Autocross Set Up 914 2.0 Options

[73Euro911S]

I've only posted a handful of times since I bought my 914 so I'm still fairly new on this board, but I'd like to share what I'm planning for the car as I appreciate the collective wisdom and advise from a board based forum of passionate owners.

Last month I reported how great my car performed for over 1200 miles on the Targa California. The seats were my only complaint and while I still haven't changed them, I am at least closing in on some ideas.

I've also been to a few autocross events in the last month and have used my 1997 993 as my track car. It's a fun car, but as you all know, a well set up 914 is a great choice for AX. I bought the 914 intent on using it along with my 19 year old son primarily for the track but also set up to be comforable and useable on the street, so nothing too crazy. Right now its a bone stock 73 2.0 liter car w/ FI.

In some respects I wish I had purchased a car that has already been modified as I appreciate that complete and original (except for a repaint) cars are becoming hard to find, especially the desireable 73 2.0's, but its about my enjoyment of the car and doing this with my son that's most important to me.

I dont want to change the original character of the car and the way it handles too much so I am sticking with a 4 cylinder motor. First up will be a 5 lug conversion probably using 911 struts and hubs and leaving the 914 A arms and T bars. I have an 18mm sway I already swapped in which seems to be a good choice for now. I'd like better brakes, but since I wont be increasing the power by too much I'm sure that early 911 brakes will be fine.

I will get advise from my mechanic on how to convert the rear axel/hubs as I'd like to keep an e-brake so I think it depends on if he thinks the 914 rear axels are OK. the PO installed new Bilsteins all around and the rear springs are 140lbs w/ no r sway bars.

For the motor, I think I will take out my motor, stick it on the shelf and have my shop build a reliable 4 cylinder unit, probably with carbs. My mechanic is very experienced at building race engines for 914's, and he says its easy enough to build a 140-150 HP motor that's reliable and in his opinion, well suited for my objectives. This won't cost crazy money either, and I can always swap my original motor in if needed.

I'm not sure if I'll need to strengthen the chassis or not, but I'm hoping that I don't given the seemingly modest suspension and HP gains I'm shooting for.

I want to crate a very simple, clean interior. GTS seats, no backpad; I'll replace the bp with carpet, RS style door panels, remove the center console (probably), 350mm vintage steering wheel (I actually have a collection of over 30 wheels, so I'm good there!!), and new carpets, and I might use a dynamat equivalent in the right places. Either take the radio out all together or put someting in that's decent, if possible (remember, I'm doing this with a 19 year old).

My paint is pretty good, I had the hood repainted to remove a deep etch mark and the non-original emblem, but everything is OK. There's no rust to deal with so I don't need any paint, unless we remove the sail trim and vinyl and repaint that section. Need new fog or driving lights as my glass is dull and maybe an upgrade the headlight to HID's so I can see at night.

Sorry for the long post, but I thought I'd lay it out there and hope to show our progress as summer starts and he's home from school and we can go at this together. If anybody has any suggestions, I'm all ears. I've been messing with old 911's for a long time but the teener stuff is new to me.

Thanks,

Nick