Safari 914 project, “Sufari” Options

[East coaster]

I’ve been out of the 914 game for quite some time. The last 914 I built was back in 2006 and was quite a build. I’ve had about a dozen 914s over the years and my 2006 build was to be my ultimate 914 (for me at least). It was a GT flared 3.6 six conversion and was a great car. I sold it in 2015 and moved to other things. I’ve been getting the itch to build another teener for a while, but to go in a different direction. I’ve seen a couple Safari builds and that seemed interesting.

I picked up pretty well worn ‘72 914 for the base of my project. My plan is to build a budget conscious (it’s all relative) Subaru powered Safari mod. I plan to go with a normally aspirated 2.5 Subaru from a 1998 Forrester along with the Subaru tranny.

I’ve been working on removing rust and getting the tub suitable for my plans. This will by no means be a concours resto type build, but should prove interesting.

Here’s the base car being picked up for the project start



I stripped it down and sold the engine and tranny (it was a partially completed V8 conversion). Then started cutting out rusted areas a welding in new metal.

Some Radom rust repair pics in no special order….

[Lilchopshop]

@East coaster, I love your build. So many well-executed parts of the project. I can’t help wanting to copy a lot of it. Would you be willing to share the following? Sorry if I might have missed any of this in your postings.

Source/model for 3rd brake light
Model/year of Honda for clutch master cylinder
Source/model for radiator
Where is heater core from?
Source/model of fuel pump/ sending unit

[East coaster]

@East coaster, I love your build. So many well-executed parts of the project. I can’t help wanting to copy a lot of it. Would you be willing to share the following? Sorry if I might have missed any of this in your postings.

Source/model for 3rd brake light——found it on eBay, there’s lots of options there
Model/year of Honda for clutch master cylinder—97-02 Honda Cvic
Source/model for radiator—Ford Fiesta MK1 (got on eBay for $250, with dual fans)
Where is heater core from?—Mazda 626
Source/model of fuel pump/ sending unit—96-98 Subaru Legacy

Answers above^^^

[East coaster]

Got the trunk rack painted and mounted it up. This, combined with the roof rack supports, is how my trunk hinges. Trunk is supported by dual gas struts.

It’s so nice to start getting these panels on the car and out of my way in the shop. How I haven’t damaged a panel constantly working around them I’m not sure.

All that’s left is to mount the doors and the car will look complete and I’ll have all my shop real estate back. Unfortunately, I’m not going to mount the doors until all my interior work is done.

[kid914]

In the theme of trying to wrap up the wiring, I added a 3rd brake light today. The hardest part was running the wiring so it exits the body under the sail trim. There’s no exposed wiring with this setup.



It’s pretty bright…..hopefully might prevent getting rear-ended.

Werre was it sourced? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[East coaster]

In the theme of trying to wrap up the wiring, I added a 3rd brake light today. The hardest part was running the wiring so it exits the body under the sail trim. There’s no exposed wiring with this setup.



It’s pretty bright…..hopefully might prevent getting rear-ended.

Werre was it sourced? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Found it on eBay

[simonjb]

Just an unbelievable build - and Skills.

[East coaster]

Ok, so I need a center console to conceal my shifter and the wiring harness and ECU. I hate working with wood, but it seemed the best medium for what I’m trying to do, maybe I’ll make another in fiberglass or carbon some day.

I also wanted to put my head unit in the console. This means the console has to flare out at the top to provide enough width for the unit. I’m using birch ply and I scored the backside (3 scores, 1/2” apart) where the it goes up to the dash to allow some flex to get the wedge shape I need. It’s coming along ok and will be ready for upholstery in another day. The rear height is just right for an armrest lined up with shifter, and it provides some good storage. The ECU is under the storage bin/armrest. The lid tilts from left to right and is padded with 1” high density foam (leftover from one of my jetski projects).

[76-914]

That console looks good. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Mitox]

Really enjoying watching your build - awesome work

[East coaster]

So after way too much time on my console, it’s finally done. I think one of the cool things about projects like this the varied tasks required to complete it. This one took woodworking, sewing, upholstery, and a little metal fab.

Getting everything to fit into the console and still be able to install/remove it was like working a Rubik’s cube. The console houses a subwoofer, head unit, cup holders, and conceals my shifter, ECU, and wire harness. It also provides some decent storage space.

[East coaster]

Here’s the Pioneer subwoofer installed. Added cup holders and did the inlay with black hydro turf (jetski padding).

[East coaster]

Also made a phone mount out of my ashtray…..

[DRPHIL914]

wow looking great, love the console!!

where did you source the cup holder from?

- oh and wondering what are you planning for seats? stock or something race/rally inspired?

Phil

[East coaster]

wow looking great, love the console!!

where did you source the cup holder from?

- oh and wondering what are you planning for seats? stock or something race/rally inspired?

Phil

Cup holder is a marine piece. It’s stainless and worked for my setup. I didn’t have room to recess dual cup holders and I really wanted 2 (one for me and one for the Mrs). Seats will be stock. The interior was in nice shape when I bought the car so I’ll be using the stockers.

[East coaster]

Got the seats in today, it’s starting to look like a car again (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[DRPHIL914]

Got the seats in today, it’s starting to look like a car again (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) beautiful!! stock brown seats look awesome, i figured since you had a stock back pad in the car that you might be keeping the stock seats, those look like new.
GTS classics has seats that fit into the back pad as well, if you wnated something with more lateral support, which you might need if you start doing some fun off road stuff with this car. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[East coaster]

Got the seats in today, it’s starting to look like a car again (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) beautiful!! stock brown seats look awesome, i figured since you had a stock back pad in the car that you might be keeping the stock seats, those look like new.
GTS classics has seats that fit into the back pad as well, if you wnated something with more lateral support, which you might need if you start doing some fun off road stuff with this car. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

I had GTS seats in my last 914 and they were great.

[East coaster]

[/quote]


(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) beautiful!! stock brown seats look awesome, i figured since you had a stock back pad in the car that you might be keeping the stock seats, those look like new.
GTS classics has seats that fit into the back pad as well, if you wnated something with more lateral support, which you might need if you start doing some fun off road stuff with this car. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)
[/quote]

I had GTS seats in my last 914 and they were great.

[Bullethead]

Nice! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

[East coaster]

Fitted up the rockers today. They’re an aluminum set I got through someone here in the World. I had to remove 3/4” from each end and reform the lips to account for the larger wheel openings. Just need to get them painted now and they can go on for real.