Projakt Hoopty update -- seriously considering hiring help

That said, this guy has become a friend in the process of all this tinkering and machining. You folks have watched the car grow like I have, and I've been both pissed at it and high as a kite with what's happened.
Problem is, I've watched him and his personal life circling the drain lately. I haven't wanted to say much of anything here, because he's a good guy who's busy making himself some terrible circumstances and I'd rather not further rock his boat by putting time constraints on this project. I went to Iraq -- as have a few of us here -- and paid everything else off while I was gone. I paid him the $8K we agreed on, and also purchased the parts he was going to need while I was away. When I came back, nothing had been done. Not a damned thing was accomplished.
Meanwhile, he was busily attempting to save a grim family scene, so I didn't carp about it; instead, I just started going over there every day I wasn't working. There were pretty good results during that time, most of which have been posted here. A pretty complicated cage has been fabricated from humble beginnings, and all the stuff that's needed to finish it has arrived in the last few months. Dude's got talent, but he's not reliable for a schedule.
Okay; got that months ago. Check the lesson-learned block. But I was stuck with him, because it was in a horrible state of 'dismantlement.'

(more coming)

Okay, guys. I'm in a quandry again, but this could be a huge decision. Please indulge me and give me some honest feedback (like y'all always do).
I may not be able to finish my car, and I might want to either hire this done or cut bait, so it's a decision I need a sanity check on.
In the last 10 months, I've worked on the Hoopty for a total of 87 days for a minimum of six hours at a whack. I've been keeping loose track of the time spent and a pretty close eye on the budget, and now I'm more than a little peeved at the lack of tangible results.
Here's the problem and the question: The car isn't at my house. It hasn't been since November of 2004, when I dropped it off at the JSR shop for the estimate and go-ahead on a re-do of several key components.
At the time, I wanted a new engine and I wanted the axles shortened so I could put some wider tires under it. That was a handshake agreement with this guy. Three days later, I got the Type IV and we pulled my 1641. The car hasn't been driven since. While the car was on jacks, I looked under it and saw that the pans were crap. I wanted new pans, but didn't want them to rust out after a year or two of all-weather driving. I asked this guy to fix them, and bought my 4x8 sheet of diamond-plate aluminum.
A VW dragster came in while we were under it sometime in the first week. I liked the car a lot, and asked what had been done to it that was within my $8-10K budget, and he made me a list of things he could do for that amount of money, which has resulted in what I have now; cage, brakes, tranny, T-IV, wheels, tires, steering box, fuel cell, aluminum, tach, seats, tonneau and the bodywork as it sits in all those pieces. That was also a handshake agreement, provided I didn't mind it taking a while and that I help out when I could.
I started going over to the shop in my off time. I work every other day for 24 hours, for a total of 13 days a month. I haven't spent ALL of my off time there, but enough to assist with the creation and maintenance of seven other dragsters like the one I saw the first week, and now I know enough about those to work on my own car pretty well -- manuals in hand, I might be able to go over my own engine. (Haven't tried; kinda scared to.)

(more coming)

This spring, my new windshield and my scoops came in. Both additions to the body were broken on install. I wish I could go back and install those parts myself, without hurried and shaky hands in the mix, but I can't. Lesson learned: $700 later, I'll do body mods myself next time and not rush things. Both the windscreen and the scoops need repair work before I'll be happy with them.
Carlisle was in there somewhere, too. This guy didn't make a bunch of friends there, primarily on account of a couple delicious and refreshing beverages, a temper and his mouth. For those directly affected, thanks for still talking to me after meeting him that Saturday afternoon. He made fun of someone's car, and I wound up leaving early, primarily out of courtesy to everyone else. That's the reason I wasn't at the dinner.
Work continued on the chassis and the body. The mathematics have always been spot-on and the welding has been solid except for two things - the torsion before the trailer ride to PA and the rear framework supporting my back third. It's tacked in place, and I can finish that in an hour. Mea Culpa on the torsion; cost of doing business.
A couple months ago I got a pretty cool gift in the new engine. I haven't mentioned it until now, but it's pertinent to this decision. The donor was his father, who asked me to do a few things for him around the house. He's 78; I'd have helped him out anyway. The other shoe is he asked if I would help his son (the ace wrench) through this stuff involving the family.
There are three kids and the soon-to-be-ex wife involved, and several court apearances where I had to honestly ask questions about their domestic situation (and I really don't want to go into depth on that here) -- but that wasn't a condition for the engine changing hands. The old man honestly likes me, has cancer and wants to see the engine in a car before he dies. Okay; happy to help on all counts, and thank you for the unrelated engine gift.

