Driving the P Car

Been a while since I made a post.

2011-08-23T22:27:00.000-07:00

Well. I installed an oil cooler scoop on my 911 to help out with the temps. I was really pessimistic but the stupid thing really works! I also cleaned up my lines on the trombone cooler to expose the brass since it was covered in road grime. Helped an immense amount.

Although.. I really want a 951. I put up an ad today to trade straight across for a pristine 951 for my 911. What are the odds someone is out there with a perfect 951 and wants a 911? Probably doesn't exist. I figure I should try. Life is short. Do what makes you happy.

There is no excuse not to be happy. There is no excuse not to enjoy yourself. If you ask and wonder what it will be like? If you don't put your foot forward? It will always be a question. You will never know.

I find that lately life has slowed down. My 924 is almost done. The 914 runs great. Work is good. Things are smooth. I've lived through years of headache, heartache and hard times and life finally shaped up. But I haven't taken no for an answer and am finally in a happy place.

951 someday. Then an old Urraco, Espada or Jarama. These are things I will achieve unless death keeps me from them. Even if I own them for a minute, days, years or what have you... they are things I want.

Inspired someone!

2011-07-07T01:09:00.000-07:00

I was looking through some forums that I frequent on a regular basis. I've been on them for a very long time and I always share my experiences in restoring and fixing my Porsches.

A member put up "My thread inspired by" me. As he posted he had talked about how he had a 930 that hadn't been road worthy for a long time. He posted up pics of completely going through it, doing the engine out maintenance and really giving the car the TLC it deserved. I thought "Wow, I actually inspired someone to try the DIY stuff? NO WAY!" was a good feeling.

I bet it was an ever more awesome feeling for the owner.

I feel like working on your own car is becoming a lost art for people just being introduced to cars nowadays. Think about it.

Everything runs off of diagnostic computers. ECUs are getting more and more complex. Braking and stability systems are advanced now, not at all basic like they were at one point in time. There are the few tech guru rebels of the 21st century who dare to learn them and excel, others are so intimidated that they will never venture.

There is then another sinister, deeper section that is losing it's style. That's right... the oldschool stuff.

The reason I talk about this is because I think it's really important that people remember the basics. Think about it. If I walked up to you and said "Hey can you gap the points on my car for me?" Would you know what I'm talking about? If you've driven any car that is probably younger than 1980 you probably have no idea what I'm talking about since most cars moved to modern ignition and fuel injection by then. Not all... but most.

If I said "I am going to go adjust my valves." would you raise an eyebrow and go "What's that?" - back in the day a lot of cars relied on frequent valve adjustments. This is of course before modern valve trains came along and made it far easier, or the intervals far far greater.

There was a point in time when most people did valve adjustments, changed their own oil, gapped their own points and did a very large majority of it themselves. Why? Because it was honestly pretty damn easy to do. It was just part of having a car back then. I can think of a lot of people from my dad's generation that are car fanatics, he's in his 50s now, and those car fanatics always talk about the DIY stuff they do on their cars. Why? They've been doing it since they were young like me.

But now we enter generations split from this. Most of my generation that I know of don't really dabble in old cars. "They're expensive to work on." - not necessarily, you know why? Because finding a mechanic to do it when they aren't used to it is hard because the old stuff is getting less common. Can you do it yourself? You betcha! Is it free? Besides materials, tools and beer? Yeah! FREE LABOR! YOUR LABOR!

It thrills me when I post something up like maintenance on a car like valve adjustments and get a reaction out of people like, "WOW, that looks crazy. You sure know your stuff! I could NEVER learn to do that!" and they have no idea just how insanely basic it is.

Have you tried using a new computer from the 21st century? Have you ever gone "Man I know how to use this thing but there is no way I know how to diagnose it and dig in and look at all this complex stuff." - Well, while the hardware of most modern computers is much more civilized than it was back in the day, a lot of it is pretty easy. But some operating systems are definitely more complex than they used to be, and without the proper tools and software to diagnose them, the average user isn't always able to dig that far.

Do you remember the OLD computers? When things were as simple as a few regedits, maybe a simple software patch, or maybe you were used to a few glitches in the operating system and you had to click a few buttons in a weird order, say a catchy phrase while you spun 3 times and rebooted it? Old cars are like that.

To those who never dabbled, it's like a new technology. But in fact, the logic and basic things and components that were at one point in time considered "Normal" are becoming forgotten.

It is like a time machine to go back in time to an old car, like an old 911 or an old 914 and see the systems on them and work on them. People say "It's so difficult!" when really once you understand the overview of how it works, it is SO SIMPLE! It is so rewarding to maintain a machine on your own. To be responsible for that vehicle's functioning manner, to be the person who makes it work and then be the person to drive it. The ultimate "Hey, look at me!" - man and machine.

Anyone can buy a car and drive it. Not everyone can buy a car and be the sole factor in ensuring that every nut, bolt, washer, nook and cranny are up to snuff in it's performance and operation.

So when I read that, when I saw someone took it upon their own 2 hands to put a 930 back on the road, THAT made my day. Hats off to him! Another one saved! Another one made man and machine. Inspirational all in it's own.

