LS1, 914, 996 suspension

drive-ability · 01-01-2014, 10:37 PM

Working on the car lots of work to do !!!

Using a 996 suspension front and rear with power steering.

I didn't build the suspension up-grade, this was done by Jeff a great guy I met driving by his place. Had to have it !!!!!!!!

I'm taking it slow, I had a V8 914 a black one that was a nice car but didn't have the
bones this one has. I'm sure there's a lot of things to iron out using this suspension, just hope I can do it .....

69BahamaYellow · 01-10-2014, 12:57 PM

I was thinking of doing a similar drivetrain/suspension swap out of a boxter/cayman for a 914, but seeing that sweet LS engine setup you did, has me re-thinking it. Is that a 996 transmission mounted upside down in your conversion?

drive-ability · 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69BahamaYellow

I was thinking of doing a similar drivetrain/suspension swap out of a boxter/cayman for a 914, but seeing that sweet LS engine setup you did, has me re-thinking it. Is that a 996 transmission mounted upside down in your conversion?

I think its a good combo, light and here in Ca. no emission testing for cars 1975 and older. The tans is a G-50 / 01, I will have it re-worked with higher gear ratios and a limited slip diff. That's going to cost a bit so its on the back-burner for now, but it will be done. I drive my cars and my stock LS1 gets 25 mpg in a Corvette so I will be paid back in good gas mileage in the long run.

Below picture,
Waiting for my cooling fans to arrive so I mounted the electric power steering pump (Toyota MR2). Since I'm using a 996 suspension and steering rack I had a line made up and tested the system today. Works great, there's likely a restrictor in the stock Porsche high pressure side (don't know for sure but there's something inserted at the end) so I'll have to drive the car to see if I need to remove any restrictor or add one to get the best road feel. Ordered 2 Spal fans, 12 inch, 1800 cfm each.

drive-ability · 06-17-2014, 04:02 PM

67dubcab · 06-17-2014, 11:05 PM

The build is looking good!
I am a big fan of 914 v8 swaps and still remember a article about a gold or orange one with a wide-body kit, big aluminum wing on struts and fat BBS rims in the 1970’s. Sort of a anti-hotrod hotrod.

You asked about spring-rates in another thread which is something I have been messing with. I started by choosing a effective spring rate (for me 300lbs. per inch as a starting point) then figuring my spring ratio (1” of wheel travel = x” of spring travel) front and rear (to keep them close) and buying the spring to match.
This was just a starting point as when I started dynamic tuning things changed.
How do you plan to drive the car? Street, track, autocross, all three?

drive-ability · 06-19-2014, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67dubcab

The build is looking good!
I am a big fan of 914 v8 swaps and still remember a article about a gold or orange one with a wide-body kit, big aluminum wing on struts and fat BBS rims in the 1970’s. Sort of a anti-hotrod hotrod.

You asked about spring-rates in another thread which is something I have been messing with. I started by choosing a effective spring rate (for me 300lbs. per inch as a starting point) then figuring my spring ratio (1” of wheel travel = x” of spring travel) front and rear (to keep them close) and buying the spring to match.
This was just a starting point as when I started dynamic tuning things changed.
How do you plan to drive the car? Street, track, autocross, all three?

I'm going to use it in all types of driving. I've never done any track work and really think it would be a blast.
I started with 400 and seem a bit stiff for street (still in the garage not running) but need to start somewhere. The basic suspension geometry is 996 however my rear shock angle may be a bit different than factory. I have almost all my parts (except 2 masters and cable shift setup & exhaust) There's just a ton of things to do. I just found out my upper shock mounts aren't going to work. Now I'm hemming and hawing over how I want to do it. This could take a week to settle on a design. My concerns are safety first. Then do something within my limited skill level.

67dubcab · 07-05-2014, 10:32 PM

Go slow and enjoy the process, get close to expected parameters then dynamic tune, I would put think 400 a bit high but I am about to put in 600# rear springs after starting with 400# then running 550#. Effective rate should be around 350# with the 600# springs.
Your 914 will make a entertaining track car, more power than needed so you can concentrate on other inputs, it's not very exciting when your foot is on the floor and nothing else is being pushed hard.
I am also interested in your build as I thought about 996 suspension for my project and recently some other VW bus rear/mid engine Porsche powered projects.

I am using a 996 cable shifter on my rig and so far no problems, also you can get the short shift kit if needed.
Stephen

Curbandgutter · 08-02-2014, 06:49 AM

Love what you are doing! That 996 suspension really opens up possibilities, I would think, for rims, brakes etc. I am thinking about doing the same thing. I am buying a burned 996 this morning. Was getting it for Trans but heck now that I see what you did I'm inspired! I need to pick your brain. Where in California are you? I'd like to meet you and maybe see if I can come over and get a bunch of pics.

Curbandgutter · 08-11-2014, 01:21 PM

Drive-ability, you might want to put a strut from the last suspension pick up point ( the bolt closest to the rear) back to the roll bar hoop. I see a hinge point in the frame there. Of course this is all from pictures and you might have that already fixed. What do you think.

drive-ability · 12-22-2014, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curbandgutter

Drive-ability, you might want to put a strut from the last suspension pick up point ( the bolt closest to the rear) back to the roll bar hoop. I see a hinge point in the frame there. Of course this is all from pictures and you might have that already fixed. What do you think.

I do see what you mean. There's a roll cage and other supports coming soon.

drive-ability · 12-22-2014, 04:40 PM

So I'm replacing the front and rear wheel bearings. Ordered a set and began at the rear. Seems the bearings I got for a base 996 / Boxster are too small. The OD of the ones I got are just under 3" and the ones in my car are approx. 3.25"

I think the rear suspension is from a 4s because they use a different bearing but I have not been able to find true physical (size) numbers on these. I did find the Boxster at maybe 2.95" but no 4s. Anyone know the specs ?

Curbandgutter · 01-06-2015, 05:13 PM

My donor car is an all wheel drive. I'll see if I can get that info for you.

drive-ability · 01-06-2015, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curbandgutter

My donor car is an all wheel drive. I'll see if I can get that info for you.

A part number and just as useful is the diameter of the bearing. I know the basic 996 non S or non all wheel drive use the same bearing front and rear which are smaller in diameter. The base 996 uses a bearing diameter just under 3" (2.95 or something).
My parts guy who knows a ton more than your average counter man says the listings are ambiguous at best looking at mutable sources. I know what bearings I need I'm just looking for the correct one and at the best price as well. Maybe I just hate spending another $300 bucks

drive-ability · 01-06-2015, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67dubcab

The build is looking good!
I am a big fan of 914 v8 swaps and still remember a article about a gold or orange one with a wide-body kit, big aluminum wing on struts and fat BBS rims in the 1970’s. Sort of a anti-hotrod hotrod.

You asked about spring-rates in another thread which is something I have been messing with. I started by choosing a effective spring rate (for me 300lbs. per inch as a starting point) then figuring my spring ratio (1” of wheel travel = x” of spring travel) front and rear (to keep them close) and buying the spring to match.
This was just a starting point as when I started dynamic tuning things changed.
How do you plan to drive the car? Street, track, autocross, all three?

Hey,
I will be driving on the street but will autocross and track the car I hope. I chose a spring rate of 400 lbs. it seems a good place to start. 300 may be closer to what I end up using for the street in the end as I like a softer ride for just cruising around town.