(more coming)

So it has slowly evolved to where it is now. I've had a hand in every stage of development, I've okayed every decision or made the metal do what I wanted it to as I went. I haven't compromised, I haven't spared any expense and I haven't lost any sleep over it, knowing the end result would be a one-off that I could and would drive for years to come.
It's the most bizarre thing I've ever seen done to a kit car, and I'm pretty proud of the hands-on approach I took. It's a shame that course of action was predicated on having to be there for this guy to focus on the project, but I was okay overlooking that.
The car still is not done. This summer is almost over. Autumn in Northern Virginia and Maryland is spectacular, and I can still get a couple months' driving out of her before I have to wait until spring, but I have a decision to make in order to do that.

Here are my options as I see them:

1. Charge or take a loan out for the five grand Peek Performance will want to finish the car, minus paint, and drop it off there. Benefit; I get it back when it's promised from a reputable shop which works well on Type IV conversions and specializes in race cars. Detractors; I was trying to do this without going overboard on the budget, and they won't touch the 911E, let alone modify the car to accept it. If I take it there, I'm pretty sure I can kiss my friendship with this dude good-bye. He and the owner aren't friends, and there's already been a discussion of 'when do you think you can help me finish this thing so I can drive it,' that ended in a 'Don't take it somewhere and tell 'em I couldn't finish what I started,' -- that really didn't go well at all.
http://www.peekperformance.com/

2. I can sandblast, powdercoat and then shelve the projekt and be constantly reminded of how I almost did something cool without compromising, and I can shop around for a hobby involving model trains instead.

3. I can get out from under it. I don't want to, but I can't drive it, and it might make someone else very happy. I'm free and clear on it right now, but I won't be if I take it to Peek.

However it goes, That Guy obviously (to me, anyway, if not to him) isn't going to finish it. There's a whole lot more going on there, things he's brought upon himself, that scare me away from the car staying at his current shop. I have to do something, but I'm running out of time and options. The last time I went over there, a couple days ago, there were spider crickets by the hundreds inside the body, and everything I took off the chassis has damage of some kind to it from sitting in the weather since we moved him in July. It's sitting under a plastic tarp and a three-season cover, doing nothing but making me feel like an idiot.

I'm very interested in opinions, options and humor about this odd circumstance. Please. This sucks.

Hmmm, if I understand what you have done is paid for the work that has been done so far, and a bit more than is done? I am not clear on how much more pre-paid work is required....also, do I understand you have been extensively helping your friend work on other cars gratis?

In any event I have recent experience trying to help out and work with a friend going through a divorce. Without going into any details, I am out of some fair amount of $$$$, I wasted a fair amount of time, and I no longer have a friend. And in his mind that is all my fault. I foolishly expected from him adult behavior. And his doing the "right thing".

I would guess you are in a similar fix. No matter what happens you are going to lose $$$, time, and a "friend".....cut your losses and move the car today. If the guy was truely a friend you wouldn't be in the box you are in... take the car to the shop that will do it how it need be done and let your buddy take it however he wants. He will anyhow. Sounds like if you don't the car will either be tied up in litigation, rust away, or get hit by lightening....none of which are good for you.

