Porsche 914-8 Prototype Replica, Has anyone done this before? Options

[lanker88]

Hey all,

Just seeing if you know anyone who has done this before. Next year I plan on getting an solid body 914 roller and starting my 914-8 prototype replica build. I will be building with a V8 conversion though because putting in a 908 engine will be impossible. I plan to do these main modifications for my conversion.

1. Front bumper mod as much as possible, prototype bumper was much taller so Ill only be making it more flat and removing the foglight holes plus adding oil cooler cutout.
2. front fender shape and front/ rear flairs.
3. Early style rear bumper no curve near license plate.
4. Paint job to match
5. Renegade V8 conversion want to stay around the 310 hp to match the 908 engine specs for this model.
6. Custom single exhaust to exit through rear lower valence.
7. Custom dual headlights maybe HIDs?
8. Interior to match as close as possible which i think looks so cool, ill probably end up translating what the switches are to english, or maybe keep in german who knows...
9. Cut out for fuel filler cap outside front engine bay(see photos
10. 5 lug conversion with fuchs
11. BIG BRAKE PACKAGE (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Those are just the things of the top of my head for now...

Link to 914-8 prototype. Orange not the second silver one.
http://www.pbase.com/9146gt/factory_9146gt...cars_8cylinders

I know I have my work cut out for me, but Ill be posting and documenting the entire process.

-Luke

[shoguneagle]

I think the v-8 project is worthwhile since I built a v8 300hp type more than 20 years ago; the project was great fun but had some limitations. These limitations did not include the 901 transaxle I used but was mainly in the handling of the car.

The engine weight, location, and height were the main problems in handling. There are various ways and methods of reducing top engine weight via aluminum heads, changing engine mounts to lower the engine in the car, suspension, better balance between front and rear, body flex, dry sump the engine and get it lower into the car, etc. This car was done before the latest modifications via Renegade Hybrids (some of the parts came from original owner along with some parts from Rod Simpson). I have just dated myself.

This was one of the more enjoyable projects to do and I built it three years. The conversion was great for the time (which had a lot of guess work; not like today where kits are readily available).

The do nots when using 901 transaxle, is do not take off fast in 1st gear; get the car moving and it will surprise you; lighter heads as mentioned before, changing mounting points, dry sump type, etc. Plan what you can afford and stay within a general budget. My costs on my v8 conversion was about $4,100.00 in yesteryear dollars.

Why I did not drive the car much and it stayed in my garage for 10 years with 300 miles. The handling was the key. We did not have available nor the skill levels to make the necessary changes as mentioned previously. It handled like an old corvette (wanting to throw the opposite corner rear to the front and, etc.

This logic and experience I had with my 914-8 led me to build a 3.2 Porsche engine within the 914 frame. Different animal entirely. Better balance in the corners, lower CG, better road car for daily/spirited driving.

The original suspension is the same one I initially used in the V-8 car and it was ok there; 911 front suspension and brakes, 21mm torsion bars, 22mm Weltmeister Sway Bar, Koni Reds all four corners (adjustable), #180 springs in rear with adjustable perches; 901 stock transaxle (Renegade at the time was building a modified 901 with four forward gears (1st locked out; gears changed within availability; rear modified to receive 911 5-lug; axles stock 914 (a weakness???).

With todays excellent resources, information, and support do build your car. Build what you can afford since it very easy to really go overboard on these types of builds. There have been great builds so so your homework and research; ungrade as you see fit and can afford since you are building "your car". Advice from others is great, but it is your project and car. You have to satisfy yourself.

Have fun.
Steve