Topic: new project 74 914 (Read 480 times)

thf944 · « **on:** March 31, 2011, 10:47:59 PM »

Just traded my mk2 Jetta for this. Got some learning to do. It's my first air-cooled.

Random_Task · « **Reply #1 on:** March 31, 2011, 11:52:00 PM »

not enough tuck. slam it. seriously tho i have always wanted a 914. looke clean

sad_rocc · « **Reply #2 on:** April 01, 2011, 05:06:03 AM »

Studded snows? Somebody was ambitious!

thf944 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 01, 2011, 08:54:39 AM »

Quote from: Random_Task on March 31, 2011, 11:52:00 PM

not enough tuck. slam it. seriously tho i have always wanted a 914. looke clean

Yeah, it probably could go down a bit

It is weird being this low. It's like driving a go-kart.

thf944 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 01, 2011, 08:57:28 AM »

Quote from: sad_rocc on April 01, 2011, 05:06:03 AM

Studded snows? Somebody was ambitious!

The heater actually works well by air-cooled standards. But I probably won't be driving it in snow anytime soon. The Beetle wheels w/ snows was a temporary fix to get the car on the road. I have the original steels that came with it but the tires are shot.

sad_rocc · « **Reply #5 on:** April 01, 2011, 11:07:29 AM »

Nice! They're actually a beast in the snow and a good heater is a rather rare find! When I get back into aircooleds I'd love to go the 914 route as the less desirable ones can be pretty cheap and I love the look.

Smokestack · « **Reply #6 on:** April 01, 2011, 04:40:34 PM »

Nice. I always wanted to get a 914 and drop a buick 215ci V8 into one. All aluminum V8 that weighed less than 300lbs with accessories that reved to something like 9k. Would be awesome in a little gokart like a 914.

greggearhead · « **Reply #7 on:** April 02, 2011, 06:23:25 AM »

NIce! I assume you checked thoroughly for rust in the usual spots for 914s? Looks clean.

In the old Iowa Porsche shop, we had a very nice 2.0 914 that came in for service regularly. Ran great - had a few mild upgrades, and handled better than most 911s I had driven. It *does* feel like you're sitting on the ground, doesn't it?

My choice - do the 5 lug conversion, because its super easy and proven, and opens up the *real* Porsche wheels to you. I just sold a complete setup to a guy doing that very thing in CA.

However, if you stay 4 lug, you should keep your eyes open for cool/rare stuff like this:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-914-used-parts-sale-wanted/567086-fs-rare-nos-campagnolo-wheels.html

thf944 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 04, 2011, 08:58:08 AM »

Holy cow Greg, those Campy wheels are sweet! I'm leaning toward converting to 5-lug, because like you said, more choices in Porsche wheels. Doing homework on where to check for rust. Gotta make sure it is actually a solid car before putting money into.

greggearhead · « **Reply #9 on:** April 04, 2011, 06:08:31 PM »

IIRC, its in the engine bay on either side, below the battery on the one side and near the rear suspension pivots, but its been a while.

The Asshole · « **Reply #10 on:** April 05, 2011, 05:24:35 AM »

start saving up for a 3.6l swap with a drysump lube system....

thf944 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 06, 2011, 12:19:49 PM »

I'd like to eventually put a 911 motor in it. There is a company that sells a 1.8t swap kit. hmmmmm....

more pics

Been grabbing these every time I go to the store.

Interior

A/C

thf944 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 06, 2011, 12:28:03 PM »

Wheels

Greg, I need to get some summer/all-season tires but not sure what to get. Tirerack lists the original tires to be 165-15 or 165/80-15 but they don't have any tires that size. I checked Discount and they listed one tire - Kumho Power Star 758 165/80R-15 87T BSW. Any suggestions on where to get tires? Where do all the air-cooled VW people buy tires?

greggearhead · « **Reply #13 on:** April 06, 2011, 05:26:40 PM »

No reason to buy those tire sizes.

You can buy some cheapie 4x130 wheels and maybe score some tires with them, or use 195/60r15, with stiffer sidewall and better tread for summer.

http://cosprings.craigslist.org/pts/2288254119.html

http://denver.craigslist.org/pts/2282385174.html

Good deal on Pedrini wheels -

http://denver.craigslist.org/pts/2275410759.html

greggearhead · « **Reply #14 on:** April 06, 2011, 05:33:40 PM »

http://denver.craigslist.org/pts/2279083069.html

thf944 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 10, 2011, 01:02:08 AM »

Update: Got the tires transferred to the 914 steels. They are 195/60-15 and seem to work fine. They rubbed in the rear very slightly - only rubbing the raised lettering on the sidewall. I bent in the lip slightly on the rear fenders and that has solved the problem for now. I'll have to roll the lips sometime. I'm going to use GPS to see if the speedometer is off. I think I will use this size for summer tires after I repaint the wheels. Looks much better with these wheels!

I also raised the front end. Rides much better, but still obvious that I need new shocks. While raising it, I noticed that the tire shop got the direction incorrect on one of the tires, so I'll have to go back and have them fix it.

The Delphi Green Metallic is growing on me.

thf944 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 10, 2011, 01:04:22 AM »

Looks much better raised and with the original steelies.

My daughter loves riding in it.

greggearhead · « **Reply #17 on:** April 10, 2011, 08:42:53 AM »

Nice!

Smokestack · « **Reply #18 on:** April 10, 2011, 08:46:13 AM »

I guess you know the wife approves if she makes a pillow for it.

Looks great!

Rukh · « **Reply #19 on:** May 09, 2011, 04:15:06 PM »

Nice score, Thad! My dad's first Porsche (and the car that got me hooked on them) was a 914 2.0 too.

thf944 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 13, 2011, 02:16:55 AM »

Hopefully mine will look as good as your dad's someday Josh!

Got new clutch and throttle cables lubed and ready to go. Keeping them in the trunk just in case. Heard they are notorious for breaking. Also trying to figure out what oil and octane fuel to use. Heard some talk on Porsche forums about air cooled cars needing zinc additives in the oil to best lube the older motors. Gotta do more research on that.

I really like these wheels.

sad_rocc · « **Reply #21 on:** May 13, 2011, 05:07:42 PM »

Low octane gas is fine. Anything now is better than what the best stuff in '74 was. Never heard of zinc additives, a lightweight oil (I forget what exactly) should be just fine. Assuming the motor is like my fastback, keep on top of the valves and install an oil filter if it doesn't already have one. Make sure you have a magnetic drain plug. Itinerant Air (google it) is a fantastic and helpful aircooled site with down-to-earth folks who also know their shit. Those wheels I think are stock porsche or bug wheels although the lip looks bigger. I'm sure you can get a cheap set on thesamba or maybe at cip1.com.

101stvet · « **Reply #22 on:** May 14, 2011, 12:00:51 AM »

Got in a little back and forth game on the hwy with one the other day in my Rado , Car was fast i think it had todo with the WHOOOooossshhh!!!!!! coming from the ass end

...

downforce22 · « **Reply #23 on:** May 14, 2011, 07:02:17 PM »

looks sweet! would love to check it out sometime!

thf944 · « **Reply #24 on:** May 15, 2011, 09:00:24 PM »

Went for another snowy mountain drive this afternoon.

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Author Topic: new project 74 914 (Read 480 times)