Signal Single Orange 74 EG33 Swap, Gone but not forgotten Options

[Amenson]

Why was this spacer needed in the first place?
Don't ask why I am wondering. Was in a less than engaging meeting and....squirrel. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cat.gif)

We have all had the less than engaging meetings

The reason is the stock spring hat has a bell shape. Which allows the hat to move on the bearing properly where as the aftermarket one does not have that feature. The spacer allows for the hat not to bind in the raised pickup point. The spacers are just made from the stock strut topper. Easy fix, and eliminates the binding, eliminating the premature wear rate on the shock creating a failure situation. Tony “Kracker” was the first person I knew who had the issue. And Chris Foley mentioned the issue to me. You know me I love to solve problems. So this was my KISS solution. Will not be an issue unless your moving the upper rear shock location and are using a different spring hat.

After raising and lowering Grey 100 times over the weekend without having to worry about the springs coming out of the hats I decided that I needed to do something about the rear coil overs on Porsti and could potentially fix the issue by raising the mounts (it would also get rid of the last bit of rubber in the suspension).

Now I have to consider the length of the spacer to see if I can keep the assembly under tension with the helper spring at full droop. Why can anything custom be simple?

What is the radiator from that you are using in the latest mockup? Might be good for Marks EG.
Edit: Found it going back to Chris' thread. Alpine A310!

[914forme]

In my days of racing when time on track was more important the design nirvana I just drilled a couple holes in the spring hat and zip tied the spring to the hat, and let it float on the bottom collar and shock body.

Simple never worried about them.

Now I want to use proper methods, though down and dirty has its appeal

[Amenson]

In my days of racing when time on track was more important the design nirvana I just drilled a couple holes in the spring hat and zip tied the spring to the hat, and let it float on the bottom collar and shock body.

Simple never worried about them.

Now I want to use proper methods, though down and dirty has its appeal

I currently have zip ties and it bothers me.

If the spacer is not there, will the shock rod be constrained by the Tangerine spherical mount? Based on your comment that you need to shorten the spacer to get more threads exposed for the nut, the spacer is supporting the step at the top of the rod. If the spacer sat over the shock rod I could get the maximum extension of the shock even with the spacer in place. Make any sense?

[914forme]

Yes makes loads of sense. The spacer the first time I did them, made them a bit long. 2nd time I made them to be as close to the edge as the stock hat would be. If that makes sense. One thing I forgot to take into account is that the rubber crushes on the stock setup. Spherical bearings do not have a crush factor at least not a perceivable one. I am sure if I mounted them in a fixture and then compressed everything down and toss it into the fixture and recheck the measurements. I am sure I could measure a few .0001th of an inch once compressed and the oil film and small piece of dust gets compressed. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

Are you raising the upper shock mounts on POR? Oh one other thing in the consideration. These are the tall mounts, so no top in the trunk for me. On this build it will not come off with out a (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif) anyway.

Chris' short unit might not have an issue at all. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[914forme]

If it becomes a huge issue and I am blowing shocks, I will lower the lower pickup point on the trailing arm. That will also allow the extension of the shock to allow full travel.

The spacer and Rebel Racing Hat are the same hight as the stock shock / spring hat. Hope that helps, pictures would help also, but it is too cold to hang in the shop today. I ran out of Propane late yesterday so no heat for me today.

I am working on gauges up in the house today.



Also working on designing some new products (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) I need a few new tools in the shop to make my designs a reality. Access too a Laser cutter would be a big plus. I am in the prototype stage right now so I can use the laser cutter in my 3D printer. But details are not quite as accurate, LOL, stuff can catch on fire when piercing holes, long lines are not an issue, as you have feed speed in your favor.

Could also do this stuff with a CNC and a turret head, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) I would only need 3 tools in the turret.

After the last few weeks, I am realizing I need a bigger garage or a way to stack cars, or both.

[76-914]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif) Surely you need another welder by now. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[914forme]

Kent, funny you should mention that I get a call every month from my welding / gas supplier. I guess he is missing my business.

Since I upgraded tank sizes, I am still on the same tanks I have had. Also been lazy and have to swapped the MIG back over from flux core.

The TIG I am still dropping my Tungstens in to the pool, so that is not going as well as I hoped.

The Gas rig is sitting in the drawer, don't even have the bottles for it anymore. Plasma cutter and band saws have replaced it.

The AC / DC buzz box as not been used for 10 plus years, last thing I did was drag it out for a buddy to weld a cast iron manifold. Same weekend I used it to repair a Pig scale for the FFA group.

So do I really need a new welder, I guess if I tried hard enough I could justify one.

The 914-6 Project will be getting some of the welders attention. A few brackets too weld onto its chassis. Not much just a few small items, sway bar brackets, suspension console reinforcements, and a toe bracket I have designed that is sitting on a note pad next to the computer.

