My ongoing /6 vs. big /4 debate - an illustrated approach, Or, "Why I love driving around Bend, OR" Options

[Lavanaut]

I have an almost stock '74 2.0 that I love. Owned it for just over a year, what a fun car! It drives like it was designed for my little town of Bend, Oregon. Here's why:



If you notice, (one of) my favorite brew pubs is in the upper-left corner. My house is down south of the lower right. Between the two? 4 miles of twisty, turny roads including 6 large traffic circles (one of them wouldn't fit into the image). These are big traffic circles, single lane, that work well to keep traffic flowing. When I first got my car with it's stock-size tires, I could easily break the rear of the car loose going around these things (they're big, as evidenced by the cars in the image). This is a really fun drive, one I do all of the time. And this is the basis for the broader subject of this post. I love my stock 2.0, but I crave more power and torque! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rocking nana.gif)

So, I know the /6 vs. big /4 debate has been done to death. But perhaps applied to this particular situation, we civilized adults might be able to choose a clear winner. See the thing is, the above driving route is absolutely typical of the use my teener sees. Rarely am I driving more than 65 mph, and 85% of the time it's less than 45 mph.

So I ask ~ is it even possible to get my money's worth out of a /6? I'm convinced a big /4 (Raby 2046 or 2270) would be right at home in these conditions. But still, a low-mileage, matching numbers factory /6 is appealing to me for performance, aesthetic, and collectible reasons. You can't change my mind there. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) But I've yet to drive one, and I'm not sure it'd my a good choice for me and my traffic circle time trials...

It's Friday! Cheers all! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Reid

ps: To those of you that I've spoken to about this topic directly, thanks for your input to date, and for the patience. It's almost final decision time. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/boldblue.gif)

[McMark]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

There is no clear winner. Power/HP/Torque is available regardless of platform so IMHO, that's out. To me, the decision comes down to installation labor. I'd rather bolt a big four into a car in an afternoon than spend months of downtime building up a six.

AVOID THE JACKSTANDS!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Soooo, let the games being. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

[Lavanaut]

Thanks McMark. To clarify (and it wasn't clear (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)), I'm looking at converting to a big /4 or selling my '74 and buying an original, factory /6 to KEEP original.

Reid

[blitZ]

OK, so what time to we meet at your pub? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

[mike_the_man]

Buy the six! I have no real justification for that, I just think a real six is super cool! Though a Raby 4 is pretty badass as well. That's a pretty rough spot you're in to have to make a decision like that! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Lavanaut]

OK, so what time to we meet at your pub? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

It's pretty much happy hour in Georgia anyway right? See you there in 15?

Buy the six! I have no real justification for that, I just think a real six is super cool! Though a Raby 4 is pretty badass as well.

Hey Mike it sounds like our take on the topic is pretty similar! I appreciate your reply, I too digress beyond my personal opions such as "cool" and "badass". (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[iamchappy]

I use to spend summers at ski racing camp at Mt Bachelor, and my daughter is going to school at the academy now. The wife will be there in a few weeks visiting her, and whitewater rafting.

I have a 3.1 turbo charged six and had a 2.0 - 4, I would not enjoy going back to the 4.

Nothing wrong with the 4, I like the 6's better.

[pffft]

IF by keeping it original you mean leaving it as a 2.0 T motor,
the stock 2.0 six will sound better and be smoother than a big four.
Not much else in it. They weigh more, cost more to live with and
come in older cars that don't have the ongoing updates later 4s got.

BUT, having had a stock four, two big fours and a mild 2.4 six, I really
really prefer the sound and feel of the six.

patrick

[PanelBilly]

Problems like this are easy to fix. Get one of each! If times are bad and money gets tight; put them both up for sale and then give up the one that sells first. That way you don't need to decide between them.

And not to wish you bad luck, but if you end up putting them both for sale, save my name because I want to be the first shopper in line. That way I get to test drive them back to back.

[smj]

Here's a different question -- if you get an original factory /6 and wish to preserve it, are you really going to feel comfortable hanging the tail out around rotaries?

I was looking for a conversion /6 because when I looked at good original /6's, I could already feel the burden of preservation looming in my mind. "Don't touch the fenders, do you know how few unmolested originals are left???" "You can't touch that engine, it's a numbers-matching original! You keep that displacement right at 1,991 cc, mister!"

When this modified factory /6 turned up I decided to go for it. My thinking was that I'd feel more comfortable modifying it further, as the original sins weren't mine. But of course, either way I still need a large pile of $$$ to do these things... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Anyway, I'd suggest you meditate upon whether or not you'd even be able to stomach risking a preservationist factory /6 on some serious traffic circle time trials.

