PMB Performance - Mike Krieger Build, Sorting out a -6 conversion and going 3.6 Options

[Eric_Shea]

Hey Gang,

We've been working on this one for a while now and I thought you'd like to follow along. It has a lot of "914" issues to sort through and can be a good piece to show how and why to fix things properly, especially with the value of these cars climbing and the money invested in a car of this quality.

Mike came to us last year after finding us here for a PPI. In this case it was a "Post Purchase Inspection". The car was sold as a rust free (yes, enter your comments here) 3.2 six conversion. It turns out it was anything but. Regardless, Mike was in for the long haul and, he was determined to do things properly. He expressed interest in making the car a wide-body and fixing what needed to be fixed at the time.

Off the tub went to be stripped and prepped for flares and paint work. Here you can see the "after" shot with the flares on and glass panels being fitted:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net-1110-1386435699.1.jpg)

There was a lot of metal work needed as indeed... the rust was free on this one. Before flares could go on, a new quarter panel was needed and various stiffening kits (factory and 914LTD) added to ensure minimal twist with an impending 3.6 install. The car was then painted "Signal Orange" and given back to Mike for some detail installments.

Fast forward to present day. We picked the car up from Mike and began ticking off items on his wish list. Install driving lights, front turn signal buckets, hood lights, hood pins, sway bar, get turn signals working, various trim pieces etc.

Here's how it it sat when we got'er in the shop:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net-1110-1386435700.2.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net-1110-1386435701.3.jpg)

Then the "inevitable" happened. It began to act like any other DAPO 914. She began to show some of her true colors. I actually think the car was talking to us and letting us know about the problems before she burned to the ground in a heap of smoke and flames.

Let's start with wiring because we basically had to re-wire the car. What started as a simple request to "get the rear light buckets working" brought us to a few swapped wires on the install post paint and then... funny smells and blown fuses. When we looked at the fuse block we saw this:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net-1110-1386435702.4.jpg)

Yes, the blown fuse was also a 16a!! Needless to say, this was one of the first things we did...

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net-1110-1386435702.5.jpg)

We also found some previous melted wires that could have been catastrophic:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net-1110-1386435703.6.jpg)

This caused us to start at the front and completely go over all of the wiring. Fix and replace with proper factory colored wires from a donor harness and wrap everything back up with the early cloth tape loom.

The factory driving light harness was cut and crimp on ends were all that existed in the apron. We went into the harness and soldiered in new leads and used factory sheathing to bring them through the grommets in the front apron. Mike wanted these PIAA lights so we then soldiered the PIAA ends on the factory wires and inserted them back into the connectors for a clean, clip-on installation:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net-1110-1386435704.7.jpg)

Next we did the same thing while repairing the horn leads. Removed the crappy blue crimp on connectors and went full factory with the protective sheath. We also ran a second lead over for dual tone horns.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net-1110-1386435704.8.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net-1110-1386435705.9.jpg)

Here's a shot of Mike's new harness:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net-1110-1386435786.1.jpg)

[Eric_Shea]

No. No. and... Clay (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Looks like we have a little time to make up here. The decision has changed a bit. Now the mission is to get the 3.6 in and get the car running. Phase II will be to paint and clean up the trunks and do some final welding work. For now, the race is on to get the 3.6 in and sort through the wiring harness (which on this car can be a challenge). We're hoping to have the engine in place this week.

The induction was taken off and the engine basically stripped to a long block. We ran a compression test and repaired a number of valve cover threads. These covers were torqued way beyond spec to (assuming) stop a leak.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net-1110-1396231194.1.jpg)

Fuel rails and various bits were replated and cleaned up. The entire engine was detailed giving us a good look at any areas needing attention:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net-1110-1396231194.2.jpg)

The dual intake tubes had to be cut apart and trimmed so the intake manifold could be turned down to fit in the 914 engine compartment.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net-1110-1396231195.3.jpg)

Little problem here:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net-1110-1396231195.4.jpg)

Leakdown was spot on across the board. We had one exhaust valve that gave us an issue but when we tapped on it, it settled in. Just a little carbon buildup.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net-1110-1396231196.5.jpg)

Everything all cleaned up and repaired. Valve covers going back on:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net-1110-1396231196.6.jpg)

We opted for new lower valve covers as the previous mechanic put some sort of RTV all over these and it would have been hours to get them clean. Hours that would equate to the cost of a new pair of correct covers.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net-1110-1396231197.7.jpg)

Getting there...

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net-1110-1396231197.8.jpg)

Steve Weiner worked his magic on the twin plug dizzy. It basically needed everything:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net-1110-1396231198.9.jpg)

The next challenge was getting the sheet metal to fit up. Lots of custom work on the left rear corner:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net-1110-1396231198.10.jpg)

The 914 tin needed to be modified for the lower plug wires:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net-1110-1396231339.1.jpg)

Almost there. This one needed a new fan as corrosion literally split and almost took off a blade:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net-1110-1396231199.11.jpg)

A new Centerforce clutch is now hiding under a new pressure plate and to bearing:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net-1110-1396231199.12.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net-1110-1396231199.13.jpg)

Some other goodies arrived last week as well! Time to wrap up the wiring for these puppies:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net-1110-1396231200.14.jpg)