2016 Build-Off Challenge - Official Contest Thread, AND THE WINNER IS . . . Options

[Andyrew]

If I could give advice to the participants. keep your individual thread updated even if it is the same things going into the main thread. much easier to just run through the individual build off thread. at least when voting time comes.

I completely agree, In fact I spent most of the time on the contestants individual threads and only referenced the main thread when I noticed a lack of material/posting.

[stevegm]

If I could give advice to the participants. keep your individual thread updated even if it is the same things going into the main thread. much easier to just run through the individual build off thread. at least when voting time comes.

I completely agree, In fact I spent most of the time on the contestants individual threads and only referenced the main thread when I noticed a lack of material/posting.

I agree. Most of the updates should be posted in your own thread. Just at least once each month, post in the main thread. It can be as short as a simple update with a reference to the full posts in your main thread.

[mbseto]

Also, if you take the trouble to open up each thread, and have any particular thoughts, ADD SOME FEEDBACK! I hope me thread might be helpful to others, but I am also really counting on having some other eyes looking over my shoulder! Thanks guys!

[RJMII]

Also, if you take the trouble to open up each thread, and have any particular thoughts, ADD SOME FEEDBACK! I hope me thread might be helpful to others, but I am also really counting on having some other eyes looking over my shoulder! Thanks guys!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

I've had a couple of ideas and feedback offered already that I've taken into serious consideration.

[JoeDees]

Also, if you take the trouble to open up each thread, and have any particular thoughts, ADD SOME FEEDBACK! I hope me thread might be helpful to others, but I am also really counting on having some other eyes looking over my shoulder! Thanks guys!

Very much agree, I need all the help I can get.

[budk]

If I could give advice to the participants. keep your individual thread updated even if it is the same things going into the main thread. much easier to just run through the individual build off thread. at least when voting time comes.

I completely agree, In fact I spent most of the time on the contestants individual threads and only referenced the main thread when I noticed a lack of material/posting.

I agree. Most of the updates should be posted in your own thread. Just at least once each month, post in the main thread. It can be as short as a simple update with a reference to the full posts in your main thread.

Actually, I think it would be easier if the posts to the main thread were limited to once a month and limited to just a few pieces of info. I believe this is similar to what you originally asked for but there appears to be a variety of interpretations of the rules. If we limited the info in the main thread it would be easier to track monthly progress and if you wanted more detailed info you could look at the individual build threads.

It may just be the way my brain works but I really struggled when voting. Trying to find the info and to be fair to those who posted updates as required vs those who haven't posted because they didn't make any progress but still want to be part of the challenge was a lot harder for me than I expected. Maybe cutting the field of challengers back will make the next round of voting easier.

[stevegm]

If I could give advice to the participants. keep your individual thread updated even if it is the same things going into the main thread. much easier to just run through the individual build off thread. at least when voting time comes.

I completely agree, In fact I spent most of the time on the contestants individual threads and only referenced the main thread when I noticed a lack of material/posting.

I agree. Most of the updates should be posted in your own thread. Just at least once each month, post in the main thread. It can be as short as a simple update with a reference to the full posts in your main thread.

Actually, I think it would be easier if the posts to the main thread were limited to once a month and limited to just a few pieces of info. I believe this is similar to what you originally asked for but there appears to be a variety of interpretations of the rules. If we limited the info in the main thread it would be easier to track monthly progress and if you wanted more detailed info you could look at the individual build threads.

It may just be the way my brain works but I really struggled when voting. Trying to find the info and to be fair to those who posted updates as required vs those who haven't posted because they didn't make any progress but still want to be part of the challenge was a lot harder for me than I expected. Maybe cutting the field of challengers back will make the next round of voting easier.

Yes, that was what we originally intended. Ideally, once a month Challengers would post in the main thread, and include a bullet-point list of what they accomplished that month, with a link to their build thread which would have all the details of their work.

As time goes on we will learn the best way to do all of this. But, I do think it will get easier to vote as the filed narrows down.

[914forme]

Yes, that was what we originally intended. Ideally, once a month Challengers would post in the main thread, and include a bullet-point list of what they accomplished that month, with a link to their build thread which would have all the details of their work.

As time goes on we will learn the best way to do all of this. But, I do think it will get easier to vote as the filed narrows down.

You are correct it will get inherently easier as the field narrows. I try and post everything I do to the 914 in my build thread, and currently all the other cars that are rolling through the shop. But then I feel people might get bored. When it takes what seems like a day to fit 2 patches, and a week to weld them in people tend to get bored. Today fitted, tomorrow spot welded, next day ground, next day spotted again, hammered, ground, etc......... I get bored too. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Also thank you Andrew for taking the time to do the XLS scoring card (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif) will make it much easier than my original (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ar15.gif) from the hip style.

[Garland]

January Update: Michigan Build
Michigan Build Link
Build progress :

Back at it over the last few weeks, installed 5 Lug package from PMB Performance. Pressed in new bearings, and seals. Turbo tie rod ends, rack spacers, and shorter firmer springs and shocks.

Unexpected challenges:

Had to trim the calipers a bit to fit the rotors.

Vendors:

I purchased from PMB Performance, again.

Progress Pictures:

[stevegm]

Let me be the first to congratulate Brett and Amy (he said it was ok to announce it). They are expecting a baby. And the due date? None other than 9/14!

[DRPHIL914]

January progress report, Dr. Phil's back to black flipped, goes metallica-copper that is:
Challenge- time, money, etc, body guy moved out of state, my garages is filed.with boxes-
See my thread- house sale, moving,., sold one tub with some parts,
Good news is that gives me the money to actually pay for some work on the car- copper one, so I'm switching tubs. This one needs more work, way more but it's the one I wanted to keep and I couldn't do both!-

I have my jack points and long parts, rear floor pan, etc from restoration design. And a new dash from PMB!!! I actually installed the dash a few weeks ago!