[smj]

"Problems like this are easy to fix. Get one of each!"

Heh -- I wish it were that simple! But now the two teeners compete with each other, the 944S, and the house for funding. Imagine if I actually had a family in the mix! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[IronHillRestorations]

Mark has a good point about down time.

My "patented" statement is "I don't know anyone who's converted to a six, and said I should have just kept it a four".

Funding is a consideration, however from my perspective the price of a good used six (although finding one can take time) vrs a big hot four isn't that much difference, unless you want a 3.6 or a fully rebuilt fresh six. A rebuild on a six IS expensive, so getting a truly good ready to rock used engine is critical.

The six does require a pretty good pile of spendy parts to make it work; oil system, throttle linkage, exhaust, extra oil cooler if needed, clutch, etc.

Finally, you can't approach either upgrade with the hopes of someday selling the car and getting your investment back. You get the investment back with (another of my "patented" statements) "Miles of smiles". Of course if you are young and keep your 914 long enough, prices are gradually increasing.....

[scotty]

I don't think Bend isn't so little anymore (compared to 30 years ago anyway... Damn, I'm old! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) ) ...although the good news is that you can find good beer there now (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)

You have a tough choice...flip a coin! I have to agree with Patrick though, I do like the sound of a six. However, I HATE the crap they put in gas these days that seems to turn to gel in my carbs more quickly than it used to. At least they're easy to clean.

Either way, both should be good for an occasional blast down HWY 31 to Lands That Time Has Forgotten (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

[degreeoff]

Six, six, six, six....six, six, six.......six, six......sixes are SICK!

On ride in a 200hp six...now Johny Blackstains car and I HAD to HAVE one! (oops! I mean build one)

Josh

[BK911]

I've gone back and forth several times between a -6 and -4. As of now, I plan on building up a ~125 hp -4. Nothing too extreme, just a little something to help me pass people when necessary.

I am fortunate in that I have several -6's just lying around in my garage, but I just can't justify the price of the conversion parts. They will almost cost as much as upgrading the -4. Then add in the cost for the 5-lug conversion and brake upgrade, and you could have had a 911. Decent SC's are approaching the $10k range.

My first 911 was a 71T Targa, which had 125 hp and was an absolute blast to drive. The same hp in a lighter, mid-engined car would have to be just at fun, but I am thinking more so.

Just my $0.03.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

[anthony]

Best bang for the buck IMO is a hot 2056 with a mild cam. Everybody should get a ride in one just to see what a 50% boost in torque feels like. Can you say "scratch the tires in 2nd gear"? IMO, it makes a 914 the car it should have been from the factory.

Personally, I don't think the six makes a lot sense until you go the big six route (3L+). But then cubic dollars are involved at every step of the way.

[degreeoff]

Best bang for the buck IMO is a hot 2056 with a mild cam. Everybody should get a ride in one just to see what a 50% boost in torque feels like. Can you say "scratch the tires in 2nd gear"? IMO, it makes a 914 the car it should have been from the factory.

Personally, I don't think the six makes a lot sense until you go the big six route (3L+). But then cubic dollars are involved at every step of the way.

I have to disagree....Big six little six no difference...what you lose on one hand you gain on another torque VS rev's....the difference is in the "way" the engine feels...I had the 2056.....cost a fair penny in and of itself to put together, still a VW bus engine. The guy's I know who build class racers her spend 10K to have there 180hp 4 cyl race motor built every year because it just won't last....The six will

The Porsche 6 is unique AND will fetch every bit of the $$ in when you sell (done properly)

But what do I know......ONLY that a ride in the 200hp 2.7 made every 4 I'd ever ridden in (let alone other cars) feel SOOOO inferior....well there was the 2000 M5...but we are talkin banana's and limes


Ok I am done (IMG:style_emoticons/default/yellowsleep[1].gif)

[Johny Blackstain]

"Problems like this are easy to fix. Get one of each!"

Heh -- I wish it were that simple! But now the two teeners compete with each other, the 944S, and the house for funding. Imagine if I actually had a family in the mix! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) , get both... I know what I'm talking about (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif) . Sell the wife, sell the kids, sell the house... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

[degreeoff]

Now Johny....which one do you like best? Be honest now......

OK now I am REALLY done....

[Johny Blackstain]

Now Johny....which one do you like best? Be honest now......

OK now I am REALLY done....

They really are 2 different beasts. The four comes w/ a little sway bar up front & a bigger one in the back. The six is the opposite- big in the front & small in the back. One is ultra nimble & one is ultra fast... I feel like an Arab w/ multiple wives (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)