914 2.0 > 3.0 GT Conversion

[defianty]

It turned out there was actually more wrong with the car than initially thought although nothing too serious.

After the carbs were rebuilt again the car went to the rolling road but things didn't go to plan and it was discovered the distributor wasn't at all well.

With what we're all facing now the car, with it's now functioning distributor, won't be heading back to the rolling road for a while. So as it was running well enough to drive, earlier in the week I collected it.

Huge thanks to Simon Rudge for his assistance in getting the car up and running.

Once again sharing the same garage as 23e Heure's GT


The car was about an hour from me in the North Essex countryside. It was a beautiful day and the drive home on deserted country roads was fantastic and just the ticket from being stuck indoors.

Obligatory stop for a quick photo.


Whilst the car was with Simon I also got him to install a Rennshift performance shifter. Such an improvement and one I'd thoroughly recommend to any 914 owner.



So far the performance of the car meets my expectations but I'll do a full write up at a later date when everything it properly dialled in and we can get back out on the roads again.

[bjmullan]

Good to hear all is well Stephen

This is a great shot and one for the 2021 calendar!

Obligatory stop for a quick photo.

[johnM]

That’s fantastic news Stephen.

Car looks stunning and I bet it’s a hoot to drive.

These home restorations are the ones I enjoy reading about the most and yours has been outstanding. The quality and attention to detail surpasses a lot of professional restorations and makes my effort a few years ago seem amateurish.

Here’s to some great drives out in the future.

Health and well-being to all. Keep safe.

[impmad2000]

I remember getting my car on the road for the first Le Mans classic, it was runny ok, but wouldn’t tune up at all. I didn’t care, it was running.
I later found a setting in the EFI that I had wrong and ever dropped into place. It was well worth the wait and so rewarding. It just got better and better ever since.
The best part of the project is the journey, along with all its frustrations, it makes the enjoyment even more special.
It looks cracking, it will soon be all you expect and more .

[rhd racer]

Looks awesome Stephen, really pleased it is all sorted and you have it home. For most, the lockdown would be an opportunity to tweak, improve etc, but it is such perfection already I think you will just have to take it for ‘essential shopping’ and put some gentle miles on it....

[jtparr]

Hi Stephen

Building the car is just part of the journey

You have done such an amazing job so far am sure the rest will be treated to the same amount of fastidious detail....and be perfect when finished...

All the best
Jp

[defianty]

Opportunities to get out are obviously few and far between right now, but there's no harm in extending an essential trip, is there

[sladey]

I”m not a big 914 fan but that looks gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous. You should be proud of what you’ve achieved

[Bootsy]

What Slothey said

[911hillclimber]

The classic form of a Boxster!

What a great car with all the right bits and execution.

[KS]

Ab fab!

[theorangeperil]

i'd missed the previous updates (as you know i've been kinda busy) but just seen them now. fantastic news its all sorted and it looks fantastic. you must be made up!

[hot66]

That looks well

[defianty]

I think they call this a thread resurrection!

The journey is never over and it's time for a well overdue update. Although not an update I wanted to do.

Since hitting the road with the finished car it hasn't all been good. In fact, I've had very little enjoyment out of it since completion and sadly I've only covered just over 1000 miles. Most of those were spent wondering if the engine was going to get me home due the rattling sounds it was making and the ever decreasing oil pressure.

During the summer last year after heading back from a local car and coffee meet things took a turn for the worse and the car was seriously down on power. Having exhausted every option available to me I pulled the engine out of the car, stuck two fingers up at it, closed the garage door and walked away.

It was months until I got back stuck back in after I'd gained some enthusiasm and rapidly running out of time to get the car to Le Man for the Classic.

After many hours of research I encouraged to do a DIY rebuild of the engine. It still scares the hell out of me saying that but the more I get stuck in the more my confidence builds.

I'm just on the strip down and investigative stage at the moment, but I'm enjoying the process and learning lots along the way.


That day about eight months ago when I decided enough was enough!




Ancillaries off and getting down to it.






The first unexpected surprise! - 3.2L heads






New workbench with little space left already!




Next step is to split the case - this shot was taken before I got a new engine yoke.




More updates soon as we get inside this thing!

[911hillclimber]

Before you pulled it apart did you do any compression tests etc?

I'm on the same page as you, just get stuck in as everything will come apart anyway, so NO criticism inferred.