Power and Reliability, Why dont they go hand in hand????? Options

[ne14914]

As usual, when I have a question, I come to the experts.

My birthday is June 5th and I should have about 3500.00 saved, and I am ready to start my project of building a strong, reliable, fast 2 litre. In the past I asked questions about adding turbo, building a BIG motor and what I came away with was - anything over 2.2 would not be a reliable car, and adding a turbo definitely would not be reliable.

Well I met two guys this morning, both have 914's, one with a turbo charger, and the other with a 2.5 with 48 webers (talk about a kick _ss ride) and both "claim" they use their cars as daily drivers and have about the same problems anyone else has with stock cars. The guy with 2.5 told me the only problem he has is he needs to adjust the valves on his car more than normal and that he had to add a really big oil cooler. The guy with the turbo to me he has to maintain the pressure of the turbo (forgive me - i dont know the exact terms he was using) but it was no big deal.

While I was not thinking of building anything as big as a 2.5 or adding a turbo, after riding in their cars - what a RUSH! I got back in my little 1.7, and felt like I was in a snail mobile.

So I am seeking the counsel of my friends here at the forum: First off - has anyone had a turbo, and what problems did you have if any? While I appreciate EVERYONES FEEDBACK, I am really looking for someone who has experienced the pro's and cons of owning a turbo powered 914, not just here say. Also, for those that have those really BIG motors out there - what problems do you have - other than you can get 100,000 miles off the motor? And I guess my bigger question is - why cant you get 100,000 miles out of a bigger motor if it was put together properly?

Thank guys - I appreciate the feedback.

[Qarl]

Power and reliability DO go hand in hand... a 3.0L -six makes nice power and will last forever if well maintianted.

The problem is that most people try and get more power out of an engine that isn't designed for it.

So.. in order to push an engine that was designed to put out 100 HP (your air cooled flat four), you have to start taking things to the extreme (headwork, special alloy P&Cs, aggressive cams, carbs, balancing, etc. All that costs money, and most people don't want to fork out the cash like Davd D.said.

The real question is...

What's the best bang for the buck for your situation?

Get a nice running 2.0L with Fuel Injection. Find something with a documented history and better yet, drive in the car, before it is removed.

Install the European P&Cs (higher compression) or the larger 96mm pistons (to make it a 2056), tweek the FI, install stainless heater boxes, and a bettter muffler (Bursch or Triad) and you can get 100 to 105 HP which feels awesome. If you are driving a 1.7 or 1.8, you WILL notice the difference. Plus, you'll get good gas mileage.

Learn to work on the car and maybe upgrade the master cylinder and brake lines.

Play with the suspension and learn to DRIVE the car.

Whatever you do, don't stick any American iron in that baby, or don't try and put a rice engine in it.

Keep it German!