914/Buick V6 Conversion, Goodbye Type IV Options

[dbledsoe]

This is a photo of the 3.8 liter Buick V6 that will be going into my 75 914. This apparently used to be fairly popular swap. Unfortunately no one (that I could find) makes the front motor mount cross member adapter anymore. I emailed Renegade but got pretty close to zero help from them, other than being told just short of I’m nuts to do that swap when I could do a V8. Well, I didn’t want a V8, I wanted a V6. The folks at Desert Hybrids were much nicer but didn’t have a suitable (for me) solution to my front mount problem.

What I did find via an internet search was a cross member for putting a Buick V6 into a street roadster. It is very stout and cost a grand total of $58 to my door (the Renegade V8 cross member runs $275 plus shipping!). It will take a wee bit of adaptation to use the roadster cross member but appears to be fairly simple and straight forward (see photo).

The folks at Kennedy Engineered Products, makers of the Buick V6 to Porsche 901 transaxle adapter plate, clutch, etc., were a delight to deal with, especially Jodi. She quickly responded to my emailed questions, provided some great advice, and was simply a pleasure to deal with.

What I like about the V6 conversion is the ability to not have to resort to an electric water pump, or much of any other front of the engine modifications. Also, the Buick distributor is at the front of the engine where it is easy to get at.

Once this one is complete I also have a 4.1 liter Buick V6 that I am rebuilding that will go into my white 76 914. The type IV engine in both cars ate a valve; I got tired of dealing with the perpetual oil leaking type IV engine and all its peculiarities.

If anyone is interested I’ll post additional photos as my project progresses.

Don

[dbledsoe]

Just for the record; my Buick V6 3.8L was rebuilt to factory stock specifications, the internals and heads that is. Then I added an Edelbrock "Performer" dual plane 4bbl intake manifold, MSD billet distributor and MSD ignition, high volume oil pump, Sanderson ESB1 ceramic coated headers (they're actually designed for those building street rods on Ford Model A & B type chassis and as such hug the block closely on the left side for steering box clearance and not quite so closely on the right side of the engine. They were recommended to me by the good folks at Novak Conversions who specialize in engine conversions for street and off road Jeeps), and an IMI Hi Torque starter. A Holley 8007 390 CFM 4bbl carb is waiting to go on top once the engine is bolted in place within the 914.

The 1981 factory stock Buick V6 with 2bbl carb, single exhaust, etc. was rated at 115 hp. I suspect this one will make a bit more. Since this one will be my daily driver I was after reliability, economy, and around town drivability, with an occasional romp over some of Idaho's mountain roads.

The 4.1 liter Buick V6 I am rebuilding, that will enventually go into my 76 914, will be upped a bit in the hp arena with some head work, slightly higher compression pistons, a mild aftermarket cam, headers, 4bbl carb, etc.