3000 Miles Later

It’s been 3000 miles, since the completion of the RH conversion, 3000 miles of surprise free miles I might add. The process started about 18 months ago with the need to get another 911 along with the Hot Rod bug.

This project fulfilled both of those needs with sensational results. I purchased a “project car” on e~bay (notice project car is in small letters) with the idea that I could solve any “old Porsche issues” in my shop. While this is true, upon looking over the project with clipboard in hand, the list was becoming increasing longer and more time consuming. With the time issue & my workload fast becoming the limiting factor and I started to ask around to see if anyone had a tub for sale. The next day, with some help from fellow Porsche owners, I was able to locate a tub 3 miles away from my shop. I quickly cut a great deal, and that afternoon it was on the shop floor. Note: this was not a roller…. more of a dragger, nothing but an empty tub. OK, now what?

I started to transfer the useable parts from the now e-bay donor car to the new tub. With this task completed, I needed a motor. Let’s see, 3.0 liters were out there, but from my experience they would all need freshening up to make this a drivable project. Once again the time issue is at hand, and with some luck I find a type 4914 engine. So what the hell - this car needs to be driven. Hence, the type 4 made its way into the space that once was home to a 3.0L.

That aspect is completed, and the car has1000 miles racked up, yet I find the Hot Rod ache is still unsatisfied. An SBC is acquired, freshened up and waiting a new home…this is when Renegade enters the picture. So, a little research on the Internet was started and a quick trip to Vegas results on a check-writing episode to RH. Carrying back some vital parts back on the plane, let me get a “head start” on the new tub. The next week involved cutting and welding the radiator support area and test fitting the engine in the back of the new car. This all goes as expected without any surprises, as I await the shipment from Vegas.

Once the much-awaited boxes start arriving, I tear into them like a six-year-old on Christmas morning, and the process shifts into the next gear. The radiator assembly installs just as simply as advertised and its time to move to the back of the car. Hoses are all connected, wiring gets done. Next on the list were the fuel tank mods, a time consuming part of the conversation, but just as important. This is completed, tested, and proven.

Now to the fun parts! A test fitting of all the parts turned into a one-time install, therefore eliminating further “test” work. Now the endless (seems like it anyway) quest to explore how this thing will sound and much more important how it will GO. I had all the exhaust bends, the Eldbrock 2 in one out muffler and the tig all warmed up, the cutting and pasting, fitting and refitting, rethinking and fitting again, leads to a very sweet two and one haft stainless steel exhaust system that appears to be bone stock until start up.

Well, it’s finally time to fire up the motor. Key ON, fellow Pelican’s are standing by with fire extinguisher in hand, some thinking, “This thing won’t work,” some glancing at the nearest exit, and the faithful lining up for the first ride. A deep breath--- advancing the key to the start position, I learn what it feels like in the bottom of the ninth, with bases loaded, a 3-2 count, and losing by a run.

A half turn from the starter the project springs to life taking on a personality all it’s own. The expression of the gathered onlookers said it all: this thing ROCKS!! With the cooling system burping process completed, it’s time for a quick spin around the block. A one third roadworthy 911 rolls down the drive to its maiden voyage departure point. A check left and right for traffic (translate: Cops), a gentle pressure on the gas, clutch Engaged, and the trip up thru the gears, shows me unlimited possibilities.

I finish removing the air from the cooling system, and its back into the shop to finish the remaining 2/3 of the project, or so I thought, until a To-Do board is hung on the shop wall for all to see - Dam this list is long. Over the next weeks and months the list is whittled down to a manageable level, almost wish list status, but warm weather is for driving not wishing.

It’s now 3500 miles, with winter fast approaching; it’s almost time to re-introduce the car to the warm confines of the shop to complete some of those wish list items. I trust the list will go on and on.

The 911 has been shown in a dozen or so local car shows, with a universal disbelief that: 1. THIS is something you don’t see everyday and 2. How the hell did you do THAT? The crowd around the car at the shows has been overwhelming along with a mass of favorable comments.

A trip around Bucks Country (PA) with a long time Porsche hard-core owner as a passenger resulted in nothing but glowing praise with a local article written by this now converted purist. He wrote that every Porsche owner needs to experience this at least once, and that he, for one, will never again turn his nose up at non-Porsche powered hybrids. His parting question on leaving the shop is, “I have to have one of these, and how soon can I get one?”.

The staff at Renegade was and is first class; from Melba, who answers the phones with all the zeal of someone building a car, to Steve and Scott who provide answers to the host of questions which normally arise from a project like this, all are handled with a genuine concern for the converters and their questions. I’ve decided to convert the front of the 911 to a 993, and have just obtained all the necessary hardware to “make it so”. But that’s for another chapter, so watch this space for the on going saga of this trip. Remember it’s the journey, not the destination, that’s important……………..

Jack