/6 conversion questions Options

[chuck@chezcox.net]

Hi everybody - long-time listener, first-time caller (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I have a 72 914/4 that I’ve been daydreaming about converting to a /6 for many years. I might finally be in a position to get started on that soon.

I’ve done a lot of reading on how people typically go about this, and I have a couple of lingering questions:

1) Are there certain years of 911 whose front suspension parts bolt up nicely to a 914 chassis in order to get 5-lug wheels and better brakes on the front?

2) Where does one find a suitable engine and the necessary electronics/wiring to go with it?

3) What’s the most recent engine/transmission that goes in pretty easily? I’m not necessarily looking for more power, but I want something that will be very reliable and will last a good while. Starting with something that’s already 40 years old doesn’t seem like the way to go. However, I would imagine the newer you get, the more complicated the electronics get, and at some point you need lots of other components to be present in order to get the engine to start/run.

The 84-89 3.2s came with the G50 trans, which I’ve read cannot be flipped for mid-engine mounting. It can be installed upside-down, but that doesn’t sound like it works too well. Not sure if a 3.2 will mate up to a 901 or 915 trans nicely.

89-94 3.6s came with the G50 also, so same issues there.

I’m not sure what trans was used in the 94-98 models and whether or not it can be flipped easily, but it seems like your getting pretty computer-fixed by then and the electronics might be pretty hard to sort out.

And of course 98+ are water cooled, which is a whole different can of worms.

So I guess I need to ask, how reliable are the 3.0SC motors and the K-Jet fuel injection, and are there a decent number of good ones still around that aren’t already beat to hell?

Thanks guys,
Chuck

[infraredcalvin]

Agree, you can do it cheap, and just put in a -6… but it’s the “while you’re in there” that really gets you in the end. It really depends on your expectations…

Motor - finding a rebuilt truly ready to plug and play go will be $$$, if you find a core, casework, P&C, carbs/FI you're into it $20K easily.

Suspension/brakes/wheels/cooling… wheels, brakes, true suspension refresh or upgrade, another $10K

Then you feel that you’re overpowering 205 tires that rub on one side… now comes the bodywork…

It’s vary easy to get to 40K+ to get it the way you want….

[930cabman]

Agree, you can do it cheap, and just put in a -6… but it’s the “while you’re in there” that really gets you in the end. It really depends on your expectations…

Motor - finding a rebuilt truly ready to plug and play go will be $$$, if you find a core, casework, P&C, carbs/FI you're into it $20K easily.

Suspension/brakes/wheels/cooling… wheels, brakes, true suspension refresh or upgrade, another $10K

Then you feel that you’re overpowering 205 tires that rub on one side… now comes the bodywork…

It’s vary easy to get to 40K+ to get it the way you want….

"do it cheap" I'm not sure how cheap is cheap. any running decent /6 engine is at least $15.k, add in flywheel, mounts, exhaust, ....

I found a complete core for $5k, another $15k for a rebuild, another $5k for xyz stuff and I did all the work myself (with exception of the engine build)

finding a complete running /6 conversion (done correctly) is the best value IMO

[mb911]

Agree, you can do it cheap, and just put in a -6… but it’s the “while you’re in there” that really gets you in the end. It really depends on your expectations…

Motor - finding a rebuilt truly ready to plug and play go will be $$$, if you find a core, casework, P&C, carbs/FI you're into it $20K easily.

Suspension/brakes/wheels/cooling… wheels, brakes, true suspension refresh or upgrade, another $10K

Then you feel that you’re overpowering 205 tires that rub on one side… now comes the bodywork…

It’s vary easy to get to 40K+ to get it the way you want….

"do it cheap" I'm not sure how cheap is cheap. any running decent /6 engine is at least $15.k, add in flywheel, mounts, exhaust, ....

I found a complete core for $5k, another $15k for a rebuild, another $5k for xyz stuff and I did all the work myself (with exception of the engine build)

finding a complete running /6 conversion (done correctly) is the best value IMO

I just worked with someone last week on setup he was all in at 20k he shopped until he found the right deals