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Posted by: iiibdsiil Nov 26 2004, 03:15 PM

Okay, I was looking at my 914 with the 3.2 in it last night, and was thinking "God, I wanna strip the whole thing and put it on a rotissery, and make it like brand new." I love my car so much, and I know at some point in time, it will be up for sale, although I don't see it for at least 10 years.

Now, would I be better off buying a -6 chasis, and doing a rustoration on that instead of my -4 chasis? Would it be worth the extra money to have it? I am not sure because of the fact there will be a 3.2 in it, and I would kinda feel bad hacking away a -6 to make the 3.2 work right, i.e. front mount oil cooler, A/C, flares, cage, etc. But, if the resale value will help it any.... I know people hack them apart all the time because they need the VIN for the race cars, which pisses me off. But, for a car that I will hopefully never want/have to sell, I am thinking that maybe it is the way to go. I might also want to weld in a roof.

What would a bare bones -6 roller cost me? If I can find one within like 500 miles, I can pick it up. I already have the 911 front suspension and all that mess, although it would be nice to have something to put on my -4 so I could sell it at some point with like a 2.0 in it.

How many hours do you think I would have in a rustoration? I don't want to buy anything that is structurally screwed up, I don't want the headaches with making sure it will track straight and what not. I was looking at my car and it doesn't look like there is a whole helluva lot to it, so I couldn't imagine stripping the thing down to nothing would be all that time consuming.

Whichever route I go, I will also be updating the car wiring wise, laying sound deadening, and installing power windows, power door locks, etc. I want to have a 1970/71 car, that is basically an 04/05. I know this isn't 100% practical, and I am not looking to spend a million bucks, but you understand what I am going for. When I have the car painted, the whole thing will be painted, regardless of what will be covered up. I want you to be able to peel back the dynamat, and it be the same color as the rest of the car. If I am going to do it, I want it done right.

Yeah, it's a lot of money to invest in a car that won't even be original, but to me, if i drive it for 10 years, and am happy with it, then who cares? Yeah, when I sell it, I might only get 50% of what I put into it, but you can't put a price on jumping in a car that you are happy with every day.

Any thoughts or ideas?

Posted by: davep Nov 26 2004, 03:31 PM

If your current chassis is good, then keep it and do the restoration on it. I don't see any great benefit to finding a /6 chassis to do up. When it comes time to sell I think you will be further ahead with what you have.

Posted by: Hi_Fi_Guy Nov 26 2004, 04:14 PM

I think a 3.2 in a "4" chassis will attract buyers. A lot of the people who would have to have a "6" chassis would most likely also want it to be mod-free.

Build the car you want, enjoy it. Do it once, do it right, when the time comes to sell there will always be a markey for really well done cars.

Posted by: Series9 Nov 26 2004, 05:11 PM

The only difference in the two chassis is the motor mounts and the VIN.

I used a nice '72 /4 as the basis for my build and have no regrets (even though Eric thinks I should have changed my motor mount to the /6 style).

When I select a shell for my next build, it will be chosen strictly based upon its condition and not for its history.

Posted by: East coaster Nov 26 2004, 07:06 PM

Joe, You have the PMS firewall mount right? Do you have any gripes with it? It's what I have, but I haven't welded it in yet.

Posted by: Series9 Nov 26 2004, 07:16 PM

I have the 'updated' PMS cross bar mount, not the firewall mount.

Posted by: Series9 Nov 26 2004, 07:18 PM

Here's a pic of the mount...


Attached image(s)

Posted by: ! Nov 26 2004, 10:38 PM

When it breaks....expect no help from PMS....

Posted by: anthony Nov 26 2004, 10:53 PM

I disagree with what was previously said. A real six with a 3.2 will be worth a good $5-10K over a four cylinder conversion. Lots of people are looking for a real six with more hp.

In any case you will definitely get your money back in the end because of a real 914-6 vin. The hard part is finding an appropriate chassis. Just because of availability, it may make more sense going with the four cylinder chassis.

Posted by: Series9 Nov 26 2004, 11:01 PM

I've heard about some problems with the first ones, but not the 'updated' version. I will be keeping an eye on it though.

If it gives me any trouble, I'm quite sure I can strip it and beef it up into something that won't.

I know Jim Patrick and can tell you that he's stood behind all his stuff with me. I have read about some others having a hard time with him, but I have to base my opinion of him on my personal experience.

Posted by: ! Nov 26 2004, 11:24 PM

Good luck...tell him "I" will never buy wet spit from him....one pissy phone call turned me off from him big time.....at least "I" know I'm a pain in the ass....the crap he gave me turned me off big time when I was a newbie back in the Pleistocene Era....

I then spent my 10k with people that care about 914s....I've been told that lately he has mellowed out...matter of fact his product has also improved and I have to say I've seen his stuff and it's nice....but I still am irked at his attitude from the past......kinda like my GrandPa hating Herbert Hoover....ain't gonna get over it.....

Posted by: iiibdsiil Nov 28 2004, 02:19 PM

Thanks for the replies guys. I am gonna start my search for a rust free roller, or at least as little rust as possible.

BTW, I have the PMS bar, and it doesn't give me any problems whatsoever.

Posted by: Eric_Shea Nov 28 2004, 02:37 PM

You could have AA weld in a -6 VIN

Posted by: iiibdsiil Nov 28 2004, 02:41 PM

I know someone locally that would do that for me too.

Posted by: Eric_Shea Nov 28 2004, 02:51 PM

I know where I can get a -6 VIN. There's one on a rotisserie (sic) just up the road from me

What are friends for hey Gint?

Posted by: hi ho silber Nov 28 2004, 05:05 PM

iiibdsiil,

Wasn't there a guy selling a -6 tub in the classifieds.

Don't know anything about it, but it was in Fl somewhere.

Good luck!

Posted by: hi ho silber Nov 28 2004, 06:18 PM

Sorry,
Just look the tub I saw in the classifieds is in NJ!

NJ or FL does it matter? Their both east of here! <_<

Posted by: iiibdsiil Nov 28 2004, 08:42 PM

Thanks sir.