V-8 conversion, still can't shake temptation Options

[chrisg]

Probably typical story, but I've had my 914 for quite some time now. I haven't driven my 914 for quite some time now do to the pipe dream of restoring/freshening it up, and then way too much other crap getting on the way. But I'm really trying to make this the year I start the endeavor.

I keep coming back to being tempted into doing a V-8 conversion even after twice as many times of talking myself into leaving it a type 4.
Problem #1: I'm just not in love with the VW motor or the cost of having a stout one built.
Problem #2: I've never come across a thread post where a V-8 conversion owner is disappointed in having done it. They seem to always come to the same consensus that it is a reasonably painless swap, reliable, and very enjoyable end result.

Appeals: effortless torque, reliability, aural bliss (second only to an almighty -6), affordability

My thinking is that since I'm going to go through the whole car anyway (with a much desired 5 lug conversion) doing it to accommodate a (mild) V-8 swap, shouldn't be going off the deep end. And, it would kind of kill two birds with one stone and allow me to have a retro Porsche that handles well and is still light weight and a V-8 all wrapped up in one.

The point of this post? I'm still not convinced that it's not a "bull in a china shop". Does it retain the proper character of something you want to drive fast and have fun with on twisty back roads? Is the balance thrown off at all? Or should I just stop wasting my time going back and forth and commit to doing it?

[nimblemotorsports]

I get rather annoyed at the V8 == Chevy V8.
There are a whole lot of other V8 engines made.

As I see it, the key of a V8 is the noise it makes. If that is what you want to hear when driving the car, then just do it.
If you are looking for HP or Torque, there other other options.

[Mueller]

I get rather annoyed at the V8 == Chevy V8.
There are a whole lot of other V8 engines made.

As I see it, the key of a V8 is the noise it makes. If that is what you want to hear when driving the car, then just do it.
If you are looking for HP or Torque, there other other options.

A few of the 1st companies to make V8 conversions used Chevys. Nobody made a kit for a SBF as far as I know.

Adapters are available for many other V8 motors it just is easier for many to do one stop shopping for support.

The V8 I would like to see in a 914 is the Yamaha designed and built 60° V8 motor used in the Volvo V8 cars in the early 2000's, super sweet sounding motor. I test drove one of the sedans they come in and kept the windows down the entire time.

[nimblemotorsports]

..The V8 I would like to see in a 914 is the Yamaha designed and built 60° V8 motor used in the Volvo V8 cars in the early 2000's, super sweet sounding motor. I test drove one of the sedans they come in and kept the windows down the entire time.

I have a Ford SHO v8 similiar but only 3.4L, it is slated for my jetboat, as I like to hear that noise since the boat is mostly run at full throttle.
This weighs only 325lbs, it is rather conservatively rated at 235hp.

I also have the all-aluminum Audi 4.2L V8, and that might be easier to put in a 914 because it mates with an Audi transaxle already. 300hp.

But sure if someone sells a complete package to put whatever in, and one doesn't have the desire or skill to fab their own, it makes sense to go with the package.

[Mueller]

..The V8 I would like to see in a 914 is the Yamaha designed and built 60° V8 motor used in the Volvo V8 cars in the early 2000's, super sweet sounding motor. I test drove one of the sedans they come in and kept the windows down the entire time.

I have a Ford SHO v8 similiar but only 3.4L, it is slated for my jetboat, as I like to hear that noise since the boat is mostly run at full throttle.
This weighs only 325lbs, it is rather conservatively rated at 235hp.

I also have the all-aluminum Audi 4.2L V8, and that might be easier to put in a 914 because it mates with an Audi transaxle already. 300hp.

But sure if someone sells a complete package to put whatever in, and one doesn't have the desire or skill to fab their own, it makes sense to go with the package.

^ You are a sick individual.... I like it!

I have an extra Boxster/Passat 5 speed and I keep looking at those Audi V8's on craigslist, nice and short and fairly inexpensive. What worries me is the price for a proper flywheel setup since I think most are automatics.

I forgot about the Ford version of that Yamaha motor, about 2 years ago a dealer was selling 4 or 5 brand new NOS complete motors on eBay for like a grand or so. I should have bought one. Just checked ebay, 3 NOS shortblocks for $500 each, too bad no shipping only local pickup

[Andyrew]

..The V8 I would like to see in a 914 is the Yamaha designed and built 60° V8 motor used in the Volvo V8 cars in the early 2000's, super sweet sounding motor. I test drove one of the sedans they come in and kept the windows down the entire time.