That awkward day after racing.

2011-06-28T04:14:00.000-07:00

So the other day during autocross I got interesting pointers. Everything from seat positioning and such, down to tire pressures and other factors.

As I got in my 914 this morning to move it back into the garage I noticed an interesting phenomenon. I felt comfortable. Then I got in the 911 to get to work, as soon as I hopped in it I felt uncomfortable. I felt like my seat was too far back, extending to the clutch was overkill and my positioning to the shifter was too far. I scooted forward, adjusted myself to it and it felt just like the 914. Comfortable. All the sudden my shifting felt better and I felt better driving the car. WHAT? YES!

I also noticed how insanely different it was to get used to the brakes and power again. First point coming to a stop sign I was so used to putting my foot down with good pressure. What should have been a light and fluffy touch ended up being a foot to the brake just like the 914 and I about crapped my pants as I lunged forward in a violent surge forward realizing "OH yeah.... the 911 has huge brakes."

After halfway to work I was used to it again. However, now that I understand the positioning and comfort with the car... it feels entirely different and I LOVE IT!

First autox with the 914

2011-06-27T01:40:00.000-07:00

I sort of feel like this is my first autox experience. The last time I went was 2003, 2004, something like that. I took a different car, and I really only went on fun runs. I never went to really compete or do any serious driving. It was neat at all but definitely nowhere near the level of what a competitive autocross is.

Mind you I did not go to compete. I simply went to have fun and learn my car more.

But what I learned about my car was absolutely priceless. The people that pointed out things to me, even the simplest of things was all in it's own worth the entry fee and worth going. People so eager to show each other how to drive, how to learn. It was really a thrilling experience. Completely different than when I went "for a fun run."

I guess I should say "Today I autocrossed for the first time" is how I see it.

Not only did I get to take people along for the ride and appreciate my car for what it is stock, my dad showed up and I got to take him to his first autocross. I feel like he really had a great time.

It was kind of funny because I could tell he was interested and that he was getting a really big kick out of watching the cars run, but he was reluctant to actually try it.

I said "Tell ya what... you go on ONE run with me. If you don't like it then I won't ask you again. I promise." and got a "well.... okayyyyyy..."

So there we were. Lined up, black 2002 corvette in front of us. This is in the later half of the day. I'm dead set on beating my previous times. I ran a 65, a 61, then a 59. The corvette in front of me has been getting faster and faster. I realize that at this point I am not the fastest driver there but I was dead set on beating this corvette.

Finally the corvette goes. He's off. I'm making sure the 914 is running right because it's been running rich from the altitude and dying on me. Corvette... halfway through the track.. he's almost done.

This is it! I get the rpms up to about 2500-3000rpm and get ready to launch. Flag goes down, we are OFF! GREAT LAUNCH! Hard right, 1st gear, nailing it out of the corner. 1st gate is up, 2nd gear, perfect shift. Off we are to the first corner, brake hard, smooth left, come out of it HARD, into the slalom! We're not getting up there, 3500rpm, BRAKE BRAKE! Ease to the next left. Out of it we come, just a little wide, not bad. HARD on the throttle, this is the big straight away.

4500rpm.. we can do it, we can do it... 5000rpm... here comes the first come for the high speed slalom, off the throttle, late brake, left, get on it and hit the next cone. Into the slalom, stay on it if I can... make it through the cones without much off the throttle, on it on it on it... go go go! I am trying to concentrate and make sure I'm being precise as I can be!

Almost completely out in 2nd gear and BLAMMO right onto the brakes, next left into a snail shaped right and back into a straight. Hit 2 chicago boxes, and then the final stretch! HARD LEFT! DO IT! DO NOT LET OFF! AND we hit the timer. 56.417! Fastest time of the day for CSP!

I had 2 other runs after that. All of which were mid 57 times. But I did it. The vette had a 57.34 as his fastest run. I did a 56.41. I DID IT! I set my goal for the day. I finally learned the course enough to push it to my newbie limit.

But what was my first time of the day you say?

63.419+10 - but what is the +10? That is a 10 second penalty for missing my first gate.

I adjusted tire pressures, took pointers, rode with the pros and let them set in with me for my next 3 runs afterwards and the advice I got was priceless.

"Take this set this way, go wide here, enter here, take this apex like this.. adjust your tire pressures to this. Here is how you measure roll on your tires."

It was like a new entire form of being introduced to my car all over again.

Have you ever drove on the street and had fun in the twisties? Go for a cruise in the mountains before? Get a little bonkers on the throttle? You know, have a little fun! OF COURSE! We all have! But how many of us can really say "I know my car will do this... if I do that." or "I know at this throttle, at this rpm, on a corner like this that my car will behave like this." - Not a lot of us.

I learned how my car pushed, where it let go at. I had to learn how to smoothly brake, enter and exit just to get those times. I realize I am NOT the best driver in the world. I feel like I did a very good job though all things considered. Realistically, in a car that is around 2200ish lbs, with about 70hp, no swaybars, super primitive suspension, and more roll than a bakery... having to learn to drive the piss out of an underpowered car around a car just as fast as others was interesting.