Pay the $5. Get R Dun. Drive it with the 4 cylinder. Tell the ace mechanic that you are going to need his help when the car is modified for the 911E. That you consider that labor "owed to the next step of this project." That his knowledge and creativity are the only thing that will make this a 911E engined speedstah and in a way a honor to his father.

Do you think that would work? Get your car done and driving, yet still save the relationship with Ace Mechanic? And best of all, down the road, give you one of the most unique speedstahs ever built?

angela

Wow Cory! That sucks! I'll give you my side for what it's worth. First, I'm kind of new to this site (4 months) however it's obvious, even to the newcomer, that there has been alot of blood, sweat, and tears put into your car. I'm a recovering alcoholic (14 yrs sober) and there is one thing I know about people that exhibit the behavior your friend showed at Carlisle and that is they don't get better until it gets so bad THEY decide to get help. It sounds like this guy is well on his way to hitting bottom. You can't help him. And doing what you think is best for him won't get you anywhere. Take your car to the other guy and pay him to do the work. At this point another $5k isn't much if you spread it over the years of enjoyment you'll get from the car once it's done. Your relationship with this guy is going to end anyway whether you decide it or he does, at some point it'll end. I know it's easier to say than to do but I think you should just be honest with him and tell him what you think, in the nicest, most honest and sincere way you can. It will all work out in the end. I, and I'm sure all others on this site, would hate to see you lose out on the joy you'll get fom this car by letting someone else ruin it for you. I hope at least some of this gave you some comfort. Mickey

I think Angela nailed it!

BTW: It took me 1 day to dismantle my Speedster and 4 years to do some minor upgrades, paint and reassemble it. What you have done so far is awesome. It would be a real bummer not to see it to fruition.

Chuck

Cut bait with this guy. Take it home and sleep on it a couple of nights. You know it is going to go south (And you know what south is), sooner or later. Better have your car and all its parts in your posession when it does.

Been there, done that. You are in too deep to get out of the car now. Buy a welder and finish it yourself. You have waited this long, schedule it for the spring to be finished at the other shop. It will give you time to save, plan, buy parts and most importantly, time for your friendship to do what ever it is going to do. Chances are the other shop will not finish it in time for this driving season anyway.

And I almost forgot, Bail out, yep, thats what I would do! (My number is 555-0555 when you do:)

Jim, Angela, Mickey, Chuck, Ben (and Gordon on my Hotmail), thanks. I've done a couple things in the last hour. I called the credit union's 24-hour loan line (since Monday's a holiday) and started the loan process rolling.
I called the owner at Peek and left a message. Good news is, the credit union guy doesn't see a problem; I'll have to wait until probably Wednesday to know for sure. Peek will take the job because the owner's already seen the car and offered to help back in May -- I told him I'd call on him if it came to that. I'm not sure what he'll want for it, but $5K ought to be more than enough, and that's the figure I'm going with for now.

Then I called the Wrench. That phone call was a bear. I applied Angela's logic, because it's sound, and used the corporate sentiment and initial consensus opinion for momentum.

The conversation went something like this:

"Dude, I'm about to piss you off."
"How's that?"
"I want the car back, and I'm taking it to Shawn."
"Why?"
"No-brainer, dude."
"You still want the 911 engine?"
"Yup."
"I'm not mad, man. Can you help me get some of these other things done?"
"Can you help me put the 911 mill in in the spring, if I'm not in Iraqistan? I figure you owe me that."
"Sure."
"I'll see you Monday morning to dismantle the chassis and put it on a trailer?"
"Cool. That's a load off me, man."

You guys rock. Now, we'll see how it goes from here.
Thanks.

