LS1 or V8 914? Options

[piss'n914]

Hey guys, I've very new to this whole thing. I'm still trying to figure out what is exactly wrong with my 914 (starting and running issue). But whats the possibility or reliability of installing a v8 or v6....other than the immediate install cost. what do ya'll think.

[mittelmotor]

Stock fuel-injected LS1 conversion here. Cast-iron SBC too heavy for my tastes. I love the instant torque...pulls as hard in 4th as it does in 2nd! I re-geared the 901 transaxle with H gears, and it makes a huge difference in cruising revs. A very straightforward conversion if 901 transaxle is retained. Wiring is much simpler than the Subie too.

The conversion doesn't ruin handling as some have opined, but it's not quite as agile as stock...so not for the autocross crowd. But it will take your breath away in 5th gear with an 80-120 mph pull.

I prefer a "sleeper" look, with 2.0 badge still firmly in place and a stock-appearing exhaust, with a single tip in original valance cut-out, and a second hidden dump pipe. Hardest thing to source was the 15x7 ATS wheels.

[mb123]

Stock fuel-injected LS1 conversion here. Cast-iron SBC too heavy for my tastes. I love the instant torque...pulls as hard in 4th as it does in 2nd! I re-geared the 901 transaxle with H gears, and it makes a huge difference in cruising revs. A very straightforward conversion if 901 transaxle is retained. Wiring is much simpler than the Subie too.

The conversion doesn't ruin handling as some have opined, but it's not quite as agile as stock...so not for the autocross crowd. But it will take your breath away in 5th gear with an 80-120 mph pull.

I prefer a "sleeper" look, with 2.0 badge still firmly in place and a stock-appearing exhaust, with a single tip in original valance cut-out, and a second hidden dump pipe. Hardest thing to source was the 15x7 ATS wheels.

very nice understated look, impressive. I've got a L33 sitting in the garage waiting for the right project.

[mittelmotor]

very nice understated look, impressive. I've got a L33 sitting in the garage waiting for the right project.

Thanks! I really like the stock "narrow body" look of the 914, so I worked hard to retain it. Most difficult aspect was squeezing a 225-width rear tire beneath the stock rear fenders. Needed a very aggressive roll of the lip, and a very subtle pull to accomplish. Still not perfect...rubs a tiny bit on the left side.

Car also has 5-lug conversion, with front struts/hubs/brakes from an early '70s 911. Has the narrower spacing for caliper attachment, and the iron M 911 calipers. Rear has drilled hubs (but with metal pads welded in so the studs have a more solid footing), 914-4 calipers and 914/6 rear rotors with the OD lathed down about 3 mm to fit. Stock 17 mm master cylinder; can't remember what pads, but nothing too aggressive.

Car stops a lot better than I thought it would! Takes a fair bit of leg, of course, but they're up to the performance potential of the car, for aggressive street use at least.

[mgp4591]

very nice understated look, impressive. I've got a L33 sitting in the garage waiting for the right project.

Thanks! I really like the stock "narrow body" look of the 914, so I worked hard to retain it. Most difficult aspect was squeezing a 225-width rear tire beneath the stock rear fenders. Needed a very aggressive roll of the lip, and a very subtle pull to accomplish. Still not perfect...rubs a tiny bit on the left side.

Car also has 5-lug conversion, with front struts/hubs/brakes from an early '70s 911. Has the narrower spacing for caliper attachment, and the iron M 911 calipers. Rear has drilled hubs (but with metal pads welded in so the studs have a more solid footing), 914-4 calipers and 914/6 rear rotors with the OD lathed down about 3 mm to fit. Stock 17 mm master cylinder; can't remember what pads, but nothing too aggressive.

Car stops a lot better than I thought it would! Takes a fair bit of leg, of course, but they're up to the performance potential of the car, for aggressive street use at least.

That's something I was wondering about also- with the rear brakes stopping the V8 motor and trans, are the 914 rear brakes up to the job? That's alot of rotating mass to be halted by just a small solid rotor with a 2 piston fixed caliper. Are you getting any advanced rotor wear or overheating with your setup?

[mittelmotor]

very nice understated look, impressive. I've got a L33 sitting in the garage waiting for the right project.

Thanks! I really like the stock "narrow body" look of the 914, so I worked hard to retain it. Most difficult aspect was squeezing a 225-width rear tire beneath the stock rear fenders. Needed a very aggressive roll of the lip, and a very subtle pull to accomplish. Still not perfect...rubs a tiny bit on the left side.

Car also has 5-lug conversion, with front struts/hubs/brakes from an early '70s 911. Has the narrower spacing for caliper attachment, and the iron M 911 calipers. Rear has drilled hubs (but with metal pads welded in so the studs have a more solid footing), 914-4 calipers and 914/6 rear rotors with the OD lathed down about 3 mm to fit. Stock 17 mm master cylinder; can't remember what pads, but nothing too aggressive.

Car stops a lot better than I thought it would! Takes a fair bit of leg, of course, but they're up to the performance potential of the car, for aggressive street use at least.

That's something I was wondering about also- with the rear brakes stopping the V8 motor and trans, are the 914 rear brakes up to the job? That's alot of rotating mass to be halted by just a small solid rotor with a 2 piston fixed caliper. Are you getting any advanced rotor wear or overheating with your setup?

Jrust pretty much nailed it with his reply. I'm satisfied with the stopping power, but if I were to track the car I'd definitely want to upgrade to the S alloy calipers and struts, at the least. Rotor surfaces are wearing nice and smooth. I'm only braking moderately hard on the street, so no fade or discoloration issues.

I wish I could remember what pads I used! R-compound tires (Toyo Proxes RA1) definitely help in hauling it down quickly.

[mgp4591]

very nice understated look, impressive. I've got a L33 sitting in the garage waiting for the right project.

Thanks! I really like the stock "narrow body" look of the 914, so I worked hard to retain it. Most difficult aspect was squeezing a 225-width rear tire beneath the stock rear fenders. Needed a very aggressive roll of the lip, and a very subtle pull to accomplish. Still not perfect...rubs a tiny bit on the left side.

Car also has 5-lug conversion, with front struts/hubs/brakes from an early '70s 911. Has the narrower spacing for caliper attachment, and the iron M 911 calipers. Rear has drilled hubs (but with metal pads welded in so the studs have a more solid footing), 914-4 calipers and 914/6 rear rotors with the OD lathed down about 3 mm to fit. Stock 17 mm master cylinder; can't remember what pads, but nothing too aggressive.

Car stops a lot better than I thought it would! Takes a fair bit of leg, of course, but they're up to the performance potential of the car, for aggressive street use at least.

That's something I was wondering about also- with the rear brakes stopping the V8 motor and trans, are the 914 rear brakes up to the job? That's alot of rotating mass to be halted by just a small solid rotor with a 2 piston fixed caliper. Are you getting any advanced rotor wear or overheating with your setup?

Jrust pretty much nailed it with his reply. I'm satisfied with the stopping power, but if I were to track the car I'd definitely want to upgrade to the S alloy calipers and struts, at the least. Rotor surfaces are wearing nice and smooth. I'm only braking moderately hard on the street, so no fade or discoloration issues.

I wish I could remember what pads I used! R-compound tires (Toyo Proxes RA1) definitely help in hauling it down quickly.

I'm using the Subie 3.3 with alot of the Subaru parts including the brakes- alot less expensive, relatively easy to convert and the SVX is a 3600lb car. Using the m/c and updated rotors all around with good pads I shouldn't have too much problem stopping a lightweight 914. Even without the power booster...