tygaboy
Well-Known Member
Seems best to start with a bit of a detailed intro.
Hi all, I'm Chris, a long time E9 lover and forum lurker. I've always been a Porsche guy but my best buddy had a '73 back in the '80s and I've loved them since then. Just ended up sticking with Porsches as the cars I favored. I was in the tech business in the '90s and one of my customers bought a '74 E9 to go with his 2002 collection. He ended up hiring me and was my boss for about 6 years. His E9 was a CA car until about 10 years ago when he moved to VA but it was always a Sunday driver so avoided the wet. Anyway, I told him if he ever sold it, I demanded first right of refusal. He called about a month ago, said he was ready to sell and we were able to agree on a price. It was shipped out and arrived on Oct. 16.
It's been maintained but has its issues; primarily those big bumpers and an automatic trans, IMHO. The driver floor has some minor rust, the engine is tired, it needs shocks and tires... Sounds perfect for what I'm calling an "update/improvement" effort. But before I get into that, maybe some background on me:
I have a (bad?) habit of going a little overboard modifying my cars. I'm the final throws of building a 914 V8 with an LS3/Boxster 6-speed and a TON of custom fabrication. Things like I stamped my own firewall panels and moved it forward 1.5" in the chassis so I could move the drive train forward and reduce CV axle angles. I eliminated all switches and operate all the electronics from a wireless steering wheel panel, I plasma cut a set of hood vents... the list goes on. And on. If you want to waste hours and hours reviewing a 5-year, 180+ page build, here's the link to the build on 914 World.
Then there's the Mercedes endurance racer build: a 2001 CL500 with Corvette suspension, converted to mid engine (another LS but this time a Cayman PDK trans) and best of all, central seating! A ways to go on this one but it's getting there. The build thread is on Grassroots Motorsports.
At this point, I can imagine you might be getting worried that I'm about to cut up an E9 and do something really bad to it. But fear not. I understand how special these cars are and that we're simply their current custodians. I do plan some mods but only things like euro bumpers, a 5-speed, and a suspension/wheel upgrade. An interior refresh is in order, as is some paint work. It'll stay the factory color.
I'm new to these wonderful autos and will apologize in advance for what will likely be many newbie questions. Thanks for your patience and support as I get up to speed.
So anyway, that's me. More importantly, here's my car!
Hi all, I'm Chris, a long time E9 lover and forum lurker. I've always been a Porsche guy but my best buddy had a '73 back in the '80s and I've loved them since then. Just ended up sticking with Porsches as the cars I favored. I was in the tech business in the '90s and one of my customers bought a '74 E9 to go with his 2002 collection. He ended up hiring me and was my boss for about 6 years. His E9 was a CA car until about 10 years ago when he moved to VA but it was always a Sunday driver so avoided the wet. Anyway, I told him if he ever sold it, I demanded first right of refusal. He called about a month ago, said he was ready to sell and we were able to agree on a price. It was shipped out and arrived on Oct. 16.
It's been maintained but has its issues; primarily those big bumpers and an automatic trans, IMHO. The driver floor has some minor rust, the engine is tired, it needs shocks and tires... Sounds perfect for what I'm calling an "update/improvement" effort. But before I get into that, maybe some background on me:
I have a (bad?) habit of going a little overboard modifying my cars. I'm the final throws of building a 914 V8 with an LS3/Boxster 6-speed and a TON of custom fabrication. Things like I stamped my own firewall panels and moved it forward 1.5" in the chassis so I could move the drive train forward and reduce CV axle angles. I eliminated all switches and operate all the electronics from a wireless steering wheel panel, I plasma cut a set of hood vents... the list goes on. And on. If you want to waste hours and hours reviewing a 5-year, 180+ page build, here's the link to the build on 914 World.
Then there's the Mercedes endurance racer build: a 2001 CL500 with Corvette suspension, converted to mid engine (another LS but this time a Cayman PDK trans) and best of all, central seating! A ways to go on this one but it's getting there. The build thread is on Grassroots Motorsports.
At this point, I can imagine you might be getting worried that I'm about to cut up an E9 and do something really bad to it. But fear not. I understand how special these cars are and that we're simply their current custodians. I do plan some mods but only things like euro bumpers, a 5-speed, and a suspension/wheel upgrade. An interior refresh is in order, as is some paint work. It'll stay the factory color.
I'm new to these wonderful autos and will apologize in advance for what will likely be many newbie questions. Thanks for your patience and support as I get up to speed.
So anyway, that's me. More importantly, here's my car!
