What is everyone's feelings on engine conversions? Options

[sjhenry1075]

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.

[ClayPerrine]

I would scrap the idea of the Ford straight 6. It is way too long to fit in the chassis, and the layout of the engine would require a LOT of butchering the chassis to get it to fit.

Personally, I would stick with air cooled. Less hassle because you don't have to install the radiator and plumbing.

Most 914 projects die when the owner gets frustrated with the progress of the upgrade, so I would go incremental in your upgrades. Get the stock 1.7 running, fix the chassis up, and drive it a bit. Then, while you can still drive it, find and buy a 2056 from someone who has decided to do a six conversion. Drive it for a bit. Then, again while you can still drive it, start buying up the stuff needed to do your own six conversion. For the six, I would recommend a 3.2 with the fuel injection on it. It is a bit more expensive than an early motor, but once installed, it is a joy to own and drive. With Motronic, it acts like a modern car.

That is probably the easiest route, and you get to drive it while you are upgrading. And you can stop at any time. If you like the 2056, then don't do the next upgrade.

Remember, this is YOUR car and you can do what you want to it.

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