Project 914-LT1 Canadian V8 conversion, Getting Started with Engine Build-up Options

[ajracer]

Greetings Fellow teeners !

Now that the COLD weather has arrived with - 5 F temperatures and the snow has
just hit Toronto hard, so I thought it would be a good time to post a new thread and
share my excitement with getting started with my V-8 conversion and build-up of the
vehicle. Let’s say I am not new to automotive, but have been in hibernation for over
twenty years. Porsche's are new to me; but German engineering is not since I used
to race formula vee (VW powered) many years ago in Atlantic Canada.

I should also mention that I am not a mechanic or ever received any "formal" training
in mechanics, but I have been around karts, motorcycles, hot rods and race cars for
more years than my 31 yr. old teener. I have build up a few Chevy small blocks and
always had good success, never any problems with good old faithful since they are
a strong and reliable engine made in the US of A, or Canada of course ! I have more
recently spent two years restoring and a complete build up of 1972 Super Beetle for
my beloved daughter. So I have been rehoning my skills in bodywork, welding, painting,
engine building, mechanics, etc. Now after acquiring a very nice Porsche 914 from
Florida that belonged to a deceased family friend, I thought this would be a good time
to bring the teener to my garage and begin this challenging CONVERSION. See for me I
get the Best of Both Worlds with a P-car and a Chevy engine ! What more could a guy
want ?

Anyways I should start my thread discussion and info for others than might be interested.
Like every conversion we all have different ideas of what we want, how
we thing it should be done, what we "think" might need to be replaced, upgraded,
purchased or re done with modern or better materials and or technology ! I will share
more about this as time progresses and my thread grows; like others some things will
follow the "suggested" course taken by most within the V-8 conversion scene; But
other things and ways will be unique or different, for many reasons and maybe just
because that's the way I think is best in my eyes.

So off I go with the basic info and some of the reasons I got here. The 914 is in very
good condition according to my inspection and the key areas as suggested by the
knowledgeable ones. The car is a 1974 former 2.0 liter with a custom added roll bar
setup, which when I last looked tied into the rear suspension and side longitudinals.
The car is complete and together except for the Engine and Transmission; the purchase
also included Rod Simpson Conversion Kit with many parts, installation manual, parts
supplier list, etc; also included were a couple sets of HD rear springs, fiberglass GT
flares and rocker panels. Pictures of the car will follow after I complete the engine
build-up, then I will bring my baby in out of the cold for some tender loving care (and
a photo session) The body does require some minor body work and paint, but that
will likely not follow until the conversion is completed and car is sorted out and driving.
A good project for next winter being the bodywork.

Engine is going to be a Chevy Camaro LT1 (1995) 350 cu.in. with aluminum heads, and
other light weight components. The engine was dismantled before Christmas and sent
off to the automotive machine shop for necessary work I required, while I purchased
the new rebuild parts from my supplier friend in Halifax, NS. (wholesale purchase of
course) Got the engine pieces all back from the machine shop about two weeks ago
and thus have slowly started the rebuild assembly process. According to my engine
guy, with a little work on the heads, pistons, etc. it should make about 375 HP with 350
ft.lbs of torque. Hopefully it will perform nicely in a 2400 lbs. Porsche ! Check out the
attached photo of partially completed short block with yours truly !

Until next time have a great day and keep to those New Year’s Resolutions !
Quit drinking, Quit smoking, Quit speeding, etc !!!!! Forget it who am I kidding !


PS. What does a 914 drive like with 375 HP ? I don’t even know what a 914 drives
like since I have never honestly even been in one, before I bought mine (sight unseen)
Someone said something about it handles like a dream, and great G-force if you have
the guts to push and hang on tight !

[ajracer]

Progress Report # 3

Well things are moving along, howbeit sometimes slower than I wish, but with wife,
baby daughter and two in college there are"Other Things" that demand our time !
The rear control arms have been prepared and are now ready to reinstall, picked up
a new set of Koni rear struts and Koni front struts recently. I also have a set of HD
new rear springs which I have installed on the rear struts; so ready to go. Used 911
front strut housings were purchased with "3.5 inch spacing" for some bigger brakes.
I have a set of Wilwood racing type calipers which I plan to install and use for the
short term; need to locate 30mm front rotors to bolt to my 944 front hubs (hopefully
I can use them since they look workable ??) For the rears I have 944 turbo calipers and
will be running Carrera rotors. Will need to fab some type of caliper adapter ! Anyone
have a template or suggestion (from 3.0" to 3.75" spacing on rear calipers mounts ??)

While picking up parts the other day I also scored a new set of turbo tie rods, 20mm
torsion bars, stainless steel hoses, and 911 rear five bolt hubs. (Looking for used
spacers soon for my late model ROH wheels, likely need 1.5 - 2.0" spacers/adapters.
Right now just getting some machine work done through a friend, and getting ready
to attach the engine tranny combo and then looking for 100mm C/V and axle combo.
Which I understand the VW Bus is a good place to start and they also will handle the
rear axle angles better than stock 914 axles.

The "Hell Hole" I THOUGHT was great and never needed any work ! but after a serious
examination of the area and the unibody I decided to upgrade and install additional
reinforcement in front of the trailing arms. I do have a ROLL BAR - CAGE unit installed
by the PO, but I just wanted to make sure everything is the way I want it and that I am
comfortable with it. I have also enclosed a picture showing the roll bar. Photos are
attached below in no specific order since I'm not real good with the posting methods
and computer technical stuff, but I try my best.

Allan