That's got to be a load off your mind! I've always hated any of those kinds of situations but I've found that the sooner I get it done the sooner I'll feel better and the sooner everyone involved gets on. I'm glad to hear things went relatively smooth and are in the process. I own a restaurant and people are always asking me about my car and most of the time the conversation turns to the other person saying "I used to have a so & so but I sold it. I sure miss that car." I never want to be that person. I've wanted a Speedster since I first saw one when I was 14yrs old and now that I have one I believe that I always will. It's awesome that you took the bull by the horns and didn't cave - you won't ever regret it. I can't wait to see it finished next Spring - I'd love to drive down and take a look if that's cool? Mickey

Cory - you ROCK!!! Outstanding guy-2-guy diplomacy! You know what this means? You get to sneak out all winter if the weather gives breaks (it always does!) and rip about in the speedy!

It means you take speedy to Carlisle next year! Man I hope I can arrange a back-east business trip that week... Because if I can, I'll drive a rental car to Carlisle!

You GO CORY!!
angela

Cory;
You did the right thing with the car and your ace mechanic. You gave him a way out and he took it. Just move on with your one of a kind car, chalk it up to experience. Good things happen to guys like you because you try to do the right thing regardless of personal consequences. Its a trait that a lot of us could learn from.

Michael

Good for you Cory ! ! !

My suggestion would have been to sell it off and buy that little red Miata that you've been eyeing, but . . . .

To set the record straight, TC was gonna buy the Miata, and I was gonna drive it at night when nobody was around. ... I already gave away the Moped, on suspicion that I might have been seen on it.
Seriously, guys, thanks. I was pretty close to just sticking it in a barn somewhere, but sometimes we need a little prodding to stick with these projects, right?
Anytime y'all are in Maryland, be sure to call me. I told Lane last spring I do enjoy sharing my toys, too, so whenever it's done, I'm not going to be stingy with the stick-time.

Cory, I've been out of the country for a week and just read this thread. Sorry it got to this point, but it sounds like you're on the right track to get it fixed. I look forward to trading stick time with you next May.

Guys, even in the state it was in last May, it was an awesome car. Y'all really need to see it when it's completed.

Update as of 9:45 this morning; spoke to Peek and verified they

1) have done Speedster kits before and;
2) know about the circumstances surrounding the Wrench.
3) they do race cars as a stock-in-trade business and the 2366 doesn't scare them at all;
4) they like custom projects and don't turn them away;
5) They can plumb and wire the car with their eyes closed for a lot less than I thought -- and most importantly;
6) I will get it back in time to drive it this fall.

Woo-Hoo!

Zoom Zoom baby!
angela

Cory, that whooshing sound is the collective sigh of the entire club...

Wise decision! Someone mentioned the cost of professional completion vs. the years of satisfaction you'll get and give from that spectacular car, and he's right. The pro-rated dollars will seem insignificant, I'm sure, as the miles roll away behind you.

Your posts are terrific, by the way. Thanks for the wit and incisive commentary.

And thanks, too, for your service to our great country. You put a face on this struggle, and it's an honor to know you.

Those are great news Cory! After following your long process it surelyt would've been sad not to complete the project. Most importantly; by the way you handled things the relationship with your mechanic friend wasn't affected. In fact, going by what he told you I'd venture to say he's even grateful. It's also great news that Peek is going to tackle the project and that it's going to cost you less than anticipated to finish it. You'll be driving it sooner than you thought!

Cory,
I know for a fact they have done a prior 359 like mine. In fact I talked to the old owner of PEEK. Seems to know their stuff and suggested that I send mine to them...

Michael

Great post Stan.

Cory
Of course keep the car and enjoy it,BUT the real reason I am posting here is to let you know that you are a great guy with a great character!!. Now,when the car will be ready?

Cory-

I've been lurking in the background, watching this whole thing unfold in real time over the past year.

I started smelling trouble on the build up to Carlisle. When your car moved outside, I suspected something was really, really wrong. The lack of updates since early summer confirmed my fears- that your guy wasn't going to come through for you.

