914/Buick V6 Conversion, Goodbye Type IV Options

[dbledsoe]

This is a photo of the 3.8 liter Buick V6 that will be going into my 75 914. This apparently used to be fairly popular swap. Unfortunately no one (that I could find) makes the front motor mount cross member adapter anymore. I emailed Renegade but got pretty close to zero help from them, other than being told just short of I’m nuts to do that swap when I could do a V8. Well, I didn’t want a V8, I wanted a V6. The folks at Desert Hybrids were much nicer but didn’t have a suitable (for me) solution to my front mount problem.

What I did find via an internet search was a cross member for putting a Buick V6 into a street roadster. It is very stout and cost a grand total of $58 to my door (the Renegade V8 cross member runs $275 plus shipping!). It will take a wee bit of adaptation to use the roadster cross member but appears to be fairly simple and straight forward (see photo).

The folks at Kennedy Engineered Products, makers of the Buick V6 to Porsche 901 transaxle adapter plate, clutch, etc., were a delight to deal with, especially Jodi. She quickly responded to my emailed questions, provided some great advice, and was simply a pleasure to deal with.

What I like about the V6 conversion is the ability to not have to resort to an electric water pump, or much of any other front of the engine modifications. Also, the Buick distributor is at the front of the engine where it is easy to get at.

Once this one is complete I also have a 4.1 liter Buick V6 that I am rebuilding that will go into my white 76 914. The type IV engine in both cars ate a valve; I got tired of dealing with the perpetual oil leaking type IV engine and all its peculiarities.

If anyone is interested I’ll post additional photos as my project progresses.

Don

[dbledsoe]

Cross member photo.

[Jakester]

Yes, we are interested. Beautiful motor! Keep the progress pics coming!

[messix]

sweet looking combo.

only bad side is that buick v6 is a low rpm torquer. and running 3,000 rpm on the highway will get old.

run tall tires and it might be better.

[Mueller]

nice looking motor package there....I sold dave menche a buick v-6 package a few years ago, I know he used a few parts from it and might still have the engine bar if your's does not work for some reason.........

[dbledsoe]

Engine front view.

[dbledsoe]

QUOTE (messix @ Jun 16 2005, 09:10 AM)

sweet looking combo. only bad side is that buick v6 is a low rpm torquer. and running 3,000 rpm on the highway will get old. run tall tires and it might be better.

Thank you for the compliment and the tire tip. Most of my driving will be around town and some mountain twisty stuff. But I think I will go with a taller top gear ratio in the white 76 914 4.1 liter swap. The body in that one is essentially rust free and will be my long term keeper. The red 75 will be my daily driver.

[jet1]

Yes, keep posting photos. Also any info on costs for parts would be nice to know. What kind of adaptation did you have to do to mount the engine cross member? It looks like you are off to a good start! (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/clap.gif)

Thanks.

[skline]

Excellent!! Please do post more pictures with your progress, what I want to know, is how you got the transmission so clean? I scrubbed for hours and it still looks 35 years old.

[dbledsoe]

QUOTE (Mueller @ Jun 16 2005, 09:10 AM)

nice looking motor package there....I sold dave menche a buick v-6 package a few years ago, I know he used a few parts from it and might still have the engine bar if your's does not work for some reason.........

Hello Mike,

Any idea how I might get in touch with Dave to see if he still has the engine mount bar? No matter how this one goes I'll still be needing another for the up coming 76 914 4.1 liter V6 conversion.

Best regards,
Don

[tat2dphreak]

didn't someone (EvilEd maybe? (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/confused24.gif) ) used to have a turbo version of that motor in a 914?

[Mueller]

QUOTE (dbledsoe @ Jun 16 2005, 10:44 AM)

Hello Mike, Any idea how I might get in touch with Dave to see if he still has the engine mount bar? No matter how this one goes I'll still be needing another for the up coming 76 914 4.1 liter V6 conversion. Best regards, Don

I'm sure Dave will read this and post, his daily driver is a Buick V6 conversion car.

