Custom axles for my 1.8t 914, where can I have them made? Options

[914_1.8t]

I'm doing a Audi 1.8t conversion into my 914. I'm using a complete engine/tranny out of a FWD a4.
I've got the engine/tranny into the 914 and the transmission lines up perfectly with the rear hubs.

Now I need to have a set of custome axles made.
Anyone know of a place (preferrably in the Bay Area, CA) that can make these for me.
I've found a place on the east coast but feel more confortable being able to take my car to the place and letting them do the measurements. Also, I only know of the one place right now. I'd like to know of other places (even east coast) that may do it so that I can compare/shop for the price.

Thanks in advance.

[Scott Carlberg]

it's interesting (ok, maybe just to me! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wavey.gif) ) but 914 _1.8t is using alot of the same things the guy back in NY did. His 1.8t-powered 914 racecar was in European Car last year.


Part of his email to me:

"The car is a semi-tube with a 935 Porsche E.R.P. front suspension, RSR-Bilstein coil-overs, Carrera coilovers in the back, modified swing arms, but the attachment points stayed the same. Some think that you should raise the pivot up about 2 " to improve the geometry with a lowered car, a colossal project. The front suspension points where raised with welded in boxes right up to the hood. Custom axles, Audi 5 speed front track, welded diff., Boxster shift cables & bracketry, custom radiator, Willwood calipers & pedal box, Carerra OEM rotors, 911 front spindles, custom 5 lug rear wheel flanges, rewired Audi ECU with an APR 3+ program, 4 different body suppliers, A.I.R., Sheridan, GT Racing, etc. Bogart wheels.
At the moment I am changing the IC into a liquid/air with a Spearco IC and a Sirocco radiator mounted by the passenger door".

and

"The Engine choice was easy, I had one out of an A4 I put in the wall at the Glen. The engine I had already built, but the car was to heavy and not safe. Some of these cars in DE these days are pretty scary with 3800lbs+ and 450hp+ no safety equipment and bad drivers. The 1.8T is like the small block Chevy of Germany, it is in about everything and abundant.
I melted my first one playing around with a thick head gasket that screwed the quench zones. I replaced it with a new engine, valve cover to oil pan, no induction etc. for $3000.00. Try to do that with Porsche.
There are a lot of tuners playing with this engine, a 100hp increase is simply a bolt on affair. It fits in the 914 very nice with about the same weight as the 4cyl Porsche.
I used a 5-speed front wheel-drive tranny out of a 96 A6. It will bolt to the 1.8T.

It is noted as an 012, however the older ones, which this is, have smaller bearings on the diff., so the Quaiffe won't slip in. The newer ones it will. A plus side to this A6 version is that it has tripods instead of CV's. You could weld the tripods to the 914 axles eliminating the need for custom axles. I use the stock 914 outer CV's with success. I just replace them once a year.
I would replace the 5-spd with the Boxster 6-spd if I had the funds. I THINK it will bolt up to the 1.8T".

and finally:

"I might consider looking at horizontal version of the 1.8T. Might get more weight centered and a better selection of gear ratios. That would probably wouldn't be hard to shift as it is a cable anyway. Might even be able to get the radiator in the rear between the engine and the back bumper. Even with the longitude engine I think with proper planning it could be done. Engine management was a challenge, but in the end not difficult. Get the wiring schematics to the ECU and just light up the power supplies".


Sure sounds like a fun project, huh?

VR6 - 1.8t? 1.8t - VR6? Decisions Decisions. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clap56.gif)