White 356

[white_356]

Hi,

This is my Porsche Speedster 356 replica.

I built it from scratch. The project took me about three years to complete. The car has a shortened Beetle floorpan, 2 L Aircooled VW Variant engine, independent rear suspension, coil overs on rear shocks to compensate for heavier engine, front disk brakes.

As a pet project always is - never complete.

Still to do is :
- upgrade on standard Solex carbs currently in use (getting a bit on the old side)
- Fitment of Soft Top (a lot of $$$$$)
- change headlight lenses to clear lenses

Cheers
Wessel

[Pine]

Hey Wessel, that is one mean-looking Speedster!

Have you considered fitting a 2.1 fuel injection system? Straight bolt-on to the Variant engine!

[Chris]

Awesome car!

[white_356]

Hi Pine & Chris,

Thanx for the compliment.

Wow !!! Pine thanx for the info. I'm really a nuthead when it comes to these type of stuff. Do not know all the tips and tricks..... guess that's why I'm here for ..... to let guys like you teach me .... Will defeintely consider that.

Cheers
W

[Pine]

A few years ago I put a 2.1 system on my 412 Variant. I had (and still have) absolutely no experience with automotive electronics, but I did some research on the Net, and found out that it is actually very easy. If you have everything, the seperate components just plug together. Take into consideration that you do need a return fuel line to your tank though, and that you must mount the high pressure fuel pump somewhere in the front. I also believe 2.1 injectors are a bit scarce, but I'm sure any other Bosch injectors (BMW, Opel) will do the trick

[Rabid_ant]

A SEBRING...... thats also on the list of things to build. My next speedy will be a sebring.

Very cool white.......it looks outstanding. Let's get some more pics. !! that's the 4th Speedy on the forum if i'm correct!

[Pine]

Are those 16inch Fuchs?

[Rabid_ant]

Nice Porsche rims too.....when did you start your build?

[white_356]

Luckily my tank is modified to have a return fuel line already as I'm already using a electronic pump, mounted in front of the passenger foot well on the inside next to the left front wheel (can't remember the name though - not high pressure)
Yes I'm in the same boat - auto electronics gives me the heeby geeby's ....

The car performs ok with a ok power to mass ratio - but it is not spot on. I think this will do the trick.
Seeing that I want to replace the carbs anyway, I might just as well spend the money on something much better like this.

Tonight my head's going to work over time again - little sleep for me ..

[Pine]

You might be lucky and find a complete system somewhere - it will also probably be the cheapest. Look at the number of 2.1 Buses in Pretoria with Toyota engines - what happened to all the EFI's? Stuart at Syncro Clinic (or Hospital?) in Pretoria West has a few systems, but he is a bit pricey..

[white_356]

Yes Rabid-Ant - It's Sebring with the flared wheel arches. Gives you a larger choice of wheels to play with. I started back in '96. The car has however only done about 4500 km's since then. But it's worth every cent and drop of sweat and tears .... and believe me there were a lot of those .....

No Pine unfortunately not the $$$$ Fuchs rims. Those are the elcheapo (last set they had) fibreglass hubcaps fitted to original 15 inch Beetle rims. I just had brackets welded to the rims to mount the hubcaps to. The look close to the real thing. I sprayed the inside of the rims black and the brims (lips) silver.

[Pine]

It sure looks real to me! Maybe we should reproduce those hubcaps?

[white_356]

I've been bugged by hordes of Speedster, Spyder and Beetle fans wanting to know where I got these. KCC used to manufatcure them and stopped years ago - long before they closed down. And they really look good on a car and are easy to fit.

I just know next to nothing of working with Fibre glass to make moulds etc and to reproduce these ... but a thought worth while I should say ...

[Pine]

Hmmm.... Are they solid, or do they have holes in? In other words, can you see the rim under it?

[Rabid_ant]

thought so, your finishes are almost the same as mine, rear view mirrors etc. mine was built in 92, so pretty close. i think they were still trading as KCC then. i like the sebring though. it somehow looks a bit more.....well......Porsche!!