QUOTE

EvilEd maybe?

..type IV turbo


there is someone else that did the buick GN motor here...check Felixs' conversion thread

[dbledsoe]

QUOTE (jet1 @ Jun 16 2005, 09:24 AM)

Yes, keep posting photos. Also any info on costs for parts would be nice to know. What kind of adaptation did you have to do to mount the engine cross member? It looks like you are off to a good start! (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/clap.gif) Thanks.

The picture is deceiving. It's not actually mounted in there yet. It's just sitting atop the original Porsche cross member mounting points. I plan to weld a pair of right angle tubes into a pair of tubes the next size smaller than the tube diameter of the new cross member and mount that atop the mounting flange of the original cross member (rather than below as most other cross member adapters do). But I still need to set the engine/trans up in the car to get the measurements as to exactly how tall the end pieces will need to be.

But that has to wait on a thorough cleaning of the engine compartment. As you can see in the photo, it's pretty funky after 25 years. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/monkeydance.gif)

[dbledsoe]

QUOTE (skline @ Jun 16 2005, 09:25 AM)

Excellent!! Please do post more pictures with your progress, what I want to know, is how you got the transmission so clean? I scrubbed for hours and it still looks 35 years old.

I did the same thing, with about the same results as you got so decided to sandblast it. I bought a pressurized 40 pound sandblaster from Harbor Freight Tools, sealed everything off with old socks, 200 mph tape, and rubber plugs then went at it with 30 grit sand. It came out pretty nice.

[nocones]

I have always wanted to do a Buick GN motor in a 914. They have become more popular with 240/280 Z conversions. They are very robust and with external parts and tuning can put out a streetable/reliable 400-500hp. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/burnout.gif)

Please keep us updated on your progress.
(I'll have to keep in mind blasting the transaxle) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/idea.gif)

[neo914-6]

Don,

Nice work, did you bead blast the tranny? See "the list" in my signature.

Mike,

Is dmenche's bbr running or was that another 914 he had?

[messix]

the gn motors are very easy to get 400-500 hp out of, exhusts and air intake and a little e-tuning. a new turbo,cam,injectors, intercooler and some more etuning then you 600 - 800 hp

[nickg]

QUOTE (messix @ Jun 16 2005, 12:46 PM)

the gn motors are very easy to get 400-500 hp out of, exhusts and air intake and a little e-tuning. a new turbo,cam,injectors, intercooler and some more etuning then you 600 - 800 hp

actually 500 is about the most you'll get and have reliable from a 109 block...(stock gn) if you want more you need to go with a stage block or a ta performance one...had 5 gn's and a gnx (523), they are wicked fast cars.

[dbledsoe]

QUOTE (Neo914 @ Jun 16 2005, 12:38 PM)

Don, Nice work, did you bead blast the tranny? See "the list" in my signature.

Felix,

Thank you!

I used 30 grit silica sand. I started out with beads in the blaster but they seemed too fine for what I wanted so switched to 30 grit sand.

Wow! That is an impressive list. Thank you for taking the time to compile it.

Best regards,
Don

[messix]

QUOTE (nickg @ Jun 16 2005, 12:53 PM)

QUOTE (messix @ Jun 16 2005, 12:46 PM) the gn motors are  very easy to get 400-500 hp out of, exhusts and air intake and a little e-tuning. a new turbo,cam,injectors, intercooler and some more etuning then you 600 - 800 hp actually 500 is about the most you'll get and have reliable from a 109 block...(stock gn) if you want more you need to go with a stage block or a ta performance one...had 5 gn's and a gnx (523), they are wicked fast cars.

i didn/t say that you could race it at that power. adjustable boost controlers and fuel systems dial them back for daily driving or for low octane fuel. just set it on kill when you need to kinda like hittin the no2.