The reason I feel the 914 was a good learning experience for me was the following:

- Super skinny tires. Previous owner has "original" profile size on the car. He went out of his way to find the original profile and tire size for what it came out of the factory with. These are VERY SKINNY and VERY TALL tires. LOTS of flex! I learned a lot about tire pressure, scrubbing, heat, expansion. Only reason is because other drivers pointed it out, drove with me and pointed out variables on them.
- Very primitive suspension. No swaybars = lots of body roll. Primitive setup = basic variables.
- No power brakes, this means that the brakes require MORE FORCE to come on hard. This also means small pressure is of course a LOT less pressure. So learning my brakes and the finesse of where it needed to be taught me a lot of respect for smooth braking on the 914.
- No power steering. I have no power steering on ANY of my cars not even my 911 or the 924. I like this because you get a much better feel for what is going on, bumps, weird cornering and other variables. I feel much more in touch.
- Mid engine, REAR WHEEL DRIVE - I'm not going to go say "RWD is the best setup." because there were FWD cars there kicking the holy crap out of everyone else and their time. Realistically it comes down to what you like, what you prefer and what you are COMFORTABLE with. What I REALLY liked about the mid engine setup is the respect it taught me for the handling characteristics. Come off the throttle high rpm in a corner? Back end wanted to start losing grip. Get on it? It wanted to stay planted. This taught me a lot about how to use this to my advantage AND to recover when things got a little bit strange in the middle of cornering.

All in all... it blew my mind to take a car that is almost entirely bone stock, factory original from 1970 and to be able to run faster times than some 21st century cars. I also got my butt whooped by some of the most unlikely of cars, however, again, I realize that it comes down to the driver. I also realize that in terms of my $.02 that my $.02 is really only worth $.02 in pesos and whatever that is worth in $.02 USD. So in other words, take my $.02 with several grains of salt as I am no professional race driver.

I can tell you how to work on things. I can tell you how to take things apart, put them together, how to tune them and probably do a clutch replacement almost with my eyes closed. I love working on Porsches. But in terms of being a professional driver? I've only started to get involved in racing.

It was an awe inspiring experience to be able to watch the good drivers drive, let them teach me a thing or two and be a sponge and soak it all up. I humble myself in knowing that I have so much to learn and that I have cars that are so much more capable than myself and so much time to get acquainted with them.

There are those who wish to learn, and there are the stale.

2011-06-19T05:47:00.001-07:00

I find it interesting that even with the most well explained procedures... even with the most complete directions that can be provided and even a specific walkthrough of testing something that some people are unwilling to do anything but throw money at a problem.

People want to learn, or so they say, of how to fix something or find the culprit problem. When you tell them the possibilities then they say "Well I will just replace ALL of this." and that is their answer. When you explain why throwing money may only help but if a problem returns they're just dumping more money the excuse is "Well I'm not an expert...."

I'm sorry but I didn't bust out of my mother's womb knowing how to drop the engine out of my car and replace a clutch... or do a valve adjustment. It wasn't like I busted out of there with a set of feeler gauges, a set of wrenches and a multimeter ready to fix things. We all start somewhere.

You are either willing to learn, listen, adapt and go through the procedures....

Or you are simply going to remain stale in your knowledge. That is the difference between someone who is a fan of a car, and the difference between the true and absolute enthusiast and hobbyist.

Anyone can buy a car and drive it. It takes someone willing to get their hands dirty to understand a car in and out.

914 is almost back on it's feet

2011-06-09T23:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I got back to working on the 914. I am flat out determined to have it back on it's feet and ready for an upcoming car show.

The brake caliper on the passenger front was sticking, however.

Upon taking it out and splitting the caliper I found that the pistons were mostly rusted to the inside. I honed the crap out of it and only then found out that my rebuild kit was the WRONG side on the seals. Then upon honing the other side out for the piston I found out it had a crack.

A member of 914 world was kind enough to send one to me and I am waiting for it to come in the mail.

I also found my fancy wiring crimpers, so I will finish the rest of the engine harness while I'm waiting on brake stuff and it will be ready to go for the season. I am so very excited to have it back together, done right and drive it again.

Why in the hell do people ASK for advice?

2011-06-09T23:12:00.000-07:00

Today I was somewhat blown away by the half-assery I saw.

I see a thread regarding "Oh no my seat brackets broke." on a forum that shall remain nameless. I offer my $.02 to get it fixed right by taking it to a shop and getting new brackets made right.

What does the guy do? He drills a big hole in, puts a big bolt in and goes all the way through the bottom of the car. Then says his dad is a Porsche tech and said it's fine the way he did it and that he thinks it is more secure that way anyway.

HOW?

First off, a shorter bolt will have a smaller stress point towards the middle of the bolt. That is stronger. 2, you are no longer putting stress on a welded bracket that is hard as a rock, but now putting stress on the floorpan. That's pretty stupid. 3. It's a half ass fix. A real Porsche owner wouldn't half ass it, they'd get it fixed right.

