It's me again. I want to do the 3.0 SC conversion and was wondering if they had a kit that yuo can buy with what you need. Or if someone could walk me through it or give me rough instructions to give me an idea of what I'm up against would be great.


Thanks,
Derek

Do you have the 3.0 engine ?


B

No. I'm just trying to figure out what all is needed for this to work. As in custom mounts or will it bolt up to factory mounts etc.

Cool. I'll shock you up front and then let you recover.

Plan on 8-10k for a conversion done using as many factory parts as possible (makes it easier to replace something if you can buy the parts from any Porsche parts place)

I'll answer your questions after you are done being shocked...


B

Ouch hey I put my AIM s/n up here so if you want to chat through that it might be easier.

So if I use after market of some sort will it be cheaper. I also know these engines aren't cheap and I was expecting to pay a good 4-5k for a decent one. also is this a self job or a garage job?

No need for PM or AOL. I answer questions in a public form so everyone learns from them.

Yes. 4-5k is correct for a high mileage used 3.0

If you can pull your current engine in and out... have the ability to weld/drill/cut.. you can do this at home.

The big expense is the oil tank. 3 options:

1.Good used factory tank (400-500$)
2.New factory tank (800-900$)
3.New aluminum aftermarket tank (havent seen a price on these yet)

Next is the engine mount. 2 options

1.Weld in bolt in Bulkhead mount (I only use this one)
2.Cross bar cheapy mount that tends to break over time

Oil lines are optional. I like to use the factory lines (can run upwards of 700$ for factory lines) You might save 400$ when it is said and done if you use aftermarket lines.

Clutch/pressure plate/adapter/throwout bearing: 500$ or so..

Carbs or sticking with CIS injection ??


B

Well I have a friend near by who has a 914 also and I helped him pull out his 1.7. If anyhitng I can ask him for some help. I'm taking a class startign in a month or two for drilling welding cutting etc. Also interior and body repair and painting! I could deal with just buyign a new oil tank. I think I'll stick with factory for now on the engine. upgrade later possible? Now what's this bolt you're talkign about for welding in? And the clutch and what not would that be aftermarket or?

The engine I mount I use:
450$

B

The complete throttle linkage kit.
300$


B

The oil tank pic... OE ..new



B

Here is the engine sheet metal to make the 3.0 work in the 914 chassis.


B

And this mount used will mount the engine and hold it in there safely eh? And then I need the oil tank, lines, clutch, pressure plate, adapter, and throwout bearing? Where do I locate the clutch, pressure plate, adapter, throwout bearing and what one do I use the 911 SC or?

You have to do something with the oil cooler... either run a stock 9146 oil cooler or have this done.


B

Also is there any body cuttign involved at all in this process?

Rich is selling his mount on ebay the past couple of weeks for $325. The aluminum oil tank I think was $500?? Not sure on that. GPR was making them. Last time I checked they had one left.

The mount:

Ha ha.. the factory hung the 9146 engine from ONE BOLT in the front. At least this one uses two 911 engine/tranny mounts.. Seriously, the 9146 hung the engine and trans with 3 bolts STOCK.

I sell/use Kennedy engineered products. They allow you to keep the stock 3.0 flywheel and sell an adapter for the pressure plate/ring gear and sell the throwout bearing.


B

I dont think Rich had in his Ebay add the fact that you have to have a core nose cone or he charges 50$.

Oh.. let me make some money would you ? Spewing free advice for the last 5 years should net me something other than a pat on the back..


B

Hmmm also would this work? http://www.patrickmotorsports.com/cgi-bin/...D6%20Conversion

I see someone else has got them on ebay now.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...&category=50454
Here's Rich's mount more complete at the same price.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...&category=34202

Remember the crossbar that I said breaks every so often ?? It is also in the way of certain types of exhaust setups.


B

Hey so if I paid you an extra sum of money could you get everything but the engine? This will probably be in like 4 months though.

No hurries. I do this daily.

On the RJ mount on Ebay... READ carefully:



My price above is EVERYTHING in the pic.


B

I can get you the engine also.. just a pain shipping it. You should be able to find one closer to you.


B

Brad, I think there's a classic thread where you've laid all this out.

