My 1977 No Rules Project
 

A brief intro and history. I have a 1974 Carrera Targa that depreciates if I do anything besides "stock". But there is so much innovation and clever customization that I am missing out on. So I started looking for a rough lower value 911 and after a couple of attempts landed this beauty :rolleyes:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1398362406.jpg

This was an Ebay find out of S. Cal. and I am in the other SC (South Carolina). After a pretty nice deal under $9k (the auction ended at 1am EDT - oops) and $1k of shipping it arrived today!

Interesting story - it was a two owner car. The long-term owner had it rebuilt then had a minor fender bender and sent it off to paint and body. He apparently got into a dispute with the painter and took the car back partially primed. There it sat in his garage for 28 years. There was technically a 3rd owner who had it for a couple of weeks - who I bought it from.

The Good:
Straight body
Supposedly rebuilt engine (we'll see)
Almost no rust
Very dirty but most parts included, original radio, tire compressor, etc

The Bad:
Small fender bender damage
The paint is a 2,000 footer
Plenty of mechanical unknowns

So the plan is now developing. Influences are Singer, R Gruppe, Magnus and lightweights. Oh, and very much so, this car:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1398363036.jpg

Not trying to replicate anything. This is my car to have fun with, experiment and (god help me) try to break down and rebuild an engine with the help of Sir Wayne's fine publication.

I will eventually be parting out some items, but not sure about the complete list. I look forward to chatting with many of you through the process and learning from the group. A few pics as it came to me today - amazing how something so ugly can be so beautiful. I guess I know how mother hyenas feel now.:D

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1398363405.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1398363437.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1398363476.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1398363539.jpg

Chuck,

Good luck and enjoy the journey! You're doing the next thing on my bucket list. What year is the new car?

Quick question: What is that dash bumper with the extra A/C vents and controls below the glove box. Never seen that before...

Hey Tim -

It's a '77. I was a bit perplexed by the add-on A/c unit as well since the '77 has the dash vents. It is the same add-on unit that is on my Carrera - see pic. Maybe this car was without A/C originally and the dealer stuck this on when he added it.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1398368929.jpg
It's coming off the car anyway and will be a good spare.

as stated somewhere else already, this one is so much my most favorite "hot R"...!!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1398363036.jpg

Maybe you try something similar in matte nato olive and orange side decal...?!

Great to have such a bank canvas! The matte blue car is great, but if you go that way, you have to make it into a longhood. Maybe think about a period ('74-76) RSR race look instead. Not with boxed rockers but with a decent front air-dam, duck tail, etc. Picking an unusual but not awful color is key, or you'll end up looking like tons of other repro-cars.

Probably gonna go long hood on this one and keep the standard flares. Love that classic look (with a few evil tweaks). The mid-year RSRs are tempting though.

type R projects are the best, i almost purchased that blue car! If it doesn't help go fast, turn, stop, get rid of it. long hood, lots of glass, keep it under 1800 lbs (lofty goal) and you will be happy, happy, happy!

I almost bid on this car on Ebay and had been communicating with the seller to get more info on the car but the Sunroof was a deterrent as I really wanted a non sunroof car. Glad I held off as I finally found my perfect back date longhood hot rod project that I have always wanted. Just purchased it this weekend and will make arrangements to transport. It already has a desired 3.0 TheSamba.com :: VW Classifieds - 1977-S with 1979 SC powerplant

Hey Andoni -

I'm glad you held off too. I got it for a song:D and it was better than I hoped for except the transport damage.

Chuck, looks like a fun project! Spartanburg here....

Thanks Scott...what's in your garage?

Here are a few updates.....engine removal and dis-assembly mainly.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1401712012.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1401712094.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1401712146.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1401712176.jpg

Why are you disassembling the engine? Do you have a game plan for it yet? If not, STOP!

My suggestion would be to NOT split the case unless there is some underlying damage.

Get some 9.5:1 JE pistons, get your head rebuilt and upen the intake ports up to 36 mm (2.7rs). Run MOD 40 or similar cams (Dougherty has some more modern cams now). Backdate the exhaust and go to distributorless ignition (goingsuperfast) makes a crank trigger pulley and mount and the control box comes from Megajolt. Run either Zeniths or Webers with 34mm venturis. You will be pretty happy with this setup and it will cost under $5k if you are smart about things.

If you split the case, you better be ready to shell out more like $10k and at this point, you are better off going with a 3.2 or 3.6 and you have turned your 2.7 into a worthless pile of junk.

