Another 914-6 GT Tribute Project Options

[Tom1394racing]

After having enjoyed several 911’s over the past 40 years, I decided about a year ago that my next project would be a 914-6 GT Tribute car. I had been thinking for some time about a mid-engine open car but the Boxster is just not my cup of tea. I am more of a 70’s air cooled hot rod type and I love my ’73 Signal Orange 911 RSR tribute car. So a 914-6 GT seemed like an obvious choice. It ticked all my boxes and I have always admired the ‘70’s GT race cars.

My friends at Auto Associates in Canton, CT knew I was considering a 914-6 GT project so when a customer’s ’73 914 2.0 became available there last fall we put it up on their lift, took a close look and deemed it an acceptable starting point. The project plan is to follow the same process I have used on my RSR and my ‘70E restoration projects. I strip the car in my home shop, send the shell to Auto Associates for the metal work, chassis stiffening and paint. The painted shell comes back to me and I do the mechanical work and reassembly.

My plan is not to do a 100% accurate GT tribute but rather to build a car that looks, sounds and drives like a street friendly GT. I am not planning on any serious track or autocross but more of a fun spirited street hot rod. I know there is a ton of expertise and experience on this forum so I will be looking for some sage advice as I document the build in this thread. So here are my thoughts:

Exterior
GT flares front and rear. I will likely leave the decision of metal vs FG to Auto Associates. I would like the car to be as light as is practical. I have FG flares on my RSR and they have held up very well over the 15 years since the original restoration. I am also planning to do the lightweight, balsa reinforced front and rear trunk lids. I also would like to do the GT style double grill engine cover. Not sure if anyone makes these or if I will have Auto Associates fabricate one from my existing cover. I will go with the hood pins front and bungees rear for lid closure. Not sure whether to go with the motor operated headlights or if the cable operated system is reliable enough. I do not plan to do a lot of night driving. For wheels, I am thinking Minilites on the rear and Fuchs on the front. I also want to keep the removable top as open air driving is one of my key objectives. I am liking Mexico Blue for the color.

Interior
I plan to go with a 911 steering column and LHS 911 ignition switch as well as 911 turn signal, wiper switches and clamshell. I am also thinking of a reproduction 911 style hockey puck steering wheel. Door panels would be the GT style with strap operated pulls for door opening. I am also thinking of a pair of GTS Classic vintage seats perhaps the LeMans series. Gauges will mimic the GT type.

Drivetrain
I have a 3.0 L SC long block that I plan to use as a basis for power. I am thinking 9.5 CR with ModS type cams and a twin plug distributor. I am also toying with the idea of EFI. I am thinking 200-225 HP. I will stick with the 901 gearbox and the special 215 mm 9 bolt flywheel. I would use 911 output stubs, Sway Away free floating axles, and 911 stubs axles & hubs. I will use a front cooler and oil plumbing similar to the GT. Not sure which option to take with regard to the motor mounts.

Suspension
Other than 911 3.5” caliper spaced front struts, and 911 front hubs, I have not given the suspension much thought as yet. I do not want the car to be so stiff and jarring that it knocks my fillings out on the pothole strewn roads here in CT. That said, I also do not want the car to roll and lean like my stock ‘70E. I like the stock type of front and rear roll bars, maybe a little bigger than the stock size. I am thinking early 911S Aluminum calipers in the front. No sure about the rear calipers. I like the 15” Michelin TB’s for tires.

Chassis Stiffening
Like all 914’s this one is not rust free. After the rust repairs, I am planning to have Auto Associates install the chassis stiffening kits for the front torsion bar area, sills and rear suspension including the rear trailing arms. I am also planning on a weld-in roll bar with diagonals tied into the door sills that will allow for reasonably easy entry and exit. I want the chassis to be as stiff as possible yet still allow for the removable Targa roof.

Well…That is the current plan. I am very interested in suggestions and input from those of you who have been down this road before me. I plan to post progress with photos as I go forward and I look forward to all your comments.

[mepstein]

bigger lights...

I had just come across an article for that car. Still don’t like the lights.

[Cairo94507]

Tom- Your car is looking great and the panel fitment looks great. You are going to have an incredible beauty when she is finished.

