How Would You "Hot Rod" a 912E?

[Doug&Julie]

I wouldn't expect the BRZ's manumatic to be nearly as good as a PDK, but I hear it's quite good for what it is. In a perfect world, I'd have the manual, but in my (very imperfect) world, I need an auto.

Oh how I'd love to have a Cayman S PDK!!!

[bugmeat]

I think the 912E would be a perfect candidate for a light-weight hot rod. Strip off as much unnecessary stuff as possible, use fiberglass bumpers, hood, engine lid etc (IROC-style). The car is a little underpowered as-is, so lightening it as much as possible would make sense.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by Doug&Julie

I wouldn't expect the BRZ's manumatic to be nearly as good as a PDK, but I hear it's quite good for what it is. In a perfect world, I'd have the manual, but in my (very imperfect) world, I need an auto.

Oh how I'd love to have a Cayman S PDK!!!

I wouldn't sell them short. Let's not forget that the Subaru gearbox is made by Aisin, the same company that has been contracted by Porsche to provide the new PDK based 7MT gearbox being used in the 991 and 981 cars. They make nice stuff.

[Doug&Julie]

Originally Posted by bugmeat

I think the 912E would be a perfect candidate for a light-weight hot rod. Strip off as much unnecessary stuff as possible, use fiberglass bumpers, hood, engine lid etc (IROC-style). The car is a little underpowered as-is, so lightening it as much as possible would make sense.

I'm liking this idea more and more. I only wish somebody made (at reasonable cost) a good looking, slim fiberglass front bumper for a narrow bodied IB 911/912. Something SCRS looking, and less RSR looking. I really hate how fat most of the fiberglass front bumpers look for these cars.

...maybe I'll backdate.

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

I wouldn't sell them short. Let's not forget that the Subaru gearbox is made by Aisin, the same company that has been contracted by Porsche to provide the new PDK based 7MT gearbox being used in the 991 and 981 cars. They make nice stuff.

I just mean in terms of sophistication. I understand the BRZ / FRS AT is a traditional auto, just with (a very good) manual operation option. I've read it holds its gear 90% of the time (unlike more conventional autos that dip into the torque converter more for "smoother" operation, even in manual mode). And I hear it shifts pretty quickly. It's the first one I've read about (that isn't a double clutch setup) that seems like a box I'd like to live with.

[fbarrett]

Adding lightness is the most economical way to improve performance and handling. Start by removing the radio and carpets and installing lighter seats. If the car has power windows, convert to wind-ups or slide-ups. Switch as much glass as possible to Lexan. Install a smaller, lighter battery. If it has AC, delete that. Use the lightest possible spare wheel/tire, and remove the tool kit and jack. Take out the rear seats, of course. Then it gets tougher and more expensive: fiberglass fenders, bumpers, and lids, etc. Best of luck with your unique car.

[Doug&Julie]

Good suggestions, thanks. The good news is we don't have AC and the windows are wind-up. I'll be happy to pull the stereo and speakers once I decide to invest in new RS door cards. Pulling the rear seats seems easy as well. RS carpet? ..I can probably do that. New, lighter seats would be cool. Replacing glass with plexi starts getting into the "while you're in there, why not repaint the whole car" deal. It needs to be done at some point, so I feel like the once I start changing things that effect paint and body, I might as well do it all. Fiberglass bumpers falls into this as well (obviously). So those may take a bit longer. But you never know...

[curtisaa]

This is one of my 912's

[Doug&Julie]

Well sadly it's beyond "original", but I like the idea of "simple". Beautiful car you have there!

[curtisaa]

Originally Posted by Doug&Julie

Well sadly it's beyond "original", but I like the idea of "simple". Beautiful car you have there!

...and what do you see that may be NOT original ?

Fuchs & H-4's, original Arrow Blue, and european stance.

[Matt Monson]

I love arrow blue. That was the colour of my 912e.

[Doug&Julie]

Originally Posted by curtisaa

...and what do you see that may be NOT original ?

I was referring to my car...fiberglass flares and non-original paint (or even paint color). Looks good, and could have that simple, clean look still...but it's a bit past "original".

[david c.]

Here's the spec on my 'hot rod' 912E, which I've had since 1998.

Engine: Two liters - GA case. 039 heads, which were done and were installed in summer 2004. Minor port/polish by a 914 head guru. NOS Italian Weber 40IDF dual downdrafts w/velocity stacks. HD oil pump. Flywheel lightened and balanced by Ollie's. Rotating assembly balanced. Rotary fuel pump; inline fuel pressure regulator; EMPI catchcan. 911 Clubsport motor mounts.

EXHAUST: Center exit, custom, simple, and lightweight exhaust. The car is not quiet. Occasionally, it will set off a car alarm in a parking garage. In the works: merged header system for more power.