I have a hard time believing his dad is a Porsche tech, and if he is, well, shit, I don't want to get my car worked on at his shop! That is not the craftsmanship or attitude towards a quality fix that I'd expect from such a place.

I find it more and more depressing to offer my $.02 anymore. I have gone through to write so many tech articles and how to guides. It seems the more I do that, the more people look for ways to half ass stuff. I get a question or an email or a PM on how to do something and it goes like this:

Them: Hi, I'd like some advice.
Me: Good advice on how to do something right.
Them: Oh, that sounds too hard, I'm a cheap bastard, I'll just half ass it. Thanks.
Me: *facepalm*

I did not respond to the kid's comment. I believe if you have nothing nice to say don't say anything at all. While I don't mind ranting on a blog since I'm keeping names anonymous, I don't like to directly be an ass to people on the forums.

There was a point in time where I truly enjoyed helping people. Here lately it seems the more I try the less pleasing it is. In fact, I am downright disappointed and demotivated. It's like people want to ask for advice, then don't feel like taking it and just don't give a shit about doing anything the right way. Why bother getting into a sports car, a high maintenance one at that... if you are only going to half ass things?

Very frustrating. Perhaps I'll slowly recluse and just do things my own way. I once enjoyed helping, now I feel like there is no appreciation and no effort from people. Perhaps it is the generation that is now getting into the cars? Perhaps it is me? I don't know.

Opinions are like ***holes.

2011-06-03T21:01:00.000-07:00

Everyone's got one. Yeah?

I have to make a bit of a rant here.

So ... one reason I heavily debated whether or not I wanted to even get a 911 is because it seems that it is far MORE difficult to find someone who does their own work who can share their technical expertise and facts. I am not saying that all 911 owners are uneducated... but let's face it, most people than can afford a car such as a 911 are far more likely to be able to afford to have the car worked on professionally in a shop as well. Therefore the degree of "DIY" base is probably likely less than those who are Porsche enthusiasts of an entry level who can't afford such things and therefore DO end up doing their own work. Like me...

Now... I'm in a slightly different boat. I have a decent job, I realistically COULD afford to have some things done in a shop but I don't because I hate having people work on my cars. I am no richie rich, but I also can afford the parts for my 911 no problem. I also prefer to do things myself because I find a great deal of enjoyment IN doing things myself because I find that it makes me a little more in tune with my car since I understand what was changed, what wasn't etc etc.

So I will not mention names but there are a few forums that I am a part of. I asked recently whether or not the oil consumption was normal on my 3.0 on my 911. The level of answers I got were SIGNIFICANTLY different on both forums.

Forum A: I got replies with technical data, factory specs, as well as confirmations from my question that my usage is somewhat normal and that I have nothing to worry about. I actually got affirmation to my theory that I was fine and had nothing to sweat due to winter mileage, consumption of oil and the fact that I commute my car since it is my daily.

Forum B: First reply was "Well in my opinion... that's very high" - then a comparison of their 3.2L engine to my 3.0L engine, both of which are a different era of engine and the 3.2 is vastly improved. So the points of consumption on a 3.2 is different than a 3.0 To boot, I even got some people ballsy enough to tell me it was time for a rebuild. No one could give me a solid piece of technical info, just a lot of varying opinions. No one answered my original question of whether or not consumption varies based off of commuting or weather (as in driving your car in freezing temperatures).

Realize that an air-cooled engine has more expanding to do than most engines. The cars are air-cooled and do run hotter than MOST engines. So with that being, during cold temperatures it goes to say that it is safe to assume that you WILL use a bit more oil.

My main argument was this:

During the winter months of freezing and BELOW freezing temperatures, the car takes FAR LONGER to warm up. So wouldn't oil consumption be more? Realistically since the engine isn't at full warmup, some oil MUST get past the rings to a degree, so would you not use more oil?

Because cars that commute in city use more oil, would it not then be safe to assume that my car would use MORE OIL since I commute AND is driven in the winter?

The answers were simply "In my opinion that's a lot." and "Sounds like it's almost time for a rebuild."

Then when I asked "What is involved in a rebuild?" I got varying answers and no one could REALLY tell me except forum A. Forum B gave me more "in my opinion" as well as "I think you need this." and "It will probably cost this." Forum A gave me solid info, solid information and even technical data in what is involved.

So this brings me back to my originating rant: If people cannot suffice with technical data and a strict answer of correct data, what good is the opinion?

I find it frustrating. Now, I will again bring into context my 924 and 944 communities experience... every time I've met a 924 owner, they enjoy Porsche and many of them "DIY" on maintenance. Why? It's an entry level Porsche. They want to do it themselves because it is hard to find a place that will work on them, it is expensive to have them worked on but parts are cheap so why not do it yourself?

I find the same thing with the 944 community. I find the sense of comradery in both communities to be outstanding. Whereas my experience with a large majority of the 911 population has differed greatly simply because people are SO QUICK to offer an opinion with little to no data to back up.