Oh, yeah, I dislike those huge lights too. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Tom1394racing]

Made my weekly trip to Auto Associates to review progress today. All the body panels have been tweaked & fitted and the body is now in primer. Looks really good.

[Cairo94507]

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

[technicalninja]

Looks great!

There is a smell associated with "in primer."

I'd swear I got a wiff of that from your pics!

[Tom1394racing]

More progress at Auto Associates this week. Chris Foley's GT roll bar was fitted. I sat in the driver's seat to ensure adequate clearance between my head and the bar. All good there. We will add some high density padding to the bar on both driver's and passenger's sides. We also decided on the location of the diagonal side braces from the hoop to the longitudinals. These will provide side impact protection and some help for my aging body getting in and out of the car. The firewall, access panel and rear floor sections will get sound deadening. These along with the longitudinals will get RS style felt carpeting.

The oil catch tank in the rear trunk was added. The jack brackets will be related to LHS of the trunk like the early cars.

[Cairo94507]

Very cool; coming along nicely. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[mb911]

Will the roof fit on with the cage?

[morehills]

Looks great Tom.

Yes, I have the same roll bar from Tangerine Racing and the roof fits fine.

Tom, I worked with Chris to put together some GT belt harness bars for the firewall. They worked great. Will you be using harness belts or normal 3 pointers?

[Tom1394racing]

Will the roof fit on with the cage?

Yes Ben...We test fitted the roof. It also seems like there will be room to close the rear Targa latches.

[Tom1394racing]

Looks great Tom.

Yes, I have the same roll bar from Tangerine Racing and the roof fits fine.

Tom, I worked with Chris to put together some GT belt harness bars for the firewall. They worked great. Will you be using harness belts or normal 3 pointers?

Hi John

I have a nice set of vintage 4-point belts from Stretch in the UK that we will be installing. Hardware for the installation is all ready to go. Thanks.

[Dion]

Fantastic (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[sithot]

At AA, Kenny is the man! You're in good hands with him.

[Tom1394racing]

I took a trip back up to Auto Associates yesterday to deliver some parts and check on progress.

The car was in their mechanical section of the shop last week to fix an engine oil leak and test fit for wheels and tires. Scott and the team determined the leak was coming for the LHS cam drive. It turns out that the triangular gasket that seals the cam box at the drive end was distorted and leaking. A simple fix. They also found that the lower plugs were not firing. They rewired the MSD system and fixed the issue.

Scott also test fitted some wheels and tires. We settled on 15X7 in for the front and 15X9 in for the rears. The plan is for Minilites front and rear with Michelin TB-15 tires. Knowing the lead-time for the tires can be long, we went ahead and ordered them.

This week the car was back in the body shop for some panel tweaking prior to paint. We decided to leave the underside of the front and rear hoods unpainted like most of the factory GT's. The cross braces for the roll bar were added and the jack mount was relocated to the LHS rear trunk area.

Still projecting an early summer completion. Fingers crossed!

[rgalla9146]

Hmmmm
Are they 911 TTG fogs I see ? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
Beautiful
Looking great Tom

[Tom1394racing]

Hmmmm
Are they 911 TTG fogs I see ? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
Beautiful
Looking great Tom

Rory

They are Hella TN-4. I think original to the 914-6

[rgalla9146]

Hmmmm
Are they 911 TTG fogs I see ? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
Beautiful
Looking great Tom

Rory

They are Hella TN-4. I think original to the 914-6

is the back chrome/stainless or black ?

[Tom1394racing]

Hmmmm
Are they 911 TTG fogs I see ? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
Beautiful
Looking great Tom

Rory

They are Hella TN-4. I think original to the 914-6

is the back chrome/stainless or black ?

Black

[Tom1394racing]

Progress has been a little slow at Auto Associates as Kenny was on vacation for a week.

The wheels and tires came in and the rears were test fitted. Minilite 15X9 with Michelin 23/62-15. No Issues. The fronts are Minilite 15X7 with Michelin 18/60-15. These will likely need spacers to properly center the tire in the wheel well.







Ken's guy also fabricated and installed the fuel pump protective cover.



All the exterior trim and seals has been ordered and will be test fitted before final paint.

Getting ever closer!

[rgalla9146]

Looking great Tom
I'm a big fan of Minilites, especially those period perfect fifteen inchers.
The Michelins are icing on the cake. Beautiful !
Excellent !