Most of us tell ourselves that we are careful in business- and we usually are in the mundane transactions of daily living. But when it is "dreams" we are buying, the vast majority of us see things through rose colored glasses. This hobby is littered with broken promises, and charlatans who abuse the trust and treasure we invest in them to condense the ether of our dreams into fiberglass and steel. In my hard-luck case, it took me three tries before I finally found someone who delivered what I had hoped I was buying with my first car.

For at least half (the VERY least) of the replica buyers- "the dream" collapses (after significant money has changed hands) into a smoldering heap. When the wheels fall off (figuratively, but literally in the case of some guys) most of us take one (or more) of three roads- fight, flight, or denial.

The fighter tries to force the builder (or reseller, or whatever) into honoring his commitment, or "making the car right". The problem is that the guy who sold the dream (and cashed the check), doesn't have the personality or skills (or even the ability) to deliver- or he would have done it in the first place. I've done all this- and it's like beating the wind. You can't make somebody into something they aren't- no matter how strong your force of will.

The flight instinct is on display on ebay and in the classified section of this website every day. "'05 this, '06 that" for sale- 1000 miles- "moving, starting a business, need the money", whatever- ANYTHING but, "the car wasn't what I hoped it might be, or what I thought I was buying". Everybody LOVES their car (all 10s!!! on the SOC survey), but just can't find the time to drive them.... "Must sacrifice" usually means, "can't stand to look at it another day".

The denial thing says, "hey, there's nothing wrong with my builder", when it cost nearly $30K, has panel gaps the size of a pack of cards, and just threw a rod on the drive home from the parts store. You see- if the builder loses his reputation, then how am I ever going to get anything out of this thing. Or- "if I don't schmooze this guy, then he's never going to finish my car". I've had that sinking feeling- that I wasn't going to get what I was owed.... but that I'd better take what I have- or I may end up with nothing.

You did the right thing by not taking any of these roads. In the end- you'll have something close to what you wanted, for about twice what you thought you'd have to spend. Everybody looks like a genius when everything goes right- it takes a man to see it through when everything has gone south.

I look forward to your continuing updates on the hoopty. My advice- don't ever sell it. There's way too much of you invested for that.

Wow, Stan! Thanks! Same-same, everyone else. I didn't realize the Sloppy Jalopy had a fan club!
They guy I talked to on the phone advised me that they don't have a spot in the shop for the car right now, and they won't leave it outside unless it can be locked. What I'ma fixin'ado, then, is go forward with the sandblasting and powdercoating plan and have that done this week. No loan needed; they're prepared to roll it in, remove the wheels and brakes on-site and then carry it through the entire process (all in the same building) for $400.
I get it back on the other end of the building a day or two later as an orange chassis and put my wheels back on it, trailer the old girl to my house and re-assemble as much of it as I can myself. When Peek has an opening, it goes back onto the trailer and I take it to Seabrook for them to take a crack at finishing her.
The stuff I need done is going to be all one-stop shopping; brake lines, electrical lines with detachable couplings, 3:88 gears stuffed into my transmission, procurement and installation of the short axles and a freshening up of the 2366. They may or may not get the contract for bleeding the brakes and fitting a taller windshield since the one I have is broken. ...
The engine and tranny will be the major expense. We'll see when that's all going to happen. I'll be talking to Shawn on Monday.
Woo-Hoo!

Cory, Can you call my "friend" for me. I think I'm involved with the guys brother.
My car has been in his garage forever and bad luck (excuses) seem to follow him.
I have no delusions of driving this year. I'll probably need a shovel to dig out his drive
when completed. You are not alone. I'm sure you'll be happy in the end.

Bruce, if Peek lives up to their end of the deal, maybe I'll have a recommendation for you. We'll see. It's carts and horses until they can accomodate the car.
What's the current progress on yours? Is it in pieces?

Cory I dont see $5000. worth of work,if they are not changing the engine or painting it. Take it to your own house before you take it to Peak.

