conditions. Bad or dried out bushings and you will only have twitchy conditions, which is why quite a few of the guys put in synthetic suspension bushings, which may make the car a little bit of a handful.

Are these conditions the same in all RS or early cars... absolutely not! My 67 was not twitchy, while one of my 72 cars was, until the problem was sorted. Initially the problem was with the tierods. After that was upgraded, I still felt the car was twitchy and it was because the alignment was off along with a slight byump-steer issue. Once fixed the car was rock solid and handled like a go kart.

Hope this helps.

Marc

emcon5 · emcon5's Garage

If you have a SWB car, why not make it into a 911R replica?

Tom

greywuuf · 03-29-2003, 03:20 PM

I have looked at and considered an "R" replica... but the real reasoning is because I realy realy want an RS. First off this is mostly a shell well not quite but really rough and the engine is missing. Also it is a 912.
912 engines are expensive ( and small ) and I dont want a slow Porsche ( I know there are those that will have heart failure when I talk about engine options other than Porsche ) Basicly the thing is going turtle ( upside down ) in my garage this summer so as I can adress the flloor pan problems when it is done I will plant the bug motor into the Bay just to prove to my wife that it will run someday ( and to let build the real motor at a more leisurely pace.... and not rush it ) I am still undecided if it will get a MONSTER type IV ( I have my eye on a 914 2.0 core ) which is closer to original as it is similar to a 912E motor ... or if I will get silly and do some "other" swap. The real intent of This question though ... is I have seen in BA's book the "mod" that was made to the RS cars ( moving the trailing arm mount point back ... I figure this will Just about give me the LWB and make it more true to a pre impact bumper RS . Also it is something I can do myself ( I am not a proffesional but did spend 4 years a a Porsche/VW mechanic/machinist )and am set up in my shop with Mig/tig plus arc and gas welders tubing benders aand a couple lathes ( still working on getting a mill ) this car is not complete enough to reaally "save" but it is something I wish to do and do well.... it seems rather a waste to have a concours car in Alaska anyway ... I do plan on driving and autoX'ing this car. maybe even the twicve yearly road rallies .

PS THANK you very much for the info that is exactly what I was looking for.