Page 1 of 41

914 2.0 > 3.0 GT Conversion

Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 3:24 pm
by defianty
It's been a while since I started a thread, probably years. Life has a tendency to throw obstacles in the way of our hobbies from time to time, it's certainly kept me away from mine.

After buying a project house the 914 was parked in the garage and forgotten about. House renovations took precedence and I never got around to fixing a couple of small jobs that prevented me getting the car back on the road. In the last couple of years I also lost both of my parents in fairly quick succession, as I'm sure many of you know it's a very difficult time.

However during the past few years the Porsche passion never left and I've been to several Porsche events with friends, good friends that I've met here on DDK. It was during the Spa Six hours in 2015 that James (23e Heure) said that he was thinking of buying a 914. I think this is the point where my passion was reignited. James was serious about buying/building a 914-6 GT rep, I was jealous. :lol: My only request to James was that he didn't buy a Light Ivory car. Of course James bought a Light Ivory car that was almost identical to mine, with one exception his had a 3.0L in it. James was now on track to build my dream car. Who needs friends eh?

So... I decided to build my own :shock:

After tentatively putting word out that I was looking for an engine, a few days later I'd done a deal on a late 3.0SC engine. This was really going to happen now!

I collected the engine a few weeks ago and things are now starting to progress slowly. Initially I was going to do the engine conversion first and then see to the body modifications after but after doing all the sums I decided to do everything.

I intend to do as much work on the car as possible, sure I'll need professional help down the line, my welding skills are limited to one day on one of Barry's masterclasses. But I'll be giving it my all and I hope my perfectionist nature helps me achieve the results I'm after. The only part I know I won't tackle is the paint, that part will be done by a professional.

As a reminder this is how the car looked. It's a good car, not perfect but a very clean, solid example that had paint about fifteen years ago. There was a couple of small bubbles here and there but so far after further investigation I'm yet to find anything major.

Image

And this is where I am right now. Nothing much has happened over the last couple of weeks due to the festivities and a stinking cold but work should progress next week.

Image

I've obviously made a huge list of parts that are required and have started to buy parts as and when I need them. Right now I don't have much so if you have any GT conversion parts that you think I may need then please drop me a PM. I'm also going to be having a lot of parts for sale including my original 2.0L engine (carbs). Drop me a PM if you think I'll have anything you may be interested in.

I'm looking forward to the journey and sharing it with everyone.

Re: 914 2.0 > 3.0 GT Conversion

Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 3:29 pm
by Bootsy
And I'm looking forward to reading all about it!

Re: 914 2.0 > 3.0 GT Conversion

Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 4:33 pm
by Ian Gunney
Good luck Stephen

best piece of advice I had when my car was built was to try and use as many factory parts as possible - they may not be cheap but certainly when it came to the oil system that was the best way.

Looking forward to seeing the updates.

Ian

Re: 914 2.0 > 3.0 GT Conversion

Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 4:43 pm
by 210bhp
Hi Stephen

My condolences about your parents but it is GREAT to see you back here with your Porsche mojo rejuvenated. All the best with the project. I know nothing (much) about 914's so looking forward to your thread.

All the best

Regards
Mike

Re: 914 2.0 > 3.0 GT Conversion

Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 8:08 pm
by 23e Heure
Copy cat :lol:

Glad you've got the thread jump started.

Two GTs in convoy, coming soon 8-)

Re: 914 2.0 > 3.0 GT Conversion

Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 8:10 am
by Sam
I taxed my 914 yesterday for the first time in 3 years as I too got caught up in the other stuff you have to do in life.

I'm not going to put arches on it, but I'm hoping you make the engine conversion look inspirationally easy, as the way the 2.0 stops making power at 4500rpm has always been the thing that stopped me loving the car like I do 911s.

Crack on.

Re: 914 2.0 > 3.0 GT Conversion

Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 9:30 am
by defianty
Ian Gunney wrote:Good luck Stephen

best piece of advice I had when my car was built was to try and use as many factory parts as possible - they may not be cheap but certainly when it came to the oil system that was the best way.

Looking forward to seeing the updates.

Ian
Thanks Ian, in all honesty there's going to be parts where I just can't justify using the factory parts anymore because of the prices now. It's no secret early Porsche parts are expensive and with original sixes now reaching six figure sums those original six only parts are becoming very expensive. I'm also aware that my car, once finished, will not be worth more than the sum of its parts like a restored 911 would possibly be. I'm in it for the love :lol: It's also worth mentioning at this point I don't intend to build a GT rep, more of a wide bodied car that pays homage to those early racers and the look I have planned will certainly be period.

However I do have a very healthy budget though and will use the best parts available within that budget, a budget that I already know will have to be expanded :lol: Where I have to use non factory parts I'll be sure to use parts that are well tried and tested. I'm also thinking about being fairly transparent with costs on this thread to help others understand the reals costs involved with a conversion these days.

Re: 914 2.0 > 3.0 GT Conversion

Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 9:31 am
by defianty
210bhp wrote:Hi Stephen

My condolences about your parents but it is GREAT to see you back here with your Porsche mojo rejuvenated. All the best with the project. I know nothing (much) about 914's so looking forward to your thread.

All the best

Regards
Mike
Cheers Mike, I'm glad to be back.

Re: 914 2.0 > 3.0 GT Conversion

Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 9:31 am
by defianty
23e Heure wrote:Copy cat :lol:

Glad you've got the thread jump started.

Two GTs in convoy, coming soon 8-)

Sod off you, you're costing me a fortune :lol:

Re: 914 2.0 > 3.0 GT Conversion

Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 9:32 am
by defianty
Sam wrote:I taxed my 914 yesterday for the first time in 3 years as I too got caught up in the other stuff you have to do in life.

I'm not going to put arches on it, but I'm hoping you make the engine conversion look inspirationally easy, as the way the 2.0 stops making power at 4500rpm has always been the thing that stopped me loving the car like I do 911s.

Crack on.

Enjoy your car Sam, I doubt I'll make anything look easy but I'll give it a go.

Re: 914 2.0 > 3.0 GT Conversion

Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 12:03 pm
by Mr Pharmacist
Looks like an interesting project Stephen! Looking forward to the project thread!

Re: 914 2.0 > 3.0 GT Conversion

Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 12:37 pm
by jamie
That is a good looking 914. Interested to see how this pans out!

Re: 914 2.0 > 3.0 GT Conversion

Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 1:12 pm
by theorangeperil
I'm looking forward to this Stephen!

Re: 914 2.0 > 3.0 GT Conversion

Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 4:40 pm
by abzadams
Finally some action!

Re: 914 2.0 > 3.0 GT Conversion

Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2016 12:56 am
by jtparr
Hi Stephen....good to read that you are back with us...looking forward to reading more...you guys up for coming to Spa next May again...?