Getting A 914..., Basic questions and ideas! Options

[Simon Tibbett]

First off, hello, my name is Simon lol. I have had a love for 914's for years now and joined this site to learn as much as I can.

I am getting a pretty nice 914 tomorrow.

It has the 2.0 engine but is running a Weber carb. The owner tells me it's pretty small I forget the size, the previous owner put it on. The car feels underpowered and kind of rough, I am guessing too small of a carb would do that? So my question what's a good carb(s) to put on and gain some power? I am looking at these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-2X-44ID...p4506.m20.l1116

The brakes are the worse thing though so far that I can tell. They are very mushy and don't really feel like much pressure or stopping power. Bad enough it can't be driven hard without tons of space lol. I am ordering a rebuild kit, what do I need? Just the caliper rebuild kit for front and rear? Master cylinder?

It also smokes slightly, and I am guessing it's oil. I was considering getting these pistons too as they come with new rings, hopefully fixing that and giving me some power back.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VW-Porsche-...A1%7C240%3A1318


Now, I do plan on tracking this car some, mainly track days for now when I get the car sorted, and possibly vintage next year. I am 21 and have been racing for a while, recently having a Miata which is what I am trading for the 914. Some may say the Miata is a better track car, it may be, but like I said I have always loved these, love Porsche, and have a passion for vintage racing for some reason lol. Plus when built right, I have seen 914's brutally kill any Miata on track.

I am purchasing a cage. My question is should I reinforce any other areas of the car? I can obviously weld in random bars such as in the front trunk and rear. Would this be beneficial? The chassis is fairly major rust free from what I have seen. I want to make sure the chassis stays straight and solid, how do I do that?

Well thank you all for your time! I look forward to learning about these cars and being here. Thanks!

[Sleepin]

Wow Simon! Hell of a good first post....although you did fail at posting a picture (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

I am not a carb guy, I stick with injection myself. Although I can tell you that you will want to get rid of the single carb and get duals.

Brakes are an often discussed portion of the 914. Many think that they are simply not enough, but a well tuned factory brake setup is quite sufficient IMO (flame suit on). A good many 914's on the road have inoperable rear brakes and poor front brakes, which makes things....well...mushy. I would suggest getting ahold of PMB Performance for a set of their rebuilt calipers and a good set of pads. By the time you rebuild them and hope for the best, the time and money is well worth getting a good set that has been done by a professional. Master cylinder seals can get tore up from rust and fail without notice. It all depends on the car itself. It would not hurt getting a look at it and checking it's condition.

Along with brakes I suggest getting ahold of Racer Chris at Tangerine Racing for a set of stainless fuel lines. 914's have plastic lines that run from the tank to the engine compartment...and chances are if you have seen a 914 on fire it was due to those lines.

I sound like someone making shameless plugs (perhaps I am), but to me these are the two most important things to look into when driving a 35 year old car.


Welcome!!! There is a plethora of knowledge here and a lot of fun to be had! Welcome to the madness!!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drunk.gif)

[messix]

DON'T DO IT!!!!!

next thing you know you'll be hanging out with a bunch of ass hats on some on-line non-club club and spending too much money on parts for a little old funny looking car that tail draggers call NARPs.

before long you'll start shopping for "parts cars" and buying sawzall blades in bulk.

[jcambo7]

DON'T DO IT!!!!!

next thing you know you'll be hanging out with a bunch of ass hats on some on-line non-club club and spending too much money on parts for a little old funny looking car that tail draggers call NARPs.

before long you'll start shopping for "parts cars" and buying sawzall blades in bulk.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif) and I haven't even started doing that yet...

Just wondering though if you know if the car was originally carbed or FI?
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[Simon Tibbett]

Thanks for the info! Definitely want to get rid of chances of fire lol.

The car was originally fuel injected.

Haha I don't think it will be as bad as some of my other track cars, I built a ITC Civic when I was sixteen and had enough parts to build three Civic street cars lol.

Edit: Wait, why am I on here at 2am? lol It's already started. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[jcambo7]

Edit: Lol...trust me...you're not alone in this addiction as you can tell. Their are people still on the site from the west coast.

Are you planning on sticking with carbs than or maybe possibly going back to FI?

[Simon Tibbett]

I am sticking with carbs for now. Just to make it simple right now and no wiring. I haven't owned a Porsche, or dealt with this old of a car or suspension type. It's all new to me. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[jcambo7]

I am sticking with carbs for now. Just to make it simple right now and no wiring. I haven't owned a Porsche, or dealt with this old of a car or suspension type. It's all new to me. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Yeah thats understandable. Its still all new to me and I am stil continueing to learn. This site is the best place to do it. So much knowledge here. A couple questions though. What areas did you look at for rust? Where are pics of the car?

[Simon Tibbett]

Battery tray and all in the engine compartment, both trunks, under the car, suspension areas, and TRIED to sneak a peek under the carpet but didn't see any where I looked.

[jcambo7]

Battery tray and all in the engine compartment, both trunks, under the car, suspension areas, and TRIED to sneak a peek under the carpet but didn't see any where I looked.

That's good. One thing everyone here will say is is that almost every 914 has rust somewhere on it unless it has been restored to a rust free condition of course or if it has been sitting in storage forever. One place you didn't mention is the longs. It's a well known place also for rust to hide at.

[Simon Tibbett]

What are the longs? All these terms confuse me lol. Is that the rocker panels?

It has a few small rust spots I saw, but surface rust.

[Sleepin]

The longs are the main frame of the car. They are behind the rocker panels and continue up under the battery and on back. one per side. Passenger side long and both jack points (square holes with plugs on the rocker panels) are really spots to look at.

[zymurgist]

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[URY914]

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lol

[Simon Tibbett]

lol thanks for the welcomes!

Another quick question, is any machine work required to put new pistons and rings in?

[Cap'n Krusty]

If I were planning to do ANY engine work on this car, I'd spend some time here on the forum listening to people who've done this before. Some here are in a position to offer you REAL knowledge and advice. Some, not so much .......... Those "deals" you cite will be there for a while, so don't rush into things. BTW, 44s "may" be too big, depending on how you plan to use them. And, no, no machine work is necessary to fit that piston set, other than reconditioning the rods and having the pins fit. HOWEVER, you MAY need head work, and that can cost you a bundle. There are only a few shops qualified to make 914 cylinder head repairs, despite what you might hear.
Welcome to the insanity ........ The Cap'n

[Bleyseng]

lol thanks for the welcomes!

Another quick question, is any machine work required to put new pistons and rings in?

No, but you will have to set the deck height and Compression Ratio!

[Simon Tibbett]

Ok, so I got it and drove it home, what a trip! The car hasn't been driven much and I drove it about an hour and ten minutes! It was intense lol. Took some time to get 1st to 2nd right, but cruising it felt nice, the suspension feels solid and it handles really well.

Concerns:

INSANE oil leak. I detailed the engine bay and found it leaking from where you ad oil, is that common?

Then my huge concern is there is TONS of oil blow by. Not just sludge, OIL, my whole filter was SOAKED in oil, wet real motor oil lol. What causes this much pressure and blowing? I really want to get that taken care of.

The brakes started to feel better as I used them and when pumped they work decently. Not track worthy but not dangerous for the street.

I am going to get some pics.

[Simon Tibbett]

Any ideas on the issues?

One pic for now, needs to be washed.

(IMG:http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y237/simontibbett/MyPorshe.jpg)

[PanelBilly]

I'd start with the longs and hunt out the rust first. Evaluate what its going to take to make the frame sound. Get under the car with a screwdriver and start poking around. No use making the car run until you have a solid foundation.