1976 Backdate from an Update

Hey Guys, I would like to first introduce myself, Neil Lewis of Brisbane. Some will know me from Queensland Raceway. The important stuff... The car! Purchased October-ish 2014, it is a 1976 911S, flood damaged in 2011. It has sat since then with not a whole lot done. It came to me with a slant nose conversion and 930 turbo rear guards already fitted. Originally a Japanese delivered vehicle, so its LHD and km/h on the dash. I'm told they order their non-domestic vehicles as LHD as a way to show off or something. It has a 7R cased 2.7 CIS with a 5 speed 915 box. Still haven't investigated whether it is LSD or not. Undecided on the engine route, figure I'd get it to a reasonable state then look into it more. This is how it looked after a bath once collected - Not real nice.

Slant nose isn't really to my taste and seen as the car was already a bit of a mix of parts I don't feel bad in making it what I want/like. It is getting backdated to be somewhat of a ST tribute, maybe more RSR. I bought the back date panels, courtesy of Mike Tankard. The car is surprisingly relatively rust free. There was one hole in the lhr passenger seat base, another in the lhf structure above the wheel (under the front wing) and one bubble in the roof. The front suspension pan has required replacement.

Rust done, move onto the stuff that makes a visual difference. Also have turbo tie rods, lifted the steering rack and a Carrera 20mm front sway bar. Due to arrive next week are rebel racing bushings - Sorry for the long first post. But that's my progress thus far. I will try and keep this up to date. Any comments and/or advice most welcome!

Looks great! I love these type of builds - looking forward to seeing it take shape

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+1, good to see you revive her, awesome, keep the photos coming.

Looks good Neil how'd you go with the latch with the long bonnet? Was it difficult to relocate on the bulkhead?

The bonnet I have is long outer skin and short hood inner. No mods needed. I didn't want to chop it up to much, so that things can be reversed if I ever needed to. I'll get some pics of it tonight!

Nice work Neil, looking good. Mike T is a good friend of mine - solid bloke.

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love it! giving me bad thoughts haha

I like where this is going!

good to see progress (and that you've still got it!)

Nice one Neil Interesting idea with your hood modification. Havent heard of that one

Jolly good show Neill.

As promised, just a little slower than promised... The outer - The inner - Mike Tankard makes them, so if you decide to do a back date, it makes it substantially easier, and you can go back over if you ever need to. The one issue you will have with them is the safety catch underneath is exceptionally hard to get to to open the bonnet. I have removed the safety hook, I will be using the rubber pull downs like the cars of the period did, as well as the normal bonnet latch. Oh and thanks for all the positive comments. Hopefully I can provide a good read as I go.

Like the rubber or leather hold down straps. Wanted to do it to my 912, but I won't be drilling any holes!

Rubber ones!

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that is awesome. i think MA Shaw does something similar in carbon fibre, but getting them to ship anything to aus.. good to see it can be done easier!

Very nice. I will be watching with interest.

Cool project, thanks for sharing. Looking forward to the updates, good luck!

Did a bit of this - Then this - Then sanded and filled pin holes found, ready for more colour coats (mounted with 2 bolts, to aid motivation) -

looking good!

Engine and gearbox is out - Also started on some of the trimming -

Some painting progress -

jeez you don't mess around, have you got a date you're aiming for?

No date, just want it done properly. Kinda hanging out to drive it, haha. I try to make the most of my spare time so it progresses pretty quickly. Having all the right tools and equipment helps out too.

I personally wouldnt have painted the red dots on the hood, but each to their own I spose! Looking good mate, crankin it

Great stuff .. inspiring

Quick update. Rain, work and a few other things have slowed progress but I have made some. Started by filling holes in the boot lid and prepping it for paint - New englne lid grille arrived also, as seen above. Doors are primered and awaiting colour. And, I fitted the front torsion bars I recieved from 9er and set the ride height. A bit lower then it will end up, but I left plenty of thread for raising it. Edited 22July, 2015 by neill

More painting

Nice mate Now about that steel wheel in the background! If its 5.5inch and wanna dispose of it (or 2) I have just the spot for it!

That's my spare wheel! But yes its a 5.5inch. Any ideas where to source a replacement tyre for it? Mines a little sad and sorry for itself.

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Edited 2August, 2015 by Spannerhead No need to answer.

Keep the updates coming! I'm enjoying your build... The day I do a hotrod this is how I'll do it, DIY in my garage! ?

