Daily Driver just wants to know, calling all DDs! Options

[malcolm2]

I have not driven an aircooled VW as a DD for 30 years, and that was a 68 bug. As most probably know, those cars had a speedo and a gas gauge. Very little feed back.

I am curious about how the 914 should run. I have a freshly built and fuel injected 1911 engine, with larger valves on 1.8 style heads. I am running a 75 exhaust. I am getting lots of feedback from the car and I think it drives great! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)

This car seems to have lots of power, compared to the 68 bug. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) I run to about 3500 rpm then shift to 2nd. Thru the gears at about the same rpm, and usually wait to shift to 5th 'til about 50 mph and it cruises between 2800 (55-ish mph) and 3200 (70-ish mph) in 5th. That seems strange, cause they put the blinker indicator right at 3000! It gets blocked all the time (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

I still have lots of power left at 70. If I give it some pedal at 70, it will hop right up to 80, no problems. My ODO is broken, so MPG is unknown, but my goal is to maximize that.

CHT seems to like the 3200 cruising. I notice about a 50 deg drop after a few miles on the interstate, which makes sense. The VDO CHT gauge with the spark plug sensor on #3 runs between 325 and 350 normally.

I am being clear, can everyone follow? How does that sound, as far as DD operation?

Clark
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving-girl.gif)

[eyesright]

I alternate between my '76 2.0L FI 914 and my '02 MR-2. Both get 32 mpg around town and 35+ on the highway @ 75 mph. (Honest!)

I shift around 3000rpm. My shifts are easy on the shynchros/lazy and SUV's beat me off the line at every stop light and school zone. Its just fun to drive easy. I might do a little canyon strafing now and then when nobody's looking...

I checked my VDO gauges with an IR thermometer. Oil runs at 230 in the 100 degree summer days and won't quite get up to 180 during last week's freezing weather. On nice days the oil runs about 180-190. CHT goes to 300-325 within a mile' driving and stays there, maybe going to 350 for a bit but comes right back down.

HAM did my heads and decked my case. I wonder if I got Raby's last 9550 cam kit. I ordered it on a Friday and the next Monday they announced their 9590. Like you, I have plenty of power for what I do and good mileage, so my thanks to Jake and Len.

The only down side to DD is that its not as weather proof as my MR-2 and you have to like maintenance chores!