Jay Gratton

As I look out at all the snow coming down in New Hampshire, I am thinking about spring for clear reasons. This spring I am investing some money to get the engine in tip top condition on the 914, it has never run very smooth and I don't know why. Anyway, my typical shop doesn't really want to work on it because it isn't a "true" Porsche. Any suggestions on a place that enjoys working on a 914? For the right shop I would go a little into NY. Thanks!

Matt Romanowski

I don't konw how much Chris does with FI but he is www.tangerineracing.com
Not Porsche specific, but they do lots of aircooled motors http://www.suburbanengine.com/

I'll probably think of more.

Jay Gratton

Thanks buddy!

Peter Zimmermann

Jay, how much are you willing to do yourself? Is your car a 2.0? Still injected? What is the history of the fuel system; Stabil, etc.? Do you have a lift at home?

Jay Gratton

The car is a 1.7, 100% stock and the car is very low miles.

Peter Zimmermann

If you're willing to try a few things (points & plugs, clean ground wires, spread the pins on relays, etc.) I can certainly help. You'll need a dwell meter, a timing light, a few hand tools, and an exercise program that will allow you to bend in unnatural ways. You will also need to prepare to replace fuel lines, check for contamination, etc., unless that work has been done during the last few years. There's a certain order to follow, one far different than my project, for instance.

racer

What is a "true porsche" these days? Thats just his way of being a snob... or just not wanting to admit they know nothing about the 914 FI system.

is your smoothness issue RPM related? ie, stumbles only at a certain point all the time? is it a more general lack of smoothness overall? When is the last times items that Pete mentions having been replaced/checked etc?

skl

Ah yes, a dwell meter, points, condenser... some of us are old enough to know what those are!

Enviroteacher924S

Are you spending more of our money?

Jay Gratton

The car was gone through and "tuned up" by a local Porsche shop before I bought it. I can't remember what they did, but I have had them do work before and they are good. The car runs fine when just cruising down the road, but if you squeeze the gas it stumbles a little and isn't smooth. If I try to start on a big hill from a stop the car frequently stalls or has a really hard time getting going. The funny thing is, when I AX it (which doesn't happen often) the car runs AMAZING after, almost like I cleaned it out.
I am willing to try any thing and I am lucky to have Matt be my buddy and be local and he and I will play with it this spring. Thoughts?

Peter Zimmermann

I'll be thinking about this...

skl

I remember a reostat I had on mine WAY back in the 70's when it still have FI that would richen the fuel mixture if you were autocrossing etc. Not sure it reallly helped but in theory should have a little- if you could figure out where to wire that in (I have NO idea anymore) you could "fiddle" with that to see if it helped...

(reading my latest Excellence today on a plane ride, a certain Pete Zimmerman has a letter to the editor- I assume it is the one and the same above??)

CWhaley

Jay you should contact Van Svenson in NY he is on here as VAN.

Also here is a link to his 914 project.... http://www.ephotomotion.com/914engine/index.htm

Jay Gratton

I will look into him. Thank you for the suggestion!

Peter Zimmermann

Guilty as charged, your honor...