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> What is everyone's feelings on engine conversions?
sjhenry1075
post Apr 30 2018, 09:25 AM
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My father gave me his 71 a few years ago that he purchased after returning from a tour in Vietnam. He drove it for about 5 years, put 56,000 miles on it then put it in a garage where it stayed until a few years ago.

My original plan was to build an engine to replace the 1.7 that is currently in the car. Recently I was having a conversation with a friend who told me he had a Ford straight six that I should put in the car. My question to everyone is, how do you feel about converting to a v-8, or any other "non-vw" engine? Does it make it less of a 914? No offense to those who have converted, I'd love your viewpoints as well.

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McMark
post Apr 30 2018, 10:56 AM
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IMHO, the MOST important question you can ask yourself, which will make your path clear...

Do you want to spend a bunch of time and money being unique/original? Designing and fabricating parts? Making custom wiring?
Or do you want to drive the car?


Nothing wrong with either path.
1. A stock engine is the easiest to install, and while they may seem expensive, it's the cheapest solution by far. Keep that in mind...
2. A six cylinder Porsche engine is quite expensive, but has the greatest resale value by far.
3. A small-block Chevy (SBC) is the 'oldest' engine conversion. There are tons out there and lots of advice and help about how to make it work.
4. A Subaru (4 or 6) is a pretty common conversion. Adapter parts aren't as common/easy as the SBC, but a lot of people have done it and there's lots of help.
5. Anything else: You're on your own and you'll be doing a lot of fabrication, troubleshooting, etc all on your own. Not many people will be able to help and you'll have the least resale value of any of the above options. Don't fall into the trap of thinking a cheap/free motor means a cheap conversion.

