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Posted by: thenewwazoo Jun 14 2015, 10:47 PM

Car was sold for $5k

Hello! This is me on my Honda RVF400R, a rare grey-market 400cc V4 motorcycle that I've been restoring over the last two years.

https://flic.kr/p/mrEGjX

Why am I posting a picture of a motorcycle? In order to help explain why my project '74 914 is for sale. When I bought this car and began the project, I was living on the East coast, had a low-stress job, and hadn't get gotten hooked on motorcycles. Now I'm in California, where time is tight and space is limited. It's time to admit that I will never finish this to the high level of quality I demand of myself, and I need to hand this project off to someone who will be excited to finish it. Or sell it for parts. Buyer's choice.

https://flic.kr/p/tKx4kv

If you'd like you can skip straight to https://www.flickr.com/gp/thenewwazoo/43igN1.

The car is in Redwood City, CA.

Here's the Cliff's notes of what's modified:

1974 Porsche 914 with approximately 117,183 miles
2001 Subaru EZ30 (non-AVCS, single-port flat 6) in place and ready to go
Intake using Weber trumpets, Triumph Speed Triple 1050i throttle bodies, and custom 3D printed intake manifolds
Complete engine wiring harness built with re-pinned stock engine connectors, and mated with totally stock chassis harness - no stock wiring was cut!
Comes with a MegaSquirt that I'll convert to 6cyl operation for you
Subframe (over)built by Performance Fabrication of San Carlos, CA, who do championship-winning work
Coldwater Conversions half-shafts in installed axles
2006 Impreza RS transmission, converted to 2WD
MR2 cable shifter with custom mount
Honda clutch slave cylinder with braided SS clutch line mated to stock pedal cluster
Low mileage on PO-installed KYB struts, SS brake lines, new brake pads (you can see the ad from when I bought the car: http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=100557&hl=)
Custom-specified Griffen 3" thick radiator

https://flic.kr/p/tKpsed

https://flic.kr/p/tKpcch

https://flic.kr/p/u2CG4s

https://flic.kr/p/uEMj4W

https://flic.kr/p/tKoRtQ

No 914 is rust-free, but this one has surprisingly little, and it was repaired with some kind of epoxy by a previous owner. It's been stored indoors in California, so there's no new rust since then. In 2009 George Hussey described it as "solid, but a basket case", which was perfect for me. The glass is all good, the chassis is good, the interior is good... the car was, and is, a perfect candidate for conversion. My entire goal was a stock 914 with a fun, modern waterpumper, and I based it on a sweet-driving car with a very tired engine.

I have intentionally cut as little as possible. Only two cuts have been made to the sheet metal: clearance for the engine (and access to the starter), and mounting for the clutch master/pedal. You'll need to cut the front for radiator ducting; I never did. The front trunk had a dealer-installed A/C system; I planned to use that hole for the radiator outlet. Other than that, the car is as stock as it can be. I especially didn't cut any wires. The engine wiring harness is entirely self-contained and replaces the stock relay board.

https://flic.kr/p/u2Zn5X

https://flic.kr/p/uFciez

https://flic.kr/p/t5Y6R1
This one's hard to see - it's where the new wiring harness terminates in a 14-pin plug that connects right up to the stock chassis wiring. No cutting, no splicing.

There's still a fair bit to be done, of course, but the parts that are "scariest" to everyone else (the intake manifold, the wiring harness, and connecting the shifter to the wheels) are all finished. The car needs its cooling system built (I've got a plan you can follow, or go your own way), needs an exhaust (I'll provide flanges for the EZ30 side), and ECU tuning, along with a reasonable list of odds and ends which I will happily list and discuss with you. If finishing it were fast or easy, I'd have finished it to recoup costs. It's a project, but I think it's got real potential.

The car also includes a small assortment of stock parts that were either removed or spares, but most of what I removed was sold to local 914 owners.

Interested? Want more pictures? Want details? Want to ask more about my stupid motorcycle habit? Please get in touch. If I could get $5k for the entire bundle, I'd be quite happy, but please feel free to make offers. The car has languished for nearly two years now; I'd like to see it gone.

Car is sold.

Thanks,
Brandon

Posted by: matthepcat Jun 15 2015, 12:07 AM

Wow. Very unique....and along the lines i'm looking for.

PM coming your way.

Posted by: LeftCoastErik Jun 15 2015, 11:46 AM

Matt, you should already be driving this car! I am thinking about it myself..

