FWD transaxle/engine swap, or Best Threads for SBC Transaxle Option Options

[funcrew]

If this has been beat to death already on the forum, please post a link to the thread(s).

I would like to convert a 914 to SBC power, but Renegade and others claim that I will end up spending $10K for a modified 930 trans to handle the torque.

It sure seems like plunking in a front-wheel-drive engine/trans such as a 265HP Maxima 3.5L would be a cheap way to build a medium-power 914, without spending a fortune on beefing or upgrading the Porsche trans. Obviously, axles, shift linkage, etc. would be some work.

Neo's list of engine swaps did not list many front-wheel-drive engine/transaxle combos adapted to the 914:

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?act=...f=2&t=20374&hl=

I'm sure I'm overlooking the difficulties involved here, please educate me.

[funcrew]

Thanks for your feedback! Nice forum you have here.

OK, I'm convinced the transverse eng/trans is beyond my Frankenstein skills.

300HP in ~2300lb is way plenty enough, no problem there. I had read several first-hand opinions that the 901 trans couldn't handle that power level, even if you drove like a grandma. However, if members here are running numerous SBC/901 setups, that's pretty good evidence it can work.

Any dissenting opinions about the 901 from members here?

To answer several questions:

Current 914: None - My first autocross in my Toyota Echo (108HP/1950LB, almost exactly equal to 914/6 in that regard) is set for this Sunday, 11/6/05. FYI, in the Las Vegas SCCA region, a guy in a 90HP 914 kicks all the new water-cooled Porsches and most of the 911's and 928's (and all of the non-Porsches, naturally) into the weeds.

Other mods: Don't want any body mods at all - why mess with perfection? Would like to upgrade brakes, if feasible. Spring rates for whatever engine is used. Big sway bars. Nuclear attack shocks. Plenty of other needed stuff I haven't thought of yet.

Possible engine: Cheap SBC crate engines w/ aluminum heads now make in the mid-300 HP range, but I have not come up with a lower-powered (preferably lighter) option, other than a late-model Japanese V6. I was already aware of the Kennedy adapters, but that's obviously just the beginning of the work. Sticking with the SBC would bring the benefit of a large installed population to provide guidance and lessons learned.

In the end, out of sheer laziness, I will probably buy someone else's completed swap project and call it good. To make that work, I need to be able to assess the quality of the design and workmanship of the swap. Still worried about 901 trans durability, though...