LoganTaylor

i have had a porsche before but it was a 944, loved the car. was looking at buying another to do the LS conversion on but recently fell in love with how unique the 914 is. problem is i know vary little about the 914 and was wondering if i might be able to get a few questions answered here.

what is the best year to do a V8 conversion on for the 914, what engine should i be looking to put in it? is the renegade hybrids the only option for doing the conversion?

also i was looking at this image of something someone had built and dubbed the neo914-6

and was wondering if there was ever a body kit made to match this that someone could purchase and if not if there were and body kits that might come close. i am having a really hard time finding any body kits at all for the car on the net.

Jay Gratton

I don't think it matters the year, but the car will have to be reinforced either way. Are you looking for a track car or a street car? It would be easier to find a built up track car with a blown motor then it would be to build one into a 914-8. Just my thought.

LoganTaylor

i want to make something track worthy but still be able to use it as a daily driver just having a hard time finding out the most cost effective engine to put in it and fender flares i like to fit the bigger tires ive read that ill need and i keep seeing these low profile front bumpers that look amazing but no trails on where to buy them. i was tripping over this info back when i was doing it for my 944 but it seems to be allot harder for the 914.

NaroEscape

Curious...why an 8?
Putting an 8 cylinder in a 914 is not easy, takes a lot of fabrication work and lots of reinforcements. You would be much better off going with a 911 6 cyl engine. If you want to go big, go with a 3.6 liter air cooled. Still a lot of work, but much easier than the 8.
You mentioned 'low profile front bumpers'...not sure what you mean by that? There are a lot of companies that make fiberglass bumpers and panels for 914's.

LoganTaylor

was going for the v8 cause if im gonna spend 1000's of dollars to make the car faster i want it to be as fast as it can for the money im putting into it, want the thing to be a good deal faster then the 944 turbo.


and i keep hearing about how all these different companies make different fenders, bumpers and such for the car but no one will give me a company name, brand, or website to go to; and i cant find any that aren't just selling stock or GT flares.

racer

So.. How much money do you have to put into it?

As mentioned, neither 6cyl or 8cyl conversion is "cheap". Depending on your own mad skillz, you are likely looking at a $10K investment, plus time to do the work, on top of whatever quality car you find to start tearing apart.

1) Body work (ducting, flares etc, on top of making sure the rust is taken care of)
2) Suspension
3) Transmission
4) Cooling (radiators, oil coolers, trans coolers etc)
5) Brakes
6) Interior
7) Engine choice, mounts, coolant lines etc
8) Street legal concessions

Don't get angry though.. Clarify the project you have in hand.

Yes, renegade is likely a good source of general information. Some of the 914 boards have some V8 conversion cars/owners

Realize, in the end, you are making a "one off" so some of the work you need done will be specific to YOUR car.

Sheridan bodywork kits? GT-Racing website for flares and other fiberglass parts?

If you mount a front radiator (V8), I think you might be in for custom front trunklid and ducting of the air out of the trunk for instance.

You might be better off finding a racecar "roller" or someone aborted project car as a starting point. You might also search for an aborted project and find out why they stopped?

I'd rather build a Factory Five cobra than a 914-V8 conversion myself.

Might also consider a 944 with V-8 conversion as those are now very popular and your 944 experience might be a plus.

NaroEscape

My race car has AIR Body kit on it: http://www.americaninternationalraci...259246&page=20

My other 914 has front and rear bumpers from GT Racing: http://gt-racing.com/products-page/914-parts/

And there's Sheridan: http://www.ultimate914.com/

And I'm sure many others...

Last930

There has been an ongoing story in Excellence magazine about installing a 3.6 993 engine in a 914; I would think that car will be a beast when done, and have good resale value too. While a 914 v8 would probably be a screamer I think it would be very hard to sell should you ever want to part with it, and thus could be a pretty expensive project. Its a pretty narrow market for those one-offs, if that is a concern.

Jay Gratton

A 914 with a 3.0 would smoke a 951. The V8 is going to need a LOT of plumbing for cooling.

NaroEscape

So does a 3.2...

toddk911

Maybe a bone stock 951 (not many out there unmodded) or a TT 3.0.

I have 2 good friends that both did a 914 conversion and a tone of research before they did it. They don't know each other yet both ended up going the 2.5 Subaru route.

If really going the insane 914-8 route there are some TT versions out there and on youtube to check out.

Rotten Robby

I would have to disagree with the "beast when done" assessment. Paul is a personal friend and the car is very civilized. Even has heated seats. Idles just like it would in the 993 but goes like a raped ape. Very nice car. I took one of the very first rides in it.
The right V8 would be very nice too. I have never ridden in a V8 car but I have seen one up close and it was very civilized too.
Try googling Renagade Hybrids. I think they have a kit that includes just about everything in staged packages.

Jay Gratton

Yes, I was referring to a stock 951 (or mostly stock anyway).

Richgreenster

Depends on what type of smoke you are talking about. LOL

Two very different cars. My 951 is very fast above 100 mph compared to the 914/6.

But 0-60 mph the 951 needs to just enjoy the view of how cool the 914/6 looks in from behind.

Antihero

I owned two 914s and if I ever own a third it'd be to convert. From what I've read/seen, the Subie motor (STi) is the way to go.

http://www.renegadehybrids.com/914/Subie/Subie.html

911 Motor would be sweet and would keep it all in the family, but let's face it, the 914 is and always will be the orange haired stepchild. A 911 Motor in the bay come resale time might bring you more $$$, but it's also going to cost a lot more to get in there.