What else should CFR Tangerine do to my 73 2.0?, Help me spend my money Options

[auerbach]

At the suggestion of the board, I am bringing my 76 914 with a 73 2.0 (dual Webers) to Chris to have the engine and drive train looked at. I already have a new cam on the list. I'm also considering SS headers and break and fuel lines.

Any one else have any constructive suggestions OTHER THAN dropping in a V8 from a Cayenne GTS?

Thanks.

[SGB]

All this begs a good theoretical question-
Chris, If someone came to you and said, "I have a decent 914 and $3000, how do I make it better?"
What is your answer?
Suspension?
Brakes?
Engine (of course we ALL want a MasIVe, but that is whyI set the cost figure that challenges that choice)?
Exhaust?
Cooling?

I'm picking your brain for the experience you have, but I guess this would be a road car, not track. I have my opinions too, of course. I would go for trans rebuild first then Mallory and SSI/ tangerine and koni and Kumho (or better) and all bushings and a dead pedal. I think there might be money left for one tank of gas!

[ChrisFoley]

All this begs a good theoretical question-
Chris, If someone came to you and said, "I have a decent 914 and $3000, how do I make it better?"
What is your answer?
Suspension?
Brakes?
Engine (of course we ALL want a MasIVe, but that is whyI set the cost figure that challenges that choice)?
Exhaust?
Cooling?

Its tough to answer that on a purely theoretical basis due to the variables of specific condition of the vehicle and what is "better" in the eyes of the owner.
Does the owner want the car to handle better, look better, sound better, or just accelerate better?
Lets assume that NO needed repairs are discovered when the car is in the shop, and that the car is a mostly stock 2 liter -4.
Taking each of your categories in order, the things I would consider important to upgrade are: Suspension - adjustable front anti-sway bar and bigger rear springs, along with Bilstein or Koni shocks (choice depends on customer preference); Brakes - you don't need to spend much money to have good brakes, good pads with a high coefficient of friction and a M/C brace to prevent firewall flex; Engine - for $3K you might (barely) squeeze in a cam swap, head work and dual carbs for 20 or more hp gain; Exhaust - a Tangerine Header by itself will give approximately 9% more torque and hp nearly across the entire rpm range, and make the engine sound more like a Porsche than a VW; Cooling - the engine will run cooler with a Tangerine Header installed.
I think if you do all the installation yourself you could get the exhaust, suspension, and brake upgrades mentioned and meet the budget. Having a shop do the labor will cost about another $1K.

Another approach would be to spend the $$ for 911 front suspension and calipers, 5 lug rear hubs and good wheels/tires. Also needed would be a 19mm M/C and replace the prop valve with a tee.