Parts bought: powder coated parts from Bruce Stone!!

Need new paint and body guy!, asked Scott but he says no openings,

[DRPHIL914]

Bye bye Blackie (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

[mgp4591]

Let me be the first to congratulate Brett and Amy (he said it was ok to announce it). They are expecting a baby. And the due date? None other than 9/14!

Congratulations! Just so long as he/she arrives anytime between 9/11 and 9/18 will be good! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

[stevegm]

Last chance to vote. We will close the poll tonight.

TO VOTE PLEASE GO HERE - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9P3RNHY

[mbseto]

Let me be the first to congratulate Brett and Amy (he said it was ok to announce it). They are expecting a baby. And the due date? None other than 9/14!

Well, I'll give a 10 in all three categories if it was conceived *in* the challenge car.

[02loftsmoor]

Save the 914 is donating an event shirt to each Challenger, with the revised logo printed large on the front, and the Challengers names, location, and year and engine of their car on the back (concert shirt-style). The shirt will be a light color (maybe a sandy beige). Challengers, please PM me your shirt size and address. The shirts tend to run a little small. Please keep that in mind when choosing your size.

EDIT:
A couple people have asked to order extras, or asked to buy one since they are not participating in the Challenge. We can print some extras if anyone else wants one. If so, please PM me your info. We will do them at $15 plus shipping ($19.99 total). Paypal: savethe914@gmail.com


HERE IS WHAT I HAVE SO FAR:
914-d - M
914forme - XXL
AndyB - XXL
brettarnold - M & SM
budk - L
madmax914 - XXL
boxsterfan - L
MichiganMat - L

put me down for xxxL or the biggest MF you have.

[Andyrew]

January Update: http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?s=&...t&p=2284502

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads/post-172-1451756629_thumb.jpg)
Finalized the trans mounts

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads/post-172-1452003862_thumb.jpg)
Tore the engine down to its bits, sent it to the machine shop.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads/post-172-1452935818_thumb.jpg)
Got it back the next week. Cleaned, Honed, decked, Balanced, and rods installed.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads/post-172-1454305350_thumb.jpg)
Tore the head down after the machine shop cleaned and decked it. Cleaned up the valves. Removed all the casting marks on the intake and exhaust ports. Installed nitrite coated stainless exhaust valves, lapped the valves, installed new guide seals, installed heavy duty valve springs (9k rpm limit now). Rebuilt the lifters, installed the cams, new cam chain, seals, and torqued everthing to spec. Head is now ready to install.

Plastiguaged the new coated bearings to ensure proper spec and installed the oil pump drive with new seals.

[budk]

Adding a January update.

Progress
Not much progress this month. I had hopes of working on it all winter by heating my garage with a combination of kerosene and propane heaters but then I read the posts of the problems causes by using combustion type heaters in a sealed space. I am mostly concerned about rust so I have decided to only use electric heat in the garage but given some of the low temps we had even that wasn't possible. I'll only be able to work on it on mild weather days - I just don't have enough electric heat to make it comfortable nor do I want a ridiculous electric bill.

I did start cleaning some of the contacts on my wiring harness. I'm trying a few different methods, mostly vinegar and salt to clean and water/baking soda to neutralize afterwards. I had some success with although I think I wtill try the vinegar/salt solution in an ultrasonic cleaner. That should give the same results only more quickly. All in all the harness isn't that bad. There are a few pieces that will need to be replaced and a lot of it will need to be re-wrapped but it's not as bad as I had thought.

I did get some more metal pieces to add to the to-do pile. Other than that, no real progress this month.

Pics will be added <here> soon.

Challenges - Cold weather. Solution - Use electric heat when feasible, otherwise just wait it out.

Shop/Vendor services provided - None

[914forme]

January Progress still in rear boot hell (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) I might be slacking on the 914 but slacking on the work being done in the shop.

Fixed:
Ford Escort - redid a few items, car deemed not worth the investment.
Chevy Cobalt - redid a bunch of items
VW EOS - pulled the nose off the car to change a windshield wiper pump (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)
VW Jetta - Pulled the bumper off to get the low beam head light bulbs in properly (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif)

In process:
VW Rabbit - being rebuilt now
Chevy Truck - tranny blew, will be rebuilding that one soon.

914:
Rear Bumper all mocked up, need to (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)
Rear Trunk - All mocked up, need to (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)
Couch slave cylinder all mocked up, need to finish the (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)

Wow see a trend here

Rear Tail lights, got a bunch of euro lenses, my NOS units from Germany, have cracks. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) Company blames shippers, shippers blame company, box only damaged on one corner.

Spoke, sent me my LED tail light boards, just got them today (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)

Time to move on to something new, Rear Wheel wells, or engine compartment (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

I do keep copious notes in my build tread.

[JoeDees]

This was the month of health chaos. First I missed a weekend of work because I was sick, then a weekend because the wife was sick, and then I missed a Sunday and another weekend with the eye injury. I think I only actually had about 3 days working in the garage. In those days I got the inner rocker panel welded in, got the 914 fully up on the rotisserie and stripped some more stuff off of her, cleaned off some surface rust, roughly trimmed the excess on the rocker/floor/long seam (pictured below), and rehabbed and welded the whatever that thing is called back into place (pictured below) using some scraps of trimmings where needed--this is whose grinding tried to take my eye. Got the all clear (after Wednesday) from opto to get back to the garage, today, so here's hoping for a better February!