Thoughts about GT build approach? Options

[Mayne]

Looking down the road a few years, I will be embarking on my GT build. Of course I spend a lot of time thinking about how I would approach it. My narrow-body car is not original, so purists don’t worry that I’m converting something that should stay stock.

So...I know I want a very traditional looking GT, probably Signal Orange, 15 inch Fuchs, factory-style black sail panels and roof, but maybe chrome bumpers instead of fiberglass, since my car already has them. Traditional interior, with maybe a Prototipo, 901 side shift with Wevo shifter, maybe some Rennline goodies on the floor. Stock dash and gauges.

The above is nothing that hasn’t been done, but I love the look and its nod to 914 racing history. But, I’ve all but given up hope that I could put an aircooled 6 in my build. Though I do nearly every aspect of my restoration work on my own, I believe it would double the cost of the build. And building a type 4, especially a bigger displacement one, wouldn’t be far off that cost. Plus you know, 6.

So I’ve researched a lot on engine swaps, which I struggle with a bit. Subaru 4 or American V8 would definitely supply the power but seem out of character for the traditional build. But I’ve come across the Subaru EZ30R conversions and it has me thinking that this is closest I can get to sound, power and character (maybe) of an aircooled six.

It has me wondering if I can do this swap and keep nearly all those traditional elements I’ve mentioned (gauges, pedal cluster, 901 (I know, I know), even 6-style front venting for the radiator). I have found the few threads here that outline the swap, but it seems like an essential part of it is to upgrade or modify many of the components I want to keep stock. Okay, sorry for the long post! Thoughts?