Itsy Bitsy Spyder

[Laneco]

My husband and I have always been HUGE 911 nuts. And we like to build cars. And we love porsche spyder kit cars. Problem was that they were all VW power (with a few exceptions) and we are dyed in the hyde p-car people. Solution? Build a Porsche 550 spyder replica using 911 mechanicals.

The first engine was a 2.4 disaster that I replaced with the 3.0 from my husbands 82 SC. The engine pic actually shows the 2.4 with the Zeniths but now I have the 3.0 with PMOs (which frankly are the BEST carbs I have EVER driven). In a couple of weeks, I'm pulling the 3.0 out and shipping it to Colorado for overhaul plus a twin plug conversion. That'll GIT R DUN!!

911 brakes, 911 steering, Fuchs, 914 LSD gearbox, early S clutch, Kennedy flywheel.

Kills bugs fast. Hope you guys enjoy the pics even though it is not a 911 body. angela

[mb911]

wow looks very nice

[Glasgow 911SC]

Stunning!

[Tom '74 911]

Too cool!

[Wrecked944]

Wow! That beauty is worth an article in Excellence! Have you considered giving them a call?

[RoyB]

One question....Where do we find wives like you!

Got any sisters?

[Kemo]

nice touch with the Fuchs! I bet you guys get alot of looks. How much does that car weigh in at?

[Laneco]

We have a running joke in our house Roy, I'm fertile, employed and have my OWN TOOLS which makes me the perfect woman according to my husband!

Glad you guys like the car. It is most beloved. I've taken it on two trips this year, one 1500 miler and one 1200 miles plus all the assorted running around.

With the 3.0, it is a shockingly well tempered driver. No hiccups, no stumbles, starts easy, runs well and gets near 30 mpg on the highway at 75 ish. Really excited about the twin plug conversion. I'm kind of a horsepower freak. The best part is that Steve is letting me do pretty much whatever I want with this motor as long as I don't get too $tupid and don't break the transaxle. Hoping for something in the 250 hp range which should provide most spirited driving for this wee car.

With suitcases in the trunk and a full tank, 1600 lbs (plus or minus 25).
angela

[glenncal1]

Who is doing the engine work for you?

[TRE Cup]

Now that is just EVIL !



Very nice car. I would recommend getting the box redone with the aluminum intermediate plate, h.d. bearing clamp plate, and get a billet diff cover too. Anything to help cope with the loads that the big motor will put out. Of course, you don't have too much stick with the relatively skinny tires, so the burning rubber can be the "fuse" in the equation

looks like a ton of fun (correction 1300 lbs of fun)

[JeremyD]

Now that is sweet - how does it handle?

[m325ix]

I got the same jacket!

Awesome little bastard (the car) !

[Dutchie]

wow great looking car ! Your car is my new desktop



cheers,

[rpiper]

More pics please! Whose kit is the "base" car?

[vash]

awww, crap. you just made me mentally spend alot of my money. i am thinking, i could/should do that!

[masraum]

Very, very sweet! I don't think anyone on the 911 board would ***** about 550 content.

[randywebb]

Looks devilish, angela!

Hope to see it in person...

[bento]

Very nice modernized take on the 550 concept. 250 plus skinny tires should prove very entertaining. What are the dimensions of the Fuchs?

[Laneco]

The handling on the car is rather contingent on the road surface. With a smooth surface it sticks like an bug to flypaper with a very slight understeer that a poke at the throttle will turn into oversteer rather easily. Very easy to balance car with retina detaching brakes. If the pavement is broken the handling is rather nervous and the car's go-kart quick reflexes become somewhat alarming. Have to work on that this winter.

The base kit is a Thunder Ranch with the 550A with the 6 option. This gives a little wider body and subtle flares on the front fenders. The kit was purporse built for the six and the suspension is specific to this car (not shared with the VW cars which use the beam front end etc.). We plan on building another car - a 904 and we will purchase it from the same builder. It will also be 911 based, but will likely have AC.

We built it in the garage. Steve painted in the garage also (which I do not recommend - it upsets the neighbors). This was our first kit build, but we've put together assorted cars including probably a dozen Porsches from wrecks, rust or general abandonment. This was a challenging kit. It had no directions and at the time we built it, Thunder Ranch had never built one. On this car every P-car part that could be scavenged was used. Master cylinder, reservoir, brakes, hubs, wheels, engine, 914 trans., fuse panel yada yada. Many of the parts were scavanged from other projects.

Good to know advice on the 914 transaxle. I have been quite concerned over its longevity especially with the intended engine. Fortunately, I'm not a real stop light grand prix nut but I've definately been known to roll on HARD and serve up some humble pie to anyone who thinks they can beat me up the freeway ramp!

Engine builder will be Kevin Farrel - Injection Labs in Colorado. He did the autopsy on the 2.4 that was in it (thank you motor meister and unclezak). Fellow is a pleasure to deal with - genuine PRO.

We do not own a car trailer. This car drives everywhere. It's a kit car. I intend to drive it into oblivion.

angela

[Jays72T]

Very nice, well done. It must be a blast to drive.