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.

[Steve]

Do a search.. This has been hashed over hundreds of times in previous threads.
Here's a good thread.
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=15842

[unpolire]

Do a search.. This has been hashed over hundreds of times in previous threads.
Here's a good thread.
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=15842

Thank you, but the answers I was seeking are more of a hands-on personal nature, not just theory, power, and torque, and members have been kind enough to respond.

[Steve]

Do a search.. This has been hashed over hundreds of times in previous threads.
Here's a good thread.
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=15842

Thank you, but the answers I was seeking are more of a hands-on personal nature, not just theory, power, and torque, and members have been kind enough to respond.

That thread does have my personal experience in it. In my first 914, I installed a 2.4 liter four banger. It lasted 10k miles before sucking a valve. Then it lasted about 12k miles before a ring gave out. I had about $8k in the motor and overhauls before I gave up and installed a six. My six has never left me stranded. I also have the same comments as other six drivers. I have over 150k miles on my 3.2 with no leaks and still has high compression. After my bad experience with the big four I am somewhat jaded and would never waste my money on one again. I have heard good things about Jakes motors, but I have not heard from anyone that has had one with over 100k miles on it.