 Buying an SVX Subaru conversion. What to look for?, Subaru conversion |
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| Patmagic |
 Mar 14 2013, 01:34 PM
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#1
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Newbie  Group: Members Posts: 9 Joined: 14-March 13 From: Las Vegas Member No.: 15,653 Region Association: None  |
Hello all. Hope I'm in the right place. Thinking of buying a 73 914 with the Subaru svx conversion already done (in a garage) It's a California car so no rust. How do I know if it's been done reasonably correct. Can I assume that the worst thing that could happen is that the engine could be bad and I'll just need to replace it. It's an SVX 6 with the original 914 transmission. Does that set up sound correct? My goal is to be able to drive anywhere without worry. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks, the car is currently on ebay.
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| JRust |
Mar 14 2013, 01:43 PM
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#2
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 6,317 Joined: 10-January 03 From: Albany Oregon Member No.: 129 Region Association: Pacific Northwest 
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I saw that on ebay. It looks pretty solid & depending on price I think it will be a good buy. Being able to drive it anywhere without worry I am not to sure about. Remember this is a 40 year old car we are talking about. With a newer drivetrain I think the reliability improves. It is still an older car & you are bound to have some issues. It certainly has the capability of a good daily driver. I love the suby setups & it's a great fit for a 914. So while I think it is a sweet little ride. If you are looking for something you won't have to work on at all. I'd buy a new car. If you like playing around with your cars & working on them. Then by all means buy it & drive the hell out of it. You'll have a great time (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)
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| Tedman5 |
Mar 14 2013, 02:16 PM
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#3
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Member Group: Members Posts: 122 Joined: 25-January 08 From: Lebanon, PA Member No.: 8,627 Region Association: North East States |
Don't fall into the "no rust" mentality because its in Cali. Granted its better than an east coast car for sure! There's no such things as a rust free teener except in very rare cases.
Look thru the pics closely in the listing. I see rust on the battery tray and you can bet your last dollar you'll find more rust on that side at minimum. By hey, it's old, it's cool as hell, and you like it. Go for it! It will give you years of happiness workin on it if that's your thing. I do. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) |
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| KELTY360 |
Mar 14 2013, 02:46 PM
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#4
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914 Neferati Group: Members Posts: 5,146 Joined: 31-December 05 From: Pt. Townsend, WA Member No.: 5,344 Region Association: Pacific Northwest
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I'd make sure I knew of any regulations regarding conversion engines when bringing it into a new state, although if it's titled and registered in CA it may be an easy path to bring it into NV.
Those engines are pretty bulletproof but you can always run into the glitches associated with a 40 YO car. Once it's all sorted out you should have no trouble driving it anywhere. I'm in process of having an SVX engine put into my Vanagon Syncro and hope to use it daily. I'd love to drive a 914 with an SVX! Good luck....and let us know how it works out. |
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| BIGKAT_83 |
Mar 14 2013, 02:51 PM
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#5
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,799 Joined: 25-January 03 From: Way down south Bogart,GA Member No.: 194 Region Association: South East States 
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A member here on the site did the car a couple of years ago. I forget his screen name. He sold the car on Ebay shortly after it was finished.
It looked pretty nice then and looks like the new owner has done a a few things since hes owned it. Its running a stinger ECU from outfront. Good luck on your bidding, |
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| jhadler |
Mar 14 2013, 02:52 PM
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#6
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Long term tinkerer... Group: Members Posts: 1,879 Joined: 7-April 03 From: Lyons, CO Member No.: 529 |
Okay, so looking at the fleabay add and pictures, there would be one concern right away that I would have...
