Widebody LS6 rebuild., long time 914 world car desgned and built by B. massaged and refined by Paul, now entrusted to me to rebuild and repair the front end and make my own. Options

[Cracker]

Hey, do you have pictures of your seat mod for more headroom?

I think I have enough by mounting the seat directly to the floor, but I like to explore options.

Dan,

All we did was notch the floor-pan on three sides leaving the front intact. It was slightly larger than the width of the seat. I then sat in the seat with helmet and targa top on and bent the floor pan down until I achieved the ideal height. A panel (wedge-like) was then welded in to take up the gap between the floorpan section. Make sense?

I then mounted to seat in three places (none to the floor); on the console and rocker on the front of the seat and to the roll-bar on the rear. Rough as it is...you can see the notch and outer seat mount in the picture below. It doesn't take much to lower the seat significantly...at 6'5" the 1" drop at the deepest point made a huge difference! Its hard to see in the second picture but I have about 2"-3" between my helmet and the roof - a gob of room for someone of my height in a teener! Mepstein can barely see over the dash...as I recall! LOL.

Feel free to message me if there is anything I can help with...

T

[dan10101]

Hey, do you have pictures of your seat mod for more headroom?

I think I have enough by mounting the seat directly to the floor, but I like to explore options.

Dan,

All we did was notch the floor-pan on three sides leaving the front intact. It was slightly larger than the width of the seat. I then sat in the seat with helmet and targa top on and bent the floor pan down until I achieved the ideal height. A panel (wedge-like) was then welded in to take up the gap between the floorpan section. Make sense?

I then mounted to seat in three places (none to the floor); on the console and rocker on the front of the seat and to the roll-bar on the rear. Rough as it is...you can see the notch and outer seat mount in the picture below. It doesn't take much to lower the seat significantly...at 6'5" the 1" drop at the deepest point made a huge difference! Its hard to see in the second picture but I have about 2"-3" between my helmet and the roof - a gob of room for someone of my height in a teener! Mepstein can barely see over the dash...as I recall! LOL.

Feel free to message me if there is anything I can help with...

T

Thanks for the reply.

Did you mount on factory sliders or directly to the floor?
I was thinking the same thoughts.
I actually finished my direct to floor mounts today. That puts me plenty low, but no sliders. I may go with this for now and then decide if I'm going to raise the main roll bar. That's another can of worms I'm not ready to tackle right now.

[Cracker]

[quote name='dan10101' date='Feb 19 2019, 08:41 PM' post='2690622']
[/quote]

Did you mount on factory sliders or directly to the floor?

[/quote]

Umm, people may "sit" in my car but nobody else drives it - the seat is fixed.

T

[mepstein]

[quote name='Cracker' date='Feb 19 2019, 08:53 PM' post='2690625']
[quote name='dan10101' date='Feb 19 2019, 08:41 PM' post='2690622']
[/quote]

Did you mount on factory sliders or directly to the floor?

[/quote]

Umm, people may "sit" in my car but nobody else drives it - the seat is fixed.

T
[/quote]
I sat in it but felt like a little kid trying to see over the dash.

[dan10101]

I sat in it but felt like a little kid trying to see over the dash.

I think I'm at that point, So it must be low enough. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif)

[Andyrew]

I sat in it but felt like a little kid trying to see over the dash.

I think I'm at that point, So it must be low enough. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif)

I'll carry a small pillow with me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[dan10101]

I'll carry a small pillow with me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Well, that's without the seat pad. But. you might still want the pillow.

Besides Andrew, the only other person I would let drive my car would be my wife, but then I would be putting about a 1/4 throttle stop on the car and a boatload of pillows.

[Zippy69]

Dan,

I spray glued a 1/4" foam pad under seat cushion that you may want to remove if you didn't notice it.

Paul

[Zippy69]

Radiator is custom from Howe Racing Enterprises. So you can see why I chose to repair rather than replace. Plus it reportedly does a great job.

It's 12.25 tall. 30" wide. The core is 2.5" wide and the tanks are a bit over 3" . It is a dual pass radiator with the start and finish on the pass side. It could possibly be up to 2" wider but not necessary.

I need to fab up some air block off plates to keep the air going only thru the radiator. The GT40 scoop seems to fit well and still give lots of room for the battery and other accessories.

Here are a few thing that come to mind...

This Howe dual pass radiator works great! Engine never runs hot even on the hottest of days. Of course I had block off plates around the radiator, the front bumper was cut out to allow for more airflow. Additionally the radiator fans are thermostatically controlled. There is also a fan override switch to keep them on constantly in front of the center console. I used this when racing. Probably not necessary but they are there as an extra precaution.

