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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Consensus,On best way to convert a 914
Posted by: flmont Sep 9 2015, 05:59 PM
Ok,..with all the MAJOR experienced people on this form,..and these conversions being accomplished for years now,..is there a BEST way to do a SUBIE conversion or a most popular,.. or easiest way to convert.(regardless of engine choice).
Meaning,..best radiator to use,due to size,..or run lines under car, or thru the longs,.best hose to use,..or fittings,..engine cradel's ,..which fuel pumps work well,..what's the best way to strip down a harness,..or have it done.. Etc
I know a lot of this is personal preference,.or used what's available,..I cant belive someone didn't write a book of guidelines on this,...Its seems very popular,...a few years ago I would have never even considerd doing this,..and NOW,..I cant wait to get started,..!!!!!
Posted by: Cairo94507 Sep 9 2015, 06:04 PM
I know you will get a bunch of replies re this posting. I think a WRX motor in a 914 is a terrific option. I have always loved the sound of those little boxer motors.
Posted by: Mike Bellis Sep 9 2015, 06:04 PM
Find the Subaru Wiki thread. All the answers...
Posted by: mepstein Sep 9 2015, 06:10 PM
Buy it done. Drive it. Enjoy.
Posted by: 76-914 Sep 10 2015, 09:26 AM
Ok,..with all the MAJOR experienced people on this form,..and these conversions being accomplished for years now,..is there a BEST way to do a SUBIE conversion or a most popular,.. or easiest way to convert.(regardless of engine choice).
Meaning,..best radiator to use,due to size,..or run lines under car, or thru the longs,.best hose to use,..or fittings,..engine cradel's ,..which fuel pumps work well,..what's the best way to strip down a harness,..or have it done.. Etc
I know a lot of this is personal preference,.or used what's available,..I cant belive someone didn't write a book of guidelines on this,...Its seems very popular,...a few years ago I would have never even considerd doing this,..and NOW,..I cant wait to get started,..!!!!!
First, you need to decide which route you will go: ",..is there a BEST way to do a SUBIE conversion or a most popular,.. or easiest way to convert" Usually it is the "wallet" that decides.
Posted by: zipedadoo Sep 10 2015, 12:12 PM
For me the best way was to buy a donor car and use every part off the donor possible. Engine, transmission, fuel pump, fuel lines, computer, fuel filter, radiator,etc.
My budget was very tight. The end result has been a fun and dependable car for my son to drive to school. If it was going to my car and if I had deeper pockets, I would have done things differently.
Posted by: Andyrew Sep 10 2015, 12:21 PM
Brittan had a really good writeup on most of this stuff.
Posted by: DBCooper Sep 10 2015, 01:23 PM
Buy it done. Drive it. Enjoy.
Easiest, for sure.Here's the thread Britain put together. Hasn't been updated in while so it's a bit dated, but it covers the basics: http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=110990&hl
Posted by: flmont Sep 10 2015, 04:58 PM
Yea,..WOW..the Brittan site is a lot of info,..Thanks...DBCooper,...I want to keep as much 914 as I can...just upgrade ,..engine,..rebuild the 901 to handel the EG33...That's the goal at this time,.. we shall see how it goes ...Thanks Frank
PS,..is it best to run lines thru the longs..???
Posted by: 76-914 Sep 10 2015, 05:45 PM
Dealers choice.
Posted by: Pat Garvey Sep 10 2015, 05:48 PM
Don't!
Posted by: 914_teener Sep 10 2015, 07:14 PM
Pat"s back!
Posted by: DBCooper Sep 10 2015, 07:56 PM
Yeah, he's back, but keep in mind he likes to go SLOW. Or keep it parked. We definitely have different ideas about the best use of cars.
Posted by: r_towle Sep 10 2015, 07:57 PM
Buy donor, send to renegade hybrids, write check, pick up car.
Posted by: DBCooper Sep 10 2015, 08:00 PM
I don't know, Rich. He said "best," and the people I've spoken with who've seen them wouldn't put the Renegade conversions in that category. Easy and effective, though, no question about that.
Posted by: mepstein Sep 10 2015, 08:03 PM
I don't know, Rich. He said "best," and the people I've spoken with who've seen them wouldn't put the Renegade conversions in that category. Easy and effective, though, no question about that.
dbcooper's car is 3rd gen next to a renegade car.
Posted by: r_towle Sep 10 2015, 08:21 PM
Buy donor, send to renegade hybrids, write check, pick up car.
