6 vs 4, a different question Options

[r_towle]

So,
I had never had the chance to drive a 911 or a 914/6 before.
I now own a 3.2 carerra cab...and I must say its an impressive motor.
Quiet...no valve rap is the first thing that gets me smiling.
Second is that it has more power than I have found road to use safely.
Sure I run it up in second or third....but I never push it all the way through 5th...

So, I love the torque...what a refreshing difference.
The support for parts is very strong, and the fuel injection is simple and still quite fixable.

So, if I budget 5-8k for a type 4 monster...
OR
5-8k for an installed and running 3.2 or 3.6 motor.

Can the 6 be done for that?
I do all my own work...so labor is free.

If I could find a 4k motor, that would do the trick..I keep seeing them for 5-8k just for the motor....that is to much for me to make this leap...
a 5-8k type 4 motor would also make me smile alot...

Rich

[Cap'n Krusty]

Try 10-12K, on a budget with long wait times for "just the right deals'" to come along.

BTDT, with a $3K motor, more than once.

[SirAndy]

There are deals out there, but they are hard to come by.

$4k for a good motor might be a stretch ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

[Andyrew]

I say you go 4 cyl or go water cooled.

Pushing a 6 conversion isnt going to be in that price range.. How much did Trekkor do his for?

[SirAndy]

How much did Trekkor do his for?

I think he paid $1500 for his motor. You can wait years for a deal like that to come by ...

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[Andyrew]

I know (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I just remember he did it for a record low number.


He had to rebuild his motor after a couple of seasons no? (Wait, he went bigger right?)

[r_towle]

4k for a motor that needs head gaskets?
The early 3.6 liter ones?

Rich

[SirAndy]

4k for a motor that needs head gaskets?
The early 3.6 liter ones?

A running 3.6L is in the $8k range. I've never seen one for $4k. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chowtime.gif)

[mepstein]

Even if the engine is free:
oil lines
oil tank
engine sheetmetal
engine mount
fuel lines
engine wire harness
throttle linkage
headers
exhaust
911 fuel pump
911 starter
911 tach
911 oil guage
misc hardware
misc mods

might need carbs or DME
fan shroud on 3.2
clutch & flywheel
gaskets and seals
aux oil cooler
stronger CV's
bigger brakes
ect.

$5K +++ in parts

Just my opinion. Mark

[patssle]

Timing can affect the price. Also, what you already have or don't have. I'm in the middle of a conversion and I saved a few bunch through group buys on the engine tin and oil tank - and a Christmas sale for headers.

3.2 or 3.6 might jack the price up though, would you stick with the 901 or need to convert to a 915? I'm staying with the 901 with my 3.0L. That's about its limit (and I'll still have to be careful).

[SirAndy]

would you stick with the 901 or need to convert to a 915? I'm staying with the 901 with my 3.0L. That's about its limit

I tend to dis-agree. I've been running a stock 901 behind my 3.6L for several years now. So far, no problems at all.

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[mepstein]

I'm using a 3.2/901 combo. 901 trans is light, cheap and pretty much a bolt on.

[jmill]

I'll have 15k easy into my engine conversion before it's done. That includes over 4k for new p/c's. You could minus that if you don't need them. Chances are an engine that doesn't need them will cost you 4k more. Sad to say that cost is just to put in a peppy 2.4.

[MDG]

I paid $6750 for my 3.2 which had 32,000 kms (a little less than 20k mi.). The engine was complete and came with full harness, DME, all of the sensors etc.

Any I've seen up here for under $5k are 100k+ engines. And the parts for these are not cheap when you start replacing things like injectors (around $400 ea.) fuel rails/lines on the engine and so on.

It may or may not surprise you that the 3.2 engine already has NLA components . . . (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[avidfanjpl]

I have Thomases 2.2L and it has cost me 500 on top of the purchase price to get the Zenith's redone.

I will eventually punch it out to a larger size, but getting it running is the first priority.

I think I am like you. I need a big motor and a BIG push. I have had nothing but 2.0L Type IV's and I have a 97 Infiniti G35, and it hauls ass in 0-60.

5.4 seconds is the published speed. I think it is faster.

I think you can do a larger aircooled 6 for 6-7K minimum, but everyone else here is right, double that number you pay for the engine to get it into a 914 properly.

I had a 6 conversion that I sold overseas, and it was 6K, and I knew I needed another 10K to make it right. I punted and sold it, and got the car Thomas built. I am just finishing The Dark Knight, and it is about 5K just to make it an AX car. I am not going to do high speed events. Too much fiberglass and I am not fond of cages. Just want a go kart with nothing but cones to dodge.

Good luck, and do not lose heart! Do what you say you will, and although we all know someone on here that did a conversion, very few discount the experience.

I am thrilled just to have a 914 that has a 6 stuffed in it.

We do need to count our blessings in aircooled terms.

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John

[Elliot Cannon]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif) Everyone wants a sweet deal but no one wants this one. Go figure? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) That's OK though. Till I sell it I still get to drive it every week. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[John]

Here is what I did to do mine on the cheap......

I started making parts.

I made engine sheet metal. Sold maybe 7 sets.

I made distributor side block off plates. Sold 20+ or more.

I made engine mounts. Sold 5-6 of those.

I also sold off my unused parts to offset the costs of other parts like:

Oil Tank
Headers
Flywheel/clutch

I made other parts and scoured the internet for bits and pieces. (Pelican was a good source for 911 front ends, brakes, rear hubs, e-brake conversion parts, and other bits)

I also sold off the stock 911 3.2 exhaust and the stock 3.2 engine sheet metal. (Pelican is also a good place to sell off parts you no longer need)

I paid $6500 for a good solid 3.2 with a 90 day warranty from a salvage yard. It was complete with harnesses, tach, fuel pump, fuel lines, and I had them throw in some other good parts (coarse splined trans output flanges, etc.)

I did all my own work and I have a tally sheet that says that after buying and selling parts my installed 3.2 cost just under $4k.

I started my conversion in February 06' and was driving it in June 06'.

[John]

would you stick with the 901 or need to convert to a 915? I'm staying with the 901 with my 3.0L. That's about its limit

I tend to dis-agree. I've been running a stock 901 behind my 3.6L for several years now. So far, no problems at all.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif)

I brought this up in another thread, and they really didn't want to hear it.......

[rktmn247]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif) Everyone wants a sweet deal but no one wants this one. Go figure? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) That's OK though. Till I sell it I still get to drive it every week. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

For me it is not a question of want. I just don't have the funds. I love that car! You are a lucky man and I think the next owner will be also.

[brant]

you'd be a lot safer planning on 10 for the conversion process

I know trekkor was convinced that he could do it for 4k
I argued with him during the process.
he ended up re-doing much of his work
remember his motor mount broke twice and most of his other "rigged" attempts ended up braking also.

so I still don't think its a 4K job as I told him at the time.
I think he dropped many thousands more after he got the $4,000 version running and was faced with all of the cut corners. Plus the cheap oil thanks and 1500 motors have all gone away since that time.

brant