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 Post subject: Project bigger than I thought! Advice sought....
PostPosted: Sat Dec 04, 2021 1:12 pm 
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Hi all,
I have had an early 944 sitting in the garage waiting for restoration/ fixing
For a couple of years- just started digging into it- it looks like a much
Bigger restoration than I thought- would appreciate any thoughts you guys
Have on whether it's feasible / worth it...rundown on what I've found below
Can't seem to add any photos- file size too big, any help with that appreciated...
I can do most things mechanical, bodywork and spraying I'll have to pay to get done

Stripped the car down a fair way..
Bodywork- front wings thrown away rusted to bits- but looks like fibreglass
Ones are available...
Rear bodywork is a mess- nothing structural but very badly welded behind the rear
Wheels- would need a body shop I'm guessing....

Chassis looks sound, no major rust. What rust there was on the chassis, sills,
Has been treated with a rust proof, forming a black type substance, I have heard
Of that and it looks ok.

Mechanicals:
Engine won't turn over- oil and water drained out- still locked solid.

Clutch I think will be dubious at best...
Rear brakes seized- I can fix these if I can get them apart!
Front brakes- these have been overhauled, not pretty but look ok.
No front anti roll bar- it was a track car so I understand some of those guys remove
The antiroll bar...
Fuse box really crumbling- must have had a water leak around there, this will need
Rebuilding / replacing.
Rear fuel system has been sorted- new pump and lines.
Gearchange- really very soggy! Will need to be sorted to get rid of the comical
Amount of play!

Oil cooler / exchanger leaking.

Although the engine won't turn over- with ignition on and fuel pump running, there
Is a hissing sound from somewhere around the intake manifold / fuel system....

Interior- doesn't really have one! I have the instrument binacle and all the dials,
Which are in good shape- dashboard in a bad way, everything else was stripped
Out and thrown away at some point when I was converted to a track car.

Ideas- I'm guessing to sort the engine, it will have to come out, with the transaxle
Arrangement that looks like a huge job, so replace clutch at the same time, probably
Have to remove front suspension, so restore all that.

Is it worth buying a second hand running engine rather than rebuild, or if a rebuild
Can be done without removing that might be the way to go?

Take out the old engine and wiring and replace with something newer- golf v5?
I have heard it's been done?

Replace oil cooler/ exchanger with a conventional oil cooler radiator...

I have built track cars- but this looks like an even bigger project!! Track car picture

Any thoughts appreciated- particularly an honest appraisal of whether this is
A worthwhile project ..I don't want it to be concourse but as a weekend car.,
Also worth noting I bought it for £700 a few years ago so it owes me nothing


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 Post subject: Re: Project bigger than I thought! Advice sought....
PostPosted: Sun Dec 05, 2021 9:18 pm 
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Location: West Essex
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Sounds like you are going to need a donor car, and if your not aware a decent sills job is around £2000, the engine to rebuild about 4-5k

Cars value 700 quid currently once fixed about 5k

You will need about 10k in your budget, your call really

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 Post subject: Re: Project bigger than I thought! Advice sought....
PostPosted: Sun Dec 05, 2021 9:54 pm 
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Hi,
Yeah paying for the engine work
Is defo not an option, I'll have to do
That myself, think you are right on the
Bodywork, could be a lot for the welding
And other work.....more to think on...


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 Post subject: Re: Project bigger than I thought! Advice sought....
PostPosted: Sun Dec 05, 2021 10:44 pm 
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Even with you doing the engine work yourself, the parts court easily come to 3-4 grand

There is no such thing as a cheap Porsche

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 Post subject: Re: Project bigger than I thought! Advice sought....
PostPosted: Mon Dec 06, 2021 1:05 pm 
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Hi Les

That sounds an awful lot of work/sourcing/expense to put right. If you fancy a labour of love and to create a weekend car you know well and is reliable, then fair play.

Personally, and I'm involved in a turbo engine rebuild currently, I would cut my losses and find a much tidier example to begin with. You should be able to source something running, with an MOT, and not overly bad bodywork for £3k - £4k I would think. That's the route I would take.

Cheers

Stuart

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 Post subject: Re: Project bigger than I thought! Advice sought....
PostPosted: Mon Dec 06, 2021 5:46 pm 
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Break it/scrap it, and buy a better one. Or something newer.


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 Post subject: Re: Project bigger than I thought! Advice sought....
PostPosted: Mon Dec 06, 2021 9:26 pm 
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Thanks guys....think you could be right
I'll let you know which way it goes


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 Post subject: Re: Project bigger than I thought! Advice sought....
PostPosted: Mon Jan 17, 2022 9:42 pm 
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Yes bin it and get one of these:- like I did a lot simpler to work on. Not cheaper though.


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 Post subject: Re: Project bigger than I thought! Advice sought....
PostPosted: Fri Jan 21, 2022 5:33 pm 
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Or buy this as a donor:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154793473636?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
It's had an engine rebuild and a replacement clutch and the front wings look decent.

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