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

[sixnotfour]

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...

yes there is a threaded flat bar welded across the back..to the floor

[dan10101]

A lot has happened.

Finished up the seats, pedals and master cylinders. Made new brake hard lines to plumb in 2 master cylinders. Bled front and back brakes.

I finished the prep work to make ready to attach the fiberglass front end. Fabbed up a mounting piece near the drivers door hinge using the stock fender piece. Then I cleaned off what I thought was fiberglass pieces on the passenger side same piece. However it was combination of the remainder of the fiberglass fender graduating to bondo to meet he fender edge. I'll be putting it back together with DTUZ fasteners initially. After a bit of time I'll determine if I want to bond it on permanently.


Did a bit of body work on the cowl to ready for the next step.

Primed the windshield seat and a buddy and I dropped the used windshield into place.


I plumbed the radiator, fuel tank and pump and wired the frunk. Still more wiring troubleshooting to do. The headlights always want to pop up with power applied. Plus I need to wire in the turn signals.

I re-positioned the radiator mounting so that the GT40 scoop would sit correctly. It's now mounted in place and the hood closes with the stock latch as well as the 2 Aux latches.

After Andrew got his 914 outlaw running this weekend, I got excited to try mine.

Today I added coolant and oil and gave the key a try. it would have started but I forgot gas... hmmm Oh, and connecting up the computer after all the welding I was doing. After that, VarOOOOOMMMMM. (no mufflers...)

Things to do... (there's still lots to do, but this is what I need to do to drive it..)
Cut out signal light openings in the fiberglass fender.
Wire in turn signals with quick disconnects.
Mount the fiberglass fender and bumper assembly
Take it to DMV for VIN inspection and hope they don't say WTF!!
1st race March 29th.

It's getting close...

[tygaboy]

"VarOOOOOMMMMM"
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cheer.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

[bbrock]

Amazing amount of work in record time. Looks fantastic! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

[Zippy69]

Starting to look like a car again! I am very happy to see the progress.

2 Quick Thoughts:

1. Mufflers - You might want to put the mufflers back on before bringing to DMV!lol. Before you put mufflers back on take a look inside the flex pipes to be sure they haven't constricted down to a much smaller inside diameter. I have heard of this happening from another 914 v8 guy but never witnessed it on your car to date. If you are planning on running mufflers (and I can't imagine running the car without them) you may want to look into purchasing some new High temp muffler grommets for mounting them to the octopus as they tend to deteriorate over time? Note: I put the flex pipes and muffler grommets on at the same time after cracking the header collector because of no flex in the system. Of course I found out the motor mounts were loose and replaced hardware on those at the same time. This was probably the main cause of cracking the header collector.

2. Seats/Seatbelts - Not sure how strict the racetrack you go to is but the Schroth Racing harnesses are old and may be out of date for some racing venues or organizations? Also... I cut holes in the seats to feed seatbelts thru 1st time I failed inspection at Pocono Raceway but never put any rubber protective molding around the bare holes in the fiberglass/carbon. Might want to look at?

Best,

Paul

[dan10101]

1. Mufflers -

2. Seats/Seatbelts -

Best,

Paul

It's quite loud without mufflers, But I love it! then again, I don't know anywhere I could run it unless it's at the drag strip. but even they require mufflers for street car days.

Thanks for the tip on the seat. I'm planning on belts, but I'll look at some trim around the holes. I'm sure if I was to race it I would need to change the seats as well.

For now it's a Track Toy...

[burton73]

Hi Dan,

You have been moving right along with this monster. Great focus and pushing through on it shows. I hope you pass smog and have great luck with whatever you want to do with it.

So good health and good luck to you sir,

Bob B
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

[dan10101]

Thanks guys. It's fun to make progress.

No smog for me! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)

I only have to do a Vin inspection. But who knows what scrutiny I'll get for the race car looks.
So today I finished up the turn signal install, wiring for that and figuring out why the headlights would go down when turned on but stay up when turned off. Also installed the wipers and horn. If you look closely it still has the appearance of a street car. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

Now I need to figure out Dzus fasteners. Can't have the fenders falling off...

