New 944 Race Motor. Last Great Excuse Gone.

My last really great excuse as to why I was running at the back of the pack is going to be gone. I was using a 140,000 mile original NA engine in my 944 SPEC car. But with a new season coming, and one that includes 3 enduros, I needed to get a new motor. Note I said, needed.

I figured better to do this before the season starts than wait for the inevitable blowing of my 83 engine. 

To start with, I needed a new core. And as 1988 is the hot motor year to have in SPEC because of a tic higher compression and rev limit, as well as improved oiling I hunted down a donor motor. I found a complete 88 engine including AFM and computer on Ebay and had it delivered to Dave Dirks at 944 Motorwerks. Lucky for me, this 944 NA engine specialist lives in CO but does motors for racers across the country.

Dave offers a number of build options, but none too crazy as the rules in SPEC do not allow for much beyond a stock rebuild and mild valve work. Costs range with parts, labor and machine work from 2,000 - 3,000 dollars. And trust me, the vast portion of that is parts and machining. Dave's build rates are very reasonable.

Buying an Ebay motor is a risk but I got lucky. When stripped down all the bores were smooth and in spec. Even all the rods required no resizing. So my build is a straightforward one with a race valve job, micropolished crank and an improved oil pan and baffle. I am also adding in ports for a real oil temperature gauge and oil pressure warning light. You have to protect that new motor.

I can't wait to get a new motor in the car and see where my pace will be at. More info and pictures to come.

Porsche Radio Blanking Plate. Trompe L'oeil.

After removing about 60lbs of high-end stereo equipment from Schwartzie, I was not in the mood to replace it. Besides, with the M&K muffler, it is not the most sonically pleasant environment to listen to NPR or Coldplay or Lady Ga Ga or anything.

So, left with a gaping whole where the headunit used to reside, I needed to find a solution. Often, people just put in a metal plate with a Porsche badge. Boring. I thought I could do a little Trompe L'oeil magic though. Dropping some mad art terms here. But, basically it means fool the eye. 

So, I printed out a photo of a Blaupunkt face plate. Cleaned up the display in photoshop and then added the station call letters, "Flat Six", because that is what is always playing.

I've gone ahead and attached the properly sized files so you can replicate this idea yourself. I've included a blank one as well so you could add in your own text. Even if you don't have Photoshop, you could drop in some text in any number of programs including MS Word. Just click on the photo to get the full size image.

I then printed out the file. Shaped a piece of modeling pine to friction fit in the opening. I then used Mod Podge to decoupage the printout onto the opening. This also makes the print super durable and cleanable. I did eight coats of Mod Podge.

Hit me with any questions, enjoy and the raucous sounds of WSTT, Flat Six radio.

Grassroots Motorsports Page Filler

I was ecstatic that Grassroots Motorsports featured me as their NASA member profile. It was odd but fun to be written about, instead of being the one doing the writing.

Pick up an issue today to read about me, or better yet to read about their $2009/$2010 challenge. A much better way to spend money on a cheap car than LeMons racing.

Hunt for 901 Now on Kindle

Now, you can pick up a copy of my book for less than most euro car mags cost. No pictures, but on a words for dollars cost, it is a great deal.

Grand Wagoneer Plaid Headliner

Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger are at a cocktail party right now bemoaning how their Hampton's or Nantucket beach vehicle lacks as much style as mine.

I could not be more pleased with how much this brightens up the interior of the Wagoneer. And when I pull into the pits this season, there will be some looks from the competition. They will think, 'if this guy has this much time and energy on hand to prep his tow vehicle, his race vehicle must be prepped beyond belief." That's right. Fabric can intimidate.

I want plaid headliners in all my vehicles now.

Headliner Restoration

The headliner of my Grand Wagoneer was as saggy as the cast of Cocoon. It was just a bit floppy in the back and I could abide by this. But when it started grazing against my head as I was perched on the delicious corduroy(the etymology for this word is cloth of kings) it got a bit bothersome. So, I decided to redo it.

First step was removing the two cardboardish panels. This was the work of five minutes and a phillips screwdriver to take down the visors and coat hooks.

Once out, before you put on any fabric, you need to clean off the old, deteriorating foam. This is an odd job. Some people suggest a wire wheel on a drill. I felt that was too aggressive. So, poking around the tool box I found the three-inch hand held floor scraper I last used when removing the old linoleum from my house. It did a peach of a job taking off the old foam but not damaging the fragile twenty year old cardboard.

The results? Well, I bought the fabric, the pattern will be a surprise, and was about to start the job when my wife stumbled upon me. She saw me throwing fabric and scissors around and suggested I pay a pro to do the job. I agreed. There was no way I was going to cover the 4 foot wide by 9 foot long roof without a wrinkle.

Ok. I pick up the pieces in a few days. All I can say is, yacht club on wheels.

My First Bring A Trailer Post.

So, after a two years of daily checking. And a least a dozen submissions, the first car I found and submitted to Bring a Trailer was featured.

This was quite a thrill. Despite the no pay, it brought as much joy as the first automotive writing article I ever placed with 911 & Porsche World. 

Good Fun. And I wish I had a spare $35k to pick up this racer.

Are Porsches Good Enough to Eat?

Don't ask me how I found this article, but I did. Anyway, it is a 997 covered in chocolate. Details of how at the jump to the UK Sun paper.

Go back to the chocolate biz card I featured a few months back and it seems there is a trend here. My neighbor owns a 78 SC in the color, 'Bitter Chocolate'. My SC has a 'chocolate brown' interior. Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

The Things I Do So The Porsche Does Not Get Driven In Bad Weather

20 degrees. Dark. The heater blower motor went on the Jeep. It of course rolled over and went dead on a day in Denver when it was 8 below. No joke.

So, after waiting a couple of days for the part to get here I put it in. Of course, the wiring and squirrel cage alignment were not plug and play. But the end result of copious and silent heat was worth it. Frost bite on fingers is not permanent, right?

New Porsche and Explanation of Lack of New Posts

So, my latest purchase is a new Porsche 997 coupe in Guards Red C2 spec. The one option I did tick off was the plush option. I was at the Porsche dealer buying wiper blades for my 02 Audi(Which is a whole other story about corporate stupidity) when I saw this plush toy for sale. I had to pick it up. Although not as plush as the 924 above courtesy of j4u.ru but it is plush nonetheless.

Which brings me to my lack of posting. Six weeks ago I welcomed my first kid. Graham. He and mom are healthy and he already has a full race suit so he can join me in the paddock at 944 events next season. So, now that things are coming to somewhat a normal level I can again post and dedicate lots of time to all things Porsche.