Sorting my 914-8

[philipguziec]

I've embarked on the process of sorting out the 914-8 (Chevy small block crate motor and 930 transmission) I bought a couple of years ago. I bled the brakes which are boxster calipers in back and early 911s in front and spongy as hell. I'm thinking I need to add boxster front calipers, bigger master cylinder, and braided stainless lines.

While going for a spin, I lost the throttle and idled it home. Turns out one of the ball joints in the throttle pedal setup popped off, and now I can't get it to stay on. Is it me, or is that throttle rig unnecessarily complex. I believe the stock part is a ball joint in the pedal bottom to a rod to a pivot arm (which seems loose) to another ball joint (which popped off). All of that seems stock. That is somehow rigged to the cable that runs to the carb on my small block. Questions:

Is 19 mm the plug and play upgrade master cylinder option, or is there a bigger plug and play? What do people use that run Boxster brakes?

Is there a way to upgrade/rehab/etc. the crazy complex throttle assembly?

More to come.

[mepstein]

Some people just use a plain cable and housing. The linkage gives you more travel at the engine (at least with Porsche engines) but if you can get full travel with a regular cable, you are good to go.

You need at least a 19mm MC - yes, 19 is plug and play. Also, your brakes are bigger at the rear than the front. Sounds pretty dangerous. I would contact Stompski or Rebel and get adaptors for front Boxster calipers. You do need 3 1/2 struts. Early 3" will not work with any adaptor.

[philipguziec]

Thanks. Good info. Car has 911 5 lugs and, I think, struts. I'll measure brake bolt spacing. Boxster plus a 19 mm and braided stainless a combo known to work?

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

The throttle setup you describe sounds fairly stock. There is a pushrod from the back side of the pedal to a bellcrank, and the cable end attaches to the bellcrank. The six-cylinder setup is more complex, with rods and another bellcrank or two in the back.

The pushrod has a ball-and-socket joint to the knob on the bellcrank, and there is another ball-and-socket that the throttle cable threads into. The bits can wear; I am not sure what replacement parts are currently available.

If the bellcrank itself wobbles, there is a plastic bushing where the shaft on the bottom of the crank fits into the pedal cluster.

--DD

[philipguziec]

Exactly right. Sounds like I need the ball socket that has the cable connection, as it keeps popping off. Also, the bushing that the bellcrank rides on as that piece is wobbling. Where can I find replacement ball sockets?

[jess p]

Upgrade to the 19mm master cylinder sold by 914 rubber for $143.00, it comes with the threaded brake fluid inlet on top. Get stainless braided brake lines and BMW 320i
brake calipers up front. They are a direct bolt on and dump that proportioning valve in back. You will be amazed at the stopping power

As for that flimsy throttle setup on the pedal cluster assembly, I had the same problem.
I made my own and reinforced it.

[philipguziec]

Thanks. I pulled out the master cylinde far enough to reveal that it already has the 19 mm master cylinder. My car has 911 front struts with 5 lugs and 3.5 inch caliper mount bolt spacing. The 320i isn't a bolt on for that, is it?

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Not even close. And it would be a significant downgrade from the A-caliper 911 brakes you likely have currently.

--DD

[philipguziec]

I've heard that the combination I currently have of an A caliper on front and boxster rear is badly balanced. My plan is to upgrade the fronts to boxster. Any recommendations for street pads?

[zedsn]

I have hawk pads on my 944 turbo and are very happy with them.