Six vs. Four, make a decision Options

[Mike Bellis]

A 2270 that is well built will put out enough horsepower to make a 914 an exciting daily driver without overpowering it. Small sixes are a ton of work for no HP gain, big sixes are expensive, and V8 are so overpowered that daily driving becomes a chore.

The V8 is not a chore but it is challenging. It can be a hand full on damp roads. I can't go back to a 4 after driving a V8. With my EFI it's a get in and go car. Now if I can only figure out the heater, then it would be better in the winter. Tires make a big difference with a V8. Right now I have Yokohama Advans with a tread wear of 60. Very nice in the summer, not so good in the winter with so much torque.

[DiamondD]

I am brand new to these cars. I have only had mine, a pretty nice '74 2.0, since the end of November and have only driven it three times. I really like driving through the twisties in this car and can only imagine that a 150-175 hp Four would be a whole lot of fun.

I voted Big Four and will eventually get one of Jakes kits to put in this car, or find another teener and build it just like I want without having to mess with my nice original car.

Dean

[bill pierce]

I voted big 4.

I have been into motorcycles ever since I was a kid. This taught me early on the importance of light weight.

I believe a big 4 is the ideal motor for the 914. It gives a good power to weight ratio and keeping the weight down helps in maintaining high corner speeds.

That said, a number of years ago I built a 71 240z with a 406 small block chevy and a 5 speed. In the case of the z it only added 150 lbs over the cast iron 6. It also moved the weight lower and further toward the center of the car.

I'm sticking with the big bore 4 at least for now. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)

[sean_v8_914]

big Four because:
car is purpose built to optimize class rules for target race group
weight
CG, center mass
the pride of stomping GT3s, twin turbos, 3.6s....with a 914/4
I want to do this with a car that lives in teh lower race classifications...below AR-1 cars...or IM. AM got competitive this year, wow
tire wear
cost
available parts
I would never do a six conversion with less than 220hp. my four will be close to that
I can pick it up in the shop alone

[gothspeed]

Still on track for a big four .......... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smoke.gif)

[Justinp71]

I have a 3.0 six, with webbers, cams and headers. I think this is a great setup. I think I have less into it then most do into a 180hp four cyl... This setup completely rocks!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

I also believe the value of the car goes up much more with a six than a big four...

[J P Stein]

big Four because:
car is purpose built to optimize class rules for target race group
weight
CG, center mass
the pride of stomping GT3s, twin turbos, 3.6s....with a 914/4
I want to do this with a car that lives in teh lower race classifications...below AR-1 cars...or IM. AM got competitive this year, wow
tire wear
cost
available parts
I would never do a six conversion with less than 220hp. my four will be close to that
I can pick it up in the shop alone

I've been on the 914 forums for 10-11 years. A ton of folks talk up what they are going to do with a big 4....kick ass & take names is the gereral drift. Bout as close as anyone has come is Randal & his rig......of course he has as much $$ in his motor as I have in my whole car (or damn close). He sat out last season entirely. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif) There are a few quick 4 bangers but they are more driver/chassis set up than motor and they stay well away from SCCA AX cause they go into the big dog classes. I'm still waiting. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[tornik550]

I love my big 4. I use mine for cruising around and also for autoX. Here are my reasons for my 4 preference.

1. 4 cyl is much easier to work on
2. 4 is lighter than 6
3. even though a big four is not exactly stock, there is something about having the original engine (however modified) in the car. i suppose a factory 6 would fall into this category. a car that has an engine that was meant for a different car doesn't have the same classic feel.

I can see the appeal of the various conversions however I prefer a Big Four.

[tornik550]

I have a 4,6,8 cyl Porsche (although two are not 914's). I would take my 4 cyl any day over my 911 or Cayenne Turbo. I do love my 911 and CTT- just not as much as my 914-4!!!

[tbox56]

iv got a vote for a turbo subie engine... i put a naturally aspirated in mine about a year ago and LOVE the torque curve, but would love it even more if i had 300 ponies behind my seat...

[budman5201]

iv got a vote for a turbo subie engine... i put a naturally aspirated in mine about a year ago and LOVE the torque curve, but would love it even more if i had 300 ponies behind my seat...

Just spanked a Lotus Elise not only around a dual lane onramp, but after. Turbo Subie ej20 JDM version TD05 turbo!

[BigD9146gt]

I agree with justinp71, value of car and drivability are hard to beat with a mild 6 conversion.

However...

I love my big 4. I use mine for cruising around and also for autoX. Here are my reasons for my 4 preference.

1. 4 cyl is much easier to work on
2. 4 is lighter than 6
3. even though a big four is not exactly stock, there is something about having the original engine (however modified) in the car. i suppose a factory 6 would fall into this category. a car that has an engine that was meant for a different car doesn't have the same classic feel.

I can see the appeal of the various conversions however I prefer a Big Four.

