1.8 v 2.0 Options

[netwolf232]

I have been looking for a 914 now for a couple of months. I have around 4k to spend and I would like to get a nice condition car that I can Autox on the weekends. I don’t need the car to be competitive just as long as its not the slowest car out there. My problem is I have been looking at several publications each day trying to find a 73-74 914 with a 2.0L engine without any luck. I went and looked at a couple but the had too much rust and damage on them. Would I be happy with just a 1.8L? I am not too familiar with how the 914 engines are laid out. Did Porsche use different blocks for the 1.8 and 2.0 or were the bores just different? I am basically looking for a nice looking straight car with a strong engine and tranny. What are the major differences between the engines? Are there any performance possibilities with a 1.8? Should I just keep looking for a 2.0 until I find one that works for me. I am in the San Diego, CA area if anyone knows of any cars that might fit what I am looking for. Thanks for the help.
-Andrew

[Anton]

Don't think the L jet is too tolerant of lots of overlap.

An aggressive cam might be too much, but a larger displacement of let's say +15% should easily tolerable for an L-jet system. However, you have to adjust the airflow sensor for the larger volume!

Usually, getting more fuel into an engine is not the problem, but getting more air is. A larger displacement, aggressive cam, and some other modifications gets you more air; the fuel will "follow"...

I have a 1.8 L-jet in good condition with ultrasonically cleaned injectors, adjusted airflow sensor, new fuel lines (!!!), high flow cotton air filter, 2.0 exhaust system, and it is a serious 914. It has a standard cam, but FLAT (not dome shaped) Mahle pistons with an increased compression ratio of about 8.5:1... IMPO the only thing better is a TUNED, ie. modified 2.0 engine (larger displacement, aggressive cam with Webers, etc.).

Nevertheless, for AX you probably need something more than a 1.8.