I know that this is a bitter pill but...... you should not try to have it finished this year because you want to drive it!!!! That is a bad reason to rush. If your goal is to have the 911 engine, then you should plan for that. If you dont do it now, the chances of you redesigning it after you have been driving the T4 are nill.

That 5 large is what you need to change it into a 911.

What does it need to be drivable with the T4?

My 2.3 engine needs at least a rocker arm. It has six 1/8-mile passes on it and an unknown history before that. I have to make an exhaust system for it out of a box of pieces and I'm going to need flanges for ovel-port heads. Peek can make the exhaust in a day, with Spam-can Flowmaster mufflers. Then it needs to be Jet-Hot coated ('cuz that's what I want, no other reason).
I need short swing axles, too. My tubes are empty. So's my torsion tube.
My rear support cage needs tins to fully enclose the engine in the down position, and I'll need to finish welding it before I can make those accurately. Again, I have to bead-roll those tins or I won't be happy.
The scoops are intended to be functional, and the fiberglass has been cut to make that happen, but the cuts are rough and there isn't any ductwork under them yet. The shell is largely unfinished in the underpinnings department, and that's work I probably will wind up doing at my house.
And I'm sure there are details left over that I've missed, but that stuff will make it road-worthy enough to drive. The headache with the 2.0 is finding a window in a reputable shop around here. Nobody will work on the mechanical fuel injection with the exception of one guy, and he wants to send it to Bosch sight-unseen. He'll freshen up that engine for me, and won't charge me an arm and a leg to do it. I used to take my legit Porsches to him, and he likes this thing a lot.
So, yeah. I want to drive it. I want to drive it now, but there are a few concessions to common sense left to contend with and I'm not going to rush it. I may do the lion's share of this stuff at home, piecemeal, but I'm not prepared or equipped to do the engine and transmission stuff myself.
Almost frgot -- I need some stinkin' door handles, or I need to French the holes and depressions in and slick it up. And I want an "Outlaw" trim piece. If I'm going to spend more money, dammit ... I'm going to get one of those. I also have a recently-donated VS grille to replace my hibachi with.
The rest, I think I can manage.
We'll see how it goes. I don't know what a reasonable price is for all of that stuff if I farm out the whole car; I'm hoping the five large will be enough to keep a few bucks back for details later. I just don't like the idea of borrowing to finish something that's paid for -- but as Stan and others have said, it's not unusual with projects like this. It's just the first time I've really been taken to the cleaners like this on account of someone's personal circumstances.
I don't even know what the shop hourly rate's going to be. Any idea what a good estimate would be?

I'll try to go from front to back. For starters, and this is obvious in the handbrake photo, the entire chassis is rusty now. Every steel or iron piece on the car has to be cleaned, including my rotors. I'm going to have to have the whole works media-blasted. For preservation purposes, I'm going to have it coated at the same time. Every single piece, exception of the rotors, will come out orange.
My aluminum work isn't complete yet, either. I want to make or have made some fenderwells for the front, running outside the cage alongside the fuel cell. I have the aluminum, but I need to cut it and bead-roll it the same as the interior tins or I won't be happy. They'll look like miniature Bugatti fender flares, but they'll be invisible with the hatch down.
I need to wire the whole car, too. Starting with the fog lights, the headlight buckets and the turn signals, the horn, ignition, tail lights, cockpit light under the dash, tach and engine bits -- and I'm going to couple anything attached to the shell so they can be removed.
I need to run brake lines for all four corners. I already have the e-brake line shrouds and mounting brackets in place, but there isn't a single foot of brake line in the car yet, and the master cylinder is already rusty. I need to see what splits and pressures I need, too. Haven't lifted a finger on that project.
I need an alternator or a generator; have to do math to figure out which, because I'm probably going to run a couple other accessories off the battery itself later on. I have my old generator, but it was spotty when I took it off.
I have to fully assemble the interior, which means I have to do the 'glass work on the front end of the car. I will probably start by pressure-washing the entire shell. I will have to drill the CMC-installed rivets holding my door sills in place to un-hang them, and every cut edge of the body will have to be smoothed out with finishing-grade polyfil or some other epoxy.
I need to replace the windscreen at some point. Not a priority.
I have to make straps for the fuel cell, and weld brackets onto the tray it sits in, and then I have to run fuel lines from it to the engine. I want a pepcock in the line somewhere. I plan to ask Dusty to make some burgundy leather straps over band-aluminum to hold the cell in place.
I also need to install some Metal-X fire protection stuff under the rear deck.
I will be replacing every light bulb in the car. Probably the sockets, too. My seatbelts will be installed -- I already have the five-point bolts welded in, so that's just an installation.
I want a transmission the 911E will mate to, or at least enough room forward of the present nose-cone for the longer one to sit in. I don't have a shift coupler or linkage at the moment, either. My tranny is empty as it sits, and the gears I intend to use are loose in the Wrench's garage. I have no idea where they are; by now, they might be in someone else's car.