1: EEEEEAAAAAA! Wrong. change cams? split case. Oh, your talking about the clearance to adjust the valves... Holy shee-iate batman! how ever will we grind those reliefs on those turbo valve covers to get them off????
2: True, by 150lbs give or take? 911 engines will weigh from 350-450lbs... I can assure you the heavier side of that scale will be in the 993 3.6L range. Power-to-weight-ratio anyone? anyone? Reliability of that much power in a 2000lb car? anyone?
3: Bollocks. Oh no, you blew up your massive 4... you can't possibly buy another cause its not the SAME motor that it came with. Oh, its the same type 4 sure, but not the same case number. how sad. what ever will I do? scrap it mate, its all you can do now. its no longer the original motor.

You know your Cayenne was tested in BMW X5 chassis to begin with right? So your really not enjoying that car like it was originally created and tested... its not original dude, won't have that "classic feel".... scrap that too. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

EDIT: Damn, I get 4 gin and tonics in me and i'm a real negative nancy! I did love my 2.0L four, counterweighted crank, hotter cam, 40IDA webbers... first motor i built. I agree, they are fun motors. These cars were designed to have either a 4 or a 6. In 30 years time, an owner of a cheap ass 6cyl Cayenne wants to put a turbocharged 8cyl in it, but your going to say it didn't come that way and isn't "classic"? Really?

[Justinp71]

Anything you do to get a 914 close to a 10 :1 hp/wt rating makes the car fun as hell, its like driving a fast street legal go-kart.

But there is something cool about making a 914 all porsche... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) The car that never was bc porsche was scared to lose out on there 911 ass dragger (IMHO).

[tat2dphreak]

I've kinda changed my mind. big type 4 is still my first choice, but second only because of the amount of work is now a nice subaru h4

I'd love a six, but the price is just out of this world for me.

[Mark Henry]

All I know is I built for a customer a big type 4, 2.7 nickies, DTM, 150 RWHP on the chassis dyno, runs great... after all that not enough.

I was building the same engine for myself, but now I'm going to stick that in my bug and build a six.

[Root_Werks]

Keep in mind this poll/thread was started 6 years ago.

Things have changed a little for the 914 over those 6 years.

Back then I would have screamed "Make them all sixes!"

These days, I'm happy to find one that isn't a rusty bucket and mostly stock.

99% of the "sixes" I've seen, done, driven don't have heaters, noisy as all hell, stink like a gas can (most aren't FI'd) and don't have much more than 150-180hp.

Sure, there are a few that have had over 200hp or a few that have had heat, but not many.

I recall spending some 2g's in BB SS 914-6 heater boxes thinking, "this was probably the worst $2k I think I've ever spent on a single (well pair) part"

Give me a totally stock 914-6 with stock heaters and I think I'd be one happy dude.

But since I don't have that kind of cheese, I'm a happy dude with a stock 2.0 and then happy again maybe upping to a 2270 at some point. 140hp 914-4 would be just as much fun as any little 2.0-2.4 914-6 conversion I've ever done.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

Plus I already have SSI's, ahhhhh, heat!

[Bleyseng]

yeah Dan, 8-10 years ago I was starting my stash of six parts. In the meanwhile I took my 2L apart to make it a 2056 with a Raby FI cam just so I could enjoy it more. Love that combination! Sold off the six parts, you bought the engine...and started my BigFour parts stash which I still have....but I am in love with my 120hp four with heat, starts in 15F weather (this last winter), cruises at 100mph all day on my drives to visit friends far away and if my arm holds up I can AX again and do okay.
yes, it won't blow the doors of a lot of cars but I am past that...but with its suspension setup I can out turn nearly anyone on a track but they will pass me on the straights (Eddie914) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chair.gif) .
I have great heat too! plus its quiet enough I can talk to Monique on drives to Southern Oregon and get 30mpg.

[Justinp71]

Each to his own I guess... I have a carb'd 3.0 and I love it. Its great and fast, like nothing else I have driven. I'd drive it everyday if it had a/c... dont really need the heat on the westcoast valley.

It does stink a little but not too bad, IMHO because most carbed cars dont have the gas tank vented to the engine and they remove the distributor timing advance (my car is pretty much missing both (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) ), both could be corrected.

[Van914]

Justinp71,
I have the same combo in my car too. The 3.0 with P.M.O.carbs and Headers is a blast on the street and track. I had my distributor redone by Barry at I.A.E Inc. He is in Detroit and does a great job in recurving and getting the timing correct. Call him at 313-532-5350. He know Porsches and what to change. No guess work.
Van914

[thomasotten]

Three or four years ago, I was able to get a Raby kit for under $4k. Now, they are much more expensive. Better, I am sure. But it seems that the upsurge in prices for a hopped up 4 may have shifted this debate, other things remaining constant. Does the under $4-5k kit still exist?

I am very happy with the performance of my 2056, by the way. It is just perfect for the little car.