Posted by: matthepcat Jun 15 2015, 03:30 PM

You know it Erik. Even if this motor is not exactly what you want, it has a lot of the pieces for any Subaru family motor.

Posted by: PotterPorsche Jun 15 2015, 05:52 PM

ez30 flat six is an impressive engine. I think 212 hp.

If I had any more room I would have already had it in my garage.

3 vws and a Porsche 914 its packed

Posted by: whitetwinturbo Jun 15 2015, 08:17 PM

Could be the one for the father / son project?

Posted by: Andyrew Jun 15 2015, 08:32 PM

Thats pretty darn cheap... Anyone think it'll last the next 2 days? I dont..

Posted by: JRust Jun 15 2015, 10:05 PM

Damn it if my daughter wasn't getting married next month. I'd be all over this . Really a great price & still tempting me way to much. Must..... Get..... Off...... 914 world classifieds right now

Posted by: thenewwazoo Jun 15 2015, 11:17 PM

Thanks, everyone, for the kind words. I tried to pick a price that I thought was a square deal, and given the level of interest, I think it is. As I've said before, it's good to see that others think the car has potential too. It's a great project! I'm just in a place where it doesn't make sense for me, personally.

Posted by: cbehr Jun 16 2015, 06:20 AM

If I didn't live across the county I'd be interested for sure!

Posted by: Chris H. Jun 16 2015, 07:22 AM

It should already be gone! Great radiator, great engine, great trans, cable shift setup is already in there, cool carb setup....someone buy it!

Posted by: thenewwazoo Jun 16 2015, 08:45 AM

Just to clarify, this car is actually set up for EFI. The injectors and fuel rails bolt directly to the head, and this setup is a custom job using motorcycle throttle bodies. All of the roar of Webers with all the tuning of injection!

Posted by: thenewwazoo Jun 16 2015, 10:17 AM

Hi everyone, it looks like I might have screwed up the permissions on the Flickr album; I've fixed it, so you should be able to see more photos now at https://www.flickr.com/gp/thenewwazoo/43igN1

Thanks!

Posted by: jpnovak Jun 17 2015, 04:17 PM

I would buy it if I did not have to ship it. I miss my suby conversion and would love another.

Posted by: 914forme Jun 17 2015, 06:43 PM

Love the intakes, I have the TBs sitting in the shop waiting to be done. Never thought about doing it with a 3D printer.

Some one buy this, as It is really a smoking deal for whats sitting here!

Posted by: JRust Jun 17 2015, 08:28 PM

This will piss my wife off but if I got to it before anyone else. I sent a PM committing to buy it. I do have a crazy couple weeks so hopefully he can sit on it a bit. Probably be almost a month before I could make the trip down to pick it up. Unless someone happens to be making this trip in the next couple weeks . Happy to pay gas for someone to bring it to me

Posted by: mepstein Jun 18 2015, 05:15 AM

looks like a great project.

Posted by: fs096b Jun 18 2015, 08:19 PM

sent email and pm, like to make an offer, check your messages for my info

Posted by: matthepcat Jun 20 2015, 03:48 PM

Thought I would post some info on this car. I visited Brandon Friday and the car is everything as described and shown in the pictures. No surprises here.

Brandon is obviously a nerd for the small details and it shows in his well thought out plan and execution. This car could be driving in a few dedicated weekends of work.

It is worth every penny of the asking price.

Posted by: thenewwazoo Jun 20 2015, 04:30 PM

Thanks for the kind words, Matt! It was a pleasure to meet you.

Posted by: thenewwazoo Jun 20 2015, 04:37 PM

Oh! Also, a few things that I should add or clarify:

I have a folder of paperwork dating back to about 1994. It's probably not a complete record, but it's fun to look through.

I also have an owner's manual in ... poor condition. I'll throw that in if you'd like.

The transmission is actually from a 2005 Impreza RS, according to the receipt. I was confused because the car has a 2006-style clutch setup, with the "push" slave cylinder (earlier cars had a "pull" slave cylinder, which is bulkier). The car has a lightweight flywheel. It will probably sound very, very mean.

The tires are as low-miles as they look, and they've been stored indoors out of sunlight. That said, they're still 5-6 years old, and have been stationary for years and probably flat-spotted. I would expect to replace them before really using the car, but they hold air just fine.

Yes, the car could be put back to stock if you really wanted to. I don't know why you would, but some have asked.

