Anyone gonna be the first to try this with their 914? Options

[Chris H.]

I'm a big fan of the autoblog Jalopnik, I saw this article today and the wheels started turning...

http://jalopnik.com/what-will-you-need-to-...-fou-1772965632

Any Subaru guys care to chime in on the work involved?

-DC

DC,

Stick around, these guys are actually a lot of fun. They weren't aiming any of that at you personally. The thing is...the article says that the last Porsche flat 4 was in the 356...which is a little weird since most of us have 914s that came with flat 4's. Sort of strikes a nerve for some people since 914's were uncool step-children in the Porsche community until just a few years ago.

So my opinion is that the main challenge out of the gate is financial. The engines will be very expensive for a while. I'd guess they would be in the air cooled 3.2 conversion, LS1 conversion, or Subaru conversion+ used Boxster range. Hopefully the engines will find their way into VWs or Audis and get cheaper. Then it would be a great option.

As for the conversion itself mechanically it should be like fitting a Subaru turbo flat 4. It would have to be mounted slightly differently at the front due to the width. The turbo can be tough to find a spot for. Hopefully the whole drive train can be adapted. Electronics...we'll have to see.

[Dave_Darling]

I actually like Jalopnik, and when I read the article the first thing I thought was "I wonder if it will fit in a 914?"

The point of going with a modern Porsche engine is the same as the point of going with any engine swap--more power, often together with better driveability and more reliability. And if it's all-Porsche, you're still eligible for all PCA events which can be nice sometimes.

Heck, ask (IMG:style_emoticons/default/alien.gif) Rick why you might want to put a more modern engine in a 914...

--DD

[boxsterfan]

Josh, I note you're new. The format, format...ha, is rather loose. Rather the usual straight/rigid or mundane forums elsewhere, it's more like standing around a garage or sitting around a fire. You never quite know what someone is going to say. Esp in a thread like this one. Fun times.

Kevin

Kevin,

New to the 914 world forum, possibly, but I am a member of many different forums from all of the other cars that I have owned or currently own. And I would never expect to be called a "hipsters, douchebags, and cattle rapists" because of an article that was moderately interesting on the possible prospect of placing a newer Porsche engine into a 914. I at least thought that the idea would be interesting to those who have completed Subaru swaps as those are mentioned in the article. "A thread like this one." is well within the guidelines of what is allowed to be posted in the 914World Garage.

If you are a moderator, I would request that you delete this thread as the initial interest that I attempted to show to the other members of 914 World is currently being covered up by a 'rant' against another website and the additional comments do nothing to add to the conversation.

Regards,
DC

Josh, I don't think anyone called you a "hipsters, douchebags, and cattle rapists". They were calling the Jalopnik author that....

...unless you are the jalopnik author. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[DCJosh]

Moderator? Me? Oh no. The notion of the swap is not what lled to the outburst? It's the REST of the incorrect rubbish. The author of the writeup in question has different ideas.

If you took offense, that's unfortunate. Threads are seldom deleted. Locked down? For sure.

I for one could not fathom putting a modern Porsche powerplant in a 914. What's the point?

Sorry, I thought with over 15,000 posts, you had some type of connection with the forum staff. Please disregard. I suppose the point of putting a modern engine is the point. And why not? If people put an LS or a Subaru engine in, to each their own, right? I'm coming from an engineering background so I think of all kinds of crazy junk to swap around. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I think the difference here is that 9 times out of 10 comments like these are not meant to be a personal attack, generally said in jest. Now other forums I've been on, it's a constant barrage of flaming that is meant to be a personal attack...

But it's already been discussed that the Boxster four (sorry, can't bring myself to call it a 718 which is such a stretch that it takes the Hubble telescope to see the lineage) is too wide to fit in a teener's engine bay, or so it has been claimed... Either way, a six conversion would be less expensive given the cost of this new powertrain.

This is generally what I was looking for, I have not seen any other information regarding the actual engine size outside of the article, so thank you for posting this. I mean, with unlimited resources....It will happen in the future.

I actually like Jalopnik, and when I read the article the first thing I thought was "I wonder if it will fit in a 914?"

