DO YOU HAVE A 914?
I want to know about that DEAL
My goal is to inspire other kids my age to chase their dreams
"just Tinkergineer it"
I first got into cars and started saving up for One at age 11 1/2. I didn't know where this project would take me, I knew that it would be an adventure that hopefully will end up with me having an electric car to drive to the beach and go surfing In.
along the way i would like to inspire as many other kids to chase their dreams as well and show them what's possible when they try
Look For Us at The Air and Water Show 4/27/24
My goal is to inspire other kids my age to chase their dreams
"just Tinkergineer it"
I first got into cars and started saving up for One at age 11 1/2. I didn't know where this project would take me, I knew that it would be an adventure that hopefully will end up with me having an electric car to drive to the beach and go surfing In.
along the way i would like to inspire as many other kids to chase their dreams as well and show them what's possible when they try
Frances Pearl Farnam
Porsche 914 EV⚡️restoration project. Spring of 2024 is my Goal to get this rolling. Go Make👩🏼🏭I do all IG on my Dads phone with him present 💕
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Thirteen-year-old Frances Farnam of Tinkergineering in Sierra Madre, California, bought her first car—a ’76 Porsche 914—using the money she made picking grapefruit and vegetables from her garden and selling them at the local farmer’s market.
Recently, she brought the 914 to the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, where Director of Vehicle Technology Luis Morales demonstrated the Garage’s 3-D scanning capability.
Farnam and her father Daniel plan to restore the car themselves and convert it to electric before showing it off at “SEMA Electrified” during the 2022 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
Frances Pearl Farnam
Porsche 914 EV⚡️restoration project. Spring of 2024 is my Goal to get this rolling. Go Make👩🏼🏭I do all IG on my Dads phone with him present 💕
Thirteen-year-old Frances Farnam of Tinkergineering in Sierra Madre, California, bought her first car—a ’76 Porsche 914—using the money she made picking grapefruit and vegetables from her garden and selling them at the local farmer’s market.
Recently, she brought the 914 to the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California, where Director of Vehicle Technology Luis Morales demonstrated the Garage’s 3-D scanning capability.
Farnam and her father Daniel plan to restore the car themselves and convert it to electric before showing it off at “SEMA Electrified” during the 2022 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
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CHECK OUT MY NEW RELEASED VIDEO
More of my videos
Welcome to Tinkergineering! This winter I bought my first car, a 1976 Porsche 914, with the money I earned from picking grapefruit from the tree at my house. The Porsche is my favorite car of all time and I will be converting it to a electric electric vehicle.
914 fog light install With the backdated bumpers, of course I needed the fogs!
I got the housings from Bruce Stone, and they just needed some good cleaning, resto, and wiring to connect it to the existing parts on the harness! I used 914Rubber’s lens seals and clips, and they also have glass replacements for the lenses! This project definitely had its little knots, just like the one Russ had to untangle. Name that spoof!
All fun and games aside, part of why I’m doing this channel is to show kids, teenagers, my friends, that we can take on our own challenges. This channel works because of the people watching it. To keep pushing this forward, especially with EV components, I’m looking for partners who want to support that mission. If you know someone, or you are someone, feel free to reach out.
This is how cool things happen.
Deep dive into the inner workings of the iconic 901 transaxle!
This was definitely a tricky project - and a bit nerve-racking too - the transaxle is usually no-man’s land, but it's time to shine a light on it! Now time practice driving a manual transmission 😭
Learning how to rebuild my 901 Transaxel was super empowering. Hardest thing: Removing the speedo bushing from the tail cone, and removing the snap rings on each gear assembly. Easiest thing: using the right tool to remove the output shaft and guidance from @evilwerks_llc !
Big shoutout to Eric and the entire team at PMB Performance, whose mentorship and expert craftsmanship took the brake calipers to a whole new level with a show-stopping restoration. And of course, tying it all together, Bilstein’s shock absorbers were the final piece of the puzzle—the perfect finishing touch. This journey has been full of challenges, but the results are more than worth it. The EV conversion is just around the corner, and things are about to get even more exciting.
Stay tuned, this build is going to be wicked. And as always, Just TInkergineer it
Frances
Bumper Build + Backdate✅ COMPLETE!
Unique-looking bumpers for a unique-looking car. Follow along for the whole bumper restoration and backdating process, from picking them up from Bruce Stone, hammering and pressing out to perfection, powdercoating, to putting on 914 Rubber’s dog bones and bumper tops!
This is all about the learning and the process, and being able to do the projects, even without the perfect setup! Just need some creativity and a reason why!!
Sway bar install ✅ It seriously took the 914 village to make this happen
It has been highly suggested to me to at least do the front sway bar due to how much better the 914 will handle, so I have been on the lookout for one for a while. Turns out Bruce Stone had one!
The fresh bushings and brackets came from 914 Rubber - I used the Brad Mayeur, 914 Ltd. engineered pieces. Also welded in the 914 Ltd “U” brackets for the lower control arm - mine didn't have these. Of course, studying every frame of Ian Karr's YouTube video on this proved lifesaving.
I would highly suggest doing this either before or with the suspension, as I mentioned I wanted to do, because fitting the bar in with the steering rack was TRICKYYY. It was like one of those 3D puzzles (but then again, isn’t everything, haha?).
But the sway bar is on (and perfectly centered!)
