Over the last 10-months or so as I meandered through my slow-as-molasses build, I was constantly reminded just how old the 914's are - not always bad but often not good either! I remember the day (like the proverbial "yesterday") I had unscrewed the fuse box for some unknown reason and when I tried to reinstall the thing - it would not go. I had bundles of wires that I swear would NOT allow it to return to its once original state.
It was at that moment I decided it had to go and start from scratch! I went to my tool box, pulled out the wire cutters and (before I could talk good sense to myself) cut the harness out. Done and committed all in 60 seconds!
Nearly every part of my build is "inspired" by some prior car, other enthusiasts well executed ideas, etc. In the case of my electrical system...it was a Riley & Scott ALMS car combined with the venerable 997 GT3 Cup car. I wanted tto attempt to build electrical system that was up to (or as close to) Porsche standards, 100% serviceable, component construction, expandable circuitry and blended nicely with the build standards of the entire car.
I choose to mount the control panel on the firewall behind the passenger seat. The engine's ECU, fuse and relay box will mount below it and on the floor (haven't gotten that far yet). It was inspired by the "white 914/6" built by Partick Motorsports - an absolutely stunning car.
I drew a "rough flow chart" of the cars circuitry needs. I'm no engineer but I know what I want and how they should work. For instance, I had a switch box made to spec - 12 in all. All track related (read "at speed") functions are closest to me, lights as such are in the middle and lastly, ignition functions are to the far right. The only "other" two buttons in the car are: 1) horn on dash; and 2) Fire bottle on dash - emergency functions near the hands - everything else remote. I hired an electrical engineer who builds race car harnesses (and switches from scratch Every circuit, every wire and every switch is their for a reason (maybe not a good one...but a reason no less)!
What you'll see in the following pictures is the byproduct of this exercise. I had a 3/8" aluminum plate milled and bonded the carbon fiber plate bonded and riveted. I was going to anodize the plate but it would have been way to "scratch" happy - too soft of surface.The CF is for more resilient and was the better option (for me).
I wanted the car and its components to be a "drivers car"...no traction control, no excessive electronic gauges, no power systems, etc. My "race car" has a AIM Pista dash (and I really like but...). I've seen allot of 914 builds go this route too. There is nothing wrong with this and my build would have been far simpler if I had elected to go with that electronics package.
I was reading Panorama Magazine (with a 917 on the cover) earlier in the year and was taken back with its simplicity. The dash was simple and informative - much like the vintage F1 cars back in the '70's. I choose to base my new dash loosely on the 917's.
I realize, as always, this will not be everyone's cup of tea or how they would have executed it - I'm ok with that - I'm happy! Enjoy you'all!
***Riley & Scott ALMS Prototype***Click to view attachment Click to view attachmentClick to view attachment Click to view attachment Click to view attachment Click to view attachment Click to view attachment Click to view attachment My DashClick to view attachmentPorsche 917 Dash - the inspiration (See the resemblance, kind of at least?)Click to view attachment
Very GA in appearance. Clean. Are those used circuit breakers used or did you spring for new ones? 
Are you in the EAA?
