914 to 914-6: High Treason?, Should I convert my mint 2.0? Options

[Technicolored Horrors]

Hello everyone. I am the proud second owner of a '76 914 2.0. It has been in the custody of my Dad and me since 1987. It is close to mint condition. It has 57,000 original miles. I replaced the goofy gigantic steering wheel and the wheels - other than that it is all original. The paint is near perfect, there is no rust and there are no known mechanical issues.

My first world problem is this: I have always wanted a 6. I want more off-the-line speed. I want that perfect sleeper. Given how few nearly-perfect 914 specimens there are out there, is it dumb/treasonous for me to consider converting my 2.0 to a 6? If it is not, can any of you give me a ballpark of what such a conversion, done correctly, would cost? Thank you for your opinions.

[Larmo63]

Probably best to leave it alone, but I'm putting a six in my pretty nice '73 2.0.

Hard to say, post pictures if you want the full forum treatment.

[horizontally-opposed]

To each their own, and the passage of time may make this personal opinion—and that's all it is—seem less than smart, but...

If we were talking about a clean, super original example of the most desirable 914-4s, such as a 1973-1974 2.0, or even an insanely original 1973 1.7, I'd have a tough time with a six conversion. But I tend to view the big-bumper 1975-1976 914s as the best basis for a hot rod, as they had all the final updates and are really nice, well sorted cars yet not as desirable in the market's eyes—mainly due to the big bumpers. And if you delete those, you've already started cutting the car... With your 1976 car, you have the movable passenger seat, the later vents, the good windows and top (even if they come with the heavier/safer doors), the relocated fuel pump, and other improved bits. You lose some cool early 914 features, such as silver-dot gauges, but these can be added back if you wish. And you say the car doesn't need bodywork or paint, or interior work? Yum.

And you say it has family history, so it isn't likely to be for sale, either? I wouldn't think twice. Well, except for one thing: A hot Type IV might give you the juice you're after without making major mods. If you are inclined to keep the stock bumpers, then I'd call Jake for a healthy Type IV. I almost went that route, until an old friend convinced me to convert my mildly modded 1973 1.7 to a 2.2 six. The sound alone makes the conversion worthwhile to me, but I still need to sort a lot about the car...it isn't quite the flickable thing it was as a four—I can feel the added weight, and the car now feels more serious. Exotic and special, too, but some of the light-heartedness was lost in the bargain. No regrets, but be aware there are tradeoffs.

YMMV! Have fun with your car.

[horizontally-opposed]

Oh yeah...



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[McMark]

Cruise up to Grand Rapids before the snow comes and you can take a look at a 3.2 conversion.

The engine is the biggest cost. 3.2 prices have gone up quite a bit. Consider $9000 and if you can get one for less, great. Smaller engines can be had for cheaper, but your savings can quickly evaporate if repairs are necessary. That being said, most 3.2 engines are in need of a top end rebuild now.

Oil tank is about $1200 complete.
Exhaust is about $700.
Engine tin is $1000.
Clutch conversion components $600.
Motor mount is $400.
Muffler is $500.

That's about $4500 in conversion parts.

Front oil coolers are a good idea, that's around $1500.
6-cylinder tach is on the list too.

As far as labor is concerned, you'll need to:
-Weld in the motor mount.
-Remove the 4-cyl mounts (not necessary, but nice).
-Convert the wiring and mount the ECU/DME.
-For a 3.2, notch the transmission for the crank trigger sensors.
-Adapt the shifter.
-Plumb the oil system.
-Install the front oil cooler.
-Engine maintenance: valve clearances, reseal intake, replace fuel lines, etc.
-Adapt the throttle cable/linkage.
-Convert the on-engine oil cooler for 914.

This is a fairly complete list, but by no means exhaustive. An earlier carbed engine with a documented rebuild can be converted a bit easier (no wiring, no front oil cooler).

[N_Jay]

Hello everyone. I am the proud second owner of a '76 914 2.0. It has been in the custody of my Dad and me since 1987. It is close to mint condition. It has 57,000 original miles. I replaced the goofy gigantic steering wheel and the wheels - other than that it is all original. The paint is near perfect, there is no rust and there are no known mechanical issues.

My first world problem is this: I have always wanted a 6. I want more off-the-line speed. I want that perfect sleeper. Given how few nearly-perfect 914 specimens there are out there, is it dumb/treasonous for me to consider converting my 2.0 to a 6? If it is not, can any of you give me a ballpark of what such a conversion, done correctly, would cost? Thank you for your opinions.

Keep your super clean car original, and get one that already has been modded a bit (Or needs some work) to convert.

[Mikey914]

Keep your car stock and drive.
Get a second and build your fire breathing dragon!

