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

[grantsfo]

Maybe I'm spoiled by seeing very nice Subi conversions, but the two 914 Subaru conversions I have seen looked better than most well done T4 cars I have seen.

The Subaru powerplant nicely compliments the 914. The tuning capability of a modern Subaru turbo motor is much more freindly too.

I think it's great that so many choices are avilable to people now. ...And ultimately I think you will be happy with whatever you choose.

[Mueller]

Maybe I'm spoiled by seeing very nice Subi conversions, but the two 914 Subaru conversions I have seen looked better than most well done T4 cars I have seen.

The Subaru powerplant nicely compliments the 914. The tuning capability of a modern Subaru turbo motor is much more freindly too.

I think it's great that so many choices are avilable to people now. ...And ultimately I think you will be happy with whatever you choose.

as Subaru conversions get more popular, trust me, you'll see some that'll look like cr@p from people trying to do them as cheaply/quickly as possible..just like V8 conversions...some look great, others I wouldn't want driving next to me cause I don't know whats going to fall off....

as for tuning a subaru motor, how can it be easier than a Type IV??
In order to "tune" the Subaru motor, you'll need to control the factory ECU or use an aftermarket EFI....

[DBCooper]

as Subaru conversions get more popular, trust me, you'll see some that'll look like cr@p from people trying to do them as cheaply/quickly as possible..just like V8 conversions...some look great, others I wouldn't want driving next to me cause I don't know whats going to fall off....

Which is just like a lot of T4 cars you see, actually. Or sixes in 911's that have been abused, or even V8's in Chevys that haven't been maintained. It's not so much if it's been converted or not, or what brand or whatever, it's just that bad owners make bad choices and end up with bad cars. The more choices they have (as in a conversion) the more bad choices some people can make. So I don't think that's whether it's a conversion or not so much as it is a reflection on what kind of owners those cars have had.

as for tuning a subaru motor, how can it be easier than a Type IV??
In order to "tune" the Subaru motor, you'll need to control the factory ECU or use an aftermarket EFI....

"Tuning" a Subaru is no different than tuning your daily driver, since once it's set it basically takes care of itself. If you're using a factory ECU then it's already "tuned". If you use an aftermarket ECU things have to be set up, but all the sensors and plumbing are already there, and you still only do it once. Then you change plugs every couple of years, change the air filter annually replace a timing belt once every 100K miles, NEVER adjust the valves, set the timing or balance the carbs, . That's all easier in every way than a T4. It's the advantage of having a "modern" engine.

If by "tuning" you mean tweaking for performance, there are piles and piles of bolt-on aftermarket parts for that. But if you have the option of a 240 HP WRX motor in there, how much "tweaking" you gonna need to do to that T4 motor to keep up?

As to the question of whether or not you can compete on the track with your Porcharu, how many people really care? If you want a dedicated built-for-class track car, buy one, there are always cars for sale. Some people do that to their cars, of course, but it's not many, and that's really specialized use and enjoyment. On the other hand for actually driving the car and general grins per mile how can you beat having 240 cheap and dependable no-worry horses back there? So you don't win your class at the autocross, you had fun, plus a great drive down and back, and to work every day the week before and the week after. And it's how I, and most other people I know, actually use their cars. Heck, I don't win my class now, so what's really different about not winning it when running against a much faster competition? That won't make me too sad.