Ok,
Buy donor, send to dbcooper, write big ass check, take dbcooper car, enjoy.
Posted by: DBCooper Sep 10 2015, 08:44 PM
Buy donor, send to renegade hybrids, write check, pick up car.
Ok,
Buy donor, send to dbcooper, write big ass check, take dbcooper car, enjoy.
Ha ha ha. It's not for sale, but I haven't been able to drive it in more than a year now. Bad back. Last time I got in I couldn't get out, finally had to fall over, out onto the ground, rolled over and finally was able to get back on my feet. Sucks.
Posted by: r_towle Sep 10 2015, 08:56 PM
Buy donor, send to renegade hybrids, write check, pick up car.
Ok,
Buy donor, send to dbcooper, write big ass check, take dbcooper car, enjoy.
Ha ha ha. It's not for sale, but I haven't been able to drive it in more than a year now. Bad back. Last time I got in I couldn't get out, finally had to fall over, out onto the ground, rolled over and finally was able to get back on my feet. Sucks.
Big fat check would do the trick, and the. You get to do it again, and fix all the things you would have done differently....
Have you considered doing a raised suspension like a Paris Dakar type car?
Easier to get out of it..
Posted by: mgp4591 Sep 10 2015, 08:58 PM
Yea,..WOW..the Brittan site is a lot of info,..Thanks...DBCooper,...I want to keep as much 914 as I can...just upgrade ,..engine,..rebuild the 901 to handel the EG33...That's the goal at this time,.. we shall see how it goes ...Thanks Frank
PS,..is it best to run lines thru the longs..???
I'd use a Subie transmission- you'll spend as much if not more buying the adapter and rebuilding the 901 as you would to source a good Subie 5 speed and buying the shift mechanism, cables and such. Plus you'll have a great match for the driveline and parts you can buy right off the parts counter at Subaru. You'll have to have custom axles but they're readily available and you don't want to use stock axles with an EG33 anyway- too much power for the stock stuff...
Posted by: DBCooper Sep 10 2015, 09:02 PM
True, that, definitely do the transmission. I did mine in two steps so it was apparent. The engine transforms the car. Then the transmission does it again, at least as much. It's definitely worth the extra work, you end up with a really REALLY nice car.
Rich, stupid thing is that I have TWO 914/WRX's here right now, mine and my son's. He can't fix his because of his HOA, I can't fix either of them because I can't bend over. The two cars are pretty similar, and wouldn't do much different. I wouldn't do Tilton pedals again, 76-914 found a way to do a good hydraulic master that's better and cheaper, but that's it. Not a lot.
Posted by: r_towle Sep 10 2015, 09:05 PM
Ok, so how much do you want?
Posted by: DBCooper Sep 10 2015, 09:11 PM
I don't want to answer that question. I don't even want to think about it. To consider it would be an admission that I'm done, can't do this any more, and I don't want to do that. Thanks though. Maybe talk with my son, but between you and me I wouldn't want him to consider it. If he did that would mean that HE doesn't think I'll recover, either. Prefer to not think about that.
Posted by: r_towle Sep 10 2015, 09:32 PM
Then recover....I know what I mean...
Posted by: Chris H. Sep 11 2015, 06:29 AM
True, that, definitely do the transmission. I did mine in two steps so it was apparent. The engine transforms the car. Then the transmission does it again, at least as much. It's definitely worth the extra work, you end up with a really REALLY nice car.
Rich, stupid thing is that I have TWO 914/WRX's here right now, mine and my son's. He can't fix his because of his HOA, I can't fix either of them because I can't bend over. The two cars are pretty similar, and wouldn't do much different. I wouldn't do Tilton pedals again, 76-914 found a way to do a good hydraulic master that's better and cheaper, but that's it. Not a lot.
I was looking for that racing 914 clip and found this...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw6JSfjIaH4
I have to have one of these. HAVE TO. Is there a build thread somewhere DB???? Just to add SOMETHING of value, I might seriously consider buying the Renegade radiator setup if I had to start over. Hated tweaking the cooling. Everything else is pretty well documented. Once you choose the engine it narrows the rest of the scope of the build.
Posted by: mepstein Sep 11 2015, 06:33 AM
True, that, definitely do the transmission. I did mine in two steps so it was apparent. The engine transforms the car. Then the transmission does it again, at least as much. It's definitely worth the extra work, you end up with a really REALLY nice car.
