Will this work???

Tom Perso · 11-09-2002, 06:52 PM

Hi guys,

I've been looking at a 71 914, it's really just a shell with suspension. It's solid with the only rust being in the rear trunk area and some near the front of the motor area (under the battery tray). The battery tray looks fine, all of the suspension points look fine. No signs of crash damage, the front clip is in really good shape.

So, if I get this car, fix the rust and get it really solid, could I find a rotted/blown motor'd later 914 (say 73 or later with the sideshifter?) and swap the tranny, interior and everything into my 71? Being use to VW's, making a mix-match car and dealing with rust is an everyday thing.

I'd be making a solid complete car from 2 donors, essentially.

I'm not looking for a showroom stock type deal, nor a car show contender. I am looking for something to house my 2270 and that can handle.

Thanks,
Tom

John Rogers · 11-09-2002, 06:59 PM

A lot of items can be mixed between the years but some have differences such as electrical connections to the engine, shift (tail/side), front motor mount bar and there are probably many other that DD or other experts will know about. The electrical connections can be modified and mated if you can figure the electrical diagrams. As an example, on my race car we put in a 911 alternator and mated it to the stock relay panel and regulator. Go for, good luck.

Bleyseng · Bleyseng's Garage

How much rust is UNDER the battery tray? Rust there can be minor or the tip of the iceberg.
Geoff

Zeke · 11-10-2002, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bleyseng
How much rust is UNDER the battery tray? Rust there can be minor or the tip of the iceberg.
Geoff

Absolutely. Tom, the acidic water found it's way down inside the right longitudinal and worked there from the inside out. Check the jack receptor and the bottom of the long right below. I mean check it with a hammer. If the hammer doesn't bounce back, stay away. The hammer didn't bouce back on mine and I was over confident about being able to fix it easily. Three months of work later, I wasn't so sure.

Tom Perso · 11-10-2002, 11:19 AM

Ok, thanks. I will check it again, maybe take some pictures and report back to the list here.

Keep the advice coming...

Thanks,
Tom

bander · 11-11-2002, 05:21 AM

Tom, its been said many times before and I am sure that you learned it on your engine...

"Buy the best car that you can afford"

I dont know the details of your situation, or your tollerance for pain, but when you brought this up, I was thinking that you would go to the Left Coast and buy a nice, running 1.7 for 3 to 5K. Swap the 1.7 to the Bug and the 2270 to the 914. You would have both of them running by spring.

The question is, do you want to build it, or drive it.

-Brett
2270-914

Tom Perso · 11-11-2002, 06:10 AM

Brett,

I have thought about that as well, since I have the DTM kit already, it would work well on a 1.7/1.8 - Plus, I have a set of 44's that will bolt on.

I have also had some lookers at my Bug without a motor, so I could sell a 1.7/1.8 with the DTM for major cash, that would be a good deal.

I can come up with 3-5K (floating myself a loan, if you get it) buy a 914, sell the Bug and pay myself back.

But, at the same time, I kind of like to have my own "specialized" car... Sometimes is more the thrill of the hunt than the kill...

I have enough into my Bug to sell (sans motor) about 3-4K, that would get me a decent 914.

I'd just need enough left over to do a 5-lug conversion and a set of Fuch's.

Later
Tom