You going to do lay flat shocks on the front with a-arms like the T1 race taxi?

:)

porsche powered mid-engine double cab
 

Hey jadewombat,
I am not sure of the details for the future A-arm front end but Seth and I will figure that out when we are ready to design it. I already have some basic parameters, use the shocks I have, which are working very well right now, even the spring rate on the front feels really good as is . Rack and pinion of coarse, and I might even go for power brakes!

We will see if the design is something easy to re-produce if Seth wants to make them for other buses.
I also need as much offset as possible to max upper A-arm length, so might need three piece wheels, would also like to run a 225-40or 45 17" tire as the 16" Toyo's are discontinued.

It's a vanagon chassis and they widened the bus to fit on there, but you get the idea. This thing is amazing. Blows away 911s on the track.

gallery

Wow - what a Bus. Is that in Czech?

porsche powered mid-engine double cab
 

I found the race taxi videos and build thread when I was researching for my build. A superbly built race car (bus)! Always good for inspiration for my project, though the performance goals are different. I would like to one day build a dedicated track car, and have the d.c as the tow rig.

daepp, search for "Race Taxi" and enjoy.

I am still working out some issues with the d.c.but here is a shot of it when it was running.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1371619561.jpg

I also took it for a dump run and the scales put it at around #2850 without driver but about 8 gallons of fuel, my hope was to keep it at around #2800 but with the front roll cage still to go I think it will finish up at #2900 wet.

Porsche powered mid-engine double cab
 

I have been trying to solve a fuel pump issue as I have had two pumps lock up with only a few hundred miles of run time. I put a inline filter on the low pressure side and pulled the filter element out of the Canton Racing fuel filter as the end caps were not sealed and allowing particles to bypass the claimed 1 micron filter media, it was also sending bits of the epoxy sealing material into the system.
The oil filter had the same issue causing a it to run in constant by-pass mode, killing my first engine.

I put in a new pump after the above mods and took some short drives, then today drove it 65 miles each way to the NorCal Treffen vintage V.W. and Porsche meet, lots of nice cars, the double cab was looking a bit rough compared to most of the rides but had alot of interest in the drive train swap.
It ran well there and back, cruising along in fifth at around 3200 r.p.m (which is about 55 m.p.h.;))
So I am hoping the fuel pump issue is solved though I need alot more miles to confirm, I am also going to run the stock Mahle filter on the high pressure side as soon after I adapt the metric to an fittings.

That is strange. You got a new fuel cell. Maybe check if the pump is overheating somehow. Put your hand on the pump after a short drive and see if it is hot?

porsche powered mid-engine double cab
 

Hey jadewombat,
Yes it is a bit of a mystery, I started a thread in the 911 tech section to get some insight as to wether their was some 3.2 Bosch pump standard fail.
I am back running on my third pump (2nd new one) and so far so good.
I put a inline filter on the low pressure side before the pump to catch any junk.
The Canton Racing filter is gutted but still mounted till my metric to AN adapter parts arrive and then I will mount a stock Mahle filter in its place on the pressure side.

The fuel tank is new but like most parts on the d.c. it has been modified. I rinsed it many times and checked for leaks and capacity with water so I am confident it was very clean.

The Canton filter was in full bypass mode due to the end caps not being sealed, just like the oil filter from them that kept dumping metal thru my first engine.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1375842066.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1375842083.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1375842101.jpg

porsche powered mid-engine double cab
 

The Canton filter pics show the sealant that supposed to glue the end caps on an prevent leaking around the element. The cap came off and stuck in the housing when I tried to pull out the filter element. there are large gaps where there is no sealent and so thin in areas it was flaking off and pieces were on both sides of the filter, so the 1 micron filtering claim is off by a few thousand percent! Not only that but the filter was actually adding debris into the system.

I checked for the pump heating up and it felt warm but ambient for the engine bay.
I also checked the vent lines and vent valve and all looked good. So other than putting in a pre-pump filter and taking out the Canton filter I have not changed the system, I have only driven about 200 miles so it is still within the fail time of the second filter, so more miles will be the test.

porsche powered mid-engine double cab
 

The truck is still running, driven daily, so I think the pump issue is solved, Canton Racing strikes again! I plumbed in the stock 3.2 Mahle filter so no more Canton junk on the d.c.

I installed the Recaro srd seats I found local about 6 months ago, they are real srd's, and have not been installed before, just some storage wear.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1376979078.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1376979104.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1376979132.jpg
They are alot tighter than the stock 944 leather seats I had before, which I need as the d.c. has alot more grip than before the build!

