Engine upgrade options Options

[patssle]

I might be interesting in taking out the engine of my car and swapping with something better sometime down the road in the future. Currently it's an old VW bus motor, no horsepower, some ok torque in 1st and 2nd, but nothing after that.

I did some searching, and came across a few threads - but are there any good previous threads or articles out there that touch on each engine option available to upgrade to in the 914? Cost, benefits, pros/cons, etc. I know there was a poll once asking which upgrade to do - but could not find it.

Thanks!

[Mike Bellis]

You could do a 200-300HP Chevy conversion for $5-6K. Subie would be a little more. Rotary power can also be done around the same price.

I really like Raby's motors but they are still a little fragile compared to my V8 and by the time you get 200HP out of them they are very radical and don't have the same street manners as mine. If you are going to stay with a T4 engine, go with Raby's!

A bone stock chevy v8 can do 200hp and you can get one from Craigs List cheap. The engine adapter kit from Renegade will run you around $2k. You will need a radiator, Aluminum from Ebay $200. Misc other parts will run $500-1000. So this is just one option.

With a Subie (awesome!) you will spend $4-5K just on the engine (turbo), less if you just buy and old Outback and strip it. Adapter kit also available from Renegade. Even the transaxle can be retrofitted into a 914. A member here sells axle hub adapters.

I'm thinking of swaping to a 20B Rotary twin turbo (RX-7). 290hp stock at 8500rpm and 265 Ft lbs at 6500rpm. These engines can turn over 10000rpm. The engine itself is no bigger than (possibly smaller) your stock 914 engine. I would be able to drop 500 pounds of dead weight if I go this route. V8 weighs 800lbs

One more cool option is a 2000ish VW Passat Turbo. You can find them cheap. The engine and transaxle can both be installed in a 914. This will give you modern EFI and a modern shifting tranny. You can get a nice one for $4k than you just have to fab mounting brackets and do some minor wiring and fuel line work. You can also use similar year Audi's for the same swap but the prices are a little higher.