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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ test drove a 914-6 today

Posted by: turboman808 Mar 19 2006, 06:41 PM

Well pretty much I narrowed my search down to one car. Semed to be the only one that I could just buy and beat the crap out of without reworking it.

Well one thing for sure it handles like a dream.

Now that things I found a bit odd but I guess thats just how the cars are.

For starters there isn't any power assist for the brakes. I had to push them hard as hell to get them working. Or at least much harder then I am used to. I'm just wondering if this can be changed somehow. Oh by the way the brakes are HUGE!!! Porsche 930 I think he said.

Also the clutch pedal felt kinda hard and had to be pushed way far. Thinking a hydralic clutch might work better. Any way to change this???

And finaly the shifting felt more like a suggestion then a definite command. I was very careful shifting because I thought it was gonna miss. It has a wevo shifter.

It was cool to drive though. Sounded like a muscle car and to have it right behind your head made you feel powerful. I don't think it's as fast as my civic which is unfortunate, but it more then makes up for it in handling.

Posted by: Sparky Mar 19 2006, 06:51 PM

I'm guessing you drove Dave's car. You really should have stepped into it more, the car has incredible power. I know when your test driving someone elses car you tend to take it easy, atleast I do. I've driven it and it is a real blast to drive. I'm not sure about the shifting, the last time I drove it the WEVO felt nice and tight.

Hope you enjoyed it, I know the car very well as I've helped Dave on some of the "upgrades" done to it. I wish I had the spare cash for it but I don't right now.

My best,
Mike D.

Posted by: type47 Mar 19 2006, 06:53 PM

specify if it's a factory -6 or a conversion -6. conversion -6 might have a side shifter whereas the factory does not. vague shifting could be due to factory tail shifter.

Posted by: Sparky Mar 19 2006, 06:54 PM

It's a 6 conversion, 2.7 RS spec, with a side shifter.

Posted by: GeorgeRud Mar 19 2006, 06:55 PM

Sounds like you found a nice car!

The shifter is vague, new bushings help, but it's not as direct as a BMW or other front engined car.

If large brakes are fitter, you will need to know which master cylinder is installed. The larger the master cylinder, the harder the pedal usually.

A hydraulic clutch kit is available, though not a quite bolt in modification. It sounds as though you may have a 915 transmission in there. If the pressure plate is heavy duty, the clutch can be a bear unless there is a spring assist.

Happy hunting. Search through the old posts, and most questions will be found and answered. There's a reason some of us are still trying to make these cars better after 36 years - there's always got to be a better way!

Posted by: turboman808 Mar 19 2006, 06:57 PM

yeah it was daves car in CT

I guess the shifting wasn't bad but I am not used to it at all. Raced 323s, celicas and civics and shifting was always dead on. Just very different

But over all the car is very nice. Did I mention the brakes are HUGE

But if thats how it is thats how it is. I just need to learn to drive it.

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Posted by: Sparky Mar 19 2006, 07:00 PM

I'm trying to remember which MC we put in, it was either a 22 or a 24. I do remember it was a pain in the butt!! Hopefully Dave chimes in here and helps out with the answers.

Posted by: turboman808 Mar 19 2006, 07:02 PM

I think he said a mercedes master cylinder.

another picture

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Posted by: turboman808 Mar 19 2006, 07:03 PM

and another

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Posted by: SirAndy Mar 19 2006, 07:13 PM

QUOTE (turboman808 @ Mar 19 2006, 04:41 PM)
I don't think it's as fast as my civic which is unfortunate, but it more then makes up for it in handling.

QUOTE
It's a 6 conversion, 2.7 RS spec, with a side shifter.

a 2.7L RS spec /6 and you think it's not as fast as your honda civic?

quit babying the car and step on it! they like to rev.

i have driven a 2.7 914-6 on the track and i have driven honda civics before.

not even "close" ...
Andy

Posted by: turboman808 Mar 19 2006, 07:17 PM

didn't drive my civic

bt yeah I didn't beat the day lights out of it.

Posted by: davec Mar 19 2006, 07:18 PM

Hi there Nathan. Yes, the MC is a 23mm Mercedes Benz. I just had to have a Mercedes part in there somewhere. It makes the car worth more!

There is a hydraulic kit available for the clutch. The brake kit I am not sure about. That would take a vacuum pump I am guessing.

I enjoyed the ride today, it was cool.

Mike D- I even told him the stories about blowing up 2 engines:)

Dave C

Posted by: olav Mar 19 2006, 07:22 PM

QUOTE (SirAndy @ Mar 19 2006, 05:13 PM)

QUOTE (turboman808 @ Mar 19 2006, 04:41 PM)
I don't think it's as fast as my civic which is unfortunate, but it more then makes up for it in handling.

QUOTE
It's a 6 conversion, 2.7 RS spec, with a side shifter.

a 2.7L RS spec /6 and you think it's not as fast as your honda civic?

quit babying the car and step on it! they like to rev.

i have driven a 2.7 914-6 on the track and i have driven honda civics before.

not even "close" ...
Andy

Maybe the Honda Civic has nitrous?

Posted by: turboman808 Mar 19 2006, 07:22 PM

Yeah I had alot of fun. And thanks for really showing me around the car. Completely green when it comes to these cars.

Posted by: Sparky Mar 19 2006, 07:24 PM

I wasn't going to mention the 2 motors, that was part of our darker "learning" period....

Posted by: JPB Mar 19 2006, 07:39 PM

Cool head lights.
2.7 crazy fast? Sounds like my kinda girl!

Posted by: anthony Mar 19 2006, 09:35 PM

The only problem I see here is that you are used to those dainty girly pedals in the Civic.

You'll get used to the manual brakes and clutch pedal quickly.

Posted by: jr91472 Mar 20 2006, 08:21 AM

QUOTE (anthony @ Mar 19 2006, 07:35 PM)
You'll get used to the manual brakes and clutch pedal quickly.

I think this is one of the things that endears 914's to their owners....its pure with nothing in between you and the road. Ditto on the steering.

I drove a 944 the other day, I just couldn't get the feel of the hydralic clutch.

Posted by: howell914 Mar 20 2006, 11:42 AM

Dave you must soften up since you took me for a ride back in Sept when I was in the market. I remember that car being a bullet. And that's coming out of a 325 hp 944 turbo.

Posted by: davec Mar 22 2006, 08:10 PM

Yeah, I took the Koni not-so-adjustables out and put the Bilsteins back in. It made a world of difference on my kidney! I left the Shine needle bearings in. They transmit a little, but there has to be something said for eliminating most of the friction in a critical moving part.

I had the engine fine-tuned for the street too. It purrs now... Chris Musante is a genius. He can tune an engine as well as he builds them. Since he bought his own 4-wheel dyno, he's elevated it to an art. That's the beauty of fuel injection- you can dial in dependable, consistent results, with a torque curve that looks like you drew it with a ruler.

My other teener has carbs, but I don't know for how much longer.