The point of going with a modern Porsche engine is the same as the point of going with any engine swap--more power, often together with better driveability and more reliability. And if it's all-Porsche, you're still eligible for all PCA events which can be nice sometimes.

Heck, ask (IMG:style_emoticons/default/alien.gif) Rick why you might want to put a more modern engine in a 914...

--DD

Interesting point about the PCA events, I was not aware that level of brand cohesion was required for all cars to attend.

[rick 918-S]

Moderator? Me? Oh no. The notion of the swap is not what lled to the outburst? It's the REST of the incorrect rubbish. The author of the writeup in question has different ideas.

If you took offense, that's unfortunate. Threads are seldom deleted. Locked down? For sure.

I for one could not fathom putting a modern Porsche powerplant in a 914. What's the point?

Sorry, I thought with over 15,000 posts, you had some type of connection with the forum staff. Please disregard. I suppose the point of putting a modern engine is the point. And why not? If people put an LS or a Subaru engine in, to each their own, right? I'm coming from an engineering background so I think of all kinds of crazy junk to swap around. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I think the difference here is that 9 times out of 10 comments like these are not meant to be a personal attack, generally said in jest. Now other forums I've been on, it's a constant barrage of flaming that is meant to be a personal attack...

But it's already been discussed that the Boxster four (sorry, can't bring myself to call it a 718 which is such a stretch that it takes the Hubble telescope to see the lineage) is too wide to fit in a teener's engine bay, or so it has been claimed... Either way, a six conversion would be less expensive given the cost of this new powertrain.

This is generally what I was looking for, I have not seen any other information regarding the actual engine size outside of the article, so thank you for posting this. I mean, with unlimited resources....It will happen in the future.

I actually like Jalopnik, and when I read the article the first thing I thought was "I wonder if it will fit in a 914?"

The point of going with a modern Porsche engine is the same as the point of going with any engine swap--more power, often together with better driveability and more reliability. And if it's all-Porsche, you're still eligible for all PCA events which can be nice sometimes.

Heck, ask (IMG:style_emoticons/default/alien.gif) Rick why you might want to put a more modern engine in a 914...

--DD

Interesting point about the PCA events, I was not aware that level of brand cohesion was required for all cars to attend.

Anyone can attend. But compete is on another level.

[r3dplanet]

Sorry. I guess I should up my medication intake.

No, I'm not throwing names at anyone here. Just Kinja. Someone sent me a link to an article from Jalopnik a while back explaining that you should go buy a set of sockets and get someone to snap your photo for Instagram because it would be a great photo op. The point of the story is all about the claim that it's cheap to work on cars, so go buy a socket set and, you know, "wrench." So ridiculous. An automotive hobby is obviously about the most expensive hobby one can have.

In actuality I would *love* to see one the new boxer engines thrown into an older VW/Porsche. But you know, performed by adults who have tickets for the clue train.

Truth be told, I skimmed Jalopnik for quite a while until I realized what a waste of my time it was.

My rant is actually just a smaller part of a larger issue where many self-proclaimed automotive "journalists" get a disproportionate amount of reader's eyeballs. On the Internet, it doesn't take make much to claim yourself as an expert. Which is in turn related to another problem with fetishizing anything analog, often centering around the stupid term "maker culture."

Don't worry. This isn't another rant. I'll go take my meds. Move along. Maybe I'm just letting my inner Captain Krusty flow today.

[porschetub]

Sorry. I guess I should up my medication intake.

No, I'm not throwing names at anyone here. Just Kinja. Someone sent me a link to an article from Jalopnik a while back explaining that you should go buy a set of sockets and get someone to snap your photo for Instagram because it would be a great photo op. The point of the story is all about the claim that it's cheap to work on cars, so go buy a socket set and, you know, "wrench." So ridiculous. An automotive hobby is obviously about the most expensive hobby one can have.

In actuality I would *love* to see one the new boxer engines thrown into an older VW/Porsche. But you know, performed by adults who have tickets for the clue train.

Truth be told, I skimmed Jalopnik for quite a while until I realized what a waste of my time it was.

