Opinions on big six drivability, 3.0, 3.2, 3.3T, and 3.6 Options

[r_towle]

What are your opinions on the best balanced motor (larger 6) for the 914.

This is not a 4-6 debate...just an overall opinion of how you think the cars handle and drive with the larger motors.

I know Sir Andy has a 3.6, not sure if there are others.
Andy, what is your opinion...is it to much motor for a 914? To heavy?
Autox now not a fun sport with the large motor?

Figure a flared car, but not a super flared car.
Rich

[mepstein]

I know when I drove the narrow body 3.2 euro six with motronic, I decided right then and there it was the engine for my car.

[d914]

3.0 at 180
3,2 at 215

both doable , plenty of power but also livable..

Ive driven a 3.6 914,,,,,,, damn!!!!!!!

[underthetire]

I drove a 3.2 flared car, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) I had wood for a week.

[shoguneagle]

I am doing a project 914 Sixer with a 3.2. I am doing it because of the Motronic fuel injection and I live at 7,000 ft. part of the time. I still like the 2.0, 2.2, and 2.4 with Webbers. If I still lived all year round in California, I would have a 1970 with one of those engines and Webbers. I guess I am from the "old school" which means there is nothing like glass packs and carbs to create the "sound". Light car with great exhaust sounds.

To specifically answer your question, I think the 3.2 is ideal along either a 3.0 or a 3.6 as second possibilities.

Steve Hurt

[MDG]

My 3.2 is on a stand waiting. Most of the paint is done and I'll do all the assembly over the winter. I must admit I loved the old 2.2 with Webers - what a sound!

But the added power of the 3.2 and having the Motronic for cold and damp mornings - anyone who has started a carb car in the late fall knows - to me it's the perfect combination.

I thought of the 3.6 but found the 3.2 out of a wreck with only 32k kilometers on it and couldn't pass it up.

[scotty b]

3.0 SC for price

3.6 for performance

3.2 for price and performance

I love a 3.0 but the improvement in driveability with the 3.2 is so much nicer (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[IronHillRestorations]

The 3.2 Motronic engine is a great way to go, no clogged jets, no fouled plugs, reach in and turn the key.

The only complaint I had about my 3.0 carb'd conversion was the idle jets, and the occasional fouled plug. As far as driveablilty, the first time my wife drove the car she started from a dead stop IN 3RD GEAR! It didn't jack rabbit, just a little low end rumble. The 3.0 with carbs is way easier and fewer specialty parts.

[rfuerst911sc]

I really like my 3.0 with Weber carbs. Simple with good power and driveability. However when going carbs if you have the coin go PMO vs. Webers. I have PMO's on my 83SC with the same 3.0 and the difference between the two carb setups is quite noticeable. The Webers are a pain in the ass in the cold. The PMO's are a pain for 20-30 seconds then smooth right out and drive great.

[Drums66]

.....3.2 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif)(drive 1 you'll love it!)

[patssle]

I really like my 3.0 with Weber carbs. Simple with good power and driveability. However when going carbs if you have the coin go PMO vs. Webers. I have PMO's on my 83SC with the same 3.0 and the difference between the two carb setups is quite noticeable. The Webers are a pain in the ass in the cold. The PMO's are a pain for 20-30 seconds then smooth right out and drive great.

So what is "cold" when you guys say carbs have trouble? I've started my /4 with dual Webers and it starts like a charm in the upper 40 degrees. Hell they always start like a charm, even after sitting for months.

[scotty b]

I really like my 3.0 with Weber carbs. Simple with good power and driveability. However when going carbs if you have the coin go PMO vs. Webers. I have PMO's on my 83SC with the same 3.0 and the difference between the two carb setups is quite noticeable. The Webers are a pain in the ass in the cold. The PMO's are a pain for 20-30 seconds then smooth right out and drive great.

So what is "cold" when you guys say carbs have trouble? I've started my /4 with dual Webers and it starts like a charm in the upper 40 degrees. Hell they always start like a charm, even after sitting for months.

I regret to inform you sir but you have been had. You do not have a set of Weber carbs. What you have is a Honda.

[SirAndy]

I know Sir Andy has a 3.6, not sure if there are others.
Andy, what is your opinion...is it to much motor for a 914? To heavy?
Autox now not a fun sport with the large motor?

Too much? No ...
Too heavy? No ...
Fun at AX? Yes ...


A few things about the 3.6L:

First, it's not too much power but it will get you in trouble quicker than you can say 'Holy shit'.
You have to be smooth and careful. Especially on wet roads.

You'll need some rubber. I only run 225x7 street tires and i can spin those at will in any of the lower gears. Again, smooth is the key.

AX is still fun, but i had to relearn about everything i thought i knew.
Remember when they taught you to look ahead a turn and set your car up for it? Well, those days are over. There literally is NO time between corners, let alone time to set up anything. If you don't nail your line coming out of a corner you WILL be in the wrong place for the next one. There is no time for correction ...

Once you hit about 4500 rpm, you're just hanging on for the ride. That thing pulls like crazy up to the rev limiter and still wants to go ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

The low end torque of the 3.6 makes for a wonderful daily driver. Get's good highway mileage too. I average about 24Mpg, and i don't baby that car. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/cheer.gif)

[Maltese Falcon]

T4 2.0 with euro pistions , great momentum car on the track, 30 mpg on steady cruise and stone reliable.
Marty

[r_towle]

T4 2.0 with euro pistions , great momentum car on the track, 30 mpg on steady cruise and stone reliable.
Marty

I have done the /4 thing...getting bored with it.
Looking for a deal on a /6 motor and the prices seem decent now...

I am looking for this type of car...quoted by Andy

First, it's not too much power but it will get you in trouble quicker than you can say 'Holy shit'.

Rich

[Maltese Falcon]

3.3 biturbo in the 6...DON'T do it. Too much for a daily driver. On Sundays the roads are open and that's a different story.
Marty

[rick 918-S]

IMHO there is no such thing as too much engine. Just lack of traction both in excelleration, decelleration and lateral direction. If you set the car up to handle the increase in HP and torque you'll be good to go.

[r_towle]

One ebay (which I find tends to have higher prices than most places)
A 3.6 can be had for 5-7k
A 3.3 Turbo is 8-10k now.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[ChrisFoley]

Too much? No ...
Too heavy? No ...

First, it's not too much power but it will get you in trouble quicker than you can say 'Holy shit'...

Once you hit about 4500 rpm, you're just hanging on for the ride. That thing pulls like crazy up to the rev limiter and still wants to go ...

The low end torque of the 3.6 makes for a wonderful daily driver...

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) with all of the above.
If you have the budget go for it.

[iamchappy]

I think a 2.8 would be interesting, that said my 3.1 turbo is great around town off boost, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/w00t.gif) on boost