3.2 Conversion - outlaw Street and track car project, (Was “Would you do This 1400 mile road trip?) Options

[davehg]

Last year I bought a 914-6 conversion with a 3.2. The car was an autocross car, and the PO had removed everything that wasn't essential - no more side windows and mechanism, no door panels, no carpet, no radio, no heater. Nada.

I had a mechanic friend go through, check and adjust everything, and the car runs great! It's loads of fun to run up and down Hwy 74 in the desert. It does smoke at idle, and needs a top end job, but otherwise ok, brakes are fine and tires are new, though the toe needs to be adjusted for a road trip. The car is geared for the track, and 80mph runs at 4.5kRPM. Oh...new battery too.

I've put about 800 miles on it since I bought it and the only issue was a faulty switch easily replaced. I'm planning to bring it back and upgrade the interior and do a top end job.

I'm bringing it back to the PNW and the cost to ship is $1200. I have a flatbed car trailer and can tow it, but finding the time to go down and fetch is a challenge - I'd need a week - three days down a day to pack up, and three days back, and the fuel/hotel costs wouldn't be much less than shipping up. Plus, crossing CA at 55mph with a trailer makes me want to puke in my mouth.

So....I had an idea. Me and my 16 year old kid pack light, fly into Palm Springs, and do the 1300-1400 mile trip home, stay off I5 and take my favorite motorcycle twisty roads home (I've done this trip on various motorcycles and cars over the years). The downsides - race seats, no creature comforts, wind blowing, may be very hot in the summer, my ass will ache at the end of a 350 mile day, and if we break down...well, that's when the real adventure begins, right?

Upsides - just about everything else, and we'd have that trip to remember for ages.

So what say you? Do the trip? Or bring the car back home the more secure way? If we do the trip, what should I bring along? Fuel pump? Relays? (going to bring plugs, belt, small tool kit, fuses)

Here's the pix of the car for clarity:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.imgur.com-21443-1505926526.2.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.imgur.com-21443-1505925313.3.jpg)

[davehg]

Less than 48 hours before we leave, and I am hurrying to gather up parts and supplies. Realized I can’t carry a spare lithium jumpstarter, nor a tire flat repair kit, through TSA so will buy those locally before we depart.

My mechanic pal has the gel coat glass hood and deck installed, so 80 lbs or so lighter. MB111’s sport GT stainless exhaust gets installed tomorrow, just in time. Hope the sound is just right.

Triple A platinum card secured, spares include relays, fan belt, throttle and clutch cables, and cause I am paranoid, a spare MSD box and coil.

Heat is the main challenge - gotta leave Palm Springs super early to beat the 104 degree heat. Hope to avoid AM traffic by heading out to Victorville and then to Frazier Park, then back roads to Hwy 101. If Big Sur is open, cross my fingers, we will stay on 1. Otherwise, 101. Need to land in Roseville for a night. From there, temps will dictate whether we hit Hwy 70 and then 44 to 299 to the coast, or beeline up to RedBluff and hit 3-36-299.

Last day is the long haul from lower Oregon coast. Not keen to stay on 101with low speeds and lotsa RVs, but temps may keep us there. The car is geared for autocross so long stints on the Interstates at 75 are no bueno.

I hope I don’t need to call on the good nature of this forum, but if I do, you have my undying thanks in advance.

[dr.tim]

Victorville and then to Frazier Park, then back roads to Hwy 101.

Very fun section of roads..

Pine Canyon
Cerro Noroeste
CA 58