Keep on tinkering and stay tuned for more ⚡️
CHECK THIS OUTTTTT
914 Rubber Welting? ✅
Powder coated 914 Rubber Letters from 914 Rubber? ✅
Black underneath? ✅
914 Rubber edge protection? ✅
I’d say this looks Grate!! 😬
In all seriousness, this is was fun one to film and do for sure - I really got to make some executive design decisions and put some of my personal flare on this build!
Can’t wait to see what comes next and watch you guys tinker too!!
STALL WARS - could not be MORE true!!
These things are tricky that’s for sure, but now I totally understand how having a gearbox makes driving so much more hands on and overall exciting! You can literally see my “gears grinding” on camera of me figuring it out!
Thanks again to Charles for teaching me to drive in his 6 speed!! Great teacher right here :)
More of my videos
Welcome to Tinkergineering! This winter I bought my first car, a 1976 Porsche 914, with the money I earned from picking grapefruit from the tree at my house. The Porsche is my favorite car of all time and I will be converting it to a electric electric vehicle.
new brakes, who dis?
This car is getting more epic by the day - as are my skills that I am learning from my mentors!!
@pmbperformance stainless steel brake lines are the best and are made to LAST - (tinker tip: have their website pulled up next to you - the pics are super helpful with placement) and it was so cool being able to see how they rebuild those calipers when I went! The pressure regulator and master cylinder were expertly rebuilt - and it’s all thanks to Eric and his team at PMB!I also had help from @914rubber with the brake fluid reservoir and hardware, plus the angled rubber grommets!
As I said in the video - this would not be possible without all the mentors I constantly have on speed dial - @pmbperformance @914rubber @914electric Bruce Stone and of course Jack @SMGwerks
This suspension episode has been a long time in the making, a project that’s traveled from one shop to another, shaped by countless hours, expert advice, and generous support. It’s been far more than a solo effort, and I’m beyond grateful to the incredible mentors and sponsors who helped make it possible. Jay Morris at Ground Control has been an invaluable guide through every step of the suspension setup, from calculating the correct spring rates based on the weight of the upcoming EV system to the detailed tips featured in the video. Huge thanks to 914 Rubber for supplying all the essential bushings, bearings, seals, installation tools, and guidance that brought everything together with precision and reliability.
Big shoutout to Eric and the entire team at PMB Performance, whose mentorship and expert craftsmanship took the brake calipers to a whole new level with a show-stopping restoration. And of course, tying it all together, Bilstein’s shock absorbers were the final piece of the puzzle—the perfect finishing touch. This journey has been full of challenges, but the results are more than worth it. The EV conversion is just around the corner, and things are about to get even more exciting.
Stay tuned, this build is going to be wicked. And as always, Just TInkergineer it
Frances
It definitely took some work, but learning about all the latch and lock mechanics and seeing how it all goes together was epic! Lots of learning, but now I know exactly how everything in the door is supposed to be, from the latch rod to the glass itself! - I made sure to also put that Dynamat sound deadening in the door as well to get rid of that road noise. Here's to all the helpful tips from our 914 Community. 914 Rubber, PMB Performance, Bruce Stone, Dynamat, 914 World, SMG Werks, and 914 Electric
Brand Partners
Tinkergineering is all about my adventures in tinkering
Joy is what it gives me.
I am Frances and learning to share this joy has become my purpose.
Tinkergineering is all about my adventures in tinkering
Joy is what it gives me.
I am Frances and learning to share this joy has become my purpose.
Blogs
My First 914WORLD So Cal Rally, TINKERGINEERING Rally Episode
Thanks for inviting me to my first ever 914World Rally. I have never been to one and cant wait to bring my car to an event someday. ...more
914world
November 01, 2022•1 min read
TINKERGINEERING Dash Pad Teardown, Time to remove the busted up dashed with some help from the 914 Community
Episode 5 Dash Pad Teardown Taking the Dash Pad out wasn't so bad! I think my secret weapon for this job might not exist as much when its time to reinstall. ...more
914world
November 01, 2022•1 min read
‘76 Bumpers/can you Identify/anyone want them? - free, What are these ones called?
Trying to get down to metal this summer. The bumpers are off and I wanted to know what these ones are called. ...more
914world
November 01, 2022•1 min read
TINKERGINEERING Bonneville Speed Week Field Trip, EV WEST ELECTRALINER Land Speed Racer
Hello 914WORLD! I've been getting lots of great check-in notes from you guys. Its been a super productive Summer for me. Not letting anyting get in the way from working on this AMAZING car that I am t... ...more
914world
November 01, 2022•1 min read
914 Rubber and Middle Motor Mentors for my Porsche EV project, Quick tour of what 914 Rubber and Middle Motors is all about
Hello 914WORLD 914 Rubber and Middle Motor Mentors for my Porsche EV project ...more
914world
November 01, 2022•1 min read
TINKERGINEERING Porsche 914 EV, EV WEST SHOP TOUR
914WORLD You may recognize a few of these amazing people- EV WEST just might be one of the coolest speed shops in the world. ...more
914world
November 01, 2022•1 min read
Forums
TINKERGINEERING Episode 03 Interior Out!, My First Car EV project
My First 914WORLD So Cal Rally, TINKERGINEERING Rally Episode
TINKERGINEERING Dash Pad Teardown, Time to remove the busted up dashed with some help from the 914 Community
76 Bumpers/can you Identify/anyone want them? - free, What are these ones called?
TINKERGINEERING Bonneville Speed Week Field Trip, EV WEST ELECTRALINER Land Speed Racer
914 Rubber and Middle Motor Mentors for my Porsche EV project, Quick tour of what 914 Rubber and Middle Motors is all about
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