Post your 914s, Whether Original or Modified (hot rods).

[Neunelfer]

Agree... It would have to be pretty serious for the rack to be the issue.

Rick, let us know what type of struts you have.

[Mr9146]

Here's what my bought-back 914 looks like currently ... it's scheduled for pick-up soon and I should have it by the end of the month barring any unforseen obstacles.

Still has the vintage 76 ball on the antenna, the lightweight hood badge, and "original" plates from when I first built it. I'm excited!!

[JKW]

While you said it was aligned, that twitchiness sounds like excessive rear toe out (the way you might set up an autocross car). Jon

[t6dpilot]

That is really cool Marco. It looks great. What engine do you have slated for it?

[Mr9146]

That is really cool Marco. It looks great. What engine do you have slated for it?

Well, the 2.5L twin plug motor in my 911 was originally assembled for my previous 6, and the 911 is due for a restoration after this year's race season, so it's a good excuse to snatch out the motor and use it in the 914. That said, however, if I transplant the 2.5L I'm going to install MFI - the motor was built with MFI heads and cams, and the 914 was already set-up for an MFI motor so it'll be plug and play.

I have no idea what I'll do to the 911 afterward, but the restoration will take a while so there's no rush to decide. We have enough parts laying around to build another carbureted 2.5L twin-plug, but I miss the big-bore stuff so I have been collecting parts for a 2.8, too. Who knows, maybe I'll just build the big motor and dump it into the 914...

[Bobby Smith]

While you said it was aligned, that twitchiness sounds like excessive rear toe out (the way you might set up an autocross car). Jon

Normally you would never use a toe out setting in the rear for auto-x. I run 1/16 toe in on the rear and about the same toe out up front for good turn in. I would re-check the alignment on this car.

[JKH]

Interesting , I wonder where he had it done , eastside ?? Fordahl ?? Trueline ?? Group 2? Les Schwab? He should have a sheet on the specs regardless..

[RickS]

The alignment was done by a reputable local Porsche shop which is highly experienced with 914s. They installed a complete Street/Track 1 Elephant suspension. The struts are Bilsteins all around and are 3 years old with about 2,000 miles on them. Everything though everything was set to factory specs, it felt twitchy. 2 degrees of toe in was place on the fronts to see if it would lesson the twitchyness to no avail.

"nose dive into the corner?" Not in the least.

"Is the steering rack have any issues?" None what so ever. All the components were checked with the new suspension install. All I know is that prior to the Elephant street/track 1, is did corner without the twitchiness. Thinking of disconnecting the front sway just to see if it makes any difference.

[Mr9146]

The alignment was done by Bernie (European Autowerke) who is highly experienced and competent with 914s. He did the install on the Elephant suspension. The struts are Bilsteins all around and are 3 years old with about 2,000 miles on them. Everything was set to factory specs and that was when it felt so twitchy. We put 2 degrees of toe in on the fronts to see if it would lesson the twitchyness to no avail. Was thinking about taking it to either Fordahl or a specialty race shop on the eastside.

"nose dive into the corner?" Not in the least.

"Is the steering rack have any issues?" None what so ever. All the components were checked with the new suspension install. All I know is that prior to the Elephant street/track 1, is did corner without the twitchiness. Thinking of disconnecting the front sway just to see if it makes any difference.

Sounds to me like the back is driving the front. Small steering inputs create the sensation the back wants to come swinging around really quickly, right? I doubt it's anything to do with the front bar as that would cause the car to push. I'd check the rear toe settings - sounds to me like there's too much toe out. I'd also look at your caster settings; I like my steering a bit heavy and set my car up with about 6* ... I believe the book calls for 5.

[Bobby Smith]

Sounds to me like the back is driving the front. Small steering inputs create the sensation the back wants to come swinging around really quickly, right? I doubt it's anything to do with the front bar as that would cause the car to push. I'd check the rear toe settings - sounds to me like there's too much toe out. I'd also look at your caster settings; I like my steering a bit heavy and set my car up with about 6* ... I believe the book calls for 5.

I agree. I think 6 is about all you can get out of the caster setting on a stock 914 and too little caster would cause "twitchiness". I would dial in all the caster possible. I would also set the front and rear toe at 0 for a street car. 1-1 1/2 negative camber also works well on a street setup. That should get you right in the ballpark. If it stills feels odd, have others drive the car and see what they think.