Blue Porscheru Conversion, Subaru 2.5 SOHC NA with Suby Tranny Options

[R_u_dd]

Blue Porscheru Conversion

I started this project back in May of 2014 and wanted to share the journey with my friends and family.
There's something appealing to people about taking a left-for-dead vehicle and bringing it back to life.
I hope this build thread is a bit different than the others. It's a Subaru conversion which is not as common.

I am/was a newbie. This is my first car restoration, if you can call it that.
My welds are not pretty, but I've improved and learned throughout this process.
This is a great car for a first restoration. It's light, simple, and very cool- mid engine with a targa top.

This is the plan- We are starting with a 1971 tangerine 914 with light to moderate rust, nothing too serious.
The original engine was a 1.7. Like so many other 914's it ran but has been sitting for a long time.
The engine seems too far gone to try to rebuild it= lots of rust and corrosion.

Powerplant: 2003 Subaru Impreza TS 2.5 SOHC, Natuaral- No Turbo, Why? Plenty of Power for me and no turbo lag. See Engine Choices thread.
Transmission: Subaru 5MT 2003 Impreza TS
ECU from: 2003 Subaru Impreza TS
Electronics: Wiring Harness simplified by Small Car Performance
Axles: 944 axles and CV's with Subaru inside CV- 4 lug for now.
914 suspension.
No fender flares
Voltage Blue Metallic: (Honda color), Painted Sail Panels.

Before Pictures

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1301.photobucket.com-17072-1486250894.1.jpg)

The Future Look- Concepts

The 914 visualizer, a very cool app.

Current Look:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.imgur.com-17072-1607919164.1.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.imgur.com-17072-1607919164.2.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.imgur.com-17072-1607919165.3.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1301.photobucket.com-17072-1459666779.1.jpg)



Contents

Axles
Blasting Glass Bead Videos
Battery Tray Area
Battery and Tray
Budget Scenarios
Brakes
Bumper - Valence
Clutch
Electronics
Engine Discussion
Engine Mount
Engine Work
Floor Pans and Engman Kit
Fuel Pump
Fuel Tank (Cleaning with Electrolysis)
Paint Prep and Metal Work
Paint Prep Continued
Radiator
Seats and Interior
Seats Re-upholstery Links
Transmission
Transmission Mount
Videos

This thread is for entertainment purposes only. I am not a certified mechanic.
There are many that have pioneered the suby conversion before me, but this
is my story.

Hope you enjoy this thread!

Chris

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1301.photobucket.com-17072-1486249676.1.jpg)

[R_u_dd]

Painting Begins

I can't wait to post these photos. We are half-way through the painting process doing the interior first, two coats paint and two coats clear-coat. We decided on a non-stock color, a Honda Integra B97M code color. It's a pearl, which is mica rock, in the old days, it was made with fish scales, much easier to paint with the modern paint, but still shows every flaw. I am starting to see bumps I didn't know were there.


Blue Color survey post

Painting Notes/Tips

- The guide coat is very important throughout the paint prep process. This is a thin coat of mist sprayed over the primer to create dots or texture that reveals low spots and where you've sanded. It's particularly important for wet sanding. We used 400 grit 3M paper for wet sanding and could get away with it because of the high solids in the paint.

- Foam sanding blocks work very well.

- Use the green masking tape. The glue withstands the chemicals in the paint better than blue. blue is ok for priming, but must be changed out for the paining. Better to use the green.

- Put a little dawn dish soap in the water when wet sanding. Dawn is a great cleaner for the painting process.

- Spray water down on the ground before priming and paining to remove static discharge and keep the paint from sticking to the cement.

- Use lacquer thinner for solvent.

- Mix hardeners exactly, but reducers are up to the painter.

- Buy a small amount of test paint and spray it out with one, two, and three coats, with clear coat over the top, because the paint varies considerably with the number of coats and methods of spray. Also, photos on the internet vary widely depending on lighting conditions.

- There is a face coat and side cote tone that varies between light and shadow. The difference in tones is important as you will see it in the curves of the car.

- More to follow as I remember them (Feel free to add your painting tips)

Pictures:

Our color trials. The lower colors are a candy version that we will use for the rocker panels.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1301.photobucket.com-17072-1459118682.1.jpeg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1301.photobucket.com-17072-1459098112.1.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1301.photobucket.com-17072-1459098112.2.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1301.photobucket.com-17072-1459098113.3.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1301.photobucket.com-17072-1459098113.4.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1301.photobucket.com-17072-1459098113.5.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1301.photobucket.com-17072-1459098114.6.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1301.photobucket.com-17072-1459098114.7.jpg)

These pictures were taken before the clear coat was applied, which really makes the paint pop.