engine builder recommendation Options

[joef]

Hi

Im new to forums. Hopefully I do this one right

I acquired a 1970 914 1.7 FI from a good friend that passed away last year.

Its a bit rough! It sat from 2005, some of the time was in a garage and the rest outside.
Looking to have the motor rebuilt and wanted to hear from others on where to go. I prefer to stay in California but would consider outside of California

Id like to have 170-180 HP, and it be a turnkey motor

Thanks
Joe

[Coondog]

Fat performance in Orange. But I would make sure everything else in the car is in top shape before I spend the 12,000 plus for a FP turnkey motor.

[joef]

Fat performance in Orange. But I would make sure everything else in the car is in top shape before I sent the 12,000 plus for FP turnkey motor.

thanks
ill look them up

[Elliot Cannon]

FAT Performance built my 2.2 liter type four for just less than $7000. The only parts I brought them was a crank case, crank and two 2 liter heads. They built me an engine that produced 147 horse power on the dyno and is still going strong after 13 years. http://fatperformance.com/home/

[Cairo94507]

Sorry about the passing of your friend. Congratulations of the new 914. Others have commented on, and I want to strongly recommend that you evaluate the entire car before you jump into a high HP engine build. Look for chassis rust and address all of that first. Get your brakes, fuel and electrical systems all up to speed so they are safe and reliable. The engine rebuild will be the easy part since you are out-sourcing the job. Have the chassis all ready to accept the rebuilt engine when the time comes. You will be much happier in the end.

Finally, read a ton of threads re taking the Type 4 engines out to that kind of power. I personally believe, depending upon what your intended use is, that a nice 2056 build with stock FI is the best approach for upgrading the 4 cylinder cars - unless you go all in and do a 6 conversion (add $10-15K to the build).

Mostly, develop a plan and stick to it. Way to many builds get started and then abandoned and sold off as the scope of the project was not fully realized until it go under way. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

[McMark]

Damn, I didn't even make the list. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[Coondog]

Damn, I didn't even make the list. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Because you moved out of Calif..... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[Larmo63]

European Motor Works is also a good company to look at. Jorge knows his stuff on type IV motors.

[ConeDodger]

Damn, I didn't even make the list. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Can you wait until I get up? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) I'm on vacation for Pete's sake! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

McMark at Original Customs is one of the best. Pull your motor, palatize it, call freight quote. I'd say there are 100 plus OC motors running around 914World...
He's reasonably priced, very good, and even the shipping is not that bad.

[theleschyouknow]

Damn, I didn't even make the list. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Can you wait until I get up? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) I'm on vacation for Pete's sake!

McMark at Original Customs is one of the best. Pull your motor, palatize it, call freight quote. I'd say there are 100 plus OC motors running around 914World...
He's reasonably priced, very good, and even the shipping is not that bad.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)
IF I ever get my s together and the $ I'd love to go 2056/stock fi, & when/if I do it I will likely ship it to Mark at OC

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
cjl

[Mr.Nobody]

Just curious, where in California are you? You may have some knowledgeable people right around the corner from you that can help get you headed in the direction you want.

[0396]

Great recommendations here. One thing that has not been addressed. What's the price point for this rebuild?
Some say shipping is reasonable, like what ? $300 one way?
So the OP walk away $ for the rebuild will have to be established.
If I had an year to wait for a rebuild and unlimited funds, I would have Jake build me a four cylinder.
Value equation...

[Elliot Cannon]

Damn, I didn't even make the list. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Because you moved out of Calif..... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Because you moved to another planet. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[forrestkhaag]

Sorry about the passing of your friend. Congratulations of the new 914. Others have commented on, and I want to strongly recommend that you evaluate the entire car before you jump into a high HP engine build. Look for chassis rust and address all of that first. Get your brakes, fuel and electrical systems all up to speed so they are safe and reliable. The engine rebuild will be the easy part since you are out-sourcing the job. Have the chassis all ready to accept the rebuilt engine when the time comes. You will be much happier in the end.

Finally, read a ton of threads re taking the Type 4 engines out to that kind of power. I personally believe, depending upon what your intended use is, that a nice 2056 build with stock FI is the best approach for upgrading the 4 cylinder cars - unless you go all in and do a 6 conversion (add $10-15K to the build).

Mostly, develop a plan and stick to it. Way to many builds get started and then abandoned and sold off as the scope of the project was not fully realized until it go under way. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

Agree with the plan and sticking to it.

For Type 4, I would not consider undertaking a rebuild without having a discussing with Jorge at European Motorwerks per Larmo63's note. His (,....not Larmo's (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif) ) work is reliable, warranteed, on time, and very competitive / certainly not 7 grand.

Good Luck

[euro911]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) I'd add European Motor Works to you list of possible candidates.

My friend Richard (Type 4 Unleashed) assembled my 2056 at EMW while I was recuperating from some surgeries. I already had some parts (case, crank, KB pistons, a Raby cam, and heads), had EMW perform the machine work (drill & tap the oil galleys, polish the crank, valve guides, seats,) and I purchased the remaining parts from them as well (SS valves, rods, chromoly push rods, 911 swivel foot adjusters, oil pump, gaskets, etc.).

It was several years ago but that build was right around $4k all totaled up.





Richard and I are currently building a 1.9L for one of my other cars right now ... I haven't totaled the receipts yet, but I'm sure it will be quite affordable.


... and (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

[Alphaogre]

If you are down in the SD area, Mike Mulligan at MRD. He built mine up and does everything from hot rodded motors to full race and race prep.

http://www.mulliganracing.com/

[Dave_Darling]

170-180 HP is not going to be a cheap and easy build. Nor is it needed in the 914, IMHO. These cars were originally designed around an 80 HP motor, and had fairly minimal updates in the parts that cope with power. Plus they weigh very little.

I know from personal experience that 250 HP in a 914-6 is enough to give most people a "code brown" moment, and makes it very very difficult to keep the back end in back unless you have really wide tires.

These cars are fun with the stock power levels. They're more fun with the ~120 HP that is easy to get from a 2056cc motor. I think that over 150, they start getting a bit scary. Plus they start needing better brakes, better suspension, and so forth.

--DD

[joef]

Thanks for all these replies.. I honestly didn't think I get this many but glad I did..
There is some rust within the floor pan and lower firewall. All which will be addressed

[euro911]

Looks like a good start, Joe. What part of California are you located in?

[joef]

Looks like a good start, Joe. What part of California are you located in?

San Jose area
South Bay