GEARBOX: The 912E has a 915-based gearbox that is designated (like the car) as a 923 unit. It has the shorter 7:31 ring/pinion so the car has grunt. The syncros/sliders were gone through awhile back and the car shifts GREAT.

BRAKES: Early 911S aluminum front calipers with stainless pistons. Hard lines restrung to fit the monoblock nature of these calipers. Zimmerman vented rotors in front. Rears brakes are OEM 912E.

INTERIOR: Vintage Momo steering wheel. Momo shifter knob. Recaro SRD's. Harness bar. Dual 5 points.

A/C was there but I've removed it; non-A/C knee pads installed. VDO oil pressure gauge installed in radio spot (no radio). RSA door panels. Roll up windows.

Porsche OEM late 915 shortened shift throw modification completed with new bushings a few years ago (the car shifts great - no grinding ever and actually goes into 1st gear when moving!!! try that in another car with a 915 'box)

OEM lightweight 912E carpet in decent condition.

Brushed aluminum early 911/912 engine lid grille with mesh removed.

Front lip spoiler, no fog lamps, Euro tail light lenses.

15x7 inch Revolution (English) lightweight wheels. 205/225 F/R.

SUSPENSION: 21/26 torsion bars; fronts are Welty's, rears are OEM 930 out of a low mileage mid-80's Turbo. Poly bushes. 22mm ARB's adjustable, front and rear. Sway-A-Way spring plates. Turbo tie rods. Bilstein sports front and rear. Tarret strut tower brace.

With no a/c, no working ventilation or heat equipment, no power windows, no cruise, etc., etc., it's not a cushy car. It's a pure, basic, reliable, fun, loud sports sports. It's quick enought but more importantly it handles like a 912 should. I've had a 928, a 3.2 Carrera, a Lotus Esprit Turbo, etc. The 912E is a great little car and I find its handling to be sublime. I have autocrossed the car, and it's competitive in its class (SCCA FSP).

[Matt Monson]

David,
I totally agree with you on the handling part of it. So many people dismiss the value of lighter weight, but "add lightness" is one of the cornerstones of Porsche's historical motorsports success. My 3.2l Carrera just doesn't carry speed through the same corners on my daily drive in the same way that my 912E did (I drive country roads with curve and whoop-de-doos to work every day). I learned to drive at the track on lighter but lower powered cars. They have an allure that is all their own, which is why I am currently seriously considering a 912 that a member has offered to me.

[david c.]

It's true. The 2nd gear grunt of a 3.2 is great, but if you like to "carry speed" as Matt said and enjoy that challenge, the handling of a well-suspended 912 is something special.

[Doug&Julie]

David, interesting build. Any idea on what kind of HP that puts out? ..knowing full well HP isn't everything.

Would love a pic or better a video with that exhaust.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by monovich

Where have you noticed the uptick in values? I'd definitely like for it to be true even though I have no plans to ever sell.

I see ranges all over the place. 2.5k for dogs up to people asking 20k for pretty nice ones. Have any sold for more than that?

Sorry to hijack the thread.

Here's a new data point:
1976 912 E for 27,000?

[Doug&Julie]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Here's a new data point:
1976 912 E for 27,000?

There's hope for me yet...

[mueller944s2]

My dad has a '75 911S and we dropped a 3.0 SC engine in there with 964 cams, a lightweight pressure plate, a monty, and an SSI. Talk about hot rod, I was in the 3.2 behind him and he left me in the dust like I wasn't even trying. I was stunned, I just watched that little red targa screaming (yea it was loud!) down the street wondering how in the world that was possible. So if you're lookin for a little extra power I know this setup works!

[david c.]

The exhaust is homebuilt. It's probably wasting a lot of HP. I'm looking to have a merged header built for it sometime this fall.

[daleflesburg]

My 2c worth. Does the car have issues? Depending on how comfortable you are with the idea, fiberglass front and rear "yellowbird clone" front and rear shells will save about 100 pounds. I'd drive it a lot and get to know the car, and what you like and dislike about it. I would cosmetically fix it up so you "like the car" and no more for now. You may find that by keeping it "as is" that in 10 years and with say 30 thousand additional miles on it, it will need some serious engine work. Or it may be worth double what you paid, and by that time you may want something else altogether. Then decide. The money you spend on it now will never come back to you. It will be worth more in 10 years as it is right now than if you spend $20 grand on it to make it what you think you want. I personally would convert it to a 6 with the newest 6 you can afford at the time. (like a 3.6 air cooled). Who knows, in 10 years the cool thing to do may be to put a modern water cooled 911 6 in it. I have a 74 "Hot Rod" in progress, and my "countess-de-money" likes to remind me that I could have had a 1998 911 Targa for what I already have in this car.