My V8 resurrection is taking MUCH longer than..., ...I planned but what else is new? Options

[neo914-6]

Brad and crew got my 20+ year old Jaide conversion resurrected a couple of years ago but I couldn't leave well enough alone. A fellow V8 converter sold me his built 400hp engine before Christmas and I thought I could get it installed by the April's WCC05 by merely replacing the clutch and rebuilding the old Carter carb. The KEP clutch turned into a fiasco so I decided to buy an all new Renegade kit (less the engine and tranny mounts) besides I already had their great radiator. Bill P gave me some v-belt parts since he was going serpentine and Renegade gave me a nice deal on the w/p for supporting them over the years. Well I come to find this is not a week-end bolt-in so here are my woes and triumphs…

V8 Gurus..., Edelbrock Manifold and Head miss-match
More V8 questions for the gurus..., It's been over 15 years..
Just like "Rides" hot host, designer, and, a team of 40 to work on my car...
Help V8 Gurus! Engine removal..., ...not clearing the axles? V8 topic: Anyone know what header baffles..., ...are used for?
V8 Topic: Help!, Harmonic Balancer not fitting...
Which is better: Renegade or KEP clutch, (or kevlar vs.organic)...
Renegade V8 TOPIC: Shifter?, How did you lengthen it?
GM harmonic balancer differences..., V8 topic
More V8 conversion questions..., ...the rebuild continues
Where to mount a Holley Elect Fuel pump?, in a V8 conversion...
mounting the HEI distributor
"simple" HEI wiring is not so simple to me
V8 topic: front mounted electric fuel pump wiring, ...where to tap 12V?
How do you replace the two shift coupler bushings?, ...just drive the shaft out, is there a pin on it?

[Terryst1]

Hi Felix:

I was cruising the site and wanted to offer some suggestions based on my experience. 4 years ago, I met Scottie at PorscheFest and was BITTEN to do
a 914 conversion car. It is done and has been running for about 2 years: 500HP 383, 930 trans, rollcage, big Willwood brakes, full suspension mods. It is a HOOT
to out-drag Corvettes on the straights and terrorize them in the corners. I started with with idea of going to Scottie, but quickly learned that he was not a reliable source. I don't trust him and he knows it!

Suggestions:

-The first thing is to GET RID of Scotties cheap plastic 90s in the cooling system. They were NEVER designed to work in an automotive application and when I pulled them from a friends car, found that the threaded part had COLLAPSED from
heat and tightening pressure. On my car I chased around until I found BRASS parts that will cost about $12 ea, but will last.

-If you are getting help from Brad "all914.com", HE IS THE EXPERT and is absolutely honest! Follow his suggestions.

-The RH engine cross-bar is JUNK and it is easy to see that they BEND with the car sitting dead in the driveway. I made my own out of 2" X 2" and made it a structural part of the car. Your engine mount looks good and should do the job for your application.

-Go for the t-stat housing as already suggested that allows the neck to rotate to any angle. It has 2 parts a base plate and a neck free to rotate. If not Summit, they are cheap on e-bay.

-With 400 HP, you may be OK on the cooling side. However, it you have troubles keeping the car cool, I would recommend going 1-1/4" with ALL cooling hoses.
My bud is a graduate mechanical engineer and taught me that most efficient cooling occurs when the water flows at the HIGHEST RATE. This is science, don't listen to Scottie back-yard nonsense.

Question: How goes Chris Julian's car? Has he fixed the huge oiling problem he had a while back when he was down south here for the annual 914 gathering.

BTW: smoothing driving (especially shifting) as you did in you slalom video should
keep that 901 trans living a good while. It seems that they will take a 400 HP engine (actually the issue is TORQUE) if driven carefully.

Best of luck,

Terry