What would you do?

[FSH2LIV]

Just recentlly purchase a '73 1.7L. Olympic blue in color. All original except for the addition of Fuchs alloys, dual exhaust and single carb to replace the FI (all by the former original owner). The body and chasis are sound. It's my second and purchased strictly for fun. No plans to race this car right now.

This board has been great since I first found it a few months ago. Very experienced participation is clearly evident.

What would you do to enhance the performance of this car?

M. B. Clark

[cshogen]

Recommendation #1.....

Get rid of the single carb. They typically just don't work well. Your car originally came with D-Jet FI, a very good setup. You can either go back to that (does the PO still have it in a box somewhere?) or go to a dual carb setup.

Just do a search and you will find tons of info on the FI vs carbs debate.... it's your call..... most people strongly recommend the FI, but there are many who like carbs too.

[jamcleod]

turn it back into a stock factory car and don't get caught up in chasing the HP

[JWest]

Olympic blue in color

Well, if you really want to improve performance, everyone knows that YPAF.

Yellow Porsches are Faster

But really, ditch the single carb and go with FI or dual carbs.

Also, if your exhaust is the Monza type then you could do better with something else. Burch if you just change the muffler, complete factory 2.0 system if you need heat, or a complete header system if you don't need a heater.

Swapping in a 2.0 would be something to consider before sinking too much money on the 1.7 engine.

[bowlsby]

Toss the single carb for sure, but otherwise leave the hardware alone, just do a software upgrade.

Learn to drive.

[jabb]

[bludden]

That newspaper look may seem appealing at first but it will sour on you after the first rain...

Or was there something else there you are recommending?

[jabb]

6 Carbs instead of 1

[J P Stein]

Originally posted by jamcleod
turn it back into a stock factory car and don't get caught up in chasing the HP

Thas un-American. I'm gonna' have to report you to somebody.

Joe:

Your nits have been neatly picked. Some updated pics may be in order.

[jamcleod]

well, reality spoke to me ($$$$$$$$$). if i wanted to upgrade the performance, i'd turn it into a 986. but i like my old, stock SLOW car, but i do have a low testosterone level

[DuckRyder]

Ditch the single carb (is it a 32/36? if so plenty of other uses for it you should be able to sell it for a few bucks)

First choice would be back to D-Jet if its available to you

Second choice, dual 40's.

[Zeke]

The consensus is obvious on what to do about the carb. But, what kind of tires do you have? The 914 will respond nicely to a suspension tune up. A lot more is understood nowdays about shock and spring (in this case, torsion bars) rates than when the car was designed. I will concede the fact that the Germans understood much more about suspension performance than American manufactures in the 70's. But even they didn't have the tires we have today. To take full advantage of a great tire, make sure the shocks are fresh and the bushings and alignment are spot on. You should experience some sheer driving pleasure when all that connects the car with the road is optimum.

[FSH2LIV]

Tires are original manufuactures recommended 165R15.
The carb is a weber 36.

[Bleyseng]

Put some tires and shocks/sways on it. 195x60's Kuhmo's are a good start. For shocks Bilstein gas are good for the street. A 19mm front sway and 140 rear springs are a cool combo. The car will be transformed into a "twisty eater".
Ditch the single carb for duals or look for a 1.7l Djet FI set up. IF you take it apart bump the compression up to 8.5 to 1.
Geoff

[BillySpaceman]

Originally posted by bludden
That newspaper look may seem appealing at first but it will sour on you after the first rain...

Or was there something else there you are recommending?

Was that a PO upgrade or was that part of the appearence package?

[FSH2LIV]

Thanks to all who replied!

Mark