hal m

I am doing my homework on a 914 purchase.

I would like to use the car for weekend fun cruising, vintage car rallies and some light autocrossing.

While I am thinking 73-74 2.0, what is the board wisdom on a 914-6 conversion? Who wouldn't want more power but does this mostly destroy the desireablility of the car and make it just a resto-mod with more money sunk into it than it would ever be worth?

Thanks for helping out a newbie to this range of cars!

Hal

jim dorociak

914world.com - is a much larger more active 914 group - although there are great 914 guys here. My feelings is you do what you want with your car unless it is rare. It will get expensive to drop a 911 engine into the 914 - here is what you have think about - metal flares, what engine, motor mounts, remote oil coolers, engine oil tank, 5 lug conversion, upgraded brakes, paint job, re do the interior. . . . etc . . . . . but -- I am sure others will add to this discussion. jim

jim dorociak

There has been a 914-6 conversion in Malibu on Craigslist forever with a salvage title for $8500 or so - you could not get started any cheaper than that. My next car will be a 914 as I am now in between Porsches. I want something simple - but mine will be a six conversion with a 3.0 or larger. I am currently collecting parts. Jim

hal m

Thanks for the responses!

I would not undertake such a project myself, only consider buying one where someone else has already spent all the money and is ready to move on and is likely to recover only cents on the dollar.

I saw one on 914World this morning and that is why I am raising the issue now. I will post a similar inquiry there as well.

skl

Much better to find a decent one already done unless you want a "fun" project which it sounds like you don't. Will be MUCH cheaper too- get one done and then fine tune to your tastes.
I'm restoring a '73 2.0 right now, updating suspension, 5 lug wheels, etc. I'll have a lot more in it than it will be "worth" to someone else, but the car has strong sentimental value so I don't care. Will stay in the family along with the silver car for my two boys at some point.
A 914 "hotrod" will be a great toy- have fun looking, and at some point, driving!!

racer

x2.. find someones sorted Big 4 or six conversion. Since you do track, you might appreciate 0-60 times in less than 10 seconds


I've had a couple 914s.. A stock 1.7 (80hp) and stock '76 2.0 (86hp). But I really enjoyed a 2056cc motor in my 914. About 120hp. Quicker than my dad's stock 2.0L 6 too. May not have sounded as nice, but the TQ was really nice.

The value of 914's now is in their originality. May as well find one that you think you would like, vs worring about what it miht be worth someday.

Matt Romanowski

I think a lot of the value in a conversion is in how well it was done. If you find a really nice car, it's worth more than one that is hacked.

No matter what, it's going to be really different than your 996TT. I think a slightly built 4 cylinder car is a lot of fun. It's quick but not fast and rewards good driving.

Jay Gratton

I agree with Matt. I had (and will have again) a 2.1 liter 914 4 banger, with a euro spec motor and I would like to think I was around 110 hp and it was a solid car to drive, AX and DE.

hal m

Thanks for the advice.

My mechanic says that a solid body is the most important factor in evaluating one of these since this is the most expensive to fix if rust has gotten to it. The rest of the stuff (suspension, drivetrain) you can have fun with.

Matt Romanowski

No rust is by far the most important thing. Chasing rust is expensive and never ends. Suspension, motor, and appearance stuff is easy to fix and only has to be done once.