3.2 Installation Options

[stevenjhuey]

I'm sure this has been discussed a thousands times before but, I just purchased a 3.2 motor for my origainal 914-6. I'd like to try and do the installation myself, is there a thread on getting this installed? Are there any tricks for getting this matted to my 901 trans or any other engine related components needed? Also any suggestion on exhuast, I'd like to keep the heater so I guess I down to the original 9164-6 heat exchangers (which I don't have), B&B or GLH aftermarket headers. Which size pipes? Should I just forget about doing it myself and take it to a shop...

Thanks in advance..Steve

[boxstr]

Steve, I too have a 3.2 911 motor, I have been bitten by the V8 bug so I am scrapping the 3.2 conversion.
But if I were to do it myself, I wouldn't. Oh you can do it and I received alot of information from people on this list who have.
If you can afford it then I would call Brad at HPH and ask him how much and then use that as your gauge.
Kennedy Engineering will have the adapters you need and then it is just a matter of figuring out the wiring, to run the DME & FI or switch to carbs.
You have a couple of items out of the way, since you have a six. The oil tank and lines, plus a little better on the suspension and braking. The gearbox is not the way to go on this conversion. You would be much better to switch to 914-4 sideshifter or have it regeared, expensive.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Craig C. Laughlin CAMP 914

[McMark]

You can use a 901 and it'll bolt right up to the 3.2, but a 915 box is really the way to go. Hopefully Brad will have some time to chime in and give the low down.

You can do the installation yourself. But like anything, the question is -- which do you have more of, money or time?

[ss6]

You don't need to be a rocket scientist to do the conversion, just have a little patience, and a few tools (one of them being a credit card). The biggest PITA from my point of view was running the oil cooler and lines. The other 2 "biggies" were installing the oil tank and the engine mount. More tedious than difficult.

I'd recommend a welded in engine mount, I did mine myself, but any reputable welder can do it in a few hours or less if you've removed the engine for him.

Wiring the engine into the existing harness has been figured out (just ask), pretty straightforward if you have the stock harness that goes between the engine and the DME box.

The 901 bolts right up, and a 901 will handle a stock 3.2 no sweat, as long as you're not planning spend your Friday nights doing burn-outs in 1st. The gearing a tad low, but quite tolerable. A side shifter (or conversion) is preferrable. Make sure you install bronze shift bushings, not the sloppy plastic ones. You'll need to install a clutch kit and either a flywheel compatible to the starter or an adaptor ring that goes on the existing 3.2's flywheel, all bolt-on stuff, probably from Kennedy (got mine from Patrick M/S, probably a re-sell of Kennedy stuff).

Doing it yourself vs writing a check depends on your checking account, how clean your garage is, how much spare time you're willing to invest, how patient your wife is, and how "hands-on" you want to be.

[SirAndy]

I'd recommend a welded in engine mount, I did mine myself, but any reputable welder can do it in a few hours or less if you've removed the engine for him.

he's got a original /6. so, no need to mess with the engine mount or oil lines or oil-cooler (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

i have seen several 3.2 conversion and for street use, the build in oil cooler is enough. if you think about AX or the like, a front mounted oil cooler is the way to go.


let's make brad aware of this thread,
Andy

[J P Stein]

Before you decide yea or nay on the external cooler, take a survey of 3.2L Carreras (84-89 911s). See how many of them have them. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[John]

All I can say is DO IT! It is a great motor for the 914, especially with the factory FI. Turn the key and run run run....

What do you want to know?

Clutch/flywheel : Kennedy
Trans: Street---901 can work (must notch belhousing for flywheel sensors) Track 915 or G50.

I left the factory FI installed and rebuilt my wiring harness to accept the DME, etc.

I would recommend a front cooler regardless of use.

Exhaust. Headers will probably be the way to go 1.75" works for me. (no heat)

Muffler: your choice.

[John]

Boxstr

I too have a 3.2 911 motor, I have been bitten by the V8 bug so I am scrapping the 3.2 conversion.

Would you like to part with your 3.2 if you are going V8? Tell me about it. I may just be interested.... I have a tub on a roticorie that needs some sort of Porsche engine....

[ss6]

he's got a original /6. so, no need to mess with the engine mount or oil lines or oil-cooler (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Don't get to see many original -6's over here on the rusty side. Guess this means the oil tank is already there too, if so, that's 2 out of 3 PITA's already done!