I've been thinking long and hard about this for a couple of years. I think the best way to go is to start with an original six. It costs a little more up front but the value is retained in the car. For example:

original six in good shape: $15-16K
good 3-3.2L motor $3-7K
a few mods 2-3K
sale of original six engine and webbers $3K (is that about right?)
total $17-23K and if the car is nice it's worth $20K on the market


4 cylinder car in good shape $5K
six conversion parts $4K
good 3-3.2L motor $3-7K
5 lug suspension $2K
a few mods 2-3K
$16-$21K but car is worth $12K on the market


The other way to go is to buy someone elses conversion for $12K. Even if you put more money into it you'll probably be ahead.

Yep. This is how I tell people to do it. Buy a 9146 and slap a 3.0 or 3.2 in it. Much easier. You end up with 90% of the parts you need to buy and you have some value when you are done.


B

Well the hting is I'm on a budget. I don't have much money now and can't afford a 12k payement at the time being. I was looking at gettign a 1.7 or 1.8 to get me started and cause it's cheaper. Wait about 6 months. then do a swap. I'm not looking for this car ot be an investment and I don't think anyone should. This is a car I'm gonna love and keep for so long. I'll also do a bumper conversion like this one here. I originally wasn't going to do an engien swap but a friend of mine aid to do it so you have osme go to back up your show. Also so I won't be called a ricer. I'm also doign metal fab. in this class I'm taking.

Brad:

That pic of the factory oil tank with factory stickers all over it is just down right porn. Quit lording it over us lowly flat-4 guys.

Oh this kit comes with the oil lines and tank and all or just the mount?

Its cool Derek,

More than half the 914 owners out there are in the same situation. We all *want* a 6cyl car but life gets in the way some times. Just be patient and get the car running for now so you can actually feel what it is like to drive a 30 year old car that out handles most cars made to this day.


B

There really is no complete kit. We have spent a lot of time over the years trying to come up with a complete kit but it hasnt happened "yet"

The oil lines and tank are seperate.

If we thought we could sell a complete kit once a month... then we would be in a better situation to offer something 100% complete.


B

These things are not done on a "budget". And like you said, it's not an investment it's an expense - a hobby. But if you are going to have the $8-10K to do a 3L conversion in six months then I would suggest looking around for the next six months for a nice car or even a deal on an original six or a completed conversion.


Also, here's how you get a free engine:

Find one of those $7K 911SCs that is thrashed or crashed but has a good engine. Strip it and part it out and I bet you'll have a free engine out of the deal. You'll probably spend a hundred hours though stripping and selling all the parts.

Ahh of course! I plan to get it running repair any rust(I know there will be) then start on suspension. Get it out handlign even greater. Strip the interior if it's shot. roll cage harnesses seats. new carpeting. I might keep the factory seats cause they look cool. Not sure. May get some aftermarket that look like em(if I can find any). The flat 6 will come in later. Then I wanna do the bumper graft. But repairing it and getting it looking nice is number one. Not much into performance but the extra 2 cylinders will help burn the civics ya know. Then I'll be

Just plan on $25K for all that because that's what it will cost in the end!

Well of course it'll be over time. I don't wanna spend 12k on a 914-6 factory then put it all in. See what I'm saying?

So back to this swap. So it's basically a complete swap w/o the oil lines and tank?
There is no Porsche activity at all as far as I know here. I see the occasional Cayenne from the richer daddy's girls from up at Ole Miss but that's about it so the engine would be easier to get off someone else and pay to ship it or drive and get it ya know.

why don't you put what money you have now into chassis that is not rusty? save yourself some pain. no reason to put $25k into a car that is not worth it (well it's never going to be worth it in a 914-4 chassis anyways, but..). I would take all the experts advice and get a 914-6 roller or otherwise to do this.

Actually the more I think about it if I don't get a factory 6 I might just get a 2.0 and leave it at that and work on suspension. I don't need all the power anyways.
Thanks for the info though guys.

A original factory six is a neat car to have, from a collectors standpoint. From a performance standpoint, you'll be dissapointed. Then there is the non adjustable passenger seat, and the non retractable seat belts, and a car you wouldn't want to seriously modify and ruin the collectible value.

If you want a high power 914, then get a rust free later chassis, and go from there. My personal preference with a large displacement converison is a 3.2 with Motronic. No goofin' with carbs, loads of torque, turn the key and drive it.

Brad is right on with the costs.