The people that HAVE offered data, information, knowledge and backed it up have been a diamond in the rough and an absolute pleasure to talk to since they are always happy to talk and happy to share information. These are the kinds of people I enjoy. The kind of people I wanted to get into Porsches in the first place, because their sincere passion for the car went SO DEEP that they even go as far as to do their own engine work, rebuild a car from the ground up, track them, drive them and understand the car like no one else. That is the form of passion I speak of. Not just someone who goes out, buys a car and because you can afford it suddenly you are the world's best driver and mechanic.

/rant.

The price you pay for what you enjoy

2011-05-31T20:21:00.000-07:00

I've noticed something lately.

For those of you who know me, you know that I am ABSOLUTELY a 944 and 924 fanatic.

Now... I can't imagine ever selling my 924. Yet somehow, the 924 crowd seems to think I'm a traitor, or at least a few seem to think so... so the 924/944.

I'd like to clarify a few things about my opinion on the 944.

1. I love the 944. It is a FANTASTIC car. One of the BEST cars I have ever had the pleasure of owning and driving.

2. I HATE working on the 944. It was a headache, maintenance is frequent, intervals are silly and they really are a pain. NOT desirable. Unlike the 924 which is no big whoop.

3. I DID NOT SELL MY 924! Somehow people think that because I got a 911 that it's going to be my track car, it is NOT my track car, it never WILL be. It is my DAILY DRIVER and I enjoy it for that, nothing more nothing less. Will i autocross it? Probably, if nothing else to get a feel for what i can do and what it can't do in a safe environment.

4. The 924 is STILL my track car. If I thought they were junk why would I track a 924 instead of a 911?

If anything I still WANT a 944. A 951 to be exact. However, for a daily driver it was becoming literally so tedious on my nerves to maintain I could no longer take it. The 911 is easier to maintain, it is a car i always wanted. If I can have the best of both worlds, why not?

Of course I realize I'll get crap that "I went with the masses on an overhyped car" blah blah blah blah...

I like my 911. It's beautiful. It drives great. Handles great. Brakes great. It's easy to work on.

So 924 and 944 fanatics, no, I haven't given up on the cars. I think they are still fantastic cars. I am, however, at a time in my life where I am tired of wrenching so much and just want to drive.

Is that so much to ask?

Oh, I forgot... BOXSTERS ARE COOL!

2011-05-07T03:21:00.000-07:00

That's right...

So long story short, we have a friend who is a Porsche fanatic like myself. He and I took the engine out of my 911 to do the maintenance. He has a 2nd generation Boxster. BEAUTIFUL car.

Well he let me borrow his malibu while I worked on the 911 since I had nothing to drive at the moment. Over the weekend, he sold it!

Well, then I was out totally. He said "Well, borrow my Boxster! Just don't hotrod it too much!"

My first experience with a boxster was a 1st gen. It was okay, fun.

Well this 2nd gen is what my friend had. All the creature comforts, heated seats, tiptronic gearbox. It was an absolute BLAST to drive.

I loved the body style, loved the gauge layout, loved the creature comforts and the thing just handled and drove like a beauty. No, I didn't drive the poo out of it, but driving it around having a little casual fun here and there he was not kidding when he said "It is like a 21st century 914" - and I mean that in the BEST way! The 914 is a FANTASTIC, well balanced, wonderfully nimble, fun, kick in the pants to drive. SO IS THE BOXSTER!

A GIRLS CAR YOU SAY? Well sir, I'd say you're either JEALOUS or you haven't DRIVEN ONE! What are you waiting for? Don't be a sissy, go try one, it'll change your mind!

Why not another update?

2011-05-06T22:03:00.000-07:00

Well... time has gone on.

The 911 ended up needing a new clutch. Turns out whoever turned the flywheel last had a taper on it so the clutch was only grabbing on the outside and therefore giving a massive amount of chatter.

I completely went through it and did the valve adjust, full tuneup and ran through the car immaculately. The car looks great, drives great, feels great and is great. I AM LOVING IT!

The 914 is in progress for the season with a few minor things (fuel leak huntdown, caliper rebuild, harness finishing). I simply have not had the time nor motivation.

The 911 really has proven to be a fantastic car. I do greatly miss my 944 in many ways, especially that sound system... but the car is just so damn fun to drive. It puts a smile on my face everywhere I go, every time I drive it no matter what driving condition I'm in. WHAT A CAR!

I recently took it to a local car meet after the engine out maintenance and everyone loved it. Clean, and fun to see a 911 taken care of right. Especially in a small town like where I'm at, you don't really see any running around. So I think it's a treat to see one. Just my opinion, however, not everyone likes them I'm sure.

Always fun, always get questions about it and it has been the most fun out of any car I've ever owned to date.

To preserve or not to preserve

2011-03-19T23:40:00.000-07:00

My 914 is very original. I like it that way. Although I now have a gas leak that is progressing. At the thought of /yet/ /another/ engine fire I have to make the decision.... pursue original PLASTIC lines that have lasted since 1970? Or go with stainless steel lines that will /never/ need replacement.