Cooling. The radiator is mounted flat on the floor and it would appear that it's drawing in air from under the car and venting out through the wheel wells. Seems awfully inefficient to me, and I would wonder if it wouldn't overheat on hot days. Very poor air inlet. Low pressure, and hotter incoming air. Fans can only move so much air. -Josh |
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| Mike Bellis |
Mar 14 2013, 06:42 PM
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#7
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Resident Electrician Group: Members Posts: 8,347 Joined: 22-June 09 From: Midlothian TX Member No.: 10,496 Region Association: None
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QUOTE(jhadler @ Mar 14 2013, 01:52 PM)  Okay, so looking at the fleabay add and pictures, there would be one concern right away that I would have... Cooling. The radiator is mounted flat on the floor and it would appear that it's drawing in air from under the car and venting out through the wheel wells. Seems awfully inefficient to me, and I would wonder if it wouldn't overheat on hot days. Very poor air inlet. Low pressure, and hotter incoming air. Fans can only move so much air. -Josh (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) Cooling Not a deal breaker but a better radiator will cost between $200 and $1000 in parts. It depends on if you do the work or sub it out to a shop. Some areas of Nevada require emission checks. Make sure you are OK with the conversion. In Cali, that car is exempt from testing but not exempt from having smog equipment. It's very hard for the DMV or CARB to catch this though, since there is no check. You may have to add back on all the SVX smog equipment to pass but check with your DMV. |
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| Patmagic |
Mar 14 2013, 07:53 PM
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#8
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 9 Joined: 14-March 13 From: Las Vegas Member No.: 15,653 Region Association: None |
QUOTE(kg6dxn @ Mar 14 2013, 05:42 PM) QUOTE(jhadler @ Mar 14 2013, 01:52 PM) Okay, so looking at the fleabay add and pictures, there would be one concern right away that I would have... Cooling. The radiator is mounted flat on the floor and it would appear that it's drawing in air from under the car and venting out through the wheel wells. Seems awfully inefficient to me, and I would wonder if it wouldn't overheat on hot days. Very poor air inlet. Low pressure, and hotter incoming air. Fans can only move so much air. -Josh (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) Cooling Not a deal breaker but a better radiator will cost between $200 and $1000 in parts. It depends on if you do the work or sub it out to a shop. Some areas of Nevada require emission checks. Make sure you are OK with the conversion. In Cali, that car is exempt from testing but not exempt from having smog equipment. It's very hard for the DMV or CARB to catch this though, since there is no check. You may have to add back on all the SVX smog equipment to pass but check with your DMV. Two very good points. I thought the same thing on the radiator. Why did he do that. Thanks for the tip on Renegade. I'm not planning on it being a summer car but would like to drive it if need be. I did not even consider the emissions. I assumed it would be exempt. I'll check it out. I'm out at 7K so we'll see what happens. Great support everyone. I'll let you know what happens. |
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| JRust |
Mar 14 2013, 08:19 PM
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#9
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 6,317 Joined: 10-January 03 From: Albany Oregon Member No.: 129 Region Association: Pacific Northwest
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QUOTE(Patmagic @ Mar 14 2013, 05:53 PM) Two very good points. I thought the same thing on the radiator. Why did he do that. Thanks for the tip on Renegade. I'm not planning on it being a summer car but would like to drive it if need be. I did not even consider the emissions. I assumed it would be exempt. I'll check it out. I'm out at 7K so we'll see what happens. Great support everyone. I'll let you know what happens. If he isn't having a problem with the cooling I'd run with it. These suby's aren't as tempermental to cooling. In that I mean they don't need as much air flow to keep the motor cool. So that may well do the job just fine. I have my concerns with it too but if he hasn't had problems with it. You may be good. Looks like there may be a shelf that sits above that radiator. Which will give u some storage in front still. |
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| Chris H. |
Mar 14 2013, 08:38 PM
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#10
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 4,059 Joined: 2-January 03 From: Chicago 'burbs Member No.: 73 Region Association: Upper MidWest
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You might ask the guy if there have been any issues with cooling. Hard to tell what size/type that radiator is. If it's the stock SVX unit it might not be too bad, but you would need to adjust for Vegas heat. Should at least duct the fans so the air is directed out of the exhaust holes better. Probably gets pretty hot in there with them blowing almost straight up like that.
Might also ask if he has the rear valance...if not you'll need to modify one to fit since it has those 911 flares... That said, it looks like a pretty nice car. Would be very hard to build it for $7k, and you get to skip the PITA conversion part several of us are going through now (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) ! Good luck! |
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| Patmagic |
Mar 16 2013, 10:30 PM
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#11
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 9 Joined: 14-March 13 From: Las Vegas Member No.: 15,653 Region Association: None |
QUOTE(Chris H. @ Mar 14 2013, 07:38 PM) You might ask the guy if there have been any issues with cooling. Hard to tell what size/type that radiator is. If it's the stock SVX unit it might not be too bad, but you would need to adjust for Vegas heat. Should at least duct the fans so the air is directed out of the exhaust holes better. Probably gets pretty hot in there with them blowing almost straight up like that. Might also ask if he has the rear valance...if not you'll need to modify one to fit since it has those 911 flares... That said, it looks like a pretty nice car. Would be very hard to build it for $7k, and you get to skip the PITA conversion part several of us are going through now (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) ! Good luck! So I placed my bid and also sent the guy a message on ebay. His reserve is higher but I told him to contact me if I'm even in the ball park. Looked in to Renegade Hybrids here in town and talked to them about the car. I was under the impression that V-8's in 914's was a joke from the passed but these guys have a tempting consideration with the aluminum LS1 motors. Looks like with some bigger brakes and some trans axcel mod you can have yourself a reliable / servicable screemer for under $20,000 including the vehicle. Any thoughts? |
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| Mike Bellis |
Mar 16 2013, 10:41 PM
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#12
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Resident Electrician Group: Members Posts: 8,347 Joined: 22-June 09 From: Midlothian TX Member No.: 10,496 Region Association: None
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Renegade builds some cool stuff. You could build one yourself for under $20k. Maybe under $10k if you can do your own work.
I built my first V8 (Ford 5.0 EFI) 914=$2500, Motor=$200 (actually a complete donor Mustang), Kennedy Engineering adapter & clutch=$600, Misc parts=$500 I did all the work myself and put it together cheap! Super fast and fun... |
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| speed metal army |
Mar 16 2013, 11:01 PM
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#13
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Waiting for the rain to stop... Group: Members Posts: 1,068 Joined: 4-September 10 From: PNW Member No.: 12,137 Region Association: Canada |
Yes, a V8 conversion can be super economical.Its cheap HP and reliability,and really isnt that tough to do.The guys at Renegade are good guys.The cooling system they offer works.