My rant is actually just a smaller part of a larger issue where many self-proclaimed automotive "journalists" get a disproportionate amount of reader's eyeballs. On the Internet, it doesn't take make much to claim yourself as an expert. Which is in turn related to another problem with fetishizing anything analog, often centering around the stupid term "maker culture."

Don't worry. This isn't another rant. I'll go take my meds. Move along. Maybe I'm just letting my inner Captain Krusty flow today.

All good with me what you said its a public worldwide forum afterall,anyone listen to the test track vids,have the Porsche guys been able to make a four sound like a six,maybe but the that flat six scream would be hard to duplicate with a four (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[rick 918-S]

I like the car. Lighter, 348 hp? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) As others have said the lineage with the 718 is a real stretch though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugi2Q972tDo...eature=youtu.be



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugi2Q972tDo&feature=youtu.be

[Mueller]

I like the car. Lighter, 348 hp? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) As others have said the lineage with the 718 is a real stretch though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugi2Q972tDo...eature=youtu.be



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugi2Q972tDo&feature=youtu.be

The new model is not that much lighter, I think 70lbs less according to the latest Panorama article for a similar equipped model

The turbo and all related parts add up weight wise.

I doubt they will do an N/A version.

[eeyore]

I am amused at the virtriol generated by Jalopnik's 'ignorance' due to a lack of reading comprehension.

When I first heard that Porsche was developing their first new production flat-four engine since the 356 era

The key element is Porsche and developing -- not 'first production car with a flat four since the 356 era'. I wouldn't consider the Type 4 a Porsche development...

Secondly, most of those up in arms about it run sixes in their cars -- mock indignation!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/stirthepot.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chair.gif)

[Mark Henry]

I am amused at the virtriol generated by Jalopnik's 'ignorance' due to a lack of reading comprehension.

When I first heard that Porsche was developing their first new production flat-four engine since the 356 era

The key element is Porsche and developing -- not 'first production car with a flat four since the 356 era'. I wouldn't consider the Type 4 a Porsche development...

Maybe not, but they did turn the 1.7/1.8 into a 2.0

[rhodyguy]

Post count means nothing.

[Bulldog9]

Man, some of you guys need to go drive your cars, get some sonshine, chill out....

Now being that I drive the ACTUAL last 'new' air-cooled 4CYL Porsche developed (1976 912E, a 1 year only model). First thing I thought when I heard of the new 4CYL Porsche motor was 'when my 2056 die or needs to be replaced 10-15 years from now, I'm replacing it with one of these)

Butt seriously (pun intended) 914World is a pretty chill place, lets keep it that way.

[EdwardBlume]

I am amused at the virtriol generated by Jalopnik's 'ignorance' due to a lack of reading comprehension.

When I first heard that Porsche was developing their first new production flat-four engine since the 356 era

The key element is Porsche and developing -- not 'first production car with a flat four since the 356 era'. I wouldn't consider the Type 4 a Porsche development...

Maybe not, but they did turn the 1.7/1.8 into a 2.0

Sure, but lets not connect the dots - the 914 became the 924, which became the 944, which begat the 968, and then over to the Boxster, which is now the 781. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/type.gif)

[rhodyguy]

There you go. Even Yoda has a place here. Like I mentioned. Loose format...(IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[EdwardBlume]

Post count means nothing.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

Nothing but wasted time... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

[sixnotfour]

How about a 4rotor Rotary ...Volvo 142 Build...Mueller ???

[rhodyguy]

the jalopnik contributor's take on rotary engines was sort of amusing. i looked at other some of his other ramblings. doubt he ever had a ride along in the last gen RX-7.

[tnchris]

the jalopnik contributor's take on rotary engines was sort of amusing. i looked at other some of his other ramblings. doubt he ever had a ride along in the last gen RX-7.

Not saying anything regarding Jalopnik's credibility as far as automotive journalism goes, but the author of that rotary engine article did a series on flipping an 93 RX-7 Twin turbo. He's done a few different flips and documented them like that. Currently he is doing a 951. Article on RX-7 Flip

[Mueller]

How about a 4rotor Rotary ...Volvo 142 Build...Mueller ???

Small world....that build is insane , he machined his own crankshaft and rotors for the motor!