[Mike Bellis]

Amazing progress! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/first.gif)

[dan10101]

Amazing progress! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/first.gif)

Thanks Mike,

A bit of a back track today. Turns out the Dzus fasteners i bought were for aluminum or steel panels not fiberglass. Tried to buy them locally, but ended up ordering the correct ones online.

I did manage to get the tie down hooks installed so can trailer it to the DMV. (I'm sure I could have done it without them, but hey...) Also got the muffler installed. Anything to make it look streetable.

And a bit of shop cleanup.. That always helps things go faster in the long run.

[Zippy69]

I got the car registered at DMV in NJ as a historic. Did not require inspection or smog test. In fact they only needed 2 pictures of the car from front and back. The challenge was explaining the fore and aft sections of the 8 point roll cage at the top of the door windows in the cabin. I explained to the lady at DMV that is not a roll bar that they are stiffening members and very common on old/historic cars with targa tops for structural integrity. Passed with that explanation but apparently would have failed if I called it a roll cage!

LOL

[dan10101]

I got the car registered at DMV in NJ as a historic. Did not require inspection or smog test. In fact they only needed 2 pictures of the car from front and back. The challenge was explaining the fore and aft sections of the 8 point roll cage at the top of the door windows in the cabin. I explained to the lady at DMV that is not a roll bar that they are stiffening members and very common on old/historic cars with targa tops for structural integrity. Passed with that explanation but apparently would have failed if I called it a roll cage!

LOL

Here in Oregon we have Historic vehicles, but by my calculation it needs to be 1959 or older. We also have a racing vesicle class, but it's mostly for tube frame and open wheel type cars. I could be wrong, or maybe that the next build... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif).
I'm hoping for a standard registration. they are only supposed to be looking at the VIN numbers, but we'll see. Last option is specialty vehicle since it is older than 25 years.
If push comes to shove, I'll cut out the roll bar and go back and try again.

[dan10101]

So a new picture and a new view. Does anyone know what that means???


Yes, it's running and driving under it's own power! Made it up and down the driveway with no real issues!

Oh, I colecoed the front fiberglass fenders and bumper. I'll redo it in Dzus fasteners when they arrive next week. By then I should be ready to haul it down to the DMV.

I did a tuneup changed the plugs and wires, and a coil, wrapped the headers to knock down some of the engine noise. it did help.

I also installed some rear view mirrors. Much smaller and lighter than the flag mirrors. Not everyone will like these, but they'll work for now.

I tried to order some tires for the 'other' set of wheels, but the ebay seller must have woke up and he canceled the order when he realized that he was selling for $100 less than the going price. I did find a used race tire dealer that might work for me.

[JRust]

So awesome to see it back on the road. Great work Dan! You have on sweet ride there

[Cracker]

Congratulations Dan! Be careful...you don't want to repeat this process! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

T

[tygaboy]

Awesome! And GREAT JOB! You've much to be proud of.

(and now that you're, ahem, "done", you can come down and help me! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif) )

[dan10101]

Thanks guys.
I'll be careful...



"done" LOL!

[Zippy69]

Lookin Good Dan!

Yes I agree with be careful comment! Car spins easily I would recommend doing it a few times in a parking lot so you can feel where the limit is and getting a feel for the very narrow window of being able to catch it is.

What tires and wheels will be the race set up?

[dan10101]

Lookin Good Dan!

Yes I agree with be careful comment! Car spins easily I would recommend doing it a few times in a parking lot so you can feel where the limit is and getting a feel for the very narrow window of being able to catch it is.

What tires and wheels will be the race set up?

I'm pretty lucky to have an autocross track local to me. Practice laps are unlimited except for time. It has a great sweeper for checking oversteer/understeer limits.

I'll be starting out with 295s and 245s. Get a feel for the car and make sure everything is working. The second set of wheels allow me to mix and match. Currently I have 295s on the front and 285s on the rear. I'll set everything up for the biggest tire I might want to run and then go from there.

The 2 front 8" wheels are tweaked, so I'm having the tires removed and put on the other front 8" wheels. Once the wheels are straightened and I have some track time on the car, I'll decide if I want 11s/8s with race rubber or 11s/11s whatever is left will have street tire/rain tire setup.

[Mueller]

Crazy to see how quickly you have this back together and running.