Next I am going to install a Schroth 4 point harness.

Outstanding!!! Love it.

Wow, great stuff!!!!

porsche powered mid-engine double cab
 

Thanks guys!
I have been driving it daily for a few months now and feel like the big problems are gone, once junked the Canton Racing filters it has been running well.
The 2nd engine or "crap shoot" motor as I call it, pushes it along just fine.
It still has a knock that it had from the start that remains after a valve adjust, so I am not sure of its long term durability, I plan to start tearing down and rebuilding the "glitter engine" as time and funds allow.

Had a chance to install my Schroth rally cross four point belts.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1382505530.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1382505555.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1382505579.jpg
Also did some work on the front and rear bumpers, lots left to do here.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1382505661.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1382505679.jpg

This was an enjoyable read, I am new here and I must say your dedication to detail is nothing short of amazing. Thank you for sharing.

Got any final shots of the front bumper? Your work is incredible.

porsche powered mid-engine double cab
 

Thanks guys.
deapp, the front bumper is not yet done- I still need to sandblast and do body work and paint but the welding mods are finished. I am also making a aluminum framed grill to protect the cooler.
The rear needs the same treatment plus cut-out for the hitch and trim rings for the exhaust. Slow but sure is the pace of this build.

I am signed up for a autocross track day at Sears Point on the 23rd so I can get a feel of the chassis dynamics before any tuning or planned suspension mods (so far I have not even done a alignment past the eye-clometer as I bolted it all together):eek:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1384045058.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1384045077.jpg

porsche powered mid-engine double cab
 

The d.c. ran well at the event, allowing me to flog it repeatedly, in it's current set-up it plows like a tractor. Now I have a base-line to work from.

This is a slow speed lap on the big track at Sonoma Raceway.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1385789701.jpg
Some shots from the autox track set up behind the grandstands.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1385789769.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1385789791.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1385789816.jpg

Thanks to Trekkor and Trackmasters for the photos and a great event.SmileWavy

Don't think so… Look-likes you just past a bunch of "slowmo" :D

porsche powered mid-engine double cab
 

Here is some video of the first autox test day, the d.c. is plowing like a tractor, still need to mess with the spring rates to tune out the oversteer, then sign up for the next test day.

MVI 6764 - YouTube

porsche powered mid-engine double cab
 

Thanks JJ 911SC for the comment, I plan to get the d.c. on the big track one day, after I get the front cage in and get the suspension tuned (I may even pass a few cars);)

One step closer came today when I had it on some corner scales, to find out what my baselines are and rough tune.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1398487872.jpg

The corner diagonals were pretty good from the start without driver weight and front to rear bias was close to 50/50, a little heavy at 2995# and I still have the front cage to build.:(
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1398488127.jpg

Adding driver weight did not help.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1398488246.jpg

I did not try to weight jack too much and spent more time trying to get more front neg. camber, ended up with -1.1deg.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1398488535.jpg
This is the finished display, front bias w/driver is 54% bit nose heavy, my guesstimate was 51%. Might lose some nose weight when I put in a A-arm front suspension.:)

Sweeeet!!

Cutting off the excess threads on bolt heads shaves a bit of weight, or just replacing the steel hardware with lightweight stuff.

Bolt Porn - GermanLook Forums

porsche powered mid-engine double cab
 

Thanks for the link jadewombat, I lurk over at GermanLook forums and have witnessed some of the obsessive dedication that some builders go to.
I am always thinking "stronger, lighter, faster" as I go but I also have to keep the performance goals in context. With this being a daily driver work truck I have to make it rugged. The front cage will add weight, but I will talk to Seth the fabricator and see if we can use higher strength lighter tube for the front where it really counts.
I am hoping that the future front a-arm suspension with a Porsche aluminum rack&pinion will drop some weight.
My biggest push is to get the front bias down, this is surely not helping my present front plowing action.
Future dual turbos should help with my present power to weight problem, my goal has always been to get it to 10 to 1 pounds to horsepower ratio.

