As I contemplate the upgrade possibility from a 2.7rs, is it possible to put too much engine in a 914-6?

I don't want to drag race, or even do DE's in it, but I do want the best back country road driving car and one gets used to HP.

What type of engine would be the optimal if I put on 8" tires?

Is it possible to overdo it and end up with a less usable car?

Where is the sweet spot? Is that a lot different than a 2.7rs which I have gotten used to already - hence wanting more!

I would have this professionally done.

My answer is the quote at the bottom of this post.

OK, I'm geting old........

I've tried out my 2.7L hot rod on twisty public roads.
Using it anywhere it's potential on public roads is socialy irresponsible. While pushing it around a marked 45 mph corner you glance at the speedo and your going 80...and the tires are still solidly hooked. Everything is under control, but you're a deadly danger to everything around....cause you can't see far enough ahead.

Ouch.

But there are plenty of corners you can see around. And if that criteria was applied to every car in the current horsepower war (500hp E55's, V10 M5's, 600hp Carrera GTs, etc ....

The real point is when you are coming out and the road is clear, the torque is nice.

200-250 is a real screamer. You just have to learn to feather the throttle alot. ON the autox course, I know for a fact that me and my dad on the past what 3 autox's have not pushed the throttle down all the way in the 944 turbo track car or street car.

150 will keep you with most new sportyer cars today. 200 will keep you with most larger hp cars today, and 250 is a whole bunch.

the 914 trani can only handle 300hp/tq. but 250 im guessing would be a good number for the trani, and the less you go the better.

jus something to chew on.

Dude, I'm done preaching.

A 3.6 L will allow you to exit that 80 mph corner and arrive at the next corner at 130 rather than 120.

If I could plant a jet engine from a 767 in my car I would.

HP in a race car.

In a street car there is a point where enough is enough.

Paul

Suzi can scare me, Moby Dick does it sooner and more often. Call me older: IMHO it's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. As the Beach Boys said, "When I catch rubber in all 4 gears" is a good way to attract unwanted attention.

Sky's the limit for track, but good torque over a wide range is the killer combo for 'Canyon Dancing'. And how fast can you go when you can come around a blind corner and meet the bicycle brigade?

I am here to learn. (And I do race regularly, btw, but just in a different car completely).

So, the consensus here is that the torque curve on the 2.7 is fine for all street (twisties) applications?

And having 914-6 rear brakes and SC fronts are fine, even though they do feel spongy to me.

Now if that shifter could only feel better - but it is a 901.

Last thoughts? Sorry to be a pain, but you have tried all of these and I haven't.

Thanks,

If they feel spongy, have a pro bleed them. Ie take it to a shop to bleed the brakes. If that doesnt do it, rebuild your calipers, take out the proportioning valve (if you still have it in there) and either put an adjustable T or a regular T (both would work, but you have a little more playing around with the adjustable one's.. especially if you put bigger brakes up front.)

A 2.7 will have the grunt.

I have to say, I enjoy driving my slow car fast sometimes compared to the turbo's my dad has..
Andrew

In general, the replies on these types of posts are "do what I did because I'm happy with the results" - which is a good thing. So I'll add my two cents: I'm really happy with the 3.6. The additional cost of a 3.6 compared to any well done six conversion is marginal, so I say go with the better/newer engine. Besides the obvious more torque and horsepower, the 3.6 is light years ahead of the earlier engines in regards to reliability and drivability. Modern fuel injection and cooling is very nice - nice idle, always starts, smooth power, low/constant temperatures, lasts forever. And it's fast. IMHO, if a nice 2.7-3.2 conversion is $10k, a 3.6 is easily worth the extra $3k ($13k total?).

-Steve

It sounds like you are looking for nice drivable power but not enough to end up sideways on a throttle blip. I turbocharged my CIS 3.0 in order to get that little extra I felt the stock engined car was missing. Now I have a nice drivable car that turns on only when I want it too, yet performs like stock when I am taking it easy. The performance gains are remarkable for the minimal cost to install.

(although i don't have a 3.6 ) ...

if you go big, go with the latest technology you can get your hands on.
a 3.6 gives you the same output as your 2.7, but in stock trim with
a nice FI that'll start every moring and idle perfect.
it'll last longer (much, much longer than a 2.7RS) and it has a decent torque curve.

and if you get tired of it, you can bore it out to a 4.0L and hot-rod it ...
Andy

Geeze...a guy asks a civilized question about what is usable horsepower on the street and gets jumped for being a street racer...

I think torque is much more important for a street car than pure HP, and alot more fun. Also, factor in how easy it is to drive. My 914 has a fairly peaky motor it in with a lightened flywheel, so it doesn't have the best street manners, but thats what I get for having a dual purpose car.

