EP 914 on track... finally, Test session, wet Options

[groot]

I used this past weekend's Waterford Hills race as my first test session for the new car.

They threw this picture on the Waterford Hills website. Just thought I'd share it.

(IMG:http://www.waterfordhills.com/gallery/jgr5y0414.jpg)

Learned a lot this weekend, like how some lug nuts don't fit some wheels, how I needed more front flare (notice the flare extensions) and how much I can squeeze out of my Optima before I don't get enough juice to run (no alternator). More learning to come on 11-12 Sept, but this time at Mid-Ohio.

[Thorshammer]

Kevin,

Actually, an FP competitor, Ed Givler from Rockland Mass has installed a Hewland Mark 9 in his 914. Ed is a friend of mine, and his install was fairly straight forward.

The Axles are cheap and easy to get, the CV joints are type 1 VW with the outers being 914. 33 Spline. His setup is different than mine, his linkage goes over the top of the motor, and mine goes under. I have an earlier mark 8 Hewland with VW supervee rear linkage. Ed has the formula ford style that comes off of the side. I was able to make my shift rod run very straight but use more apex joints than Ed had to. But it seems to shift (with Lovely wife turning stub axles) well. If you go on Taylor racing website, there is alot of usefull information. Taylor initially told me I would have to install mark 5 shafts and gears they are bigger. But The cost to do the trans new with a supercase and so forth was over 7K, which I could not afford. So I am going to try it the mark 8 stuff, and change the fluid every race weekend. If it works and I don't have any failures, I will REM process all the gears and install ceramic bearings on the shafts. I have photos of both installations if you care to see them.

When you are looking for a Hewland, you need one that does not have the starter area cut off, This is usual for formula Ford application I think. Also, figure out what you want for gears and ring and pinion. The stock 914 is a 7:31, so I would try to stay with that, but if you run into an 8:31/35 it will work. You can use the transmission as a five speed with 1st as a racing gear, but only if you get a shaft with an integral 1st gear, and then you still must be careful when downshifting into it, The gear is really small and can't be abused much. One huge issue is the release bearing. I am trying a centered bearing on the input shaft, and Ed is using a slave cylinder mounted outboard of the clutch/transmission casing, and the standard release bearing cross shaft.
After you have shifted one of these transmissions, you will never go back. Last thing and I will leave you, 2 things really, Rick Hilland and RIC racing in Bow NH does my transmission work, he is fair, knowledgable and will treat you more like a partner than a customer. I highly recommend him. When putting the car in gear they grind, so start it in 1st, or warm up the motor and then shut it off then into first and restart the engine. Hope to see you on the track in the future.

Erik Madsen