So awesome mate. Very fast progress. You need a couple of kids to slow you down

Doing a great job Neill.

Thanks guys! I'm enjoying the build, these cars are surprisingly simple compared to things I have played with in the past, mind you I haven't done any engine work yet. Another two pictures from today -

Really nice job. Oh to have the skills to keep it all in house.

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you'll be fine! it's not hard, just time consuming.

Are you painting at home?

Hopefully so Clutch-Monkey. I'll be sure to take my time. Yeah Cal I am, I have a makeshift spray booth inside the shed when painting. Then colour sanding and polishing many many times to get a mirror finish.

Wow that's awesome.

Looking really good. I must say the car has a great stance in the very 1st photo. I'm in Brizzie also. Would be good to meet up one day and compare 76's.

Your a man after my own hart. Great inspiration and impressed with the pace. Looking forward to seeing the finished result. Though they are never completely finished, always another upgrade.

Sorry for the lack of updates of late. Have had a wedding and now a honeymoon. I did manage to get the shell sanded down ready for paint. Once that's done I can start putting it together for good. Going to get a painter friend to have a look over it when its done, if he thinks I have done a terrible job I will get him to do a nice coat over the entire shell before I start putting interior and motor in.

Good to see you necking the Coopers Pale Ale.

Update! Shell has got its first coat on it - Edited 15September, 2015 by neill

wow

More updates - Porsche-1 by Neil Lewis Porsche-2 by Neil Lewis Porsche-3 by Neil Lewis

Nice one mate

Looks great neil

So aside from the rear bumper, Paint work is done! I have painted the dash black again and have even started to reassemble the dash and prep interior parts to start going back in. I am in need of a full set of rubbers and carpets however, and while I know we can get the easily from Pelican, I am wondering if there is a stockist in Australia? Exchange rate to the US isn't all the flash at the moment.

Try James at Autohaus here mate. Also check Sierra Madre and rennspd.com, as their postage is cheaper than Pelican

Also, try not to buy cheap windscreen seals, as they don't fit very well

Noted, Thanks. Have Carpet and Headliner on the way. Going to wait and see what the exchange rate does before I buy all the rubbers. At least the headliner and carpet give me things to keep cracking on with.

I would definately talk to James at Autohaus regarding the seals before you buy anything.

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+1 They are the only place that sells everything in kit form that I know of. Remember, if you've got any non-stock bits you'll have to order the rubbers for that year separately...fell into that trap with 993 mirrors on my 964

Kept going with it. Dash is mostly complete. Dash top isn't bolted in yet as it will need to come out to do A pillar trims. But seeing it together adds motivation. Door glass is in, rear quarter glass in for motivation also.

Looks absolutely stunning. Love that trim.

Enjoying this thread Neil - Great job !! This is where the real enjoyment begins, seeing your vision manifest into reality Enjoy the journey and thanks for sharing

Very nice!  What plans for engine/transmission?

I have a 915 transmission the came out of the car. I have the 2.7 that also came out of the car but I think I have a lead on a 3.0. I am fairly certain, regardless of engine, it will be EFI. I want to be able to drive this thing a bunch and my previous experiences with carbs left a lot to be desired.

Carpet in and headliner underway.

Looking great. I have just stripped mine down to do something very similar (I will be posting up my build thread soon). I have already got my order in with Mike Tankard so hopefully I can get the panels in 3 or 4 weeks, but there is no hurry as I have a heap of body work to keep me busy until then. Did you have any luck with the rubbers? Who did you end up going with?

It turns out I know someone that works in a big Porsche workshop in Sydney. After this weekends WTAC event he is going to have a look through their stocks for me. So I think I have had luck, but how lucky is to be confirmed.

Nice one fella

Headliner is glued in. B pillar trims completed. A pillar trims to go and the glass can go in for good. Body is getting awfully close to being finished. Rear suspension is out, getting cleaned up/fitting rebel racing bushes/new wheel bearings/etc

Inspirational stuff mate, I am loving this build! I really respect the fact your doing all yourself in your garage, thats the way! ? Keep the good stuff coming. Cheers

Hi Neill Really coming on. looking forward to your next posts. Can you explain your steering wheel set up, looks like you have some spacers to bring the wheel closer to the driver. Looking do something similar so the wheel comes away from my legs. Cheers Arnage

I am 6'2" but I have really long legs so I am going to endeavour to mount the seat as far back as I can, so to counteract the stretched out arms that will happen from that I have fitted a quick release to bring the wheel further forward. It's only 60mm but it's a start, if I need to space it even more later on I can borrow a friends lathe or I am sure I'll find something on ebay. I'll take a better shot of it tonight for you.

