From: darling@simlab.arc.nasa.gov on behalf of Dave Darling [darling@simlab.arc.nasa.gov] Sent: Thursday, May 06, 1999 9:32 AM To: jon Cc: 914 Subject: Re: [914] sheet metal At 8:55 PM -0700 5/5/99, jon wrote: > ... I also was >looking for a set of workshop manuals under $500.00 There are a number of workshop-type manuals for the 914. The best value are Haynes and the Lash (or Clymer) books. They contain most of the info (and pictures) from the factory manual, and are avail- able for $15-30 from various sources. Check for the Haynes in particular--last time I checked they were selling it for a rediculously small amount of money. I have heard that (if they can still use that name, haven't checked them in a few months) has good deals on the factory manual. Expect to pay something in excess of $300 for a new one. It is the most complete, but is not the best workshop manual that I've ever seen. Most people make do with the Haynes and/or Lash books. >P.S. If anyone knows of some low cost performance parts to get more HP tell >me please!!! I need to beat my dad with his 944 in autocross!!!!! The easiest upgrades are in general handling upgrades. The stock 914 has pretty amazing handling, but it can indeed be improved. Sway-bars can be added, springs and torsion bars can be upgraded, bushings can be replaced, you can get wider, stickier tires. But don't expect to beat a 944 right away even with all those mods. (And doing some of them may put you in a real go- fast class with tube-frame monster cars anyway.) Seat time really does count. A lot. HP mods are pretty limited. You can do a bit to improve the engine's flow with bolt-ons, but after that you're talking about splitting the case, or at least tearing the top end off the motor. Bolt-ons would include a tuned header system like the Kerry Hunter headers or Pete Webber's headers, and a good high-flow muffler. Some FI modifications may give you a bit, but that will take time, money, and dyno time to prove. A carb setup may get you that much and a bit more if you really do it right. (Hey, Dirk, did I knock your socks off?) You may also be able to get little tiny bits of power by swapping out the ignition system (or the major pieces of it), etc. But most gains will be pretty small. Also, many or most of those mods above will put you into some wild classes. You may beat your dad, but you might be condemned to DFL in class every time. (It stands for Dead Last.) Read the rules to understand what you can do to the car and remain in a particular class. Finally, with power mods there is the question of longevity. In gen- eral, anything you can do to make more power will also generate more heat. Excess heat can and will kill your engine eventually. Just how eventually is up to the cooling system on the car. The 911 "upright" fan is supposed to do a very good job. The stock fan does a pretty good job if everything is in good shape. External oil coolers can be added. (And that's a whole nother discussion there!) Etc. So, have we reached information overload yet? ;^) --DD Dave Darling 74 914 2.0 (decapitated) darling@simlab.arc.nasa.gov "OFF WITH ITS HEADS!"