Aside from the cache, why a six over a four with same h.p.? Smoothness?, 1970-1976 914-4, 914-6 Options

[unpolire]

I have never driven a stock original 2.0 914-6. I have driven properly converted 914s with 2.7/3.0 transplants and my own stock 1.7Ls. Aside from the cache of a six in back, if you can have 200-250 h.p. from a four, why convert to a six? Is there a noticeable difference in torque and smoothness over a properly modified four? Can you feel it on the road? A serious question seeking the definitive answer that could save $10-20K later. Let's hear from both camps, pluses and minuses.

[Tom_T]

All good points, but if you're comparing a stock 2L 6 with 110 HP - to a milder 2056-2270 4 with 110-165 HP - then you'll save about 270 lbs. in wt. over the 6, plus quite a bit in the wallet! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)

PS - IIRC the 2L stock 6 was only about 110-125 ft/lb TQ & the 6's TQ doesn't come in until pretty high in the revs., whereas the stock 2.0 4 had about the same TQ much earlier & with a flat plateau TQ curve all the way to redline pretty much at max., which is why the 73-74 2.0 GA's were a decent replacement for the 2L-6 ..... and the TQ curves that I'd seen on the Raby site for the 2056 & 2270 had the same early/flat with 140-180 ft/lb TQ IIRC - so the milder 4's have much better TQ than the stock -6!

If you're talking a conversion-6 with a later air or water boxer 6, then that's a whole different ballgame & price range - and the individual's preference.

PSS - Another built-4 option is FAT Performance here in Orange CA - especially if you're in CA or the west, since Raby is in GA back east. Google their website for T-IV motors. Ron the owner there can build you an engine to whatever you want (IIRC he does aircooled 6's too), & he's a super nice guy who will walk you thru his shop personally & spend time with you, which is nolonger an option with Raby due to their "insurance concerns" last I heard.

[sixerdon]

All good points, but if you're comparing a stock 2L 6 with 110 HP - to a milder 2056-2270 4 with 110-165 HP - then you'll save about 270 lbs. in wt. over the 6, plus quite a bit in the wallet! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piratenanner.gif)

PS - IIRC the 2L stock 6 was only about 110-125 ft/lb TQ & the 6's TQ doesn't come in until pretty high in the revs., whereas the stock 2.0 4 had about the same TQ much earlier & with a flat plateau TQ curve all the way to redline pretty much at max., which is why the 73-74 2.0 GA's were a decent replacement for the 2L-6 ..... and the TQ curves that I'd seen on the Raby site for the 2056 & 2270 had the same early/flat with 140-180 ft/lb TQ IIRC - so the milder 4's have much better TQ than the stock -6!

If you're talking a conversion-6 with a later air or water boxer 6, then that's a whole different ballgame & price range - and the individual's preference.

PSS - Another built-4 option is FAT Performance here in Orange CA - especially if you're in CA or the west, since Raby is in GA back east. Google their website for T-IV motors. Ron the owner there can build you an engine to whatever you want (IIRC he does aircooled 6's too), & he's a super nice guy who will walk you thru his shop personally & spend time with you, which is nolonger an option with Raby due to their "insurance concerns" last I heard.

Tom,
Where do you come up with these comparison numbers? My information comparing the stock 4 vs 6 isn't even close to your figures.
Lets look at some apples to apples comparisons:
From the R&T 2.0/6 test article June 1970, it states that the "curb" weight of the test vehicle was 2195 lbs.
From the Road Test 2.0 /4 test article July 1974, (curb) 2230 lbs.
From the Road Test 2.0 /4 test article May 1973, it states that the "weight as tested", 2139 lbs.

The factory brochures:
1970 2.0/6 - 2070 lbs (Dry weight DIN) (stock steel wheels standard?)
1973 2.0/4 - 2138 lbs (Dry weight DIN) (stock alloys standard?)

Where does the /6 270 lbs extra come from?

HP & Torque;
/6 110 @ 5800 & 131 @ 4200 (DIN)
/4 95 @ 4900 & 108 @ 3500 (DIN)

To answer the original question........My experience is with various stock /6's and stock /4's. Never driven a big custom /4. For me, it's /6's hands down. Dido what SLITS says.
Don