Heat in the car is another story as it is a very hot place to sit. The hot air from the fans on the radiator rotors over the windshield into the cabin with the targa top off. Heat comes up into the cabin from hot radiator hoses in the rockers. Heat comes directly from engine thru firewall even with the heat shielding that I installed. I laughed any time someone asked me if the heat in the car works! Oh yeah it works. I put some hose vents outside by rear view mirrors in an attempt to get some air to driver and passenger. They did ok at speed but needed a better mounting solution. AC would be great but would require a lot of work. Perhaps a better blower fan and cool air inlets could be fabricated to help? Of course if the primary use of this car is as a race car then comfort in the cabin is less of a concern.

As far as the GT40 scoop is concerned... It fits well and has plenty of room underneath in fact the previous owner had a donut spare ratchet tied under it over the battery on an angle with the top of the tire resting on the rectangle foam pad on the firewall in front of the gas tank. The only thing that I was going to change on the scoop is the three mounting screws and brackets. I feel that could be attached cleaner with dzus fasteners? Another thing that was on my optional list that never got done.

Hope these observations help.

Paul

[dan10101]

Radiator is custom from Howe Racing Enterprises. So you can see why I chose to repair rather than replace. Plus it reportedly does a great job.

It's 12.25 tall. 30" wide. The core is 2.5" wide and the tanks are a bit over 3" . It is a dual pass radiator with the start and finish on the pass side. It could possibly be up to 2" wider but not necessary.

I need to fab up some air block off plates to keep the air going only thru the radiator. The GT40 scoop seems to fit well and still give lots of room for the battery and other accessories.

Here are a few thing that come to mind...

This Howe dual pass radiator works great! Engine never runs hot even on the hottest of days. Of course I had block off plates around the radiator, the front bumper was cut out to allow for more airflow. Additionally the radiator fans are thermostatically controlled. There is also a fan override switch to keep them on constantly in front of the center console. I used this when racing. Probably not necessary but they are there as an extra precaution.

Heat in the car is another story as it is a very hot place to sit. The hot air from the fans on the radiator rotors over the windshield into the cabin with the targa top off. Heat comes up into the cabin from hot radiator hoses in the rockers. Heat comes directly from engine thru firewall even with the heat shielding that I installed. I laughed any time someone asked me if the heat in the car works! Oh yeah it works. I put some hose vents outside by rear view mirrors in an attempt to get some air to driver and passenger. They did ok at speed but needed a better mounting solution. AC would be great but would require a lot of work. Perhaps a better blower fan and cool air inlets could be fabricated to help? Of course if the primary use of this car is as a race car then comfort in the cabin is less of a concern.

As far as the GT40 scoop is concerned... It fits well and has plenty of room underneath in fact the previous owner had a donut spare ratchet tied under it over the battery on an angle with the top of the tire resting on the rectangle foam pad on the firewall in front of the gas tank. The only thing that I was going to change on the scoop is the three mounting screws and brackets. I feel that could be attached cleaner with dzus fasteners? Another thing that was on my optional list that never got done.

Hope these observations help.

Paul

This is good info. Thanks.
I was wondering what that green button was for. It was on my "ask Paul list".

I was also wondering what the black momentary button on the right side of the steering wheel was for. Well actually it's been so long that I've owned 914 I don't know what the orange buttons are for. I'm guessing the left side is for fog lights. but I don't know what the one next to the lighter plug does.

I'll have to pay attention to air flow and sealing it best as I can.

[Zippy69]

Radiator is custom from Howe Racing Enterprises. So you can see why I chose to repair rather than replace. Plus it reportedly does a great job.

It's 12.25 tall. 30" wide. The core is 2.5" wide and the tanks are a bit over 3" . It is a dual pass radiator with the start and finish on the pass side. It could possibly be up to 2" wider but not necessary.

I need to fab up some air block off plates to keep the air going only thru the radiator. The GT40 scoop seems to fit well and still give lots of room for the battery and other accessories.

Here are a few thing that come to mind...

This Howe dual pass radiator works great! Engine never runs hot even on the hottest of days. Of course I had block off plates around the radiator, the front bumper was cut out to allow for more airflow. Additionally the radiator fans are thermostatically controlled. There is also a fan override switch to keep them on constantly in front of the center console. I used this when racing. Probably not necessary but they are there as an extra precaution.

