cross country drive (PA to Orange County, CA)

[david c.]

Well, I made it. I found out I passed the California bar exam on Friday night. By Saturday afternoon I was packed and on the road.

I spent all summer getting my old 912 back to the point where it was ready to run. I had an engine fire last summer. I finally got it started around 10/1/04. While my engine was out, I had the heads done, new rings, etc. I put it all together myself and, as they say, "I ain't a professional." So, I was a little apprehensive to take it on a cross country ride in November. Oh yeah, it also has no heat or radio.

But I made it without incident. It ran great, I got about 30mpg averaging I'd say about 80mph. I had about 45psi oil pressure and good temps the whole way except for the long mountain passes where I had to take it easy.

I left Pittsburgh for California on Saturday. Got to hang out with my little brother in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday night and took off for CA on Sunday morning. Stayed outside St. Louis, Amarillo and Needles. Coulda made it in two and half days but it was just too cold to press on at night. I had a blanket over my legs and lap and some gloves and big fuzzy hat. But, even with that, after awhile you just get too cold and have to stop.

Anyway, it was fun. Got to do a lot of thinking as well as a lot of listening (I was just waiting for the engine to grenade since I know the guy who put it together!).

It's a beautiful country. I really think each of us should take a drive like that once in awhile.

Thanks to the board for a lot of info while I pieced my engine back together over the last year. It worked well.

[Kevin Stewart]

wow great story, but walmart sells a little heater that plugs into the lighter, But I have been there freezing in a Porsche, Kevin

[jpnovak]

Congrats on teh BAR Dave! Hope you enjoy your new home. Its a bit warmer than PA.

[philipguziec]

Congrats. I just made that drive back from CA to Chicago with my girlfriend and her shar-pei in an SUV. I wished I was driving my 930. Sounds like a great opportunity for soul-searching, and an adventure to mark the start of the next phase of your life.

[surflvr911sc]

Congrats on the BAR and the drive! I look forward to seeing that car on a future drive, you've earned it!

[david c.]

It was a great time but damned cold. I've got to say that the trip was made a little sweeter by virtue of the fact that every part of that car aside from the insides of the gearbox have been through my own two hands over the last six plus years. I didn't have a whole lot of experience working on cars when I got it (I was about 21 at the time) but since then it's been a growing experience culminating in that trip.

Lessons learned from the trip:

1) It's better to take more tools than you're likely to need because even if you're lucky enough to not have to use any them, you'll feel better knowing they're in the car. I had a lot of tools in that car which I fortunately didn't need. Great piece of mind, so to speak.

2) There is a decent wine industry in Missouri. I bought two bottles of a red from a local winery and drank it with dinner tonight (turkey day dinner). It was good.

3) Plan out your trip so that you aren't surprised that the highest octane gasoline you can buy mid-trip is 90 and you set your compression ratio based on having 94 available in Pennsylvania. The car ran fine, but I was concerned about that gas from Texas onward.

I'll add more as I thaw.

[Zeke]

Only about one in three pass the bar on the first try. For that, you get a BIG congratulations! Welcome back to CA.

[david c.]

Thanks Milt. I gotta say I was worried. But, to be honest, I was just as scared the 912 wouldn't make it across the country. After all, I actually paid for the "Micromash" bar exam self-study materials for the test.

In contrast, the guy who put that engine together had none of the same sort of assistance.

Ryan, I'm looking forward to the next canyon run. Good to hear from all of you guys.

[Carrera3.5L]

Dave,

Congratulations and glad to see that you are back in the "O.C.". Let me know when you are ready to proof read article #2.

Ralph

[1973911s]

Welcome to CA, come join the SOCC for our monthly drive. Where is Orange County are you living?

Michael

[RoninLB]

great story

[mjshira]

Dave

Glad you made it out there. It is a good drive. You will love it out there. The weather is the best. I had the chance to meet a bunch of the active members of this board in the LA area. Great group of guys. I hope you'll get out and join some of the drives and track events.

I will be there in March so we'll hang out then

James

[Carrera3.5L]

Originally posted by 1973911s
Welcome to CA, come join the SOCC for our monthly drive. Where is Orange County are you living?

Michael

Michael, Dave has already joined us (riding shotgun) on one of the Ortega runs and BBQ's at Motion's house when he was here over the summer. I think you missed that one?

Ralph

[david c.]

Hey Guys,

I'm all excited about going on the next run although my tire/wheel selection for the cross country ride (185/60/15 m+s on old school steel 911 wheels 4.5/5.5x15) isn't exactly the Ortega Hwy recipe! I'm going to ship out my other wheels and rubber when I go home for Christmas.

Ron, you were an inspiration to go for that ride. I looked into shipping the car but it was about $1000 plus my plane ticket. I figured I would have a hard time spending $1300 on the way unless the engine let go on me and, after all, I'd have felt like a big weenie if I was just scared. So I did it. You're Big Big Ride thread from years back was truly an inspiration. Thanks man.

James, good to hear from you buddy. Looking forward to seeing you out here. It'll be fun. I'm trying to get some guys from PA to caravan out here in their 911's in the summer. Maybe they can pick you up!

Ralph - I'm ready to proofread whenever you are! I'm just job hunting now so I've got the time. Feel free to email me the draft! I'm looking forward to a ride in that BEAST!!!

Dave

[Jim Richards]

Congrats Dave! Enjoy the warm, 12-months per year driving weather.

[sammyg2]

Warm, are you nuts? It's only 60 degrees outside! Brrrrr.
Too cold to drive, I'm staying inside near the fireplace

[scottb]

Welcome to the club, counselor. Now, go bill 2000 or so hours and still try to find time to play with the 912. Yikes!

Scott, Esq.

[84porsche]

Dave,

First off, congrats on the bar exam and second, welcome back to the OC. Looking forward to seeing you again on one of the runs.

Chris

[david c.]

I'm glad to be back and I'm excited about resuming my career as well as playing with Porsches.

I worked in litigation in Pennsylvania and regularly billed 170-180 hours a month. It's not that bad if you like your job and I did. I was hired directly out of law school by my trial tactics professor to work at his firm. He is a partner in a small but prestigious civil litigation firm.

It was a big honor to be the kid picked out of the class to be hired by the professor and I enjoyed my job. Despite being a newbie, I was in court a lot when many of my classmates had never even seen the inside of a courtroom. I guess if you hate your job, 2000 hours a year would seem impossible!

Since we're on the subject, any leads on finding a good opportunity in this area would be appreciated.

[trader220]

I made the drive from Philly to LA In 1997 ( I shipped my 964 Speedster and my bike ahead of me). I drove my Grand Cherokee across the country with a selection of surfboards on top. I went from philly to St Louis, then to Vail Col. I could have pushed to LA the thrid day but I stopped in Vegas for the night. Great drive, Everyone should do it. I made it back in 2 1/2 days.