Thoughts on putting a Chevy/GMC late model 4.3L or 3.6L engine in 914, 4 Options

[9144me2enjoy]

What are your thoughts or problems to be expected on either putting a Aluminum 2014 Chevy 4.3L V6 LV3 engine (285hp/305 lb Torque) in a 914 using a 901 Transmission or a 2017 Aluminum GM 3.6L V6 LGZ engine (308hp/275 lb torque) in a 914 using a 901 transmission? I’ve checked with Kennedy they have the correct adapter kit for the engines to the 901 transmission. Both engines weigh 340-400 lbs. each. What draws my attention to these engines is the late model technology, weight, size, hp, torque.....I know the stock new E92 ECU would probably be a bear. I realize the 901 trans would have to have the upper gears addressed and beefier axles and cooling would have to be addressed. Thanks

[Chi-town]

Aluminum LS is about the same weight as a -6 with a center of gravity just slightly higher which gets offset by the weight of the radiator and coolant lines filled with coolant at the lowest points of the car.

Technically a -6 oil tank raises the COG also (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Ad to that a much better shifting and stronger Boxster S trans which makes a 901 look like the stone ages (which it is).

As for wiring, I wouldn't consider having to connect Batt power, Switched Ignition power, and ground a "mess " or a "nightmare". The availability of standalone harnesses for cheap have eliminated this issue.

Old school SBC, 12v switched for the HEI and Alt. Generator light hook up And a ground. Done

There's a reason there's so many V8 swaps out there and why Renegade is booked solid.

It was originally my second option after the suby

[Superhawk996]

Aluminum LS is about the same weight as a -6 with a center of gravity just slightly higher which gets offset by the weight of the radiator and coolant lines filled with coolant at the lowest points of the car.

Technically a -6 oil tank raises the COG also (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)


There's a reason there's so many V8 swaps out there and why Renegade is booked solid.

No disrespect to any of the guys doing V6/V8/V10/V12 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) conversions. To each his own. I applaud you guys for the fabrication and the effort involved in your chosen path. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cheer.gif)

I mean this as a discussion of the engineering and physics which is clear. LS or not, the upward movement of the center of gravity is higher and more significant than estimated. I'll even give the benefit of assuming the LS being dry sumped. CG is moving higher with any Vee arrangement than with a flat boxer engine. Don't get me started on what it would be with a wet sump! In the case of a 914, moving the CG upward relative to the vehicle roll center is not going to be a good thing with a semi-trailing arm rear suspension.

Granted, most people don't have the equipment to do a serious CG / moments of inertia study, but, you can do a pretty accurate CG measurement and not guess. Measurements can be made with basic racing scales by the method below.

http://www.longacreracing.com/technical-ar...aspx?item=42586

Saying that movement of the CG is partially offset by having the coolant and radiator is partially true, but, what has been done is that the polar moment of inertia of the vehicle has been increased by moving that mass of radiator and coolant to the front of the vehicle. Again, not the direction you want to go to improve handling.

You are correct that 911 oil tank moves CG up, but, the mass as placed by Porsche is still centralized to the engine area to maintain a very low polar moment of inertia relative to most other cars on the road. If you really wanted, that oil tank could be moved elsewhere, but, at the risk of adding yaw inertia. Ideal place to relocate would probably be the passenger seat area in a flat tank at floor level. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

My last point would be regardless of how many V8 / Renegades might be out there, that still doesn't offset the physics with respect to handling degradation's. It just speaks to our American penchant for Rule #1 of Hot Rod culture which is there is no replacement for displacement. America is a land of long straight roads so lots of torque, high HP, and ease of driving are weighted favorably by most at the expense of handling.