I am tempted for the sake of safety to replace the lines with the steel lines. However, the original owner spent an astronomical amount of time searching down the original OEM parts. Even down to the detail of the cone soft line to the fuel filter. I would feel horrible for ruining the originality of the car.

Do I hunt for replacement soft lines? Or go stainless?

They're likely to cost more on the originals than the stainless. But for a factor of safety, the peace of mind is nice.

It's been a little over a month.

2011-03-18T10:18:00.000-07:00

I'm really getting the hang and feel of my 911 finally.

I feel completely different from the other cars I've driven. I took the 914 out the other day. The shifting on the 911 is very crisp. The shifter feels extremely solid. The 944 was very solid once you fixed the issue with the shifter slop, however, it was a very small shifter and close up by your hand. The 911 shifter sits on the floor, is fairly long, so regardless of the long shifter that some may say "is like rowing a boat" I don't feel that way at all. In fact the shifts are easy to make. Very crisp.

What I really enjoy is how easy this car is to work on. Coming from a 944 where everything is hard to get to... the 911 almost seems TOO GOOD to be true. I remember a 911 owner saying "I sold my 944 to get a 911 and while I miss how easy the 944 is to drive... I'm driving a motoring icon every day. I would never look back" and I feel the same way.

The feeling in the corners, the acceleration, speed, handling and the interior is so great. I love the look of the 80s interiors.

I feel like every time I sit in a Porsche of any model I take a step back in time, when cars were cool. Call me stuck on the old stuff. You can put me in the newest sports car of today. But if it has electronics like stability control and abs and traction control... I'm not in complete control of the car.

Take a step back in time to the 911, the 912, the 914. None of that. In fact, some of them didn't even have vacuum assisted brakes with a booster! It was all armstrong and legstrong. I like to think that if you drive a 914 for any duration of time in a spirited manner you'll likely leave the car with 2 beefy biceps and one really large calf muscle.

When I get in the 911 there is still that sense of primitive driving since there's no ABS, none of that traction or stab stuff. In fact it's CIS. So it reminds me of my 924 in the sense that the fuel system is a finicky pain in the butt. So even though working on it is "Too good to be true" it brings me back to reality with CIS, which I hate. Although I am very pleased with the differences. The 924 had those horrible fuel lines that love to snap and break with age. The 911 is all hard metal lines and none of the variables of an engine fire with them.

It is difficult to describe the complete differences because the cars all have their own feel. But it's over a month now and I'm loving this car.

The fellas at Ians Euro Parts have put together sort of a "list of things" that I need to replace. So I will order it soon and go through the car.

On my list of things "To do"

- Motor mounts
- Clutch disc
- Pressure plate
- Throwout bearing
- Flywheel bolts
- Shifter bearings
- Cap
- Rotor
- Wires
- Plugs
- Valve adjustment tool (so i can adjust the valves)
- Rear main seal
- Pilot bearing
- Oil pressure switch
- S Oil Line
- Bellcrank bushings

Embarassing moments

2011-02-25T05:22:00.000-08:00

- When the 914 caught on fire.
- When I drove the 911 and the luggage compartment wasn't totally closed
- When I drove up to the wrong side of the car at the gas station, numerous times...
- When I did the clutch on the 944 and couldn't get the car started. Only to realize I forgot to hook up the main positive leads to the battery...
- Shocking myself from touching a wrench to the starter bolts forgetting to disconnect the battery...
- Getting hit in the face by my hatch on the 924.
- Having the brakes go out on the 914, then having it die halfway through the intersection, then having some stupid lady in a taurus laugh at me.

Finally... the gathering...

2011-02-05T12:43:00.000-08:00

With the 944 continuing to be a handful on maintenance I was finding myself in a slump. I had saved and saved my money till things were just piling and becoming a money hoarder. During my divorce, financial debt and issues with money drove me nuts. After my divorce I lived so frugally I hardly spent any money.

I decided since my wife had a reliable car and the 944 was becoming a bottomless money pit of maintenance I would sell it and get something I always wanted.

When I was a kid, I always wanted a 911. Those wide fenders, the sound of that engine. The power, the steering, the interior.... and oh those whale tails! They just looked dead sexy.

I searched for months and watched a 911 for almost half a year. Months went by with no buyer and the price got lower and lower. Beautiful silver metallic, 911 Super Carrera Targa Top. The car was beautiful.

One day, that urge to own a 911 came up again, the car was down another $1k. I decided to myself ... I want this car.

I took a whim, a moment. One of those moments of passion that you know that it's "That time".... so I drove down and took the car for a drive and instantly fell in love. The tone of the exhaust, the feel of driving it, the interior was so beautiful and the car just sang to me. I tried selling the 944 so I had room in the stable but no luck. I finally made one of the hardest decisions I have made in a while... I traded it in and paid the difference. I lost a lot of money on the car... and all that work I put into it. I was so sad to hand over the keys. So sad. Like giving up your first car, that kind of sad.

But as I saw them park her away to sell it to a wholesaler or used lot, the 911 pulled up as it had been warmed up. Waiting for me outside the glass doors and windows of the dealership. The sound of the aircooled 3.0 singing outside as I finished the final paperwork and handed over the cash and signing the title work.