[Larmo63]

I'm right in the middle of McMark's dissertation, physically and financially.

Not for the poor or faint of heart.

[infraredcalvin]

This also doesn't include upgraded brakes to stop the "go" or 5 lug wheels if you want to complete the package. Slope gets slippery fast.

[Coondog]

If you have the money then make the switch...... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) But get rid of those horrendous bumpers first..... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[JeffBowlsby]

Why bastardize a beautiful original 914/4 with sentimental value, only to make a bastardized non-original wanna-be 914/6?

The 914/4 is only original once so don't blow it. If you want a 6, save your beans and get a 6. Or buy someone else's conversion.

[injunmort]

your car do what you want. having said that. a 2/3 owner low milage 914 will be worth more now and later left as it is. you could probably get a pretty good tub and convert to a 6 for similar money. my experience has been that a conversion does does not recoup the cost of doing it. you can easily spend $15000.00 converting your 10-12000.00 car to a six. i traded a a motorcylce for a running 1970 911t sporto and a 1974 914 2.0l with the intention of doing a conversion. with all good running motor i calculated 8-10000 in parts that i would have to get and and alot of rehab on the 914. redoing the 911 as original and just building a 2.0l hot rod out of the 914 would be cheaper and more econimically beneficial.

[Chris914n6]

A mint stock car will be more valuable in the future.

A 200hp car will need brake upgrades, which means 5 lug susp swap and new wheels. Then you will want fatter tires to hold the power and you're tempted to flare the rear fenders, which means new paint. So at this point you might as well just buy a converted car that already has everything it needs.

Then there is the thing where 200hp is fun but only for a while, then it's upgrade time to bigger everything lol.

So yah, drive it today and be happy you can. Many of us are stuck in upgrade land.

[OllieG]

Keep your car stock and drive.
Get a second and build your fire breathing dragon!

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[euro911]

Keep your car stock and drive.
Get a second and build your fire breathing dragon!

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(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) ... me too.

I have a back-dated '75 with a 2.1L /4 for the hot rod, and a stock '71 1.7L, although we're mildly increasing displacement to 1.9L, and some reversible cosmetic upgrades (wheels & exhaust).

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[mepstein]

Doesn't make sence to date blondes if you really like brunettes.
Do the six if that's where your head is.
If you want a really nice conversion, set aside $20K+
That's just for parts. Find someone who knows how to do the conversion.
Plan it all out, order what you need and get it done so your driving next summer.
Jake Raby charges $20k for his 4 cylinder engines, so no savings there, just a different path.

[socal1200r]

"...Jake Raby charges $20k for his 4 cylinder engines, so no savings there, just a different path."

That alone would make me want to leave my '73 1.7L original. The only non-original thing I can see on the car is the exhaust and stereo head unit, both of which I think are acceptable "upgrades". I plan on putting on one of those quad-tip Monza exhausts, hopefully to get a combo of a little bit more hp and those nice looking quad tips poking out the back. But other than that, it is what it is.

I'd have to agree with the others that have chimed in for keeping that one alone, if anything for sentimental value. Get another one that either has the engine conversion already done, or one that can be used for the conversion project.

I've seen some V8 conversions that have used the 215 Buick/Rover engine, instead of the typical SBC, and those have piqued my interest, lol! But going that route adds an extra complication factor for the cooling system, among other things. Whenever my brain starts going down that path, I just pop the hood on my V8 Sonoma and that train stops!

It's your car, do what you want with it. But I'd leave it alone, enjoy it for what it is, and if you really want a 6, get one that's already been converted.

[mb911]

I am not a huge fan of the type 4 mostly because of sound which is weird.. But that's what kills the experience for me no matter what exhaust you have it also the same reason I would never own a wrx. I am currently working on my own conversion on a car that was rough and is a long term conversion.. I don't feel bad at all cutting it up as there is nothing left original.

Now that said I make a good amount of the conversion parts to do the job that I sell to world members and beyond and can give you an approximate cost.

Oil tank and filler neck with oil filter console is $850
Heat exchangers currently 1650 but heading to 1900 shortly
Engine mount 300
Engine sheet metal 400

[mb911]

I guess my point is you should do it if you want to you only live once.

[malcolm2]

Why bastardize a beautiful original 914/4 with sentimental value, only to make a bastardized non-original wanna-be 914/6?

The 914/4 is only original once so don't blow it. If you want a 6, save your beans and get a 6. Or buy someone else's conversion.

If you want a PROJECT, then you might try to find a car that needs a small amount of repair... maybe $5000 car. Then start converting.

Or I like Jeff's idea, to buy one with a 6 in it.

They might not be required, but you should add a 5 lug conversion to McMark's list. Just guessing, but that could be $1500 plus the 5 lug wheels for another $1000 minimum.