Porsche 914's

[Elbow]

Anyone owned one? I am seriously considering getting one, I know the main enemy on them is rust. Anyone else that owned one have any issues? Can't find any 6's

[Big_Dave]

I owned/restored a 1972 914. I had the car for several years, and it was a lot of fun. They are the kind of car that require you to "tinker" with them alot, but they are rewarding to drive. To answer your question, Rust is of utmost concern. The right rear suspension console, under the battery is a very expensive piece to repair. You can tell the part is close to breaking if the camber on the right rear is different from the left rear. Next remove the targa top and open the doors. Close each door slowly and notice if the door at the belt mldg and the qtr panel are close to or are touching. This is a sign that the chassis is sagging. If it is, it's probably from the rockers and/ or some of the floor panels/center tunnel being rusted out. It's hard to spot rocker panel rust, because the metal that rusts away is behind the plastic outter rocker covers. (read: the rockers always look solid because the visible part is plastic.) Next open the rear trunk, listen for a loud "bong" sound near the top or bottom of the decklids travel range. This is also a sign of some hard to fix, non-visible rust.
As for other quirks with the car, the 914 brakes are barely adequate, and expensive. Easy fix, for about the same cost as stock, The 911 master cylinder, and calipers and the entire front suspension, bolts into the 914. So you can pick and choose what your buget will allow for brakes. Most important, replace the 914 master cyl. with the 911 unit. More volume, and more brake pressure. Also I had swapped out my stock 914 tie rod end for the 930 turbo tie rod ends. Bolt in, and unbelieveable difference in steering feel and precision. As with any porsche, buy the newest one that you can afford. That being said, the 1975 and 76, are the cars to have because they had the 2.0 with bulletproof fuel injection, they had the great shifter linkage, and they are the most desireable. The 1973 and 74 are the next most desireable but they had some small kinks with the injection on the 1.8 engines, some times the mass air flaps get bent if the engine backfires, The shift linkage is better than the 1972 and down 914's, but is still a little aggrevating. Finally all of the 914 from 1972 and down have the 1.7 engine. the fuel injection was quirky but worked. The early cars had some wiring problems, and they had the rear shift tranny and linkage that caused the driver to hunt for gears, and was stupid sloppy. There is no easy/cheap fix for the early 914 shifter issues. My 914 was a 72 modle and I got the shifter working better than usual, and it was a pain to shift fast, like in drag racing, but normal driving or in the mountains it was more than tolerable to me.
George Hussy over at Automobile Atlanta has every imaginable piece and tip to fix the "bugs" in any 914. Also as far as power is comcerned I think the joint in Cleveland, Ga is called Raby's performance. They build nasty Type IV engines. They can build the type IV to a 3.2 4cyl. Georgia is a good place to build a nice 914, The best guys in the industry are right here. Regarding the 914-6, Get about 30g's ready to buy one that needs an expensive restoration and maybe even an engine.

[Glides]

My friend just restored Chip Canasi's (Spelling, the Indy car team owner dude) for him. A 914-6, his first car. Chip is paying him in one of last years Indy Cars. Fully functional, full race, ready to track Indy car. When he get's it, i'll let you know. He lives here in Athens.

[On_Her_Face]

My friend just restored Chip Canasi's (Spelling, the Indy car team owner dude) for him. A 914-6, his first car. Chip is paying him in one of last years Indy Cars. Fully functional, full race, ready to track Indy car. When he get's it, i'll let you know. He lives here in Athens.

Chip Ganassi

[Elbow]

Cool! Nice writeup rt132kp61 thanks for all that!

Yeah Glides let me know when he gets that I'd love to take a look at it.

[Glides]

Chip Ganassi

There you go. That's him.

Yea i'll keep you posted when it arrives.

[pankopp]

I have one. Its a 1970 Porsche 914... I pulled the original 1.7 liter, bought a conversion kit from Renegade Hybrids to mount a subaru motor to the original transaxel. It is one of the most fun cars I have driven. Currently I have a 2.2 liter from an older legacy with my stock wrx turbo/manifold and other bits bolted up.

As long as you find one with limited rust, you will be good and will love it. Check out 914world.com to find all the info you will ever need. That i were i found my car. Let me know if you have any questions.

Picture for good measure... Had to get towed home after overheating few weeks ago...

[Glides]

Holy ass. That is a sweet looking 914 man. Gorgeous.

[Elbow]

I may be getting it tomorrow, it had very small rust. I love the green like yours! Looks nice!! I may have some questions coming your way! lol

[pankopp]

Holy ass. That is a sweet looking 914 man. Gorgeous.

Thanks!~