The car (and engine) sat for 20-odd years, part of the time outside. Unknown condition although some corrosion visible in one intake. Everything is coming off apart and will make the case separation decision at gametime. What is so bad about splitting the 2.7 magnesium case other than having to resurface the mating surfaces and (the good opportunity) to install case-savers? Most folks who have done so seem to be glad they did - from my readings.

Not interested in a 3.2 or 3.6 but I would like to learn more about the cams you mention Billy. But I am keeping the CIS as of now and was leaning towards SC cam profile.

While I am almost sure you meant "blank", what you wrote is pretty accurate. :)

A few updates to the project. Engine tear-down went smoothly other than a very hot garage. No broken studs. Only issue was one overtightened barrel nut that required me to cut the stud at the base. I determined that I had Mahle Alusil pistons and cylinders and so this has become an "opportunity" to upgrade. I purchased 92mm LN Engineering Nickies with 9.5 CR JE pistons. A chunk of change, but I'm glad about the decision. A little more compression on a little more displacement will hopefully have a nice effect on a lightened car.

Once the P&C's arrive everything will head off to Ollie's in AZ for the machining. They've been good over the phone and have tons of positive feedback from the Pelicanos. Here are few pics to complete the story.

CIS removed:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1403125813.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1403125890.jpg

P&C's bagged and tagged:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1403125942.jpg

Crank Yanker:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1403126018.jpg

Lining up for Summer Vacation in Arizona:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1403126101.jpg

I have posted various questions, problems, solutions on the engine rebuilding forum if anyone cares to see more. No miracles, just learning about this 2.7L.

Chuck

Subscribed!

Cool, you seem to have the rare roof-mounted trumpet horns option!

Seriously though, cool project and good luck!

I want to alert friends and followers about Car Transport Express. They moved my car from California to South Carolina. These people are absolutely awful - possibly even crooks. They damaged my car by pulling out the front suspension due to poor loading and then asked for a substantial amount of estimates and information. I provided everything they asked for but cannot get a return call, email or anything from them. It has been almost 2 months with nothing in a reply. Their initial tone was as if I was trying to scam them. I'm their customer for god's sake! They also bill themselves as one truck door-to-door. Mine was transported with at least two, and then unloaded by a wrecker truck off the transporter! It's no wonder it was damaged. They also do business as Do It Auto Transport. Stay far away from these people, if something gets damaged they hide. I'm far from done with them yet, but want to help people know what these people do.

I guess I'm a lot overdue in updating this thread. BTW, I never got a response from the companies that damaged my car during transport, but my insurance company (Hagerty) did step up.

Here are a few updates covering the last few months.

Nice new JE 9.5 CR pistons to go with LN cylinders - shiney!
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418239672.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418239760.jpg

Gearbox before cleaning
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418239837.jpg

Gearbox after partial cleaning - pressure washing that is. Now on it's way to be inspected and resealed:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418240301.jpg

Reinforcements in case I ever want to go to coil-overs:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418240408.jpg

center-fill tank kit - or maybe off-center-fill:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418240539.jpg

Drop off at the paint & body shop!
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418240595.jpg

New M&K R muffler:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418240652.jpg

Repairing shroud before painting red:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418240696.jpg

Sorry this is all so random by the way :rolleyes:

Carrera chain tensioner kit:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418240775.jpg

Lightweight door stops:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418240828.jpg

My tartan from Scotland - sent to Stefan at Classic Car Seats for insert into Rallye seats with black leather:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418240946.jpg

Das Sport roll bar - nice fitment during test:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418240984.jpg

Clean up of the strut tower - heat gun worked great:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418241193.jpg

Beginning of repairs of damaged suspension pan:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418241429.jpg

Other things purchased:
D Zug headlamps
SWB rear view mirror and under-dash trim
Uprated rear sway abr mounts - mine were previously repaired and failing again
Battery relocation kit (Rennline)
Fiberglass bumpers, backdate hood, deck lid (SWB), R fenders, R rear light panels
Lightweight deck hinges
Replica large Durant mirror for driver side
Poor man's metal vents for rear quarter windows (maybe)
lightweight trunk prop
Semi-solid engine & trans mounts

Some other things done:
Scraped interior paint - not actually all that fun.
Removed and labelled wiring - even less fun
Got rid of last rat turd - satisfying
Selected paint scheme - exciting!

Let me know how you like the dzug lights. Subscribed

welcome to the slope, Chuck.

I just finished up an SC lightweight resto-mod-eration.....and am also nearby (Easley) if you ever need 2 more hands while you're at it....

