New Guy Questions

stephenaki · 08-10-2007, 09:47 PM

Hello everyone, I will be acquiring a 914 within the next month or so and although I am currently stationed in Stuttgart, Germany (home of the Porsche) I find that it is more economical for me to buy a car and have it shipped.

Germans want way too much for the few 914s I can find and they aren't in near as good shape as the ones in the states.

I am currently looking at a 72 that had the engine bored out from 1.7 to 2.0. Here are my questions.

1. body mods, I can do sheet metal work but am not familiar with the fiberglass mods. How easy is it to install the flares? Anything I should be aware of?

2. 5 lug conversion - good, bad, ugly? I want larger tires to put more rubber on the road. The flares will obviously allow me to increase tire width but are there 4 lug rims that can be used to put more rubber on the road or do I need to go with the 5 lug set up?

3. Engine conversion to 911 6. How much of a modification on the body will I have to do and, I am assuming, I have to use the tranny for the 911 engine as well correct? What about engine particulars, is there a certain year bracket that is more compatible than others? I am considering this mod but, want to know what I am getting into before I make the leap into finding an engine.

My background is in MGs, I have restored a 78 and 79 Midget and am restoring a 74 now, so don't know much about the Porsche. Any information and recommendations on pubs to purchase will be more than welcome.

rfuerst911sc · 08-11-2007, 02:35 AM

Welcome to the 914 arena

I'll try to answer your questions. The fender flares can be purchased in fiberglass or steel. I just did the steel flare conversion on my 75 chassis and I like the look. The glass flares are lighter in weight but don't hold up as well as steel on the street, at least that's what some guys say. The 5 lug conversion is a good one in my opinion because it opens up the wheel/tire options. For the front almost any 911 strut assy will bolt on from 1970 - 1989. You can just use the strut housings and hubs as they will bolt to your A arms or you can replace the entire front end with a 911 front end it all bolts in. Another advantage of useing the 911 struts is it allows larger brake calipers and rotors than the stock 914 parts. And last you really don't have to make any sheet metal mods to convert to a six. I'm also converting to a 3.0 in mine and I've learned a lot from this forum and 914world.com they are good resources for info. Remember Porsche did put a six in these cars but it was just a 2.0. I am in the process of welding in various GT chassis stiffening parts to ensure the chassis can take the torque of the 3.0 I'm installing. I am going to use the stock 901 tranny, from what I have read if I keep from doing burnout dragstrip style launches the tranny will live for a street car we'll see

I hope this helps

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

Look for rust, take a few hand tools and a mirror on a telescoping antenna(inspection mirror, like a couple of bucks) with you, look under the battery and under the side rocker covers and check jack supports carefully, front and rear trunks, the corners where the seal is in the front too.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/914/914tech_articles.htm
There is a place here that has a list. I have seen beautiful 6 conversions, would probably buy one someone else has already done, bet it would be cheaper.

stephenaki · 08-11-2007, 07:27 AM

Thanks, unfortunately, I am not in Norfolk, VA but in Germany however, I found the article you were talking about and sent the info to my buddy who is inspecting it for me.

Sooooo...how do I go about finding a 911 front suspension? What about the rear? Do I just have that drilled out to a 5 stud configuration? Enquiring minds want to know!

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

Check through the "tech articles" link that Tobra posted, above. You'll find a "five lug conversion guide". You'll also find an article entitled "914 Fiberglass Flares Installation Tips", which sounds like something you may want to read. And then, from the main menu on the left side of the page, there is the 914-6 conversion section: http://www.pelicanparts.com/914/914-6_construction_kit/914-6_construction_kit.htm

Go through that, and you'll be pretty well informed about what it takes.

BTW, you cannnot simply "bore" a 1.7 to a 2.0--the 2.0 has a longer stroke as well as a larger bore, and also has different heads. The popular "big-bore" kit for the 1.7 gives you a 1911cc motor, but the cylinder walls are pretty thin so longevity is not great.

You'll find that the 914, even in stock form, can get out of its own way. And the handling is just unbelievable compared to a Spridget.

--DD

stephenaki · 08-11-2007, 10:29 AM

Well then, that begs the question on what she really is then doesn't it. Guess I will have to wait to find out. The guy who did the work on the engine was a machinist; hopefully he was a good machinist. If not, won't be the first time I've rebuilt an engine, just need the right manuals. Thanks for the info.