Purchasing 914 V8...opinions? Options

[michaelt55]

Opinions...
oh geez..

anywho...looking at a well thought out and built 215 V8 in a 914. Approx 160-180 hp but light as its a 62 Buick V8 that is all aluminum, so about 60 lbs heavier than stock.

Its monetarily a great deal and I will probably sell my 73 with a Raby 2056. Just wondered if anyone knew of issues with the all aluminum 215 and has anyone every used it as a conversion?


Michael

[wbergtho]

If your going to do a V8 shoot for 300 hp or your wasting your time and money.

I really like the idea of a light weight all aluminum V-8 in a 914. If this particular car is a very well crafted V-8 conversion front to rear, I'd consider it as a fun car to own. However, Very few V-8 top shelf conversions exist. If this happens to be the case, build your own and use either a more modern 350 or an LS series motor (like I did)...or you can be real unique and transplant a 928 V-8 in there like Rick Ollah did (you'll be the second). 180 HP is quite an improvement, but you'll be longing for more in short order...and that cute little 215 (even with all the latest go fast parts) is quite limited. I've researched what it takes to get over 300 HP from a 215 and by the time you get 300HP or more out of it, you will have spent enough money to build a crazy LS6 (like I did). One more thing to consider, if you venture into the 350-400+ HP range, your cute/cuddely little 901 will desintegrate immediately! Going past the 350-400HP threshold requires that you go to a much stronger transaxle & brakes. The list of upgrades is never ending. In many ways, the brilliance of a small cubic inch aluminum 215 becomes readily apparent. You won't need anything better than a 901 (maybe taller gears) and a decent brake upgrade. Think long term and how your quest for HP will increase...not to mention budget...and perhaps you will be plenty happy with a cute little 215 in a 914. There's something to be said for finess over brute strength.