Heat in the car is another story as it is a very hot place to sit. The hot air from the fans on the radiator rotors over the windshield into the cabin with the targa top off. Heat comes up into the cabin from hot radiator hoses in the rockers. Heat comes directly from engine thru firewall even with the heat shielding that I installed. I laughed any time someone asked me if the heat in the car works! Oh yeah it works. I put some hose vents outside by rear view mirrors in an attempt to get some air to driver and passenger. They did ok at speed but needed a better mounting solution. AC would be great but would require a lot of work. Perhaps a better blower fan and cool air inlets could be fabricated to help? Of course if the primary use of this car is as a race car then comfort in the cabin is less of a concern.

As far as the GT40 scoop is concerned... It fits well and has plenty of room underneath in fact the previous owner had a donut spare ratchet tied under it over the battery on an angle with the top of the tire resting on the rectangle foam pad on the firewall in front of the gas tank. The only thing that I was going to change on the scoop is the three mounting screws and brackets. I feel that could be attached cleaner with dzus fasteners? Another thing that was on my optional list that never got done.

Hope these observations help.

Paul

This is good info. Thanks.
I was wondering what that green button was for. It was on my "ask Paul list".

I was also wondering what the black momentary button on the right side of the steering wheel was for. Well actually it's been so long that I've owned 914 I don't know what the orange buttons are for. I'm guessing the left side is for fog lights. but I don't know what the one next to the lighter plug does.

I'll have to pay attention to air flow and sealing it best as I can.

No Green push button is horn. (Weird spot I know)
Fan over ride is a pull switch in front of center console.
Yellow button in pic is Fog lights.
Black Button to left of Lighter I believe is Instrument lights?

[Zippy69]

See air scoop in middle of hood tunnel. My plan one day was to modify the hood tunnel and add a scoop for fresh cabin air just like the Ford GT see pic

[dan10101]

i pulled the center console to give me some room to work on the drivers seat.
I made seat brackets and mounted the driver seat to the floor. I did remove that extra pad. Doing this will allow me to run with the stock seat pad and still not make contact with the roll bar under normal driving. For helmeted driving I'll remove the stock pad.

I also positioned the stock looking custom pedal cluster that I received from Chris W.
It does several things for me.

It moves the clutch and brake pedals closer to their original positions give or take an inch which moves me a step closer to having the steering wheel and pedals in front of the drivers seat and not off to the right.

It allows me to use dual brake master cylinders for redundancy.

It allows me to move the clutch master cylinder from the left side to the right side of the cluster similar to this custom unit. http://www.901shop.com/main/CustomProducts...65/Default.aspx

The biggest part of moving the clutch master is that at full droop the tie rod end contacts the clutch master when I tried to move it over further left in an earlier post.

The 2nd part of aligning the driving position is turning the seat slightly to face the steering wheel. It's still not perfect but it feels a lot better. The 3rd part will be to adjusting the mounting of the steering wheel to move it over a bit. I'll drive it first and see how it feels.

Does anyone else have this problem?

[ConeDodger]

I'll carry a small pillow with me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Well, that's without the seat pad. But. you might still want the pillow.

Besides Andrew, the only other person I would let drive my car would be my wife, but then I would be putting about a 1/4 throttle stop on the car and a boatload of pillows.

It wouldn’t be the first 914 “possessed by the devil” that Andrew has driven! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/evilgrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

[effutuo101]

I actually needed up angling both seats slightly towards the tunnel. My steering rack is a custome one off from Jeff H.

[dan10101]

I actually needed up angling both seats slightly towards the tunnel. My steering rack is a custome one off from Jeff H.

I would be interested in hearing more about the steering rack. I know Andrew would be too.

I don't think my angle is as far off as it looks in that picture, But if it is, I need to twist my seat more, or do something with the steering.

[Cracker]

Yep, same here Dan...I came to the conclusion that how VW designed the interior - that was the best they could do. I'd rather have my seating position square with road than square with the steering wheel. I haven't crashed...yet.

T

[dan10101]

Yep, same here Dan...I came to the conclusion that how VW designed the interior - that was the best they could do. I'd rather have my seating position square with road than square with the steering wheel. I haven't crashed...yet.

T

I'm guessing when you don't have fitted seats, it's not as evident.

It's certainly crossed my mind too when I'm adjusting the seat. i didn't move it much, I can always change it later.

[sixnotfour]

fixed seat, with lots of mini move options, no rear pivot mount.. kids these days

[dan10101]

fixed seat, with lots of mini move options, no rear pivot mount.. kids these days

That looks like it would be relatively easy to get in and out.
So it eliminates the rear pivot mount and bolts further back directly to the floorboard?
Makes it easier to start the bolts. Front mount too. I may be remaking my seat mounts...