They handed over the keys and my wife got in the car with me. The rest was history as I drove away with the biggest grin on my face I've had since I got married. There are so few things in the world that make sense to me and make me happy. The first is my wife, she's beautiful, she gets me, she understands me, we respect each other and the communication is out of this world, nothing makes me happier. The other is my family who is unquestionably supportive and understanding. I never have been much of a people person, I don't get along with people extremely well unless I know them well and I just generally don't trust people. The one thing that always did make sense was me and my cars. Cars aren't like people, they do break down but can be fixed, they work as well as you maintain them (with the occasional unexpected issue) but no matter what... with cars I could pour my mechanical ability into them, elbow grease, do things myself and the reward was something beautiful that showed the effort. I am not good with people, but I know people can tell when they see something like that, and the feeling is the reward of knowing you did all of it with your own 2 hands.

The 911 made sense and has become one of the most pleasurable car owning experiences I have had. I'm just a young guy, 25. I'm not richie rich, but I am good at managing my money and working on cars. So owning them isn't that bad since I do the work myself. It's something I enjoy every day. My wife didn't understand at first, but after seeing the smile on her face and the fun we have when we're together cruising or going to shows or having fun, she eventually understood why I'm so passionate.

Life is short. Too short. I've had many riding buddies die over the years, lost friends to riding, the hobby takes many lives. I realize I won't live forever. I realize I want a family someday. Why wait till your midlife crisis when you can enjoy things already. I woke up one day, got started on my passion and I have never looked back.

The addiction begins, 914.

2011-02-05T11:59:00.000-08:00

As time drug on... I found myself wanting to try different Porsches. I drove 911s... 914s... 924s... 944s... 928s... and found myself wanting something oldschoo.

The primitive feel of a car with no power steering, no abs and all the elements of a "drivers car" appealed to me. I like all the pleasures and luxuries of a car with all the power features but it just takes away from the feedback you get from the car, the way it feels.

I searched out for a 911 or a 914.

I figured I would sell the 944 and get it as a replacement. But what I found was far too nice to do so.

One day I posted up a thread on a few Porsche forums for wanting to trade my 944 and Ninja 250 for a 914 or 911. I received an email from someone who was considering selling their 914 but emailed me first. I had never had a seller contact me because they thought I'd be the ideal candidate without even questioning about the car. At first, I thought it was going to be a bogus deal and a pile of poo, since most 914s in the area were rusted to hell, had issues out the ears and weren't in a condition I'd be proud of spending thousands on.

I decided to go with my gut and go check this car out. When i got there, the owner had the car up on a lift in his garage, ready for me to look at it. I looked in the engine bay, the hood, the trunk, everywhere in this car and found that the car was just immaculate. Even the bottom of the car wasn't rusted, it had been garaged, unpainted (except the bumpers) had the original hubcaps, interior... it was all there. A survivor. A lone, original, 914 survivor. Of all things, I had the chance to buy it.

My wife was hesitant, to say the least. So I sent her a picture on her phone, she had to see it. So I took her over, cash in hand, ready to buy it to let her see it first. We both fell in love with the car. The owner even put in new brake lines for me.

Truly, it was a special car. It had dings in the door, it had imperfections, it was not purely perfect. But in terms of condition, immaculate in my eyes. Why? Because this car survived over 40 years in original paint, original dash, wheels and had been given special attention and still ran.

I bought the car and we could not find ourselves to drive it as a daily but to keep it as a weekend car and enjoy it as a showcar and weekend driver.

I fell in love with the car. So beautiful. It was funny because every time I'd drive my 944, rarely did I get a look or comments. Some people would comment "Nice car!" and others thought I was just a turd in his midlife crisis. But when I went out in that 914, it is unmistakable that there's a classic on the road. The curves, the lines, the simplicity, how low it is, those wheels, that green forest color. Gorgeous. Just shines and sticks out like a sore thumb.

Taking that targa top off and driving around, wind in your hair, sound of an aircooled VW/Porsche engine was heaven. Just a little taste of heaven. On work days, I was go go go. Driving to work was okay but it was not as exciting as it could be. Once in a while on a weekend or on a workday when I felt hairy, as I'd turn that key I would take a step back in time to a day when cars were simple, when the car was all about the feel, when the car told you what the road was doing, when cars weren't super fast but were a totally different experience to drive. A time when sports cars were becoming something really special.

I got it, my wife got it, the car was a completely different feel to go out, drive around and go for a cruise.

The simplicity of working on the car is what really got me. Adjust the valves, change the oil, you hardly have to do anything to the car. Just so simple. I had never worked on a Volkswagen, and the 914 is from what I understand, a modified Type IV VW engine. So learning it was an intricately joyful experience. The thing that struck me stupid was that not many understand how to work on them because of the injection system, which, in itself is also not that complex but just a series of resistors and sensors based off of primitive technology. I mean afterall, it's 40 years old.

I have come to really enjoy the car and get acquainted with it.

