Update Buick V6 in 914, It's In! Options

[dbledsoe]

Got the engine & transaxle into the car, bolted up at the back, and ready to fabricate a few minor parts to make the new forward crossmember mate to the body. The forward crossmember was bought from Speedway Motors in Lincoln Nebraska for a grand total of $58 to my door (http://www.speedwaymotors.com/). The crossmember clears the shift linkage just fine. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/mueba.gif)

[914GT]

Don,

I made the intake opening on the red 76 the same as my yellow 74. The opening is divided into two sections by a piece of 1" square tubing rolled to match the original curvature of the front end. This tubing adds reinforcement where the original front panel and bottom trunk were spot welded together. The bottom trunk floor opening is approx. 22" x 7". The top opening behind the bumper is approx. 22" x 4.5". Therefore the total intake area is 253 sq. in.

The bumper cutout on my 74 allows for more direct airflow into the front of the car, where the big bumper and valence on the 76 tend to 'shadow' part of the opening. Air can still get around them but I'm sure there's more turbulance at highway speeds. However when stopped and using only the fans, I'm sure the air flow is the same for both cars. I thought of making a small air dam at the rear of the trunk opening on my 74 to try to create a high-pressure area in front of the trunk cutout. I never did and since my car always runs cool I have never been motivated to try it.

Appreciate your kind words. I learned much from other folks that have been doing this for a lot longer than me. I like experimenting and trying new things, and it's great seeing others like you doing the same thing and seeing what ideas you come up with.