I have a Ford SHO v8 similiar but only 3.4L, it is slated for my jetboat, as I like to hear that noise since the boat is mostly run at full throttle.
This weighs only 325lbs, it is rather conservatively rated at 235hp.

I also have the all-aluminum Audi 4.2L V8, and that might be easier to put in a 914 because it mates with an Audi transaxle already. 300hp.

But sure if someone sells a complete package to put whatever in, and one doesn't have the desire or skill to fab their own, it makes sense to go with the package.

^ You are a sick individual.... I like it!

I have an extra Boxster/Passat 5 speed and I keep looking at those Audi V8's on craigslist, nice and short and fairly inexpensive. What worries me is the price for a proper flywheel setup since I think most are automatics.

I forgot about the Ford version of that Yamaha motor, about 2 years ago a dealer was selling 4 or 5 brand new NOS complete motors on eBay for like a grand or so. I should have bought one. Just checked ebay, 3 NOS shortblocks for $500 each, too bad no shipping only local pickup

For the flywheel look at what the B5 A4 guys are doing that v8 swap. LOADS of those out there. I think I have seen 4 or 5 write up on them on audizine. I cant remember what the solution was but I believe it was simple.

[Andyrew]

..The V8 I would like to see in a 914 is the Yamaha designed and built 60° V8 motor used in the Volvo V8 cars in the early 2000's, super sweet sounding motor. I test drove one of the sedans they come in and kept the windows down the entire time.

I have a Ford SHO v8 similiar but only 3.4L, it is slated for my jetboat, as I like to hear that noise since the boat is mostly run at full throttle.
This weighs only 325lbs, it is rather conservatively rated at 235hp.

I also have the all-aluminum Audi 4.2L V8, and that might be easier to put in a 914 because it mates with an Audi transaxle already. 300hp.

But sure if someone sells a complete package to put whatever in, and one doesn't have the desire or skill to fab their own, it makes sense to go with the package.

^ You are a sick individual.... I like it!

I have an extra Boxster/Passat 5 speed and I keep looking at those Audi V8's on craigslist, nice and short and fairly inexpensive. What worries me is the price for a proper flywheel setup since I think most are automatics.

I forgot about the Ford version of that Yamaha motor, about 2 years ago a dealer was selling 4 or 5 brand new NOS complete motors on eBay for like a grand or so. I should have bought one. Just checked ebay, 3 NOS shortblocks for $500 each, too bad no shipping only local pickup

For the flywheel look at what the B5 A4 guys are doing that v8 swap. LOADS of those out there. I think I have seen 4 or 5 write up on them on audizine. I cant remember what the solution was but I believe it was simple.

Looks like lots of them use this
https://store.034motorsport.com/flywheel-in...8-aluminum.html

I would bet someone with CAD and a CNC could probably reverse engineer this...

[Mueller]

Looks like lots of them use this
https://store.034motorsport.com/flywheel-in...8-aluminum.html

I would bet someone with CAD and a CNC could probably reverse engineer this...

Heck, I might even have an extra friction surface like shown in the picture. Thanks, I will keep that in mind in case I go that route.

[Andyrew]

Looks like lots of them use this
https://store.034motorsport.com/flywheel-in...8-aluminum.html

I would bet someone with CAD and a CNC could probably reverse engineer this...

Heck, I might even have an extra friction surface like shown in the picture. Thanks, I will keep that in mind in case I go that route.

Further research shows that depending on the engine a stock v6 clutch might work... More research is needed...

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.p...l=1#post6901025

[nimblemotorsports]

I've done a lot of research to put the Audi v8 in my corvair with the 944S transaxle.
The flywheel is a major issue, but you can make your own setup like 034 does, just take the audi flexplate and use a VR6 flywheel in front of it with the teeth machined off and the mounting holes tweaked, and then get it balanced and use the VR6 clutch.
The flexplate is used for the teeth for the starter.

Modifying the 944S transaxle is another project too, but don't need to do that with an audi/boxster/vw 5 speed transaxle.

I have decided to just go with an automatic, aka 'tiptronic', 5hp19 transaxle I got with the engine.

[98101]

I've done a lot of research to put the Audi v8 in my corvair with the 944S transaxle.
The flywheel is a major issue, but you can make your own setup like 034 does, just take the audi flexplate and use a VR6 flywheel in front of it with the teeth machined off and the mounting holes tweaked, and then get it balanced and use the VR6 clutch.
The flexplate is used for the teeth for the starter.

Modifying the 944S transaxle is another project too, but don't need to do that with an audi/boxster/vw 5 speed transaxle.

I have decided to just go with an automatic, aka 'tiptronic', 5hp19 transaxle I got with the engine.

I've thoroughly lost track of what kind of car you have!