(more)

yes, you certainly have some work to do! But, what a car it should be when finished!

I can offer some suggestions regarding your wiring harness....I have figured out how to do them wrong a few times. They aren't really all that difficult, just require thinking them through before you start. I would recommend buying a kit from Painless or maybe better yet Street Works. I bought an 8 circut VW kit that was more than enough...not real cheap at about $400 total, but if time is money, and I think it is, doing it yourself with one of their kits makes sense to me.

My best recommendation is to assemble the wiring harness on a 4'x8' piece of plywood. Build "out" the harness from the fixed points in it such as the fuse box, ignition switch, light switch, etc. Plan to use some quick disconnect plugs in several places, you can get 12 circut plugs and jacks at Radio Shack for very little. As long as they don't get wet they are fine for automotive use....I used them to connect the harness on the rear bonnet, as well as a couple on the guages, and other major assemblies. Leave the wires to the headlamps, taillights, parking and turn signals, as well as the engine, all a bit long. They can be trimmed to fit when you put the harness in the car. I was able to wire my entire car the first time in about 8 hours. I would certainly do it better, but not quicker, if I were to do it again.

Also, another hint is to make a point for all the frame grounds under the dash that is easy to get to and use. I also set up a primary ground point in the engine bay.

Another suggestion is to a battery disconnect switch. Not only does it work to shut things down when you want to work, but it makes a great tie in point for positive leads in the engine bay. I route my alternator output directly to it as well as the electronic ignition. I also use this same point as the main 12vdc+ take off for the fuse panel.

And yes, I would lose the generator and get an alternator. I would go for a 75 amp alternator not the more common 51 amp. I have 2 of the 51 amp style and they just don't have the umppp to run extra lights, FI, electronic ignition, etc....however, since you are watching $$$ maybe just the 51 amp alternator will server your immediate need. By the way, you want the one with the internal regulator....that makes your wiring harness a bit easier...

I helped to do a Camaro once with a Painless wiring harness. That was very, very nice to work with. Thanks - I don't know why I hadn't considered they might make one for our purposes!
Brain fart, I guess. That will save lots of work. I also plan on looking into the types of connectors people use on marine equipment for the detachable points (the buckets, teardrops, engine compartment light and the fogs).

Well you are going to need $5000 for paint and other Murphys law stuff.

I was going to suggest a painless if needed

A trans is not a problem. Rancho can do whatever you want. If/when you get the 911 you will be able to find a 915 or even a g50. You can cross that bridge....

Finding a good engine guy might be $$$$$. Check the prices of a full-tilt VW, close to the prices of a 911 They are not going to touch it unless they can go into it and redo it to their liking.
So just get a decent running 1600. Remember your goal is the 911. If you go with the 1600 the trans wont be a problem either.