The conversion can also be lots o $$$ depending on what you do.(Motor,trans chassis etc.) Either way,a v8 914 is a blast! I did it,and have zero regrets,just lots of fun in my overpowered go-kart.For me it "fixed" the car,that is,everything I didnt like about the car was resolved.Im actually considering building another one,just for kicks! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) Its always entertaining blowing away the Muscle car contingent with a 914.It leaves them utterly confused. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) |
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| Patmagic |
Mar 21 2013, 03:58 PM
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#14
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 9 Joined: 14-March 13 From: Las Vegas Member No.: 15,653 Region Association: None |
QUOTE(speed metal army @ Mar 16 2013, 10:01 PM) Yes, a V8 conversion can be super economical.Its cheap HP and reliability,and really isnt that tough to do.The guys at Renegade are good guys.The cooling system they offer works. The conversion can also be lots o $$$ depending on what you do.(Motor,trans chassis etc.) Either way,a v8 914 is a blast! I did it,and have zero regrets,just lots of fun in my overpowered go-kart.For me it "fixed" the car,that is,everything I didnt like about the car was resolved.Im actually considering building another one,just for kicks! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) Its always entertaining blowing away the Muscle car contingent with a 914.It leaves them utterly confused. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) Well, if anyone was following this, the ebay guy didn't sell me the car. Kind of a relief really because I'm convinced now that for what I want, the LS1 conversion is the way to go. I know the purists out there will be disappointed, but I figure these cars will stay around much longer if they are actually being driven and not rusting in a yard some place waiting to be worked on. Now I just need to get a clear idea about what I should be looking for in a car for the conversion. I suppose I should concentrate on a rust free car with some suspension upgrades if I'm lucky. Does anyone know where els to look for cars aside from ebay and autotrader? |
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| brant |
Mar 21 2013, 04:00 PM
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#15
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914 Wizard Group: Members Posts: 12,011 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Colorado Member No.: 47 Region Association: Rocky Mountains
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buy one already built and you will likely save a ton of money over doing the work yourself. Plus immediate gratification.
they are for sale on her from time to time |
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| Patmagic |
Mar 21 2013, 05:10 PM
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#16
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 9 Joined: 14-March 13 From: Las Vegas Member No.: 15,653 Region Association: None |
QUOTE(brant @ Mar 21 2013, 03:00 PM) buy one already built and you will likely save a ton of money over doing the work yourself. Plus immediate gratification. they are for sale on her from time to time Yeah, I missed that there is a classified section here. Your right, I just need to be patient and keep checking the ads. Thanks (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) |
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| 914outlaw |
Mar 21 2013, 05:35 PM
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#17
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Dave Group: Members Posts: 202 Joined: 2-June 10 From: Central, NJ Member No.: 11,800 Region Association: North East States
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QUOTE(Patmagic @ Mar 21 2013, 07:10 PM) QUOTE(brant @ Mar 21 2013, 03:00 PM) buy one already built and you will likely save a ton of money over doing the work yourself. Plus immediate gratification. they are for sale on her from time to time Yeah, I missed that there is a classified section here. Your right, I just need to be patient and keep checking the ads. Thanks (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) Check out thesamba.com http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1450004 |
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| gopack |
Mar 22 2013, 10:18 AM
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#18
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CHEESEHEAD in CA, MARK Group: Members Posts: 744 Joined: 7-August 04 From: Folsom, CA Member No.: 2,472 Region Association: Northern California |
QUOTE(dpires914 @ Mar 21 2013, 04:35 PM) QUOTE(Patmagic @ Mar 21 2013, 07:10 PM) QUOTE(brant @ Mar 21 2013, 03:00 PM) buy one already built and you will likely save a ton of money over doing the work yourself. Plus immediate gratification. they are for sale on her from time to time Yeah, I missed that there is a classified section here. Your right, I just need to be patient and keep checking the ads. Thanks (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) Check out thesamba.com http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1450004 Weird flare cutouts, but not a bad looking car all in all! |
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| Patmagic |
Mar 25 2013, 08:05 AM
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#19
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 9 Joined: 14-March 13 From: Las Vegas Member No.: 15,653 Region Association: None |
Well after all of my bidding on the eBay suby car, the guy actually contacted me and he gave a price I could not refuse (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif) I pick up the car this coming Monday, yes April 1st. Just about everyone who commented on the add and even the guys at Renegade said it looked to be a good car and a good potential LS1 conversion. They also said the car would sell for much more so I feel good about it. Thanks for all your help everyone. I guess the journey begins now!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)
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| Chris H. |
Mar 25 2013, 08:57 PM
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#20
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 4,059 Joined: 2-January 03 From: Chicago 'burbs Member No.: 73 Region Association: Upper MidWest
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Nice buy! You might find the 3.3l to be enough power for you. ~230 hp is quite a bit for a 914. Keep us posted!
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