Rich, stupid thing is that I have TWO 914/WRX's here right now, mine and my son's. He can't fix his because of his HOA, I can't fix either of them because I can't bend over. The two cars are pretty similar, and wouldn't do much different. I wouldn't do Tilton pedals again, 76-914 found a way to do a good hydraulic master that's better and cheaper, but that's it. Not a lot.
I was looking for that racing 914 clip and found this...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw6JSfjIaH4
I have to have one of these. HAVE TO. Is there a build thread somewhere DB???? Just to add SOMETHING of value, I might seriously consider buying the Renegade radiator setup if I had to start over. Hated tweaking the cooling. Everything else is pretty well documented. Once you choose the engine it narrows the rest of the scope of the build.
I'm doing the renegade setup. I wanted a bolt on build (as much as possible) vs a fabrication build. I should have all the parts shortly and hope to start assembly this fall.
Posted by: DBCooper Sep 11 2015, 06:52 AM
drooley: I have to have one of these. HAVE TO. Is there a build thread somewhere DB????
Not really a build thread, but there are some more details in photos here: http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=146527
Posted by: Chris H. Sep 11 2015, 09:20 AM
Is that the guy who did your trans and stuff Paul (DB) ? Whoever did that has some amazing skills. And he also has a V8 Volvo??? Pretty much my entire wish list. As you probably know better than me, the challenge has always been to get the Subie intake manifold into the Type 3 engine bay and be able to shut the lid. Very nice rad setup too.
Hi Pat Garvey 
. Missed ya man.
OK back to the discussion. Sorry.
Posted by: flmont Sep 16 2015, 11:20 PM
I would go subie tranny,..but I just don't have the ability,.to accomplish,.. making all the brackets,.bending this,..or tweeking that,..my conversion is being done under a tarp,...so I gotta go plug and play for now,...if there were a kit that I can install,..well that's diffrent,...???
Posted by: mepstein Sep 17 2015, 04:51 AM
I would go subie tranny,..but I just don't have the ability,.to accomplish,.. making all the brackets,.bending this,..or tweeking that,..my conversion is being done under a tarp,...so I gotta go plug and play for now,...if there were a kit that I can install,..well that's diffrent,...???
Coldwater914 - Ian, makes a kit.
Attached image(s)
Posted by: flmont Sep 17 2015, 07:14 PM
How much are these kits.???,..and what trannies will they fit..
Posted by: mepstein Sep 17 2015, 08:32 PM
How much are these kits.???,..and what trannies will they fit..
I have an extra engine and transmission mount. Email me if you'd like to purchase. Mark@markepstein.net
Posted by: gryphon68 Sep 18 2015, 12:36 PM
How much are these kits.???,..and what trannies will they fit..
Ian's official product thread is here:
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=191930
Transmission is Subaru 5MT, basically any Subaru 5-speed manual from 1990-present that had an EJ motor in front of it.
Posted by: gryphon68 Sep 18 2015, 12:51 PM
I was looking for that racing 914 clip and found this...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw6JSfjIaH4
Subie 914 racing clip . . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uod6avfs4AM
EJ or EZ . . . the four just isn't going to have that NOISE!
Posted by: 76-914 Sep 18 2015, 04:42 PM
I was looking for that racing 914 clip and found this...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw6JSfjIaH4
Subie 914 racing clip . . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uod6avfs4AM
EJ or EZ . . . the four just isn't going to have that NOISE!
OK, I'll admit it; now that you said it
This is exactly why I went with a 6. That being said, nothing sounds a sexy as a Porsche 6 but I still like the way my EZ30 sounds, as well.
Posted by: flmont Sep 18 2015, 05:53 PM
the flat 6 video of chris H's is a sweet sound,..I would prefer a flat 6 built to about 325- 340,..to have 300 HP at the wheels,..
Posted by: r_towle Sep 18 2015, 05:57 PM
That notch engine makes my ears hurt.
Get him to adjust the valves...
Posted by: 914forme Sep 18 2015, 06:52 PM
Would love to do a notch, or a Ghia, or a Dual Cab, or a Thing. Really they all are begging for a good engine swap.
Posted by: Chris H. Sep 18 2015, 07:14 PM
Bob and I were talking about a 411/412...front trunk is perfect for a radiator. It's HUGE. Ghia already has the radiator inlets cut in it. Ideally for me a pre-70 square. I'd do a low mileage 2.5 and replace all of the electronic guts and wiring with Subaru but keep it visually stock-looking. The trans would be a challenge since I'd like an automatic but probably not the stock 45 year old VW unit. So...that's what bounces around in my head most of the time.
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