Next I had to start work on the engine yoke. Up until this point I have not spent any money. I did make a shopping trip to my local metal supplier. They are actually cheaper than Metalmart.com and I can easily get items cut to length. Sales tax on $24 in steel is cheaper than shipping any day.

The main loop is fabricated from 1.5" square tubing. The two engine mount sections are mitered from 2" square tubing. The forward locating struts are made from 1" square tubing. I thought that this was the best application of cost and strength.

First I welded up the main hoop. This is the U shape with two vertical struts and one horizontal cross member. This will support most of the weight of the motor. Next I miter cut the engine mounts. These are angled to the proper 22 degree and have relief cuts to access the engine mounting bolts.


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1256614840.jpg

The mitered cuts were then installed on the main hoop.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1256614827.jpg

As you can see it fits up nicely.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1256614871.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1256615774.jpg

The next step is to raise the engine in the car and make cutouts for the turbo in the rear trunk. I will need to remove about a 2" segment of the floor to clear the turbo downpipe. The renegade kit mounts the motor more forward to avoid cutting the car. I did not want to do this since it puts a strained angle on the CV axles. My drivetrain is setup with perfect alignment of the axles and the hubs.

Once the engine is raised I can get a final height on my engine yoke and drill the pass through holes. After that I will fab tranny mounts in the car to support the backside of the drivetrain. This might make me cut the whole trunk out and tube the rear of the car. Nah! too much money in replacement steel for that.

Ahh its good to be back working on a project. Maybe I can get the motor installed and fired before the end of the year.

Until next time...

9 days and Counting...

It appears that this project kept going despite my life's best attempt at keeping me from completing it. 9 days from now I will load up and two to FL for the GRM $2011 Challenge.

The car drove on its own for the first time in 10+ years. Runs a little rough but all systems are working. I just have to start sorting the car in the next week, get it cleaned up and ready for action.

A few pictures of the car back on four wheels.


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1316996063.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1316996091.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1316996107.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1316996131.jpg




Here is a short list of the project.

1975 914
1998 Subaru EJ20G 2.0T engine
Subaru 5sp manual transmission
hydraulic clutch conversion
stripped to the minimum
GT style front bumper


Let's just say that its light enough and has enough torque that it can start in 4th gear. yeah, I just found that out since my shifter is backwards in the LR plane. I have to reverse cable connection.

this week I will cut and buff the paint, layout the graphics, install the rockers.

I need to install a cooling system overflow tank. Right now I have no way to control the heat expansion.

Also, I have to roll the rear fenders. The 205/50 tires rub.

Also, I need to install a harness and seat. The seat is just sitting on the floor for now. It made my test drive quite fun.

I will post updates at the event. I will update with a full build after the event.

Very cool. Look forward to seeing it in Gainesville.

4 days to go before I tow. Starting to finalize the last few things. Next up is another brake bleed and corner balance.


Penny is out and about. Trying to sort the car around the neighborhood without irritating the neighbors too much. The zork off the turbo is a bit loud. Love that whhrrrsssshhh sound as the turbo spools.

I am in love with the shifter placement. right of the steering wheel where you would want it.

I managed to get a harness installed. Wish I had a better seat but there is no room left in the budget to replace that.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1317498744.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1317498771.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1317498786.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1317498821.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1317498843.jpg


img]http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads19/DSCN22771317498858.jpg[/img]

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1317498894.jpg

I had it on the scales today. 1921#. Oh He!! yeah!
v
Still have to solve a few sync issues with the ECU but its quick even if it feels like it hits the rev limiter every 10S or so.

Oh yeah. Its fast as it is.

Wow. That looks like fun to drive. Nice Work.

Thats a pretty sweet idea just welding up the both differentials in the subaru transmission and using that VS the 901 transmission .

I see this conversion in my future..... is there anything special that was needed to make the shift linkage work?

Oh, and 1921lbs is crazy light and its still largely all steel. Its going to be so fun to drive.....

Go Jamie! Why didn't I see this thread earlier? That is going to be a fun ride...are you sure you have enough tire to keep that thing stuck to the ground? ha ha.

So this is "Dirty penny"...I've heard that reference so many times on this forum and never knew where it came from. Awesome project!

Herman, I did fabricate my own AWD lockout and end plate. Here is a link that describes the process. This was satisfying to save the $350 from buying parts from Bremar. They make really great parts but my budget was tight.

914World.com - A Porsche 914 Community / Forum / Club

Brian, I will be severely traction limited. Without a doubt. the tires breaking loose will save my home made welded axles.
The Subaru and 914 axles are the same diameter (+/- 0.5mm). I cut and welded the center of the axles and then welded a sleeve over the weld joint. The result is a hybrid subaru inner / 914 outer.

I suspect these should be strong enough for the event. Custom axles or the custom flanges might be a better option. However traction on the tires will be my weak point during the event.


jigged
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads...17176319.1.jpg

welded and finished
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads...17176320.2.jpg

sleeved and welded
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads...17176320.3.jpg

Dirty Penny was given my my (at the time 4YO) son. Faded copper color with lots of tree-sap was not a pretty sight. I think she cleaned up nicely with a good cut and buff of the paint. You can tell where the bumpers covered the paint that the car is severely faded.