Did you find out what was wrong with the "glitter" engine,assume the metal in the oil was bearing material?,could it have starved for oil @ some stage?
Did you talk to the original seller ?or have you just put it down to experience :( ?
Cool built ,was going to do a similar thing myself a while back but sold my bus.....why did I do that???.
Still have the 911 motor and thats going in a 914 I'am in the process of buying,see my thread in the 914 section under "possible new room needed in shed" if you are interested,cheers.

porsche powered mid-engine double cab
 

Hey porschetub,
I checked out your 914 thread, looks like a good project, just fun build stuff without that crappy rust work so common with these old cars (I still have some to do, but it is a work truck).
The glitter engine sits in the corner of my shop waiting to be opened for inspection (and re-building for future boost and service in the truck). I am confident that the engine suffered from the Canton oil filter in constant by-pass mode allowing metal to be constantly re-circulated through the engine, the glitter was copper colored and aluminum.

I have not confronted the original seller of the engine as the fragments the Canton (non)filter allowed could have been from my own work (modified oil cooler). The D.M.E. he sold me was definatly dead, as I had fried internals replaced and has run like a clock since.

From your list of cars in your sig. you need a bus to round it out, (after you finish your new project of course)!

some photos of recent work on front oil cooler intake.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1401604440.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1401604468.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1401604499.jpg

bump

Amazing work! Very cool! I'd love to have the time to be able to build something like this!

What a fun build thread.
Read it today from beginning to end.

Looking forward to some updates...

Wow ! Amazing job guys !

DOHC :)

porsche powered mid engine double cab
 

I have been busy daily flogging the D.C. and have finally started on a front suspension swap I have been planning since the start of the mid-engine build.
I am going to install a 928 S4 front suspension utilizing my existing Bilstein coil-over shocks.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1463285966.jpg

Thanks to user porscheaddic for supplying the bulk of the parts.
I am hoping that by replicating the 928 geometry I will by-pass many of the issues of building a suspension from scratch. One of my concerns is the track width of the D.C. is about 4"/5" narrower and that may create ackerman issues ect.

My goal is to replace 60+ year old technology with some mid-eighties tech.

Amazing build. Great seeing this in person, a dream project for sure.
Keep us posted on your updates.

porsche powered mid-engine double cab
 

Thanks Gordon,
Nice to meet you, hope to see you around town again or at a track day event soon.

Been slowly working on the 928s4 front suspension swap, had to rebuild a friends barn and install a 9000# Rotary two post lift first.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1491541673.jpg
Pulled the old beam and started to fit up some modern mid-eighties technology.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1491541870.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1491541870.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1491541870.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1491541870.jpg
The most difficult part so far has been trying to maintain the stock Porsche geometry, so I can stay in the desired range of adjustability.
I am close to finding out as I am almost ready to bolt it all in.

porsche powered mid engine double cab
 

The front suspension is bolted up. next up is laying out the steering rack and column.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1492398210.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1492398210.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1492398210.jpg

Since the beam is gone, what is that crossmember there tying the two plates together out at each A-arm? Great stuff.

I bet you've been kept up more nights than I have troubled by the T1 race taxi handling so well than I have???

porsche powered mid engine double cab
 

Hey jadewombat, the crossmember is from the 928s4.
I posted a picture of it on my Samba thread but not here, it is very helpful in positioning the lower arms (which are angled out) and forms the top part of the lower arms rear bushing. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1492668304.jpg
The tricky part of this whole swap has been defining the geometry,(trying to maintain stock 928 locations) and putting the wheels where I think I want them.
The above picture shows how much I needed to cut out from the 928, about 7" to get to the track width of the bus.
Just one of many excuses as to why the race taxi would kick my butt on the track!

Ah OK. Yeah, I can only imagine trying to get the geometry correct of castor, etc. in 3D imaginary space--basically working backward from the constraint of wheel position, where to mount on the frame, then angles, etc.

porsche powered mid engine double cab
 

Yep, I had to work from the wheel and tire size (235/40/17 et 60) backward. The first take I had the wheel too close to the front so moved it back 3/4".
What I really pushed for was as much track width as possible, to the point where I will need to tub the front wheel wells about 2" to clear.
I will be able to run my old wheel tire combo till I get that done.
I also changed plans from running a 911 steering rack to a 82 VW rabbit rack, to gain inner tie rod pivot points to get it closer to the 928 lower arm pivot point to minimize bump steer.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1492896074.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1492896074.jpg

I feel lucky, I'm only trying to drop the front end of my bus a whopping 10mm to level it out with the IRS conversion I did a while ago.

porsche powered mid engine double cab
 

Hey jadewombat, thats where I started.........

porsche powered mid-engine double cab
 

The truck is off the lift and rolling around, plenty left to do to get it driving but the big stuff is roughed in.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1493703321.jpg