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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ 914 with Ford 2.3t engine mounted East/West

Posted by: 914turboford Sep 29 2003, 01:12 PM

This is my first post. Two years ago I began the installation of a Ford 2.3 turbo EFI motor in my 1973 914. The car is a runner now. I have some photos available at TurboFord.org's photo album under 914turboford. I don't know how to attach the link correctly. Sorry. I hope this conversion is not offensive to anyone.

Brian

Attached image(s)

Posted by: Scott Carlberg Sep 29 2003, 01:19 PM

Brian,
if you're going to be apologizing for being offensive here...

you might be at the wrong place. lol

any more pics?
specs/stats of the conversion?

Posted by: biosurfer1 Sep 29 2003, 02:02 PM

not offensive at all, pretty creative if you ask me...post some more pics when you get them....

Posted by: Mike D. Sep 29 2003, 03:53 PM

Do what you want to the inside of the car. We'll wait till you do something to the outside to make fun of you. SEE OTHER POST'S.

More pics!

-Mike D.

Posted by: Bleyseng Sep 29 2003, 05:13 PM

http://album.turboford.org/cgi-bin/album.pl?album=00001237

Posted by: 914turboford Sep 30 2003, 03:18 PM

Bleyseng, thanks for posting the link. I couldn't figure out how to do it. I'm better with a MIG gun than a computer but I'm getting better. So far I haven't seen too many engine conversion cars represented on this site except for Porsche 6's. Are there many owners on this site with converted cars?

Posted by: seanery Sep 30 2003, 03:23 PM

most conversions are:
1- Porsche 6
2-Chevy V8
3-Subaru

I've seen or heard of a couple of 4Cyl Ford Turbo's but not many.

Posted by: 914turboford Sep 30 2003, 03:26 PM

Are there many BBS frequenters who have these converted cars, though?

Posted by: Mueller Sep 30 2003, 03:31 PM

We have a few Chevy V8 and Subaru conversion guys that frequent the board on a regular basis.

Did you ever drive your car before the conversion? If so, what is your opinion before and after?

Posted by: 914turboford Sep 30 2003, 03:33 PM

Here is a picture of how I did the subframe under the car that did not make it onto that other site.

Attached image(s)

Posted by: 914turboford Sep 30 2003, 03:39 PM

i bought this car to convert. It had a non running 1.7 and side shifter which I sold for $150 (cheap, but I only paid $950 for the car). I have owned 3 other 914's (including a '70 with a 2.0). One thing I have always disliked is the way they shift (side or tail). Mine shifts much better. First gear is up and to the left with no dog leg and a very positive feel. Plus, the 2.3t engine had 155 bhp before I added the intercooler and took out the mufflers (hope it has a bit more now, I'm shooting for about 210, TurboFord.org guys say that's easy). I suppose my 2.0 had about 95. Even on the relatively short drives I have taken so far I can tell the difference. So, yes, I like it better. A lot of work, though.

Posted by: bernbomb914 Sep 30 2003, 03:41 PM

This is the first sidemount I have seen in a teen. You could do this with bigger engines and not have a transmission issue if you have room.

Bernie

Posted by: 914turboford Sep 30 2003, 04:01 PM

Here is a bit more info:

Porsche 914 with Ford EFI 2.3 turbo

In the summer of 2001 I was looking for something to keep me busy while my wife and I were separated (back together, now, yea!). I had done three other engine conversions (mid engine 1960 Bug with Audi power, EFI 5.0 Ford in Mitsubishi pickup, Mazda rotary pickup with Ford 302 on International full size 4x4 chassis).

I was considering a Fiat spider with a 2.3 turbo and a Porsche 914 with a Honda vTec. While at the JY one day I was looking at a 2.3 out of a car and later saw an Escort transaxle. They looked like a possible match so I took the sheet metal piece from the Tbird engine over to the Escort and it did match! I came back the next day and pulled the 2.3 and an Escort transaxle, put the Escort flywheel on the 2.3 (a direct bolt up) and married the engine/tranny. There was a starter clearance issue which was later solved by a little block trimming and oil pan modification.

I took the combo home, made a dolly to roll the engine/tranny around on, jacked up the car and started cutting. After I got the clearancing done I built an easily removable subframe. I made hybrid axles by splicing Ford and Porsche units together.

Along the way I bought a ’75 911 front end, 911 rear hubs, 928 wheels and some cool flares (not 916 look, which I’m not too fond of, sorry). I mounted a small intercooler above the driver’s head and put in a roll cage. I am running the coolant through the cage to the V8 Tbird radiator with twin cooling fans. I have a new Vintage air conditioning system 80% installed. I made some 1.125” spacers for the back wheels and used 944 spacers for the fronts (those 928 Phone dials I have are offset way in).

The car is a runner now after 2+ years with some other projects (including a MB turbo diesel wagon hybrid 4x4) that interfered. I hope to drive it to work (94 miles round trip) soon. I am an ex-SCCA/NASA racer and I love to drive well handling cars.

Posted by: redshift Sep 30 2003, 04:14 PM

That was alot of work, good job.

I have seen a nice Ford 289 914, all done in Ford orange, and the car was Ford Tractor Blue!

Tranverse mounting is a NUTTY WAY AROUND THE SPACE LIMITATIONS YOU ARE A FREAK OF NATURE!

M

Posted by: 914turboford Oct 1 2003, 09:34 AM

I resemble that remark. The main reason for the sideways mounting was that I don't like engine adaptors because of all the specialized parts involved. I prefer to have a drivetrain for which I can easily get parts. The main specialized parts I have are the driveshafts which I was able to make myself using my lathe, MIG welder and 20 ton shop press. For weight balance I would prefer inline mounting and considered a 2.0 VW GTI 16V motor bolted to an Audi 5 speed but their highest rating was 134 bhp and they are not built to take a turbo. The Ford 2.3t's have forged low compression pistons, steel crank, etc. and you can run a lot of boost.