#770 (912E) Project thread *Tangerine Cooling System installed!) Options

[Bulldog9]

I'm restoring a 912E, total gut & rebuild. New to this forum, been on the 912 board and several others for a while. I've never worked on an air cooled car engine before, or VW/Porsche of any type, so this has been a real learning process. Been lurking here for a while, figured it was time to post. I've been on 912BBS since 2011, for those interested, this link goes back to day 1. http://www.912bbs.org/vb/showthread.php?43391-770-Update

[PanelBilly]

Since you changed your title, I guess my "WEcome" comment doesn't work anymore now it's just welcome.

I was looking at a restored 912 this summer at the XXX event in Seattle. Guy wanted $18,000 or something close to that. I thought it was a steal at that price. Watch out how much you spend if you're thinking of selling the car any time soon.

[Bulldog9]

Since you changed your title, I guess my "WEcome" comment doesn't work anymore now it's just welcome.

I was looking at a restored 912 this summer at the XXX event in Seattle. Guy wanted $18,000 or something close to that. I thought it was a steal at that price. Watch out how much you spend if you're thinking of selling the car any time soon.

NOt SUre WHat you mean about the welcome ;-)

Yeah, I am very aware of the cost of this have been bargain hunting for parts, buying slowly over the last 2 years. Also watching for sales & great prices, recently scored new zimmerman front vented rotors for $55 a piece and rear vented rotors for $27. Crazy good deal. The downside is I am a parts whore and my wife is getting mad as boxes arrive daily ;-)

The entry price was virtually nothing, and paint will be the real killer, likely more than the full mechanical restore. I don't plan to sell the car, I have a bad habit of keeping things when I like them. After all the BS&T put into the car I'll be driving it for quite a while. My goal is a 3 season driver not a garage queen. I'm also doing 99% of the work myself with the exception of some machine work, balancing and the paint/body work. I did strip the car down to bare metal then acid etch and zinc coat. Will sit over the winter. In the spring I will redo the acid etching and zinc coating and prime with a 2 part epoxy primer, then send to a body shop for bodywork and paint. That is the BIG $$$ still looking for the right shop/person.

I am basically doing a complete gut & rebuild, salvaging what I can (which is a lot) and upgrading where I am replacing. i.e. Most of the work is refreshing, but some is total replacement.

- new 96MM pistons & cyls
- performance cam for carbs with solid lifters & swivel head adjusters
- Thermo reactors replaces with bursch bypass pipes
- Heads rebuilt and improved by Len Hoffman
- 911 style rotors & calipers & M/C
- 911 Turbo tierod and rack spacer kit
- Upgraded gauges - adding 911 dual
- Interior door panels and center console from 86 SC
- heater modifications and addition of fresh air fan circuit in place of clock & fuel gauge.

I'm having fun and have made some great connections, two of them being Jorge from European motorworks, and Len from Hoffman. Both of these guys are masters and very helpful, professional and have been great to work with. HIGHLY recommend either of them.

I've been wrenching on my own stuff since I was in 8th grade, and have rebuilt/restored half a dozen cars and motorcycles, but this is my first Porsche/VW other than a short stint with a GTI back in the early 80's which ended horribly in an Audi...... So I am learning as I go, and appreciate all the insight and help. I've asked a million dumb questions and will ask more.

Bottom line is if I spend $7500 on paint, I will be under $17000 for the total rebuild, that is everything including new tires, stereo, 100% complete. Plus I have a bunch of stuff to sell from this and other projects I have gathered piles of parts. I'm talking to one forum member about a few parts right now once we settle that I will offer the balance to the forums.