So I have a new to me 1971 914 that I need to pull and rebuild or replace. I have a longblock on its way to me but I was thinking about going to side shift while the motor is out. Seems reasonable right.
While shopping for a transmission I came across a 2 liter out of a 914-6 that is mostly complete and I can get for a decent price, with a transmission and carbs.
While checking on what it should cost, I found a period correct 2.4 with MFI.
I was on a slippery slope. So I need some advice.
Is the side shifter worth the effort (cost me about $650 in parts to get it done)?
Is a 2 liter 6 that much cooler if I don't do 5 lug conversion etc than a 1911 with a decent cam and a good tune?
If I am going to get stupid, why not do a Subaru motor and just be done with it?
I have had fast cars, and that is not what this is about. I am not rich, but can afford to do any of the conversions I propose.
My intention Is to have fun wrenching on the car and riving it on weekends. I do enjoy Porsches and love the sound of a flat six.
I know hat these are dumb questions to which there are no right answers, but I what I need is therapy and some sound advice. D
o I swap the tranny?
Should I just drive the 1911 and be happy?
Is a 6 $6,000 cooler than a 4?

yes, a converted 6, and later with a 5 lug conversion and some 6" Fuchs and your car is now worth a whole lot more. A "6" is a whole new club!!

The six will have more torque and pull better. Sounds better too! A side shift is preferable if keeping the standard set up. That being said, it would be easier to convert a tail shifter to a cable shift than a side shift. But if you go that route why not do the full Suby conversion. Another matter is time. When would you like to drive your car again. A full Suby conversion will take 18 month's min. I've been told that a Porsche 6 can be done in a couple of weekends by the experienced one and will surely have more value, although I don't know why! The plus side of a Suby conversion is modern day reliability and parts that are cheap and readily available. Expect 6K , +/- 2K if going NA Suby.

Is it worth $10k more? Because I will spend that easily on the conversion...
I know it is a bad idea, but the idea of a 6 cylinder is SO TEMPTING!

Stop the insanity? Sounds like you're just getting started. Have fun!

Drive the 1911 and be happy while you save up money for a 6 conversion!

To stop the insanity, slice a fuel injector line and go for a drive.....with luck you will survive, but the problem of the 914 decisions will forever be gone from your life.

Or
You could always pull the motor, put the car on jack stands and start a full "restoration" that may take up to a decade to complete, but at least you will be part of a large club of owners.

So if a stock and solid running 6 puts out 110, what can I hope to get from my 1911 with a bit of cam and fuel injection?

I sold a supercharged Elise, so the money is not the issue.
More hp is not always more fun.
Maybe I should get the 6 to set aside. Hoarding is good!

Absolutely nothing wrong with having both a 4 and a 6 to play with....that way you can experience what both will do. As long as money is no problem, enjoy the ride!

I replaced the 2.0 in my six with a 2.7RS spec motor and still think my sons 2056 is as much fun if not more.

Oh no, you've violated the code, you can't say that here!

My 2.0 -6 feels completely different than my 2.7RS 915 conversion. There's something about doubling the horsepower that does that to you.

The original -6 feels much lighter and you do have to chose the correct gear. The 2.7 will pull in just about any gear.

So the 6 just seems silly. I can buy an SC 911 for what it will end up costing me.
What about the tranny? Is the side shift worth an extra 700-1000?
Should I just get my tail shift all dialed in and enjoy its funkiness?

Putting in a side shift is worth every penny makes driving a 914 much mo'better.
1911 is ok but if you are spending $$$ a 2056 is a great engine in a 914. Lots of low end torque plus plenty of HP til 6000rpms. You can also keep the car stockish and have heat.

I love driving a 914-6 conversion or not. There is no comparing the sound & rumble of a Porsche 6 & the torque is sweet. Having said that I have stayed away from them for one reason. $$$$$ . I will still own one some day. My issue is if the motor has a major issue. The rebuild is just to much money & beyond my capability to do myself. Could I learn to build one? Sure I can but being on a budget I can't take the hit if I screw it up.

Having said all that. I will take a Subaru conversion anytime. You can do them for half the price of a Porsche 6. You can buy replacement parts at any auto parts store. If you blow your motor you just get another & swap them. The drive ability is absolutely kick ass. If you do a suby tranny too it just gets better. My 2.5 normally aspirated Subaru conversion is flat out a joy to drive. I dyno'd at 159hp to the rear wheels. It pulls excellent through all gears & is so smooth. MPG varies by where I have my tune. I can be in the low 20's or low 30's for trips. Would I like a little more power. When is more a bad thing . So anyone looking at upgrading their 914 motor wise. I have no problem suggesting going suby conversion. Doing a suby 6 just makes it even better.

Downside to going water cooled? You have to install radiator which means cutting your car some. With value's going up like they are. If I had a nice stock car I would keep it stock. If I had a car that had been messed with at all? All bet's are off I will cut & change it however the hell I want

The one thing I notice about /6 converts is they all eventually go bigger.
Carbed 2.0 sounds better yes, worth it, not really vs options.
MFI 2.4, bigger but FI parts are 4 decades old, likely will be an issue.
Subie stuff is all new tech with a huge parts availability. Plus it's quieter. Plus A/C & heat is easier.