Big Type IV or Suby Swap - Opinions Please Options

[Jengah]

I've been lurking for a few months here and could use some help/opinions. I've decided my next project will be a 914 with a extra HP, but can't decide on my route. This would just be a weekend car for twisty roads and occasional track days. I'd like it to be functional so I can still take my wife around in it.

I've had a 914 before (back in H.S.) so I know the car and have shadetree mechanic skills that have helped me maintain/DE my previous fun cars (e30M3, e36M3) so I plan on doing all of the work myself. That being said, I don'nt want to make this unneccesarily challenging (some of you guys are way more patient, skilled, and braver than I am). If I go with a Suby motor, I'll do the NA route. I'm considering either an EJ25 or EZ30.

So, the Suby engine is most likely going to have more reliability/last long the higher we get up in HP. It also seems to be the less expensive route. However, it is definitly the slower and more complicated route.

Does anyone with experience having tried both engines have opinions and advice on which is better or what the pro/cons are?

[Porschef]

Good question, great debate. I think if you can be satisfied with a 150 hp or so T4, then its a decent option. Going much bigger seems to require some real pricey upgrades/machining/heads/Nickies/cooling/induction/ignition/exhaust

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

That said, keeping water out of the equation is very appealing.

[Mark Henry]

I’m not a fan of big 4’s.

Large Type - 4 I had a 2.8L unit for a very short while, never again.

I should do a in car video of my 2.6L in my bug, total monster and it's been totally reliable for 5-6 years now.
Don't know exact mileage, my OD has always been busted, but I'm guessing 4-5000 miles/yr because it's my summer DD.

Only con I've had is it slurps gas, because I can't keep my foot off of the loud pedal.
Noise would be my only other complaint, but that's my A1 magnaflow, not the engine.

Good question, great debate. I think if you can be satisfied with a 150 hp or so T4, then its a decent option. Going much bigger seems to require some real pricey upgrades/machining/heads/Nickies/cooling/induction/ignition/exhaust

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

That said, keeping water out of the equation is very appealing.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) with everything but the cooling.

For over 96mm pistons nickies is the only way to go.
I did mine with 102mm JE's and custom pockets, I feel the 102 give a bit more cylinder strength over the 103mm's.