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.

[Rand]

4 is lighter, 6 lasts longer

If all you want is <200hp, and you want the most nimble AXer, seems like a 4 is the way to go.

If you want bigger power that isn't a grenade, and/or you want a track car, and/or you want a crazy street car with a sound that is music to your ears...Then you have to go six if you want to stay Porsche air cooled. (I like it wet... LS1 for less $ and even more hp (IMG:style_emoticons/default/hide.gif))

For panache, 3.2 or 3.6.