Finally - GT project, Build of 914-6 GT Options

[Mitox]

A 21mm front sway bar is a BIG bar on a 914 and will increase the stiff feel of the 911 torsion bars that are for a 2700 lb 911. I'm not saying it's wrong and I certainly don't have the education in suspension like smarter people here but... It's going to be pretty stiff on the road.

After reading more - I think I agree 21mm may be too large. It looks like Tarett has a 19.3mm sway bar, and maybe I could go with the original sway bar but I don't know what size that is.

[Mitox]

While I'm impatiently waiting on the front fender reconstruction and paint, I've been researching the many options and opinions on suspension setup.

My plan (subject to change) is to use:
- the original 19mm torsion bars in the donor '84 911 front end
- Koni 914 strut inserts KON-8641-1077 (I think they fit the 911 strut)
- Koni 914 rear shocks and spring set up from Ground Control
- no rear sway bar
- All new rubber bushings - most likely Elephant's

Remaining issues:
- What spring rate to use on the rear - 140?
- what front sway bar to use and what diameter - 21mm?

I'd appreciate any input to help finish the plan and purchase list.

Does this make sense?? What suggestion would you have for changes or for the spring rate and front sway bars??

Driving style will be "wannabe" racer, but actually mountain curves as fast as I can without wrecking or hurting my back on bumps.


Modifications to my thoughts/plans:
- It seems that I should start with a smaller front sway bar: the smallest I can find is 19.3mm from Tarett, or I could use an original but I don't know how large it is.

- As for the spring rate: 100# - 140# seems like a start. The 3.2 is adding weight to the rear.

- The 911 front suspension I'm using has the 19mm torsion bars; I could keep the control arms from the 914 suspension and use 17mm units, but the next option step up is still 19mm.

[Mitox]

Another example of Ben’s artwork to add to my collection arrived a few days ago.

Can’t wait to listen to it.

[Mitox]

Also had an exciting morning. I drove to Winston Salem to pick up a load of parts I had cad plated. Beautiful gold piece-parts!

[dlee6204]

Also had an exciting morning. I drove to Winston Salem to pick up a load of parts I had cad plated. Beautiful gold piece-parts!

Looks good! Who in Winston did you use for plating?

[Mitox]

Frank at Stratford Metal Finishing took car of me. He rebagged everything, and didn’t lose anything.

[Mitox]

It’s been a while, but getting back into the project. My car’s bodywork and paint is supposedly going to move along with some speed now that others ahead of me are nearly all complete. This truck is the only thing in my way.

I know, it’s not a 914, but it’s cool -

You can see a bit of my 914 on the right side of the pic

[Mitox]

I’ve started stripping done the Carrera front end I bought, and am considering sending a few parts out.

I have Boge struts, and I’m thinking about sending them to Elephant to have the spindles raised 19mm (the max they can raise them).

Still can’t decide between Bilstein and Koni inserts.

[Mitox]

When I finally got the ball joints out, I found some damage on the drivers side control arm. It looks like the end has been shoved back a little off centering the ball joint location and ovaling the whole. Seems odd, no damage noticeable any where else.

[mepstein]

Also had an exciting morning. I drove to Winston Salem to pick up a load of parts I had cad plated. Beautiful gold piece-parts!

It’s always fun to get back jewelry for your car.

[brant]

While I'm impatiently waiting on the front fender reconstruction and paint, I've been researching the many options and opinions on suspension setup.

My plan (subject to change) is to use:
- the original 19mm torsion bars in the donor '84 911 front end
- Koni 914 strut inserts KON-8641-1077 (I think they fit the 911 strut)
- Koni 914 rear shocks and spring set up from Ground Control
- no rear sway bar
- All new rubber bushings - most likely Elephant's

Remaining issues:
- What spring rate to use on the rear - 140?
- what front sway bar to use and what diameter - 21mm?

I'd appreciate any input to help finish the plan and purchase list.

Does this make sense?? What suggestion would you have for changes or for the spring rate and front sway bars??

Driving style will be "wannabe" racer, but actually mountain curves as fast as I can without wrecking or hurting my back on bumps.


-

I like big sway bars
They don’t make for a harsh ride on the highway
Yet give you a higher spring rate in the corners

My non flared street car runs a 21mm with 7 inch wheels
My non flared race car runs a 27mm. Also on 7 inch rims

The more wheel and track you have, the more leverage is impacting your spring rates So you need larger springs to maintain the effective rate

[Mitox]

While I'm impatiently waiting on the front fender reconstruction and paint, I've been researching the many options and opinions on suspension setup.

My plan (subject to change) is to use:
- the original 19mm torsion bars in the donor '84 911 front end
- Koni 914 strut inserts KON-8641-1077 (I think they fit the 911 strut)
- Koni 914 rear shocks and spring set up from Ground Control
- no rear sway bar
- All new rubber bushings - most likely Elephant's

Remaining issues:
- What spring rate to use on the rear - 140?
- what front sway bar to use and what diameter - 21mm?

I'd appreciate any input to help finish the plan and purchase list.

Does this make sense?? What suggestion would you have for changes or for the spring rate and front sway bars??

Driving style will be "wannabe" racer, but actually mountain curves as fast as I can without wrecking or hurting my back on bumps.


-

I like big sway bars
They don’t make for a harsh ride on the highway
Yet give you a higher spring rate in the corners

My non flared street car runs a 21mm with 7 inch wheels
My non flared race car runs a 27mm. Also on 7 inch rims

The more wheel and track you have, the more leverage is impacting your spring rates So you need larger springs to maintain the effective rate

Thanks for the input. I have flared fenders and will have 7” wheels on the front and 8” in the back. When you reference spring rates, are you addressing both the torsion bars and rear springs?

[brant]

As the more flare and wider your wheels. The leverage on the spreadsheet ng increases

Meaning a wide track car will need heavier spring rates as the extra leverage will reduce the effective spring rate

So you can bump your spring rates
Or gain a portion of that back with bigger sea bars

[Mitox]

Cleaning up the garage this evening to see what I can get rid of. I have these Boge inserts from my struts; they came from an ‘84 that was wrecked a few weeks before I bought the front end.

Do they go in the scrap pile, or are they usable by someone - anyone?

[Mitox]

Transmission plans:

Step 1: half way cleaned, but there’s a crusty grease/oil still there

[Mitox]

Transmission plans:

Step 2: Tear down - my first time ever. Good thing Dr. Evil knows how it all goes back together.

Before I bring it to Evilwerks the case needs a serious cleaning; not sure of the best method for that yet. Then, after it’s clean, it gets a coating of cerakote; thinking about Satin Nickel C-124

[Mitox]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif)

It’s beautiful; just received my pedal cluster after a full rebuild by Bruce.

Awesome work!

[Mitox]

Used the weekend to clean the transmission case more. Here’s a couple pics after two cleanings, each one soaking in oven cleaner overnight

Still need to remove the crusty oxidation - looks like blasting may be the way to go.

[Cairo94507]

I have seen I think it is called Vapor Hone blasting, (if memory serves) and it leaves the case like the day it was made. No damage to anything and beautiful results. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Mitox]

I have seen I think it is called Vapor Hone blasting, (if memory serves) and it leaves the case like the day it was made. No damage to anything and beautiful results. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

I tried glass beads on a small area yesterday; it cleaned up well, but leaves the pits from the corrosion. I’d like to find someone to vaporblast it, but so far the closest place I can find is 5 hours away. There are a few disadvantages to living in the SW Virginia mountains - but not many.