Power from a 914 aircooled, Questions about potential Options

[Mwood]

Hey, Im new to forums, I apologize if this is in the wrong section.

I have been looking to start a project car since relocating to the bay area forced me to abandon my previous one. i really want to work on some kind of 914 autox/road car/rod project but I am not sure of a few things and wondered if you guys could help me clear this up a bit.

I love the looks of the 914, especially ones with the sheridan fiberglass. I love the lines,
Size, style, simplicity of the cars. I am also very interested in air cooled engines because i appreciate simple, basic mechanicals and i like the simplicity of carbs and im still pretty green with engine work and complex car mechanics. And something about putting a big american v8 in a car like this irks me a little. Seems a little ham fisted.

Is it feasible to get around 250-300 torque/hp from a built aircooled 914 engine with something like dual webers and internal mods? Is that overly excessive for a 914 street/mild track car? I dont really want to spend over 2 to 3 grand modifying the engine. I have read that 1.7L 914 engines accept upgrades better but i feel like the displacement would need to be increased to get that much power. Mechanically i believe i am capable of bolting an engine together (i rebuilt my previous nissan KA engine a couple times) but details like internal engine upgrade specifications and the power gains they yield are foreign to me.

My idea is to do some kind of tuned car with 911 suspension and running gear/ built carbed aircooled, seriously lightened interior and maybe a fiberglass widebody if i get that extreme.

Please give me some feedback!
Thanks!

[r_towle]

for your budget, you will be tight to build a stock motor let alone a race motor.

150-180 HP can be done, and has been many times, but its not done for 2-3k.

How much are you willing to spend on the car?
You may find a car that has already been built for your goals and you can take it from there...most cars can easily remove 2-3k from your wallet with ease.

You do need to drive one because 250HP is almost to much for the chassis...the car weighs 2000 lbs wet.
150 HP will beat most cars if there is a good driver behind the wheel.
Depends on what you are doing...autox or racing...and class etc.

Otherwise you can put in a subaru motor, a chevy, or a large 6 cylinder porsche motor and scare yourself silly.

Carefull of what you decide if racing is the primary goal.
Racing bodies, the class you want to race in, what is local enough for you to attend....all of that will come into play for your choice of motor...

If you end up building a great car but have no official class to race in, you may be sorry.

Rich

[tscrihfield]

for your budget, you will be tight to build a stock motor let alone a race motor.

150-180 HP can be done, and has been many times, but its not done for 2-3k.

How much are you willing to spend on the car?
You may find a car that has already been built for your goals and you can take it from there...most cars can easily remove 2-3k from your wallet with ease.

You do need to drive one because 250HP is almost to much for the chassis...the car weighs 2000 lbs wet.
150 HP will beat most cars if there is a good driver behind the wheel.
Depends on what you are doing...autox or racing...and class etc.

Otherwise you can put in a subaru motor, a chevy, or a large 6 cylinder porsche motor and scare yourself silly.

Carefull of what you decide if racing is the primary goal.
Racing bodies, the class you want to race in, what is local enough for you to attend....all of that will come into play for your choice of motor...

If you end up building a great car but have no official class to race in, you may be sorry.

Rich

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

mwood,
Everything you listed above cylinders/pistons, cam, lifters, flywheel, crank and so forth you are already over 3k IMHO. That's not even talking assembly parts. Heads rebuilt will cost you 500 on the cheap and that's not even high performers.

I think that you would be surprised to find that 120hp in these little cars move them quite well. I'd say get ahold of a driver and do a moderate build on an already drive able car. Then while your getting to know the car build a hotter engine and take your time.

Thomas