I'm with JP - an external oil cooler is stock on the '84-89 911's the 3.2's come from. Guess you could get the engine swap done without an external cooler first, and put it in later, but I'll bet you'll want it before very long.

You'll also probably have to replace the stock air filter box (ie with a cone filter) to get things to fit in the engine bay.

re: heat, you can shoehorn the 3.2's original heater blower in by removing the diagonal strut on the engine lid, but those heater motors have a bad habit of dying young, so stick with your original 914 blower, and stay away from the B&B headers, the HE's are a joke.

[Pesky 914]

Clutch/flywheel : Kennedy
Trans:   Street---901 can work (must notch belhousing for flywheel sensors)  Track 915 or G50.

I have a modified 3.2 (236rwhp) and still run a 901 on the track. I do have the billet intermediate plate & cooler, but that's it. The 901 really starts to have issues around 300hp (the shafts will flex, and you will break either 3rd or 4th gear). Save your $s and stick with the 901 for a stock 3.2 (plus, it's lighter too!).

[SirAndy]

You'll also probably have to replace the stock air filter box (ie with a cone filter) to get things to fit in the engine bay.

actually, just turn the upper intake manifold 180deg and everything will fit in there without cutting. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Andy

[Dave_Darling]

And to make sure everything is clear: When they tell you the engine "bolts right up" to the stock gearbox, they mean "if you go and buy the $$$ converter flywheel with the 9-bolt mounting pattern". If you want to keep the DME, you'll need to get the flywheel with the teeth for the crank position sensor as well. More $$, but you won't have to re-jet the carbs for a 3.2 motor.

Some or all of the aftermarket stainless heat exchangers don't seem to fit very well. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Some of the Six conversion "gurus" have declared that they're only going to use stock exchangers or headers from now on. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

--DD

[ss6]

actually, just turn the upper intake manifold 180deg and everything will fit in there without cutting. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Andy, got any pix of this kind of setup?

[SirAndy]

actually, just turn the upper intake manifold 180deg and everything will fit in there without cutting.  ;)

Andy, got any pix of this kind of setup?

nope, but i'm sure brad has pics somewhere ...

[TimT]

I have 3.2 powered 914/6...901 with a short stack.....

Youll need the extra oil cooler....heck the 911 has the fender cooler.... what makes anyone think a 914/ w 3.2 could live w/o the front cooler?

Mine is a track only car... so airflow isnt a problem, in a street car where you might sit in TRAFFIC for a bit , the extra thermal capacity of having a few quarts more oil, and the extra cooler cant be ignored..

More oil is a "Good Thing" as she the recently convicted says

[East coaster]

Here's pics of a flipped intake. It's on a 3.6, but I think the 3.2 is the same as far as the flip is concerned. I had to cut the two cross tubes apart (they're joined by webs in the casting) and I only flipped the top tube.........

[East coaster]

Here's a 3.2 w/ the flip done. Looks schweet!

oops! I think it's an early 3.6......sorry!

This post has been edited by East coaster: Apr 5 2004, 07:10 PM

[ss6]

Why go through all that flippin' work?

[Brad Roberts]

YES !! I love the oil cooler debates.

First off.. Kiss my ASS. (Thought I would get that out of the way)..LOL

Daily driving and even the occasional AutoX will not require an extra oil cooler over a stock 9146 cooler in a 3.0 or 3.2.

I really dont care what the 911 came with.. it also came with an engine facing backwards with half the amount of clean air available (nevermind the AC or catalytic converter and ALL the exhaust wrapped around it..including a muffler hung 3 inches from it)..

You will NEVER convince me otherwise. I can show you case after case (and let you drive the cars I'm referencing) to prove my theory.

Oh.. your 9146 tranny is fine, but you will want the 5th gear from a 4cyl box. The 9146 stock tranny has a taller second gear but a shorter 5th than the 4cyl 914 tranny.

The 914 tranny will last "awhile" but dont plan on getting attached to it.


B

[J P Stein]

First off.. Kiss my ASS. (Thought I would get that out of the way)..LOL

That would be about any where, cause you're fulla crap (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

You can't be convinced...... There's no debate as your mind is closed....you're WRONG, of course. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
No skin off your ass, you risk nothing.