Why not the WRX? Options

[Brett W]

I was checking on the net today and you can pick up a WRX motor for about 650 used. This is pretty complete. That would make a great 914 swap. Better turbo, and some cleaning up of the engine wiring and such you could have one bad ass daily driver.

You would still have the flat four and you could over come the limitations of the T4 engine.

[airsix]

Ben, my long lost bro, how far along are you on going the 6 route? Don't jump ship if you're close, the jury is still out on how great our conversions will come out. (Ok, they will be great, but so are flat sixes).

Hey Jon, thanks for joining in.

Six parts I have:
7R 2.7
muffler
early flywheel
engine tin
MIC3 ECU in car and wired.

Six parts missing:
oil lines
oil tank and bits
motor mount
headers

But... the six needs a full rebuild. I figure it will cost at least $4,000 to get the project done IF I do the rebuild myself. And I'll have 220hp at most, no heat, no AC, and no future power increases.

If I do the scooby conversion I'll spend less, not have to do a rebuild, weigh in 100 pounds less, have more power, real heat, AC, less mechanical noise, cheap future power upgrades, and here's a bonus: If I launch a motor it's only $650 for a new one. That's cheap enough that I'm likely to get a spare just for peace of mind. I'm not saying I want to throw around money - I'm just saying that a $650 engine replacement is a lot more affordable than most.

I'm not totally sold yet. And it's not just the money. I keep thinking, if I had two identical cars - except one was EJ20T powered and one had a 2.7 six, which would I enjoy more? I honestly think the scooby-14 would be a better car. Keep in mind that my 914 is my daily driver. The fact that I could have heat, AC, more power ALL FOR LESS WEIGHT really has my attention.

Lastly, class rules are not really a concern any more. There is no PCA or POC racing where I live. I autocross with the local club, which just adopted the SCCA classing system. Under their old classing system I was treated very farely, but now I'm a hair's breadth from being knocked into modified class. Whether I go six or scooby that's where I'll end up any way so it makes no difference from that standpoint. Resale value isn't an issue eather. I don't plan to sell, and if I did there's no market here anyway. I'd be lucky to get Craig Laughlin to come up from Lake Oswego to buy it for a song. (I think he plays a magic flute or something that makes people just hand over their pink slips. he he). So, anyway, the car is for me. So I figure set the snobbery aside and pick the powerplant that's going to make me grin the most for the longest and cheapest.


-Ben M. (ready for the flames)