PMB restoration, Resto so far…guys doing a great job.. Options

[VaccaRabite]

..this is the point I had a hiccup..after understanding I was getting a lot more power/performance with the motor rebuild I thought it would be prudent for me to add an oil cooler. Unfortunately, this realization came after I had it painted the car! So, here we go cutting up some nicely newly painted metal…oops

Hey Frankie - its water under the bridge at this point but you did not need to do that cutting.

I have one of Eric's 2.3i engines in my car. I have a simple Setrab oil cooler in the car under the rear trunk. It keeps my oil temps well in check. i have the fan pack I can put on if needed, but I'll take 200 miles on hot humid summer days this summer and oil never got above 220 with the passive setup. With the fan packs it never got above 115. Zero cutting needed for this setup. Its simple, and its effective. The Setrab /NASCAR cooler is a bit more expensive then the cheaper coolers on the market. But no metal work, no complicated plumbing, and a fully usable front trunk.

You already have the metalwork done, so it does not make sense to take that back. BUT you can stop there if you want and keep the entire front trunk for storage. I've found this to be helpful for taking trips in the car with my GF.

By the way, you are going to love the engine. Its the same amount of power as a 2.7 /6, but minus about 100 pounds.

Food for thought.
Zach

[Root_Werks]

Cool build thread for sure. Probably my favorite colors on 914's are the blues.

Looks good!

[frankieshooz]

So went over the prep work for the interior/cabin this morning (thanks Tom!)Being the weirdly OCD guy i am and because I decided a while ago not to go with carpets and a back pad we decided to do a beauty panel over the tranny tunnel from the console box forward. Just wondering if anyone else out there has done this and if so if they could share some pics. I know some of you will suggest just putting in the appearance package gauge console, but I prefer the more open look and am going to mount the gauges in THOROTEC’s gauge pod in the dash.

[JamesM]

So went over the prep work for the interior/cabin this morning (thanks Tom!)Being the weirdly OCD guy i am and because I decided a while ago not to go with carpets and a back pad we decided to do a beauty panel over the tranny tunnel from the console box forward. Just wondering if anyone else out there has done this and if so if they could share some pics. I know some of you will suggest just putting in the appearance package gauge console, but I prefer the more open look and am going to mount the gauges in THOROTEC’s gauge pod in the dash.

Has anyone warned you about the level of noise in the cabin with a bare metal interior? One of my 914s that I used only for autocross for the last 15 years (the tangerine car going back together at PMB) had nothing on the interior but the door panels and the center carpet piece covering the tunnel/wiring. It was a very harsh experience. So much so that now that I am rebuilding it its getting full carpet AND added sound deadening even though I still plan on autocrossing it. For me the comfort is worth a little bit of added weight. Having 914s with bare metal interior, full interior, and full interior with added sound deadening I can say that there is noticeable difference in the feel and comfort level the further you move from bare metal.

[frankieshooz]

Hi James, yes. You are not the first person to mention this. However, I run my FD3S the same way and it does not bother me in the least. Maybe I am a little more deaf! LOL. I figure worse comes to worse I can always take the route you are doing and add that stuff down the road.

[frankieshooz]

Getting close guys just some final touches…since I was going to delete the center console I decided to put console gauges in dash…I thought no brainer but turns out 60mm gauges do not fit in the space between the heater control and the dash so I was left with two choices…go 52 mm gauges (kind of a bummer as I just had all the gauges restored $$$) and fit all 3 in or go with 2 of the 3 in dash and put the clock on top of the dash ala chrono package in modern P-cars…I was a little uneasy about this ‘cause I didn’t want it to look like a cheap after market add on…Eric has convinced me it will look good so wait for it! Front valence is almost done needs paint…my only hold up right now is deciding on design for the door cards….original? Getty? RS style? Any input appreciated…feeling like car will be done next month!

