Sure, I've been reading his PPTs. I just didn't know how others were getting theirs built so cheaply. But that makes sense.

getting the parts at good prices, having the machining done a good prices and building the motor yourself is how you do it for less money.

Jake is in business to make money from his parts and kits....nothing wrong with that if that is the path you decide to take.

I bought parts from Jake, had the machining done locally by a type4 old timer and then built the entire motor myself.

and I used quality parts all thru the build...Jakes cam, KB pistons from Jake, Case was align bored, all oil galley plugs were tapped, Mahle cylinders were bored to 96mm, heads were entirely rebuilt with new valves, new seats etc...

This kind of matches my thought process of several years ago. I was in a position were we could have bought that dream sports car (we were thinking new Vette) but decided for the same $50 grand or so I could build my dream 914 and it would essentially be a brand new car. To me the decision was one of this new car versus that new car. In the end I went with the 914 dream.

I planned for Jake do the engine. In the back of my mind I had budgeted $5,000 for the engine. The actual $12,000 cost was pretty close to Jake's "double plus 10%" guideline. The result is an engine with more than enough power. The car is balanced with stock tires and wheels without flares. And I kept a usable front trunk (no radiator or humungous oil cooler) despite the (new) A/C condensor and spare tire.

The engine, of course, was just a start to my "new car" goal and I am over 60% of the way to my $50k spending limit. By my estimate I am well beyond 60% complete with the entire project. Certainly all this could be accomplished for less cost if I did it myself. With minor exceptions I have chosen not to do so. I make a living doing other type of work and it does not phase me at all to support those who make a living doing this type of work.

Some would say I'll end up with a $15,000 914 that cost me $50 grand. Again, I don't look at it that way. I am buying a $50,000 sports car that I will drive 100-150 thousand miles. I don't consider it an investment any more than any other new car I would drive. Plus I get to drive a car different from every other car on the road.

Resale? Someday my kids will get the car and that will be their problem. At that point in time they may wish I had put the money in a IRA and bought a bicycle instead.

The point of all this? It's your money. Do plenty of resarch and soul searching and do what you want.