Subscribed and good luck in with GRM in Florida!

Its TOW DAY. I will try to post updates on the weekend as it happens. I will put up pictures as long as I have a connection. Mobile updates with pictures can not happen from the phone. Let's pray for a safe tow and lots of fun at the event. I know I am going to be tired come Monday Morning.


Update: Loading up.
last night I was trying to get the car ready for the trip. It fought me all the way.

The car is running but needs to be tuned. At least it will take throttle now. And then it started... The outside nut fell off the transmission cable. I no longer had access to 1-2 shift plane. Of course, its a 12-24 nut that I did not have a spare. I was half way around the block with this happened. I limped home in third gear and put the car away.

After work I stopped and picked up parts and made repairs. I think taped up the wiring harness and closed up the ECU. then the car would not start. It was not firing. I took off the ECU cover and connected the laptop. Everything was working fine from an electronics point of view. After trouble shooting for an hour or so I took a break and ate dinner. Came back out and found the car was out of gas. A trip to the store brought home 2 gallons and the car fired up. Now the car would not idle at all. I adjusted the idle and then all of a sudden the idle jumped to 2200 rpm. HMM Does not idle when cold. Idles high when hot. I think the Idle control valve is wired backwards. No time to fix let's put it on the trailer. Its after 10 and I have a loud car idling in the street.

Trailer was already hooked up and ready to go. I lined up the ramps and started up the trailer. halfway up the left ramp gives way and the car veers right. I ran over the right fender (yes the one that is very broken) and almost put the car off the trailer sideways. I manageed to stop it and drive it off backwards. What saved me was that the left rear dropped down and the right front was in the air. The car was crooked but still on the trailer. it was like one of those movie scenes where the car is teetering on the edge of a cliff. All I could think of was the car high-sided on the trailer with a big hole in the floor and me having no way to get it off.

Once the car was off I found the problem. A weld broke on the hing point of the ramp. The cross bar broke free on one side. I propped it up with a stack of 2x10s and easily drove the car up onto the trailer. At that point I hooked up a front and rear strap and backed the trailer into the driveway. It was parked and I was done for the moment.

I then spent an hour packing up tools and getting as many spares as I could think of.

Then I fired up the TIG and welded the ramp. The cross bar on the hinge had a cold weld. One side popped off completely and the other side was about 70% cracked. Let's just say I fixed it.

So... The car is sitting on the trailer, strapped down ready to go. the ramps slid easily between the wheelbase under the car. I just bought some more straps this morning to lash down the trailer ramps and have a spare set in case there is a problem on the road. These will just go into the tow bag.

All that is left is to load up the car and check the tire pressure on the trailer. We are planning to leave about 1pm this afternoon. I am hoping I can get through Houston by 3 in hopes that the traffic will be less. If we are late leaving I will leave about 330 from Austin.

And so... The trip begins.

Safe travels and good luck at the GRM 2011 event!! Hope Dirty Penny takes the win!

Wow, glad you got the bad luck out of the way early! Good luck from here on.

Good luck

(and we're gonna need a lot more in the photo/video department)

Good Luck.!!!!

...things always go as planned ;)

Hey Jamie, don't forget to take lots of pictures!!!! Sometimes you forget when you are tired and under the gun.

git 'em!

I am going to do my best to get lots of pictures.

Managed to get almost 8 hours on the road before it was time to stop for the night. My 5YO son was getting quite silly in the backseat. He is a great traveler but after a full day at school he reached the limit.

Tow is going very well. I managed to time the Houston traffic as best I could. made it through relatively easily. I am about 100 miles past where I had planned to be.

I have to say that the Baton Rouge skyline is quite pretty when lit up at night. The high bridge over the Mississippi offered a great perspective. too bad I would not have been able to hole the camera still enough to get a good exposure. I just enjoyed the look and kept driving.

Wow, Penny has come along way since that last time I saw her. Jamie, you have done well.

Good luck with the challenge!

Made it Gainesville. Almost 1100 mile tow. A few highlights of the trip. There is really nothing to show or describe except interstate and monotony.

The Sun will rise
The Sun will set
Am I out of TX yet?

Thankfully, we cleared the state line right at Sunset. I kept driving and eventually needed gas. Gas stop somewhere late in Louisiana.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1317950918.jpg

One of the interesting things about the Gulf Coast. There is a tunnel under the main channel of the Port of Mobile. Pretty cool to think that ships are probably going right overhead.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1317951208.jpg

Mobile has a growing shipbuilding industry. Anchoring the effort is the near-shore Stealth Military boat built by Austel. Its cool and there was one parked at the dock the last time I was here.

Eventually I made it to Registration. I handed in my build packet and then started the process of setting up the car.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1317951043.jpg


In the parking lot the car generated a lot of interest. There is a lot of creative builds here. I will put up more documentation of the cars tomorrow. I think I already found my favorite. Lots of great people as well.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1317951037.jpg

The car is ready for its track debut. I was given #14 - Fitting for the car.

Tomorrow is tech inspection and the AX. Should be fun.