So I rode a 205HP VMax today...., Got me thinkin Options

[Tilly74]

Anyone ever put a larger displacement motorcycle engine in a 914? The VMax features a compact v-4 that makes 197bhp, 123 lb/ft torque and will peel your face off. Obviously it weights a lot less, but then I got to thinking about other options. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) We just got a Triumph Rocket III in stock and it's a 2.3 litre inline 3 cylinder. Makes 146 bhp and 163 lb/ft torque. Both motors are pretty compact and feature a shaft drive 6-speed transmission.

I think the transmission mating would be the most difficult, but what about adapting the motorcycle transmission somehow? I picture connecting the drive shaft to a rear differential of some sort. Or...if you could mate the shaft drive from the bike somehow to the 901, you could essentially have 30 different gearing combinations. All I would do is mount a hand clutch somewhere, maybe near where the rear brake is, and replace the heater lever with a simple hand shifter that would link to the bike's transmission. You could ALWAYS have the right gear, but you might need an extra hand or two, or a co-driver to manage the second transmission lol.

One major benefit would be the lighter weight and the smaller radiator size, which might be able to be placed in a wheel well or somewhere besides the front trunk.

This sounds crazy and over engineered to me, and probably not worth the effort, but I'm 27 and I'll hopefully be involved with teeners for the next 73 years (assuming I make it to 100, which is my goal), so I've got plenty of time to become a car building pioneer lol. Feel free to poke as many holes in this plan as you like. Won't hurt my feelings a bit.

[Tilly74]

I'm very aware of the weight difference between a car and a bike. My 914 came with a 67 hp, 99 lb/ft bus motor and I had a blast driving it. So I guess my question is: Other than flywheel weight, does it matter where the motor comes from? If a motor makes a certain amount of torque and hp, does it matter if its a type 4 or from a Yamaha? I've seen lots of money thrown into a type 4 that has a lot less than 200hp and 130lb/ft torque.

I do understand that a 914 wouldn't be the best choice for a motorcycle engine swap. Most motorcycle engines make 0 power below 5k, but some of these motors are different. The rocket III starts making power at 1200 rpm or something like that..

[DBCooper]

I'm very aware of the weight difference between a car and a bike. My 914 came with a 67 hp, 99 lb/ft bus motor and I had a blast driving it. So I guess my question is: Other than flywheel weight, does it matter where the motor comes from? If a motor makes a certain amount of torque and hp, does it matter if its a type 4 or from a Yamaha? I've seen lots of money thrown into a type 4 that has a lot less than 200hp and 130lb/ft torque.

I do understand that a 914 wouldn't be the best choice for a motorcycle engine swap. Most motorcycle engines make 0 power below 5k, but some of these motors are different. The rocket III starts making power at 1200 rpm or something like that..

Sure, but keep in mind that motorcycles are made to be lightweight, so that's what motorcycle engines are designed to push around. They reduce internal friction by running larger (almost race) clearances, the bearing shells are narrower and thinner, rings are thinner, very short skirted pistons for high RPM's, lighter rods, crank's lighter with smaller journals, etc, etc. So they do make large HP and torque for their size, but give up strength and longevity to do it. When I dump the clutch in my car I've been breaking CV joints, in a Hayabusa powered 914 I'm pretty sure I'd be breaking crankshafts. A nice LS1 will produce more HP than a 14 liter Cummins diesel, but if you put an LS1 into a semi truck you need to adjust your expectations, for obvious reasons. I'm not familiar with the Rocket engine except from photos, so it might be a truck, I don't really know.

Don't misunderstand, I'm all in favor of swaps and moto powered cars can be fun. Like I said, I have a Seven replica, have met some of the Hayabusa/Fireblade people in England and seen their cars. And original Morgans, of course. But all those cars are a lot lighter, and the work involved with that swap is nothing to sneeze at, so if you're going to do all that work hopefully the HP/weight gain will be worthwhile. Especially if used on the street. Bob does great projects, and that Fiat has a history in the VW world, so I look forward to see how his turns out.

It's always fun to stir the pot, my only advice is to study it carefully before you decide. And who knows, maybe if a bunch of moto engined 914's show up the Porsche purist/concours contingent will look on me with less skepticism. Nah... probably not.