The best thing to do is find a really great later car (side shifter, retractable seat belts, adjustable passenger seat), and start to develop it from the suspension and brakes first. That will cost you a fair chunk of change. Then go from there.

PK

I say be patient and look for someones project thats how I did it. It took about a year to find the one I wanted, but when I was done selling of the parts from my donor car I had only invested about 8. Look at PCA club classifieds around the country thats how I found mine.

cheers,

Jeroen

Damn it.. I forgot my NEW answer to these questions:

BUY A BOXSTER...LOL



B

I have 3.0 SC engine in my 914. I didnt want to cut my rear trunck and I dont like old CIS (k-jetronics). So, I removed the CIS and bought pair of Webbers. Now I am get tired of adjusting them and I dont like the fuel consumption at all.

The moral of the story is, dont use 3.0 SC engine. Buy 3,2L with Motronic.

Oh, and I forgot to say, start making preparations for 915 gearbox too........

I would fork out for an originial 6, or examine paying brad or someone to do the conversion for you. Even consider taking out a personal loan to pay for it. Heres why:

The basic trade you make is in saying that by investing your own time (lots of it) you will be able to save money over buying new stuff. It is true, but you are talking about LOTS AND LOTS of your own time. Like 2 years of it. And that is if you a relatively unhampered by the budget needed to do the conversion. You are probably thinking it will take you less than 2 years. It probably won't; unless you are able to work full-time on it, or you don't have many (any) other commitments.

The other thing that is not being budgeted here is when you miss a piece of advice and buy something you don't need, or that it turns out isn't what you wanted. This will almost certainly happen.

If you spend 20k on a car (boxster or 914 in very good trim), with a car loan - you might have a payment of say $300/mo, but you will know exactly how much that payment is, and you will be able to drive to the bank and pay it. That rate of expenditure is something like:

1mo Front shocks
1mo Rear shocks
2mo Motor mount
1mo Accelerator linkage
2mo Oil tank
1mo Rear hubs
2mo 911 front suspension
1mo New brake pads and bearings
1mo 5-lug wheels.

So there you have one year, and you haven't really gone near the engine yet. One whole year of driving your nice shine 914-6/Boxster.

I took the project route. Some days I regret it, but I have learned a lot, and I know my car is going to be pretty awesome when I do finish it. But be aware what you are getting in to. If you don't have the sticking power for a large, long engineering project, buy something more complete up front.

Spending $20K on a different car just makes too much sense. LOL!

Actually, after looking for a nice black six for 2 years I bought a nice black 911 with a 3L motor for half the cost that a similar 914-6 would have cost. For what a 3.2 914-6 would cost to build up you can get a relatively low mileage boxster S (260hp 3.2L, six speed tranny).

I will buy or restore a nice six some day but the search seems a lot less urgent now that I have a car with some horsepower.

Yeah the thing about a boxster is the insurance at 16. Now I remember why I planned to get like a 1.8 hehe. Thanks for the advice but I think I'll go suspension rather than engine. Do it later. I'm buying a project car in somewhat bad condition cause I'm going into the auto repair metal fab. and welding class in a few months. I'll be able to work on it there in class and learn at the same time! I don't want a newer mint condition 914 cause that's a bit of money that I don't have and why have someone else do the restore work when I can od it myself? Thanks for the advice guys!

Man these icons are cool

Geeze you guys. I guess it is all relative (money that is) that someone would spend $20k on a 914-6. I don't have $20k to spend on one and have never spent more than probably $8500 on a 914-6. This poor guy looks new, don't scare him away. Be patient and frugal if you don't have money. If you have money, then I guess who cares? When the time comes, ask lots of questions to people around the forum. We have lots of knowlege to pass along that could save you some money. Good luck, the end result is a fun car.

Working on it during school time for class credit is a GREAT thing!

Also - insurance is definately a good reason not to go with a boxster. I did not realise that was/is an issue from reading the thread.

I would stick with the 4-banger and gather parts until you can afford to do the engine upgrade. Theres plenty of work in getting a 1.7/1.8 up to scratch and plenty of fun to be had with it.

My friend has a car (which he loves) which has sat in his garage for 7 years and never been run - don't let that happen - that's all I'm sayin.

Oh of course it won't be sitting. It'll be my daily driver of course. I think I'll go with the 1.8. A nice middle. I'll keep searchign aroudn the site on major rust spots and what not and get info.

Thanks,
derek