High output Type IV or Subaru Options

[TonyAKAVW]

There has been a lot of talk recently about affordable engine upgrades for the 914, namely larger displacement Type IV engines and Subaru conversions.

It looks as though a Type IV with 125 HP will cost about $5000 to do. It also looks like a Subaru conversion, using the Renegade kit (or a DIY conversion) will run somewhere around the same price for 165-180 HP (or more with a turbo engine).

So the poll question is if you had $5000 to spend on an upgrade for your 914, would you rather have a Type IV or a Subaru conversion?

As far as I know, no one yet offers a complete drop-in solution for the Subaru conversion, whereas a Type IV can be purchased and dropped in with little effort.

-Tony

[VaccaRabite]

QUOTE (Brett W @ Dec 21 2005, 11:11 AM)

For the novelty value only, I would keep a 914 aircooled, but physics says water is a better cooling medium than air.  Plus the modern engine technology is vastly superior to the T4.  Four valves per cylinder, comparable displacments, same efficent packaging, just makes the subaru a better version of the T4.  When you can build a 300hp 2.5 that will rev past 8K in street trim and still have great tractablility, you can't lose.  Add boost and you can go over 600 in street trim.  Nough' said.

Hi Brett,

I think you may be a bit overstated on your power claims - though I see them all the time on this board, and its not just you.

The 300hp 2.5 stock engine is the turbo engine from the STi - its not a NA engine. The 2.5 NA engine is 165 HP. Its also the engine that I drive in my subaru. There are some things that you can do to get more power from it, but I have not heard of any street NA engines making near 300 HP. The NA engine does not have the aftermarket support that the turbo motor does. Also, a 300 HP NA motor is not going to be had for $5K, unless it is burned up. They are not cheap to build.

Now, the turbo motor for the scoobs is pretty hard core. But again, there are not many (if any) street 2.5T motors turning 600 hp. Most of the modded STi street engines are between 350-450 hp (most 2.0 WRX motors modded are between 250-350hp - with a huge aftermarket). And again, not cheap to build, but a large aftermarket.

I know that many of you already know this, but if you are serious about doing a Scoob swap, go to www.nasioc.com and start reading. Scooby engines are great engines with a lot of potential, but I often seem them being overstated on this board.

Zach

PS, my username on Nabisco is the same as my name here, though I am usually on the OT section.