Passion and Performance by Mike Holloway, <strong>Slipstream</strong> Managing Editor Photo by Mike Holloway Porsche owners typically have a unique outlook on life. Often, they are people who demonstrate both performance and passion, achieving high levels of excellence through their unique outlook, internal motivation, life experiences and personal philosophy. <strong>Slipstream</strong>’s Passion and Performance segment highlights these people. Please meet Wayne Dempsey. Wayne Dempsey grew up on Long Island, NY, went to MIT, studied engineering, and received a BS and MS in engineering. Wayne then went to work in California for Hughes Space and Communications in the satellite payload department for the Government Electronics Business Unit. During that time he started a Porsche Parts company (PelicanParts.com) out of his garage. Wayne has written a few books on Porsche upgrades and 911 engine rebuilding. ... and out of the corner of my eye saw my rear wheel rolling across four lanes of traffic! ... MH: Wayne, the fact that you took a chance on a new business built entirely around folks who want the best for their P-cars is great. To actually author some of the best books on the subject puts you in a league all your own. I understand that your first Porsche experience was in a 914. WD: When I was in grad school , my girlfriend's dad had one - we used to drive it all around Poughkeepsie, NY. It was a rust bucket, but fun to drive - if you happened to look down, you could see the road beneath you through the rust holes! When I moved to California and even before I had a place to live, I ended up buying a 914. It had a 1.8L engine, although at the time I didn't really know anything and thought it was a 2.0L (this despite taking it into a Porsche dealership for a PPI where they told me it was a 2.0L) It didn't matter much anyway, as I ended up dropping a 200HP 2.7L in it. That 2.7L engine actually became the donor engine for the engine rebuild book. When given lemons... Wayne’s Books Can Be Found In Many Porsche Garages Photo by Mike Holloway MH: And to think, many folks would have cursed the wind that brought you that car, you turned around and actually did something with it. That's pretty cool. Any good stories about the 914? WD: I remember one day I was driving on the 405 in a 914 rattletrap. I was headed for the doctor. I had been under a bunch of stress and was having mild chest pains. I'm driving along and all of a sudden I hear a loud BANG then a strange lurching. I looked to my left and out of the corner of my eye saw my rear wheel rolling across four lanes of traffic! I stopped the car, got out and walked back to the SUV now parked behind me. The SUV was driven by a German guy who told me that I just lost my wheel and that I should try to drive the car off to the side of the road. Not really thinking clearly, I got back into the car and drove it on the disc to the side of the road (the car sort of skipped across the road). The funny part of the story is that I had already agreed to sell this particular car to a friend in Arizona. When I got back home and called him to tell him about the damage, I was surprised to hear him say "oh, that happened to you too?" Seems that he had another 914 that had the same exact problem just a few years earlier! Max Holloway Working on “His 911’s” Airbox Curtesy of Wayne’s ‘101 Projects Projects for Your Porsche 911’ MH: I read both your books; 101 Projects for your Porsche 911 and How to Rebuild and Modify Porsche 911 Engines. I have to say, not only are they really easy to follow, but the detail you provide is great. I got the sense that as long as I was able to understand how to use some basic tools, took my time and followed your instructions; I could actually do a lot of the work myself. WD: The engine book was something that I thought was needed for the Porsche community. Modeled after Tom Wilson's VW engine book, I made sure that it was published in color, and also had a performance (eye candy) section. I put about 1500 hours into it with 4500 photos. I'm proud of both books. MH: What's next? WD: I'm working on a BMW 101 Projects Book, which is taking longer than I would like. My wife and I have an 8 month old and he keeps distracting me! MH: Good luck with the book and the little guy. It will be awhile till he has a wrench in his hand. 10
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