The simplicity of a VW engine, the suspension traits and characteristics of a 911, low to the ground, with a targa top. The 914 is really really fun.

The 944

2011-02-05T11:44:00.000-08:00

The 944

I thought that the 924 would suffice. You see, my wife had bought this horrible little white car, it will remain un-named. It shall only be named "dungpile."

My wife had little money when she moved from vegas. I had helped her monetarily, we moved in together to start our life. She needed a car so we bought dungpile. Dungpile was a pretty measily little car, poor white paint, the most unclean engine bay you could possibly imagine. Wiring issues out the ears. Nothing desirable.

I had, on many occasion, fixed these wiring issues. Fixed the various issues... yet dungpile was a high maintenance little bugger, not what you'd expect from a half american/japanese car, but it was over 10 year old, too...

One day she came home telling me people were pulling over for her and that she found out why. Apparently dungpile decided to make a wiring issue such that when you stepped on the brakes, the headlights turned on. So in essence, every time she touched the brakes, she was flashing people. They of course thought very likely she was rude and just kept pulling over.

Enough was enough. I was ready to get my gun and shoot dungpile, or dugpile was getting sold.

At the time, I drove an economy car that got over 30mpg, had been the most reliable car and had lots of mods to it. I spent a lot of money and time making it a wonderful car. It was my baby. I gave it up to her so she had a reliable vehicle and went out and bought a Porsche 944. I thought it would be a great car that I could enjoy that was similar to my 924 and since I spent a lot of time under the hood of my 924 I figured it'd be a sinch.

We sold dungpile. Although I was amazed that people were finicky and picky on a car being sold for $500. People who complained about wheel bearing noise, the fact that it didn't always run right, and that it had tears in the seat. Perhaps they were under the impression it had another 0 on the end, but the fact that the potential buyers were wearing torn tight jean shorts and a beer shirt and appeared to look like one of the Morlocks from "The Time Machine" had me convinced otherwise. Regardless, dungpile went to a good... er.. home..

The 944 had issues out the ears... I found out she was horribly neglected. I owned her for 3 years, pouring thousands of dollars into restoring it back to mechanically awesome shape.

Me and the 944 had become quite a good team. I put a lot of myself into that car, a lot of time, a lot of money. It handled amazing in all weather conditions, ran smoothly and by the time I was done had only cosmetics to worry about. It had become as "as intended" running 944 I was proud of.

But the issue is that the car had become a real maintenance heavy burden. Not that I couldn't afford it, but it was a drain on me emotionally. I wanted to work on the 924 but had no motivation as I was under the car almost all the time trying to repair it, fix something, do maintenance, etc.

If you can keep up with it, or afford to pay to have one maintained, however, they are absolutely FANTASTIC cars.

My intro

2011-02-05T11:43:00.000-08:00

Since I was a child I was absolutely fascinated with cars.

Particularly, the ones that went fast, looked great and sounded out of this world.

I remember when I was a kid, seeing cars like Ferraris and Porsches and Lamborghinis and thinking "When I grow up I want to drive one of THOSE!"

I always had sports cars on my walls on those big thick cardboard posters that you'd thumbtack up and look at every time. As time went by I found myself always daydreaming about them.

I got involved in the motorcycle world, it was a cheap, inexpensive way to go fast, and do it quickly. The feeling is completely insane and I love it. But I always found myself wanting one of those cool cars. Being hugged back in the seat, carving up corners and a car that is so cool looking that you can't not get looks every time you drive by some place.

I got married and things slowed down. Financial debt accrued with loans and school and things like that. The dreams of getting onto these sorts of things became more and more just a dream.

Unfortunately later on, I ended up being divorced. Life was dull, lonely, little substance and very little to look to at this point. I was horribly bored as well.

I found love again in a long distance relationship with an amazing woman. But during time apart I found myself bored to death, again, with little to do on my own by myself. I decided to get a project to work on. I recall as a kid driving by this junk yard by our house seeing a red Porsche 924. The car was parted out but the paint was pristine. I drove by and every time I saw the car I wanted it. My dad told me no, to get a reliable car for a first car, not a car that needed put together and was wrecked. Of course he was right, but passion has it's way of seeking you out later in life.

I searched for used cars and found a 1977 Porsche 924 that needed some TLC. I wanted a race car, a track car. A car that I could restore, learn, enjoy and put on the track. I bought the car, a rusty, neglected car that sat for 10 years in the valley. Years later, the car is sealed up, getting the engine rebuilt with the interior stripped to the bones, getting ready for track with a big brake package ready to be installed.

The car stood out to me as that car when I was a kid. That memory of something passionate. I got to drive on once, it was a blast. Now knowing that the car was mine, that I could improve on it over stock and go race it was like having one of those little dreams come true as the car began to take shape. Now in 2011, the car is approaching completion.

Doing all the work myself the car has been stripped of the non-essentials, given a carbon fiber diet and put on a diet. Megasquirt injection is being installed with a custom intake manifold and the car is making impressive progress. It's taken years due to my schedule but the car has really come together.

This car... was my "gateway drug" to an addiction to the world of Porsches.