Budget six conversion builders, Please tell us how you do it! Options

[anthony]

I compiled the following list of conversion parts. This is just to put a six cylinder engine in the car and doesn't include a 5 lug conversion or suspension mods. So for you guys that throw out low total conversion prices please tell us how you did it and how you cut costs. Often I see references to exceptional deals on engines that can't be easily reproduced or incomplete parts lists that don't include all the parts or headers/exhaust.

[John]

I am using a front mounted tank.

tank (Patterson Enterprises), Engine Breather, Tank Breather --$500
Oil Filter Canton-Mecca Racing -----$100
Motor Mounts Made my own ------Time (Watch my blog when I weld these in)
Engine Sheet Metal Made My own ----- Time (See my link below)
Oil Cooler Modification -----$25 for -16 90degree AN Fitting TIG welded at work for free
Accelerator linkage kit Made my own ----Time (I can't believe that most of you use the contraption that you do) (watch my BLOG)
AN Oil Lines ------ $450 or so
Front Oil Cooler -----$325
Front Oil Cooler Shroud Making my own ----Time
Shift Rod Modification Made my own ------Time
Axles (modified 914-6 axles to accept 911 CV Joints) --- Time
Front 911 suspension ------ $300
Headers (European Racing) ------ Gift
Muffler (have one from track car) ----- Free
Wheels --------- Gift
Rear Hubs & 911 Stub Axles and Trans Output Flanges (for 901) ------ came with engine package
911 axles (for the CV Joints) ------ came with the engine package
915 trans ---- Came with the engine package
915 shifter, rods/linkage --- came with engine package
Tach, Combo Gauge, Speedo, Fuel Pump, Coil, fuel lines ---came with engine package
915 clutch & pressure plate -- came with engine package
901 conversion flywheel, PP, clutch disk ---- had from previous conversion (to use until I convert the 915 for use in 914)
915-916 conversion kit ------ $1,500
Engine Package 3.2 w/Motronic, mated with 915 trans, all wiring, ECU, known running with good leakdown, no smoke, no leaks
with all above mentioned components ------ $8,000

I wanted to go as late model as I could afford with Motronic. I have done the carb thing, and this being a street car, I wanted something easy to start that will run smooth cold or hot. I spent the most money on the engine and 915 trans. Most others seem to find a budget motor somehow (it's those deals that are too good to be true and I'm never in the right place at the right time). I could easily take out $3000 to do it without the 915, but I figured that long term, I would end up going that way anyway experience kind of teaches those things.

I know for a fact that when my dad and I converted his car (he bought the parts and I put them in), he ended up spending a considerable amount more than I am now. This is mainly due to the fact that there are more resources available to me now than there was to him back then 14+ years ago. It seems that at the time, we were one of the first to do the 3.2 conversion, so there was nothing to compare to. Everything I fabricated was a one-off, like my engine mount, and my throttle linkage. Other items were figured out through VW-Porsche Magazine, Panorama, or phone conversations between my dad and some of the suppliers.