Looks great Neil - whats the plan suspension wise?

looks good neil. hope you end up nabbing the 3.0 you mentioned- will go nicely with some upgrades

Nice work! Looks awesome already.

Suspension Is mostly done already. Rebel racing bushing set, front and rear. Sway Away torsion bars, 23mm front 29mm rear, courtesy of 9er on here. Bilstein shocks front and rear Carrera front sway bar, unsure what rear bar I'll use. Turbo tierods and lifted steering rack New ball joints and rack ends all over. I still have to order the spherical bearing inner bushes for the rear banana arm. Brakes will be a bit of a controversial point with some. I am adapting Nissan 4 pot calipers to suit SC discs. R33 GTR fronts and R32 to the rear. Luckily I bought most of the parts prior to the shocking exchange rate so I have been able to keep pressing on, but the parts pile is decreasing rapidly. clutch-monkey - 3.0 is the aim, funds permitting. Saves me doing a rebuild too!

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Thanks Neill I think 60mm would be fine for me. Where & what product did you use for the QR & is it just the QR or a spacer as well? Cheers Arnage

It's one that I had left over from my fd rx7. I forget the brand I'm sorry. I bought while on a trip to Japan probably 6 years ago now. I'll pm you some pictures!

Started cleaning and polishing the windscreens today. Rear is damn near perfect now and so is the front aside from one little bit... There is a chip in the bottom corner. Now from the dirt marks left from the seal it looks to get completely covered. In every other way the screen is perfect, no stone chips, no scratches no nothing. My question is... Would you use it? I am debating with myself, I haven't priced a new one, but I'm sure that because its for a Porsche it wont be cheap. And I had my good camera out to take some photos of other things, so while it was out I took some better than phone camera shots -

Idk what cheap is for a windscreen, but mine got cracked at a track day a few weeks back and I got it replaced in three days for what i thought was a reasonable price (cost about the same as the one for my e36). my guess is it gets expensive for a 964 one with the aerial built in. with that said yours looks fine! Edited 30October, 2015 by clutch-monkey

So you would just use the one I have?

Use the one you have if it doesnt bother you and see how it goes, as it doesnt seem that bad to me

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yep got nothing to lose using it- if it turns out it's unacceptable you can just change it later anyway.

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Your car's coming along nicely.  I like that steering wheel, it's a nice change from all the Prototipo's (which I also like)  What model and size is it?

The steering wheel is a Nardi Classic. 350mm I believe.

Any updates here?

Nothing too exciting really, just been putting brake lines back in and rebuilding calipers. It's still going, just christmas and work has slowed me down a little. I'll be onto the engine in no time, the expensive part.

Know that feeling well Neill

Brake calipers are all painted and cleaned up, new seals etc. Fairly pain free process compared to calipers I have done in the past. Sorry, no pictures. New front discs have been ordered and I am re-making all the brake hard lines, mainly just so its new as there's nothing really wrong with the old ones aside from being dirty. Have done the measurements required for widening the wheels and will order t he new lips shortly.

can buy a screen from O'Briens or Moran Glass in Tingalpa for about $300, better off going genuine though as the shape seems to be a bit different of late

Not much to show, but things are happening. Brakes are all sorted, new accel pedal has arrived and wheel barrels on the way. Also looking like I will have a 3.0 to slot in the back very soon. Going efi using a pair of Triumph Daytona throttle assemblies, Clewitt crank and cam sync and a ecu that's still to be selected.

So I sold the old 2.7 motor and found myself a 3.0 motor that has had some work done and hasn't been started since rebuild. Went to collect the engine and was greeted by this lovely thing as I walked in the door, a baby blue version of what I'll end up with, hopefully. So I loaded the engine in the work van and got it home and onto an engine stand. I am told it was rebuilt for use in a '72 tub, but the owner got interested in his 356 project and the '72 was sold off. The motor was surplus and now mine. Anyway some pictures - The motor is a fresh rebuild with the following done - "The motor has been completely stripped to the crankshaft and the crankshaft has been crack-tested and found to be sound. The cylinder heads have been refurbished with new valves, valve springs, seals and valve guides. The cylinders have been checked and honed and the pistons have been ceramic coated. The engine was rebuilt with new gaskets and seals throughout and with new timing chains and ramps. The pistons and cylinders are genuine Porsche Mahle components. The camshafts are 3 litre camshafts but have been re-ground to the later 964 profile to improve output." This week I start on making the intake side of things, I am using 2 sets of Triumph Daytona 675 throttle bodies and making intake runners. This will be the start of the efi conversion. Also getting Clewitt crank and cam trigger setups. The throttles have a TPS already, I have a idle control module from a previous project, some Audi coil packs are to be acquired and I have a delphi map sensor. ECU will likely be from Link. So I have been quiet for a while but things are happening. Hopefully buying an already done motor will speed up the build. Edited 19April, 2016 by neill

