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OK, 914 fans, this is the one you’ve been waiting for. I've owned 12 914's over the years and built this to be my idea of the ultimate streetable 914. My goal was to make it as close to looking like it came from the Factory as possible, but with an updated flavor.
Here's the high level details:
Base car was a super clean 1974 Factory Silver 1.8 that had 42K miles and was stored in a temp controlled environment for 18 years. The car was stripped to bare metal, Steel GT flares butt welded and any rust was addressed (still has factory battery box!). An Engman stiffening kit was welded to strengthen the frame and it was given a bath in Glasurit Porsche GT silver paint.
A zero mile 3.6 six was installed utilizing a Patrick Motorsports bulkhead mount (welded). The 3.6 retained all the factory injection and electronics and runs primo. The stock intake was flipped, so no sheet metal was cut to make stock DME Injection fit. It breathes out through a set of Jet-Hot coated 1-3/4 European Racing Headers and a custom muffler with Boxster style center tip. The tranny is a 915 with every WEVO goodie available at the time (shift gate, bearing plate, 914 conv, etc..). It also has a factory limited slip installed and is actuated via a Rennshift lever. The cooling system is rather unique in that it utilizes a front cooler with a fiberglass plenum to channel fresh air into the cooler and hot air out through the sides of the wheel wells. It is very efficient and I've never seen the temps go anywhere near the red even when stuck in traffic on a 100 degree day. This engine has an amazing amount of torque and is very driveable, either tame or wild. Up to 3500 rpm it is very sedate and controllable, after 3500 the secondary plenum opens and it delivers an awesome burst of power, and will rip right to redline without hesitation.
The suspension is Carrera front end with Tarret sway bar and Koni adjustable shocks and the rear is stock with Koni adjustables and 165lb variable rate springs and includes a factory rear sway bar that I never installed but all body bracketry was welded for it. The rear rotors are early 914 (multi-pattern style) that were professionally drilled for 911 pattern. The wheels are 7x7 front and 7x9 rear and are factory units from a 2003 911. The tires are Continentals and should be replaced soon. The car has a dual personality, as it handles like a race car on rails but also rides very well.....better than anyone would expect for how tightly it handles.
The interior was treated to a set of glove leather heated GT racing seats and a 911 style dash. It has an after-market center console that houses the Stereo (Kenwood head unit w/Polk speakers) and a custom 10" sub-woofer enclosure incorporated into the passenger footwell that does not impact passenger comfort. The Sound system is about as good can be expected in a 914. It's finished off with a Momo leather wheel and brushed stainless dash accents. It's modern looking, but not too far over the top (my opinion).
As in most projects, there's a couple things I never got to before driving it became a distraction. I never hooked up the electronic speedometer, I never hooked up the heated seats, although I did run a 12v bus to power them. I also never hooked up the driving lights. It is wired for them from the factory and the factory switch is installed, so I'm not sure why I never did it. It also has power mirrors that I never hooked, and frankly didn't see the need but I'll include the switch in case the new owner would like to do that.
The car drives, runs, and handles excellent. The only problems I know of is a weird thing with the alternator light where it comes on at 3800 rpms and stays lit until you turn the car off. This began when I replaced the alternator a couple years ago. It seems benign and doesn't have any ill effects and the Alt seems to work fine. Some folks suggested it could be a funky regulator but that's pure speculation. It also has a blemish on the passenger side sail panel near the door handle. It looks like a rust bubble but it came up about week after painting and it hasn't changed shape/size in 10 years, so I doubt it's rust and more likely a chemical reaction of some sort. This area was bare metal and clean prior to painting, but assume rust and be happy when it's not! The area is about the size of a pea. The only area other imperfection is at the fender to cowl seal on the passenger side. There appears to be a slight blemish beginning to surface there.
I built this car 10 years ago and have only driven it to car shows and the occasional run around the neighborhood. It has only been driven approx. 3000 miles since built. It runs beautifully and can be driven anywhere, anytime. I’ll work with buyer on shipping, but shipping cost and arrangements are the responsibility of the buyer.
I included some pictures from during the build process, so if you note any unfinished areas (paint, etc), I assure you they were properly finished prior to completion.
Good luck bidding and whoever wins, congrats on one of the nicest 914s out there!
I’m not interested in any trades, thank you.
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