Thought I'd put up a few photo's of my current 914 project. I had a six from 1984 to 1998; started with the 2.0 T, then a 2.0S, to a 2.7, and finally a 3.0, with RSR pistons, Solex cams and a few other tweaks. She was a blast to drive, and I drove her to work, and vintage raced her for many years. About six years ago the 914 urge returned, and I built a few V8 cars, one with a LS, the other with old school SBC. They were both cool, and super fast, but just didn't sound right, so I began thinking of another six. Once the price shock passed, I knew it wasn't going to be a Porsche six, and started learning about some alternatives, and settled on the Honda 3.5 V6 from the Pilot, etc. They are all aluminum, variable valve timing, compact, light, and dirt cheap, and make around 250HP, and Ft. Lbs, a nice level for a 914. And happily, Kennedy makes the adapter kit, so that part is out there.
After a trip to the junk yard to look at, and measure, it seemed close enough to bring one home, and really start playing with it. I am aware of one other 914 with this engine in it, but it's a solo car, with out a trunk floor, etc., so one problem fitting it in. I have a nice 20K original car, too nice to start cutting up, so if the engine wouldn't go in, I'd give it up. (The car was a V8 car almost from new, don't panic!).
The engine is very compact, but the intake spreads out over the gearbox, and would stick way into the trunk. Fortunately, the intake can be flipped 180 deg., and by cutting off the throttle body, and re-welding it onto the side, the engine becomes nice and workable. It is a tight squeeze, but fits almost like it was designed to be there.Click to view attachment Click to view attachment

The intake and water passage mods: Because the dune buggy guy's are using this engine, there are sources for de-bugging the ECU, and the main things you have to do to make the install work, are the pictured mods, and making a front engine mount.

Neat! And thanks for posting.

Are those your welds? They look great...

-Steve

I'll be watching this for sure. Those engines are AWESOME. I have a 2007 Pilot with that engine in it. I couldn't be happier.

Looks good...how much does the complete engine weigh? We've had an odyssey in the family for the last 15 years and never once ounce of engine trouble. Good choice.

T

I"m looking forward to hearing it; the firing order is from front to back, side to side, 1-4-2-5-3-6, so it could sound pretty cool. Once the engine bar comes back from the powder coater, I can put is back in for good, and finish up exhaust pipes, and plumbing.

I think with the flywheel, clutch and alternator it will weigh 365 lbs. Weight is up higher in the car, as it's a 60 deg.V, but at $450. it's a nice start! On the welds, I'm good with a Mig, no so with Tig, so I make all the parts, superglue them together, and have a weld shop finish them.

Looks cool! I'll be watching to see it finished. Looks like a good option

I had an 04 RL. That motor is the best and will run forever. Easily oil changes too!

Nice start...I think if I ever do another swap (or should I say if I ever start another swap to give up on and sell) this motor would be the one to pick!

Andy, can you create a filter so I don't see anymore conversions like this so I stay focused?

Amazing how large a 914 engine bay is, isn't it?
Who would have thunk an engine that tall would fit..and the price is right!

So cool! That's the swap for me, have a 2003 Pilot & quite happy with the engine, 175k & not even a plug change, just planned timing belt change. Big fan of them, can't wait for more updates.

Looking good. If I had to do it over get the 3.2 I think to turn it sideways in the 914 and use the 5 speed with limited slip and axles into the 914 hubs 24 hrs all day and night.Click to view attachment Click to view attachment

Looks a lot prettier nowClick to view attachment Click to view attachment Click to view attachment

Great looking project!!! Fantastic motor! Should be a blast when done.

I thought about that also since I worked in a major Honda dealership in the shop. I took the measurements and after you line up the max angles for the CVs and get the trans where it's not dragging on the ground, you end up with the engine partially in the trunk and sticking out about 5 inches worth. I hated to give up on the idea because it's such a sweet package all in one - plus you could call it a Pornda...

Insert Hijack

You could have used chain drive like the S600

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Wow I'm glad you shared that information, because my friend Chris was under the assumption it would drop right in

"Dropping in" is usually a relative concept...