Posted by: JRust Jun 21 2015, 02:34 PM

Hey guys I held off as some of you are closer. I know a few were going to check it out. I wanted Brandon to have a shot of getting out from under it sooner rather than later. I've got a crazy couple weeks ahead & no time to get down there. If none of you pick it up I will eventually. It will be an extra car for me. So while I would like it. I would rather see it go to someone it will be a priority for. I will put it to use eventually if one of you don't soon

Posted by: Mueller Jun 21 2015, 03:08 PM

Seems like a great deal...way too $$ for me, besides one non-running 914 is enough for me, I wish he was closer so I could at least check it out!

Posted by: matthepcat Jun 21 2015, 08:25 PM

Haha. He is an hour away.

Posted by: Mike Bellis Jun 21 2015, 11:00 PM

Love the look of the intake manifolds but what is the the final plan. Those will melt and deform with engine heat. Laser scan and CNC?

I would buy this in a heat beat if it were in my budget.

Posted by: thenewwazoo Jun 22 2015, 12:24 AM

They're printed in polyamide 12. Naturally they're untested, but I'm confident they won't deform at normal water-cooled head temperatures, based on the published properties of the material, testing I've done with a 1/8th-scale prototype, and some testing others have done. My backup plan if they did was to print them in ABS, sand cast them in aluminum, and do some finish machining on the mating surfaces if the gasket wouldn't seal.

Posted by: thenewwazoo Jun 30 2015, 06:04 PM

Car's still available. Someone come and give it a good home.

Posted by: jd74914 Jul 7 2015, 03:30 PM

Too bad you aren't closer...this car really is a great deal!

FWIW I used the same material for the intake manifold on a hot running GSX-R600 race motor (average coolant temps ~220F, manifolds bolted right to the head, no phenolic) and didn't experience any deformation or cracking problems over 6 months of hard use. Most people just SLA ABS which is really brittle and has a much lower HDT, but with it's high fatigue strength and HDT PA is really the perfect RP material for this application.

Posted by: green914 Jul 21 2015, 05:42 PM

Posted by: thenewwazoo Jul 21 2015, 06:41 PM

It's still around. There's been a steady stream of interest but no bites. It can be all yours, green914

Posted by: green914 Jul 22 2015, 03:24 PM

PM coming your way.

Posted by: bfrymire Jul 22 2015, 05:23 PM

I am really surprised this is still around! If I didn't already have a stagnant project in my garage.... (Subie also, but the wrx motor.)

-- brett

Posted by: MadDog415 Jul 26 2015, 08:40 PM

I've seen it..... it's a tight fit!

Posted by: thenewwazoo Aug 2 2015, 03:24 PM

And it's gone! Thanks, everyone, for the kind words. Now to see if there's any (commercial) interest in more of those intake manifolds...

Posted by: matthepcat Aug 2 2015, 08:32 PM

Finally! Sorry it took so long Brandon.

By chance do you know if the car was purchased by a 914 guy who intends to bring it life?

Posted by: thenewwazoo Aug 2 2015, 08:55 PM

In short, no, not really. He plans to pull the drivetrain out and use it instead of a V8 he's got in a conversion project of his. Not sure what he's going to do with the chassis, but he's not interested in it.

Posted by: Chi-town Sep 3 2018, 05:55 PM

Does anyone know who bought this car or the drivetrain out of it?

Posted by: MikeInMunich Sep 4 2018, 02:13 PM

Just saw this thread now. I’m personally baffled how this offer for $5k or somewhat less(?) took more than six weeks to go.

Just my 2 cents

M.i.M.

Posted by: matthepcat Sep 6 2018, 01:42 PM

3 year old thread bump... nice!

Posted by: Chi-town Sep 6 2018, 11:22 PM

Was hoping to find someone who might know something about where the car/ drivetrain went.

You don't have a way to contact Brandon do you? What I'm really after is the plans for the itb adapters he had 3d printed.

Posted by: thenewwazoo Sep 7 2018, 12:03 AM

I might know where to find him.

I have to warn you, though: the plans come with a very strict set of licensing terms:
* don't sell the plans or the intake, or any derivative thereof
* buy me a beer if you want
* you have to give me a ride in the car if we ever meet

Sound fair?

Posted by: Chi-town Sep 8 2018, 08:14 AM

I can meet those terms

Posted by: Chi-town Oct 4 2018, 08:59 AM

@http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=10883 any luck?

Posted by: thenewwazoo Oct 4 2018, 11:51 AM

http://pornoscan.us/~bmatt/EZ30/

Posted by: Chi-town Oct 4 2018, 12:25 PM

You are the MAN!