[frankieshooz]

…and a couple of other notes…I added a couple of cool (i think) ideas to project
1) moved ignition switch to left side of steering ala 914/6 not trying to fool anyone but just like the look kind a cool thing thanks Eric for finding a cool solution no pics yet stay tuned
2) Since I am not running carpet or back pad or console I needed a way to hide wiring so Eric and crew came up with the idea of fabricating a beauty panel out of Fiberglass to be painted body/interior color
3) playing with the idea of going with the RS GT rear lights love the look but because I am going with stock chromed (sans bumperettes/bumper holes) bumper just want to make sure this looks good…opinions welcome!!
4) Having a real conundrum about door panel design…stock? Getty style (red/black pic)? RS style (black with leather strap) also don’t mind the door card in the last pic with the red door pull again input welcome!!

Also pictured are two cars with gauges in dash as I have planned one with 3x 52 mm and another with 2x 60mm (stock size) gauges….any comments welcome!!

[mepstein]

Not to press an already stressful topic but I played around with the fabric…using a seat from my 94 FD3S R2 Mazda..I laid the fabric the two different ways. Can you guys see the difference? Am I batshit crazy? Thoughts on the material or any other suggestions?
Chime in! The last pic is of a woven leather interior. Not the colors (obviously) I would go with for my car but as an idea kind of cool.

Seat on right looks better IMHO but what the hell do you like. This is on your dime. In the end you will have spent a large amount of money at PMB. Do what you want to do.

I spend a lot of time looking at my PMB 6 build in my cave and that gives me great pleasure.

Bob B owner of PMB build of number 41
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

I like the seat on the left. I don’t care for the red stripe running up the middle. Great build!

I like the stock rear lenses. I get the 911R look but I think the stock lenses follow the body line and say 914, not 911 want to be.

[Cairo94507]

@frankieshooz - Very pleased to see your car is almost completed. I like the stock rear tail lights on a 914, euro or USA. I think your clock is going to look very cool- great idea by Eric and crew. When it comes to door cards, I like having the stock door pocket as it makes a nice place to keep stuff. Congratulations of a very nice build; it is quite a journey.

Cheers,
Michael (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Montreal914]

Very nice work and attention to details.

I like how the front panel reinforcement (semicircle) was kept for strength (safety) yet the oil cooler fitted underneath with a GT shroud variation. I would be curious to know what cooler is being used. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

Keep on sharing on this beautiful narrow body build! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Optimusglen]

Rad build. I'm not really a fan of the R style rear lights, it just doesn't go with the body in my opinion. It would be one thing if that had some sort of hertigae, but as far as I know it's just 914 guys trying to do stuff that Porsche did with the 911.


As for the door cards. If you're doing bare/body-color floors etc I think the doors need to be GT or RS style, plain with strap door pulls, so it's all singin' the same tune.

[914werke]

Whats with the shields on the A-arms?

[frankieshooz]

Thanks for input…yea hear you all about the rear lights going to stick to the stock lights…Montreal914 not sure oil cooler set up I think it’s a setrab…i was very adamant about keeping the body intact regarding placement of cooler…It was a little more $$ to do it that way but I think structurally it’s stronger, looks more like the way the factory would have done it and less intrusive. Thanks Cairo94507 your car has always been my inspiration with regards to design and build quality happy you approve. Send me pics of door cards guys..leaning toward stock but love Optimusglen logic and suggestion as well…

[frankieshooz]

Shields on the a-arms are a new product from Eric he stuck em on my car to see how they would work…they improve cooling to the brakes….

[frankieshooz]

Here is mockup for gauge installation for two (stock) 60 MM gauges..

[Montreal914]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) Watching the 60mm gauge integration. I assume going without center console?

[frankieshooz]

Correct no center console! I originally didn’t plan it that way but I’ve always felt the console was a bit shoddy and it also sucked up cabin space…I had sat in a car with no console and it just felt so much roomier

[mepstein]

Correct no center console! I originally didn’t plan it that way but I’ve always felt the console was a bit shoddy and it also sucked up cabin space…I had sat in a car with no console and it just felt so much roomier

I liked the look until I put one in my car. I didn't like the way it took up room next to the pedal.

[Craigers17]

Beautiful car…. You’ve made a lot of nice choices. I really like that 2 piece fiberglass tunnel cover….any idea if PMB will be offering these to the general public?

[r_towle]

What is the benefit of the piece of acrylic zip tied to the front lower a-arms?