I can't really help with a motor choice because I have really only drooled on big motor 914's much less driven them. From what I hear a stockish 3.2 is hard to beat...

Tony

I think I would be afraid to drive a 914 with a 3.6 ...I think Steve is running some huge tires on his car, I've got 255's on 9" rims on my 3.6 911 and I have no problem getting them to break traction with a stomp of the gas pedal and my car easily weighs 500 to 700 pounds more than a 914.........I would think a stock 2.7 would be a blast in a 914.......

as for your brake issue, I've had good luck with pressure bleeding the brakes, not too sure if you still have the prop. valve or not, it might be worth getting a more modern replacement unit


for your shifting, make sure all of the bushings are in good condition, if your shifter itself is real loose/sloopy, the Rennshift is a great upgrade

In the future, I'll check with you before I venture forth with my opinions. Fair enuff?

Well JP, you're almost Canadian

I too'll chime in.
I like others started my project,with something simple in mind.
I thought I'd go w/a 2.4l,webers,and a 901 box.Keep it simple.I bought one,and even had it in the car.That way I could just be out having fun,but like others,a project ends up taking more turns than 12 hours at Nurburgring.
I came across the 3.6 and decided,WTH.
Horsepower is already there,modern FI.and as big as you can get from the start.
It's taken more time,money,effort,and I haven't even yet had the chance to get it on the road.I still believe it was the right choice for me. But,you gotta go where heart will lead,and your wallet can follow.
Me,I've done mine with some D.E. in mind somewhere down the road.The wife and I both wanna learn to drive this car correctly,and have some fun while we're doing it.

Ron

I love the down-low grunt of my 2.7: driving in traffic is more enjoyable when you don't have to shift so much. Every once in a while though, I wonder what it'd be like with e/s cams and higher compression... much more enjoyable?

Since you already have a 2.7 and said you like low end grunt, how about a twin-plug 2.8L with G80 cams and the stock, but rejetted 40IDA carbs. Had one in my 914-6 and the only thing that ever beat me was a 900CC Ninja !!!

If you want top-end, go with the 3.6L

Good luck ... and go to BIG breaks with a 21 or 23 mm MBZ master !!!

No need to clear any opinions through me...but just don't be surprised when anyone replies with theirs either

I just thought it a little harsh ... now if he had asked what the best motor was for powering out of neighbor hood corners while chasing down sport bikes was ...

Anyway, back to your regularly scheduled lurking..

Tony

Something caused this to move it to the upper section of my awareness.

I drive this road every working day.

The cops *think* this guy was going too fast. Alcohol may have been involved. The passengers were "ejected"....seat belts may have been on em'.
The driver survived. The car may have been .....whatdotheycallit? "rebuilder"? Maybe a Honda Civic. There's another pic, but it's no help.

Not a happy 4th of July for 3 families.

My 2.7 has 240hp and great torque. I can't use anywhere near what its got on the street. The only advantage that I can see in using an aluminium case engine is that they don't leak oil like the magnesium case engines.

yo jp, since you live like a mile from me, what road is that? i'm constantly amazed at the amount of little rice car 'projects' i see cruising around town at ridiculously high speeds. it's only cool until someone dies i guess...

~a

As I understand it....
Airport Way near Gresham, OR. Looks to be near the East end where it ties into Sandy Blvd & 181st.....
4 lane divided, straights & sweepers....a tempting section, but like I said, I'm gettin' old.

I'll see the spot (no doubt) on the way home tonight.

I read this whole thread and all the brake advice left out one thing that I have had good luck with, before you go rebuilding your calipers and replacing your pads with a different compound, try upgrading your brake lines to the braided steel lines, they dont stretch out like the rubber ones do. After a few times of hard braking, the rubber lines stretch out and cause a spongy feel, using the braided steel lines, they dont expand at all and you never get that feeling. This is just my opinion, but it has worked for me in the past and I run them on all my 914's.

JP: Yeah, that was a bad one. You can't tell from your picture, but the only seat left "in the car" looked to be the driver's I'm kind of surprised that the post they hit wasn't a break-away type. Amazing how many opieces the car broke in to. Ugly.



Ed (ProPricer): Stop it! woohoo I can't hear you! woohoo! What's that? The wife isn't looking over my shoulder anymore? Cool engine setup! Where's my sons college money...

here is one extreme, this 914 has a 956 engine in it. My track car has a warm 3.2 in it.. I think it would make a great street set up...

If anyone needs, I have a few pictures of cars that went fast, and made it to their destinations.

I just looked at them for positive affirmation... those pictures made me not want to leave the house, unless you have a picture of why I should stand outside?

Where is a safe place?


M