Pat

Pat -

Great to hear from someone local. Nice SC you have there. Thanks for the offer - I'm sure there will be some "head scratching" moments when putting all the pieces back together. I'd be happy to show you around my workshop when you are in GV.

Chuck

@pat
 

Hi Pat,

I'm thinking of a lightweighgt resto mod sc, would love to see Some pics of it.

Thanks from a Dutch Guy,

Tom

And a pic of my sc as ishttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418324328.jpg

Tom,

Nice SC sir !

I sent you an email......respond and I will send pics as requested sir.

Pat

Completed shroud - I went with red as it is a "correct :rolleyes:" backdate color and will be an accent color on the car.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418336773.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418336800.jpg

This looks like a great project!!! Keep the updates coming.

My daughter and I are on a similar path, backdate with a little bit more HP in the back over the original 2.7:

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...ps09943556.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...psd02ea7e7.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...ps8a6cfc61.jpg

Had some fun today with a digital scale I bought on Amazon for $19. I was impressed with the repeatability of the very precise measurements I made (to 1/100th of a gram). I was skeptical at first and did a LOT of verifying measurements. In the case of rod-weighting the relative weight to each other is really more important that the actual weight once you are within the required tolerances.

The rods had already been lightened when my machine work was done by Ollies. What they sent back was already very close in relative weights.

My background in financial analysis kicked in and I obsessed until the max variance between the heaviest rod assembly and the lightest was 0.37g (the factory tolerance is 9.0 grams)! I was able to get left vs right variance to 0.07 grams. Overkill I know, but a fun exercise none the less.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418853910.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418853943.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418853971.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418853999.jpg

Great project and I know a lot of fun. I'm almost finished with my 84 backdated to 70's ST/RSR style I'm hoping for 2200 lbs and 300+ Hp from the 3.8. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418859417.jpg

And just in case your interested - a couple more.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418859819.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418859867.jpg

Very cool project and can't wait to see the final results!

Just curious, what is the deal with center fill gas caps? I personally saw it first on Magnus Walkers cars and then many other cars, but other than just looking cool is it something carried over from old Porsche racecars? I went and leaned over the hood of my 911 last night and I think a center filler would be awkward as hell functionally. Although I think it looks cool i'd never bother doing that mod.

You are who I want to buy my next car from!

Laurence -

Love the green and the coordinated seats. Is that a lollipop seat? What kind of intake and ignition systems are you running? A nice and neat package!!

Puddy -

There are many more knowledgeable than I about the history, but yes the center-fill tanks have a racing pedigree. For me it was an easy choice since I was going to fiberglass fenders which would have been just as much effort and cost to fit the standard set up. Some mount the cap off-center which would seem to make the fill up a bit easier at your typical gas station.

Ahhh I never thought about having to mount a gas filler in a fiberglass fender. That could be tricky I guess.

chuck,

The seats are Gt3 Euro seats with Alcantra herringbone pattern inserts see below for the matching door panels.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418917898.jpg
The ignition/injection system is PMO throttle bodies, Tech3 engine/injection management with 6 Electromotive twin plug coil packs.

And just 'cause I love it - my own take on a retro steering wheel.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418918088.jpg

Puddy,

My tank is a reproduction of the 100litre fuel tank that is built as a full fuel cell and is a centre fill - very racy and I just think it's cool. In my case I had the reverse issue of Watson - my car runs original steel fenders so I had to cut out and fill the original fuel filler.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1418918385.jpg

Chuck,

It looks like a fun project. I'm just up the hill from you and will be starting a similar project in the near future. Keep the posts rolling.

Hey Chuck,

I just found your thread indirectly by way of the previous poster (Erik). Looks like there's more of a critical mass of Pelicans in the Blue Ridge area than I knew. We just moved to Clemson from the other SC about a year ago.

Your project and vision look exciting. And it seems like you're making great progress. I rebuilt my '70s engine a few years back (then, and still really, a newbie). If there's any input (or tools) I can offer please let me know.

Did you reveal your chosen color scheme? I might have missed it.

Cheers,
Mike

Mike -

Glad to hear from you and welcome to SC. Maybe you, Erik, Pat and I could round up a few other local old school 911 fans and get together some time. I'd be happy to host the first one at my workshop.

I haven't revealed the color scheme yet as I know someone will change my mind if I do. It was really hard to finally land on a scheme and I don't want to start over! Unfortunately the original color didn't really appeal to me for this particular project.