Can't wait to see the Efi setup.

Small update - Practiced some ally welding and welded on the fittings for the oil cooler - Made the oil lines to mate it to the stock hard lines - Http:// i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii254/mr_squiggle_1/porsche-6.jpg Made mounts for the fuel cell, fits inside the bottom half of the old tank. The top half of the old tank was rusted beyond repair and I had this fuel cell from a previous project - Also did some tidying on the motor - Seats should arrive this week. All the door/bonnet window seals are in for good. I am doubting the choice to go EFI now also, I keep looking at PMO's and thinking stuff it, just buy the kit, get the car on the road. I have a child coming November so it would be nice to have this done for then, I think carbs is the quickest way to achieve this. Edited 25July, 2016 by neill

Even if you change your mind about the carbs later, someone will grab them off you for good money (IROC racers etc)

I've got 40mm webers on a 3.0sc engine, with good free flowing exhaust options you wont be disappointed going down the PMO path. As mentioned they wouldn't be hard to move on later if you changed your mind. Project looks great!

Please excuse the bad photo, but after the thoughts of carbs and just wanting it done a friend of mine talked me back into the efi stuff. Long story short manifolds are made, trumpets to be acquired and the hard part is done. Welding them all up this afternoon.

That looks awesome. I am watching with interest, as I am about to start on my engine in the next week or so. What management are you thinking of using? Jeff.

Will most likely be a Link ecu, or Haltech. Its up to the tuner mostly but both those options will do everything I need and more. Will be one of the newer generation ecus that monitors all sorts, and works off volumetric efficiency rather than just data points and a set amount of fuel. Car is getting a full rewire too with milspec plugs etc. Bring the electrical system a bit more up to date. Can do things like interior lights dim away rather than on and off, led lights etc.

You have a good friend!  The road will be longer and harder but the end result will be awesome.  Your new child will thank you in the long run!

what ITB's are you using? you won't regret EFI/ITB's! haha

The ITB's are actually Triumph Daytona 675 motorcycle throttles. The bikes are triple cylinder engines so you get 2 sets. They require some adjustments on the head side of them as the bikes have oval ports. Anyone know a place to get trumpets from? Looking at MFI setups online they look to have 200mm long trumpets, or there abouts, anyone know for sure?

Quick update. A lot happening but haven't taken many photos. Remade the door panels, I had the red rs style pull tab openers which everytime i got inside the car bugged me. So the new ones are somewhat of a RSR tribute with a leather strap. Acquired a ducktail from a guy fairly local to me. Needed to fill some holes in it and needs to be painted. Engine side of things is progressing, wiring guy has started ordering my sensors and the ecu, so once he has a space in his shed I should have it to him. He and the tuner will be the only ones to work on the car aside from me. Anyway 2 quick photos -

It's alive! Starts and runs badly, but it 's started. Found an oil leak alr eady, fix that and a few other small jobs and I think I'm ready to go to tune again. Edited 15November, 2017 by neill

...........................

