911GT2_AF

Sometime within the next couple years I plan on buying a 914 shell to place a new engine/transmission into. Here's what I was thinking of:

VW 1.8L Turbo setup (favoured in my mind)
Audi 20V Turbo 5
VW VR6
Chev 350 (somewhat sacrilegious)

I'd rather not replace it with a newer Porsche engine due to cost but I'd live to have a classic car without having the pain in the *** that comes with having a classic engine. How practical/possible are any of these?

Rouser

Anything is possible, all it takes is lots of time and lots of $$$. If you're looking for quick & cheap, look elsewhere.

"Classic engine?" You'd probably have less hassles installing a 3.0L - 3.6L six verses any of those other choices, since everything you'll need is practically off-the-shelf. A well-built 901 side-shifter tranny will handle the power output without requiring any exotic (i.e 915/G50 tranny) solutions.

Also, the engines you picked add the "water" factor, which the 914 doesn't accomodate natively, and their respective plumbing issues.

Trust me

Rouser is correct. You picked all "water cooled" engines. Big pain in the butt. I would go for a 3.6 PORSCHE engine. If not, the 350 would probably be the easiest. Tons of kits out there. I am very partial to the VR6 engine. A true Porsche killer i.e. The VW Carrado< (spell check) with turbo. A VERY fast car.

special tool

911GT2_AF

I know a Porsche flat 6 would be the best, but Porsche flat sixes are insanely expensive to buy and would require extensive fabrication. I know that there are kits for the Chev 350s (i.e. Renegade Hybrids for one) and I was just wondering if there are similar services for other cars.

And by ease of use I mean no valve adjusting, ridiculously expensive maintenance, etc. I'm just a student with a mad desire for a sportscar but I can't afford an extremely high entrance fee or maintenance fees. Porsches aren't known for their cheap associated costs.

And I know I picked all water cooled, but the only air cooled engines I can think of would be another Porsche engine or an anemic VW air cooled POS. You guys basically gave me the opinions I was pretty sure I was gonna get, but I was wondering about alternatives.

911GT2_AF

Hmmm.....nothin eh?

Can anyone at least point me towards a more useful spot?

jim912928

watch ebay....just do a search on 911 engines. Also, i'd get a copy of Excellence magazine (barnes and nobles carry it). Exclusively porsches magazine. The back is full of ads for places that part out porsches. Likewise, there are a three issues that dealt with 914's in the past 2 years. One was a great looking 914 turbo (4 cyl engine was turbo'd) with GT flares, another was a stock ground up restore, the third i can't remember but it was one mean looking hot rodded up twin turbo 914-6!...that was issue June 2003!

There is also an excellent write up on doing a 914-6 conversion along with what parts you need at the pelicanparts website:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/914/914-...uction_kit.htm

As for 911 engines, you can pick up a good 3.0 SC engine that won't break your wallut...and those engines are bullet proof! They will buckle right up to a stock 914 tranny.

jc87930

Contact Scott at rednine30@rcn.com

I bought my 95 993 3.6 from him. Great guy, great engine!

He has a few for sale right now plus some turbos!

Jim

Irishdriver

Porsche don't recommend more than 3.0 in the 914 and even then with anti roll bars front and rear (Plus wheel arch extensions).

My recommendation is to get a 2.7 Boxster drivetrain (engine and gearbox). Not only do you get a modern and quick enough motor, but also you get a cable gearchange that will be way way way way better than a 914 gearchange ever could be !!! The only issues are Drive shafts, engine mounts and the wiring loom.

These engines and gearboxes are available from tuners who fit bigger lumps in Boxsters.