If a shop is going to do as much fab work as you want, you are way over $5000. $8000+$5000+whatever you paid for the car+$5000 paint/misc and you have'nt put the 911 into it yet.

Peek has a good rep but even after you spend your $5000 plus you wont be happy because its not what you want.And it still wont be painted.

Get the car to your house and work out a plan.

Throwing another 5 G's at it is not a plan.

Cory...
Just a suggestion...its not powder coating but its almost as durable..use POR-15. Its very very durable and has either a gloss, sation or a dull color sheen. I have used it for over 20 years..its amazing. You can then save the bucks for anodizing the calipers or such...

Too bad there is not a closer rendevous for all of us to help each other out. Imagine how much work could be done on a car in a collective!! All that experience can solve a lot of issues.


Michael

Lane's living proof of that!
Does this finish of yours work directly on untreated rust?

-- and I agree that throwing $5K at the problems won't fix them. What it does do is give me a little more flexibility than I have right now. I neglected to mention that I live in a townhouse without a garage. Plan D is to park it on the curb and wait for spring.
I might be back in Baghdad by then, so I want to complete this thing sooner, rather than later. That's not the straw, though; the sluggishness of the Wrench is. I'd just finally had enough the other night when I asked my questions of worth versus benefit at the top of this thread.
This advice, even the advice I don't want to hear, is why I come here. Bryan, you're correct. I can't just say to someone, pick through the thoughts in my head and come up with exactly what I want.'
I'll be hating life. But I can't pick a shop out of the thin air and ask them to re-work the support mechanism on the back bumper of my car, either. It was created in-place off the back of the Type IV, using the engine as an anchor.
I have a lot to think about.

Cory,
yes it does...locks it in...if you want, I can send you a pint to try on a piece of metal you leave out and see how it works..
Just don't get it on your skin..you'll have to wear it off...

TC has probably used it too..


Michael

Ahhh yes, between the proverbial rock and a hard place

No place to put it is a real problem. Where were you going to put it when it was finished?

Your T4 is used as a counter weight for the rear? that seems overly complex, why not just a hinge?

I like Rust bullet over por-15 because you dont have to pre-coat or top-coat. http://www.rustbullet.com

Cory,
I have a brand new 12 circuit wiring harness manufactured by "Kwik Wire" that is complete and ready for your Speedy project. I am trying to reduce my inventory of parts,and help a brother in need. Price is $125.00 These wiring harnesses are frequently used in street rods and are very easy to install.
Al

Actually Cory, POR-15 is designed to work over untreated existing rust. All you need to do is condition the area first by washing it with their proprietary product and then rinse it with water. Let it dry and apply the POR-15. One caveat though, try to use it all at once and protect your skin as that thing takes weeks to disappear from your skin. It dries so incredibly that the lid will stick to the can. As I understand, POR-15 totally isolates the rust from oxygen thus stopping oxidation in its tracks.

Bryan, the T-IV's old mounting stud holes hold up a peice of box-tubing with blades to the rear on it. The blades are the supports for the hinges, and cotter pins hold the lid up and locked. I'm using quarter-twenty bolts as the hinges right now, pending some quality time on the lathe (photos below).
My plan was to make an all-weather car and leave it in front of my house; the old design (CMC's) wasn't doing too well in the elements. As long as I can use a durable coating, I can strip what won't last over the winter and re-install in the spring. Right now, I think that's just the windshield and battery. ... So I can drive it on fair-weather days in the mild mid-Atlantic late fall and early spring with minimal headaches.

Another update -- The Wrench used to work at Peek, and that's where he learned to fab racecars out of Bugs. They're familiar with most of the tech and engineering, so they won't be trying to re-invent it -- pace of mind on the phone yesterday.

Michael, Ricardo and Bryan, I'll try both those products on smaller pieces and leave them outside for a few weeks to see how they hold up. That will help, since I won't have to send all my small pieces to the powdercoat guy.

Allan, I'll probably take you up on the wiring harness, too.