Still in need of a visit to the dyno, but I have been working on the tune to get it to a driveable state with the equipment I have. Grins from ear to ear. Also electronically a few changes since the last update... I now have the following - Link G4 STORM ECU (Previously Link G4 ATOM) Head temp sensor - This is basically some flat bar aluminum with another bit of tube welded to it that I have threaded to screw a Bosch sensor into. The flat bar slides between the fins on the head for cylinder number 3. Oil temp sensor - This runs in the lower pipe to the oil tank. Oil pressure sensor - Screwed into the top of the block to the right of the breather cover. Air temp sensor - Left hand side of the engine bay (above the ecu in the engine bay picture above). Fuel pressure sensor - directly screwed into the fuel pressure regulator. MAP sensor - An extra source of information for the ecu to make adjustments. Located on a bracket attached to the breather cover. TPS - The standard Triumph Daytona TPS is being used in its stock location. Igniter - I am using a pair of Nissan SR20 igniter packs, using three of the 4 channels on each (I had them from previous projects/cars). Coil packs - Ford BF XR6 Turbo coils, made by VDO, look to be good quality and work reasonably well in a 4.0L Turbo 6. Also are not internally ignited which worked for my loom setup. They also have a kink in the stem that goes to the plug which suits the diagonal down hole in the Porsche heads. Injectors - Again, Ford BF XR6 Turbo. Easy to source, plenty big enough for what I need. The rail is a pair of stock 964 rails with an fittings welded on each end. Fuel pump - Bosch 044 (going to investigate something else, this pump is noisey!) Crank trigger - Sourced from Clewett Engineering in the states, good quality part, easy to install and removes the dizzy. Cam trigger/sync - Also sourced from Clewett Engineering, again good quality part, a little more involved fitment wise. Idle control - I have a mac valve connected to a vac chamber which all the throttles also link to. This may or may not work, time will tell. Previously I was trying to run the engine semi-sequential and with wasted spark. The new ECU has allowed me to run full sequential and direct fire ignition. Overall a MUCH better setup than before. The addition of the map sensor and fuel pressure sensors also adds some extra safety and tuning data.

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Sorry if I missed it somewhere, could you post a pic (or a few) of this please?

I can't find a pic of mine. But I stole the idea from turbokraft in North America/Canada. This is theirs -

Frunk is trimmed. Ticking off all the jobs that aren't important but nice to have done. Really need to fix up the front trunk seal though... ignore that.

Clark Rubber stores have a similar hood seal I think. You'd find something that would work anyway

really nice work from start to finish. Thanks for a great read, and I'm in awe of the knowledge some people have, doing virtually everything themselves. Congrats too on getting engaged/married/honeymoon/and first child, all in the one thread too..

So it's on the run in tune and basically done for the most part. I have had somethings come up that I need to raise some money for so sadly I think this thing is going to be sold shortly.

Geez that is tough to finish and not enjoy.

@neill - massive shame mate. I’ve been following your build since the beginning. You’ve done such an awesome job! Really inspirational, actually. I’ll keep an eye out for it if/when it hits the market.

That is a pity to come all this way, and then have to move it on.

A deposit has been taken, Car is sold. Hopefully can do this all again sometime in the future. Can lock this thread now I guess.

Congratulations. I hope you got close to your price after the effort that went into it.

Just forgive my hijack of the thread, But i,m the proud new owner of Neil,s car. I,ve taken a big leap of faith in wanting something different to what i had previously.. Fun car. Now, I,m NOT a Mechanic, Panel beater. But what i do know and, haveing had the car in my possession for a little over a week. But, we on here can agree that Neil has done a remarkable job. Im extremely happy, and the car hits the workshop tomorrow to have just a couple of minor things sorted prior to rego. Kudos to you Neil on a job well done. She is in good hands. And would like to be ready for it,s first C & C in a couple of weeks.

Not a hijack so much as a rescue. Second chapter. Looking forward to the updates.

+1

Here as she presents currently. Back from the engine builder. Drives & sounds as she should. Running up the miles before final tune.

Work of art!!

Stunning!

Thank you, but credit to young Neil, did a great job getting it together with the resources he had. It just needed to be finished off.

Can I ask what sort of power and torque it produced after tuning?

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yeah sure, I will post figures when she,s all sorted.

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Mike, tuned last week. 188 HP @ 6600rpm. I'm happy with that, considering it's a no-frills standard rebuild.

Well, 5 years down the track & despite a teething problem or two, I have & continue to enjoy my little " Frankenstein". A few changes. I have fitted Jenvey throttle bodies, Link ECU remains. An Engine issue which has been rectified. Changed seats for more comfort. Neil must have more of a track bod than me!! Changed wheels twice, the steering wheel is Changed now & again due to mood. On advice, instead of giving her a proper paint job, it was suggested I look at paint correction. Glad I listened. Less than 10 % of what it could have cost to repaint her. Runs, smudges, and a ceramic coating later...I am more than happy.... After taking ownership, I educated myself on the Porsche racing history. As the car was built to present as a RSR Tribute,  I decided it looks / looked too plain, therefore, applying a bit of relevance regarding period sponsors. It was an ok car when I got it. I have made it a better car, now a nice car, and in future, I hope to make it a great car.....