What I could use is a CNC plasma for big stuff and CNC laser that could do lets say 14ga and lighter.

[76-914]

Kent, funny you should mention that I get a call every month from my welding / gas supplier. I guess he is missing my business.

Since I upgraded tank sizes, I am still on the same tanks I have had. Also been lazy and have to swapped the MIG back over from flux core.

The TIG I am still dropping my Tungstens in to the pool, so that is not going as well as I hoped.

The Gas rig is sitting in the drawer, don't even have the bottles for it anymore. Plasma cutter and band saws have replaced it.

The AC / DC buzz box as not been used for 10 plus years, last thing I did was drag it out for a buddy to weld a cast iron manifold. Same weekend I used it to repair a Pig scale for the FFA group.

So do I really need a new welder, I guess if I tried hard enough I could justify one.

The 914-6 Project will be getting some of the welders attention. A few brackets too weld onto its chassis. Not much just a few small items, sway bar brackets, suspension console reinforcements, and a toe bracket I have designed that is sitting on a note pad next to the computer.

What I could use is a CNC plasma for big stuff and CNC laser that could do lets say 14ga and lighter.

Miller has a sale going on. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stirthepot.gif) I don't have a TIG so I still use my Oxy/Acy rig for thin metals if warpage isn't an item. I think you should throw you hat in the ring for some Suby mounts/cradles. Stay busy and hang in there. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[914forme]

My brother in-law is a welding rep for Airgas. His large company was bought out about a year ago now. But he can purchase at his costs, so if I upgrade, and believe me having a blue box, might be in my future, though I normally go with a red one.

As for making the Subaru mounts I would have done it, just ill timing on my part. I would over complicate things, getting the tubes laser cut, and blades all bent.

[914forme]

Project has moved on to help others hopefully finish their EG swaps.

I spent countless amounts of time thinking this over, looking at options, and finally came to this decision.

three things pushed me to this point.

One I have a real 914-6 that I need to focus on getting done.
Two, I was building a Cayman, so might as well go buy a Cayman, or Cayman S, or GT4. Trust me I was in GT4 territory, with dollars and time.
Three I happened upon a deal I could not pass that took care of a bunch of needs and wants. I picked up two BMW and replaced most of the fleet of cars I had at the time 9 total. I was setting money aside for the Cayman purchase, and got a txt from my brother-in-law who details cars as a side gig. A customer had a car he wanted to sell. 2006 BMW 7 Series, all the Alpina bits on it. 50K was the mileage. Half serious I drove the car, and fell in (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) Handels great, has plenty of power, BMW CCA concours winner. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drooley.gif) While he was showing me parts in the garage, he had an M4 I put dibs on, LOL, and an X5M. We got to talking about cars, and he was going to sell the X5M but the dealership gave him a crappy number. I asked what he wanted for it, and he told me, and I bought two cars that day. Kinda of, it is a longer story but that is an over beer sort of thing.

I started selling off parts of this build, and still have a few items to go. I also got ahold of people I knew who could use certain items to get their builds that much ahead.

Meanwhile the chassis sat in the shop, and thoughts and tormented me. 914-8 tribute car, W12 swap, on , and on, LS???? N54 swap..... On and On.

Reminds me of a song " A terrible thought has moved into my mind
Like an unwanted room-mate drunk on wine
It feeds on my happiness won't pay the rent
I must take proper measures to evict it

A terrible thought has moved into my mind
A giant rat that's nibbling on my pride
It's tearing away my patience and my wit
I must take proper measures set a trap for it

What a terrible thought

What a terrible thought..."

Thank you Poe and Mark Z. Danielewski, BTW great Cello work in that song (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

Which brings us to here, I got the demon out of my head, it will be put to good use by its new owner to help resurrect a more significant 1974. But that is now part of his story, and I will let him reveal it when he wishes.



Sad day, as this is only the 2nd car I ever gave up on. I have restored about 30 cars over my years, and to drop 2 to this day bugs me. But I learned a lot from both, and who knows what this will allow to come into my life. Time to move on, finish a couple of projects in the shop, and off the honey do list, and get back on the 914-6.

[Andyrew]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Pretty sad to see this project die....

Moving on is a part of life.at least you have cars you can enjoy!!

[Chris H.]

I get it Stephen, 100%. There's just not enough time in life to do all the car stuff that we originally plan. And the 914 is almost too perfect of a starting point. You can literally do almost any swap you want. And when you commit to whatever drive train you pick, you think maybe you should have done something else. Time goes by, other options are available and (maybe) better...it's maddening. I also learned that most of the fun/torment of doing a conversion is the thinking about it, engineering, updating, problem solving, etc. You did plenty of that already.

Can't wait to see the 6 resto/refresh. That'll be time well invested for sure.