We've seen a lot of people come through 914World with grand ideas and big projects. We've seen very few actually get completed. I'd urge you to get a good running 4 cylinder stock engine for a couple grand. The car will be running quickly and you'll have money left over to fix all the other inevitable issues. Most of which can be fixed while keeping the car driveable. Learn if you like owning and driving a 914 before you commit to a big engine swap.
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sjhenry1075   What is everyone's feelings on engine conversions?   Apr 30 2018, 09:25 AM
76-914   I love conversions but your opinion is the only on...   Apr 30 2018, 09:29 AM
Optimusglen   I think it depends. On a '71 914-4 that's ...   Apr 30 2018, 09:32 AM
Mark Henry   Keep it T4 or porsche /6, subaru and chevy. Those ...   Apr 30 2018, 09:46 AM
Elliot Cannon   Go with anything but the Subaru. A Japanese engin...   Apr 30 2018, 09:49 AM
worn   Go with anything but the Subaru. A Japanese engi...   May 1 2018, 10:13 AM
Tom_T   Also I believe that the 1971 1.7 was more powerfu...   May 1 2018, 12:13 PM
gothspeed   1st choice: Air cooled type 4 and 6 is awesome. 2...   Apr 30 2018, 09:54 AM
mepstein   Get your car running, drive it a while, then decid...   Apr 30 2018, 09:59 AM
Mark Henry   Get your car running, drive it a while, then deci...   Apr 30 2018, 10:05 AM
Lucky9146   Get your car running, drive it a while, then dec...   Apr 30 2018, 10:34 AM
gothspeed   Get your car running, drive it a while, then dec...   Apr 30 2018, 01:29 PM
Coondog   Never heard of anyone putting in a Ford Straight S...   Apr 30 2018, 10:00 AM
rhodyguy   How much money is in your budget?   Apr 30 2018, 10:07 AM
sjhenry1075   I wasn't going to convert to the Ford engine. ...   Apr 30 2018, 10:08 AM
eitnurg   I wasn't going to convert to the Ford engine....   May 1 2018, 03:54 AM
mepstein   One just sold for $2k and Mcmark has a fresh ...   Apr 30 2018, 10:13 AM
drem914   One just sold for $2k and Mcmark has a fresh...   Apr 30 2018, 02:14 PM
Andyrew   Its an otherwise stock clean car in need of minor ...   Apr 30 2018, 10:35 AM
McMark   IMHO, the MOST important question you can ask your...   Apr 30 2018, 10:56 AM
Tom_T   Okay SJ, Here's only my thoughts on it - you...   Apr 30 2018, 11:07 AM
mtndawg   You can probably ride a big wheel uphill in the sn...   Apr 30 2018, 01:08 PM
Tom_T   You can probably ride a big wheel uphill in the s...   Apr 30 2018, 07:44 PM
914 RZ-1   You can probably ride a big wheel uphill in the s...   Apr 30 2018, 09:14 PM
mgp4591   With all due respect I call billshit on this. I ha...   May 1 2018, 12:13 AM
Mark Henry   With all due respect I call billshit on this. I h...   May 1 2018, 07:40 AM
bbrock   With all due respect I call billshit on this. I ...   May 1 2018, 07:54 AM
JRust   I am a suby guy so it's easy for me to just sa...   Apr 30 2018, 01:39 PM
Jeff Bowlsby   Ask your Dad what he would do if he is still aroun...   Apr 30 2018, 04:54 PM
Front yard mechanic   I agree with Jeff ( this time) your Dad bought it ...   Apr 30 2018, 05:23 PM
mepstein   Ask Pat Garvey.   Apr 30 2018, 05:30 PM
Gmanscott55   WRX turbo... Screw the purist in their anemic powe...   Apr 30 2018, 08:01 PM
burton73   WRX turbo... Screw the purist in their anemic pow...   May 1 2018, 02:27 PM
Jeff Hail   Porsche was the originator of engine conversion fo...   Apr 30 2018, 08:40 PM
mepstein   Porsche was the originator of engine conversion f...   May 1 2018, 05:20 AM
rick 918-S   I would never.... :assimilate:   Apr 30 2018, 08:56 PM
Tom_T   I would never.... :assimilate: What the OP need...   Apr 30 2018, 09:51 PM
Mowog4   Do what makes you happy, but be realistic. I am c...   Apr 30 2018, 09:47 PM
ClayPerrine   I would scrap the idea of the Ford straight 6. It ...   May 1 2018, 05:10 AM
GeorgeRud   I think the only ‘correct’ conversion is to a ...   May 1 2018, 08:00 AM
76-914   I’ll agree that the P6 is the desired engine but...   May 1 2018, 09:02 AM
Mueller   I like 'em stock and with conversions. Have ...   May 1 2018, 11:44 AM
nditiz1   Hey you are local to me. My take - as others have...   May 1 2018, 11:51 AM
Spoke   Hey you are local to me. My take - as others hav...   May 1 2018, 02:49 PM
mepstein   A pair of BUB's actually weigh 80lbs total, in...   May 1 2018, 01:19 PM
Tom_T   A pair of BUB's actually weigh 80lbs total, i...   May 1 2018, 01:37 PM
mepstein   A pair of BUB's actually weigh 80lbs total, ...   May 1 2018, 01:53 PM
Tom_T   Yes, total for the bumpers. I did not cut any she...   May 1 2018, 02:00 PM
mepstein   Yes, total for the bumpers. I did not cut any sh...   May 1 2018, 02:25 PM
914Toy   Much experienced good advice has been given here. ...   May 1 2018, 02:00 PM
motorvated   My father gave me his 71 a few years ago that he ...   May 1 2018, 04:46 PM
JRust   How about a Buick 215 ci Aluminum V8 conversion. ...   May 1 2018, 09:01 PM
Larmo63   We have all given you the advice you asked for, no...   May 1 2018, 04:58 PM
jcd914   Lots of advice here 3 pages. The OP has not been ...   May 1 2018, 06:35 PM
Rand   Makes me wonder. Let's see if the OP is real. ...   May 1 2018, 06:50 PM
ConeDodger   914-6 GT clone. 3.2 Carrera powered. No... I’m...   May 1 2018, 06:57 PM
worn   914-6 GT clone. 3.2 Carrera powered. No... I’...   May 1 2018, 08:07 PM
ConeDodger   914-6 GT clone. 3.2 Carrera powered. No... Iâ€...   May 1 2018, 08:45 PM
914werke   My feelings...Yaa Baby! :woohoo:   May 2 2018, 12:33 AM


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