No kidding! note the chunk of plywood over pipe lengths. Trying to raise the package up, without having it tip over is a scary process, as it is pretty top heavy. I forgot to mention that I had to eliminate a 1-5/8's in. spacer between the lower intake runners and the upper air box section.The 3.0, and 3.2 motors don't have it. It lower's the torque curve for the heavy, automatic trans minivan, and won't matter in the light 914. I was so happy when I figured out it could go, as it would have made the engine too tall to fit. Then I figured the engine lid catch would be in the way, but it too clears by a tiny amount. Yes!

You need to change the plugs every 100k or risk blowing one.....

Wow, what a mock up on boards! Can you spin plates on sticks too?

Nice eh? Had to start somewhere, so i could think out the front engine mounts, but it was a SLOW process raising her up without losing control of the whole thing. Up until the end, it did not look good, like the shifter would be un-useable, etc., but after the last few inch's, suddenly the shifter was unshrouded, the engine lid shut, and the only body mods will be a small bubble cut, made in the forward trunk floor, for the thermostat housing, and the targa top will be able to fit as original, which I couldn't do with the Chevy installed. I could even re-use the Chevy spacers made to locate the trans rearward, by flipping them forward 180 deg., and still have a nice open area between the engine and firewall. Marking and cutting the trunk pocket will be next.

Add two hair dryers and you can make some pretty stupid HP with these engines. What are you using for engine management? AEM?

Why bother with the 901 gearbox? There are so many better modern options that would also work with that engine. The Boxster trans, the Passat trans, etc. Much better shifting, gears, etc.

Boxter gearbox is pretty heavy, and bigger, isn't it? And my box was just gone thru by Dr. Evil, with longer Chevy gears, so I want to try it out, and see if I like it with the Honda. Seems like most other box options would mean cutting up the trunk floor, and I want to keep the car reasonably stock. Agree that these engines can make serious power, but then the box is an issue, and $$$ start flying away. I have a vintage Supervee to race, so am not building the car as my ultimate ride. The Honda would be a great option to go that route 'tho, as they will safely put out 400 HP, without any inner mods, and with better rods/bolts, and pistons/cams can make a shitload of grunt.
For engine management, I am using a late 90's stock ECU, that has had minor tweaks, and is pretty reasonable. ( $850. with the engine harness trimmed).

Single hair dryer 400hp but Carl at vetch performance says race gas only otherwise it's a time bomb without serious mods

230k on the Prius plugs, should I check them?...

Marked and cut out the pocket to clear the water passage; will weld up a box there to retain some structural strength. Also pic of the intake spacer that came out, to shrink the engine height. I'll also be able to rebuild the upper hole made to clear the Chevy dizzy.

Is your Prius a 3.5 Honda engine? I ran my RL for 8 years and 210K. The master tech at Acura told me that he's seen popped plugs on the 3.5 and is better to change every 100K. Just passing it along.

I had a 2006 Acura MDX with this motor. I sold it last January with 409,000 miles.
Great motor just do timing belt, plugs and water pump at 100,000 miles.

Some progress: motor mounts, and bar back from the powder coater this morning, new fuel lines are run, trunk area welding finished, wiring about finished. Will slip her back in for good, (I hope) tomorrow, and start the exhaust fabbing.Click to view attachment Click to view attachment

The block has useable mount's cast into the sides, that aren't used by Honda in their install, but thoughtful of them to think ahead for me!

Shot of plumbing; the supply fuel line is -8, run thru the longs, and into 10 micron final filter. There's a 100 micron filter in the trunk, between the tank, and the pump. Coolant has twin lines on each side, run along outside of longs, behind the side valances. Return will be -6 back to tank.

Nice looking work and welcome to the Honda powered club. Will be watching you thread. Thanks for posting.

Michael

Michael, Which engine are you using? Some photo's would be great! Tom

F20 from an S2000.

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Nice! That must be one revvy 914!

Those are bullet proof.

What gearbox are you using with the s2k. Great looking swap,I am really enjoying my v6 914 only thing I don't like is the gearing in the trans. When I rebuild I think I'm going to go with a limited slip and longer 4 @ 5 I had a 02 s2k and put a comptech super charger on it 300 at the wheels but only 180 tq sold engine and tranny and bought ls1 great swap The only problem is smog here in California if I had to do it again inline pro all the way

I don't want Tomrev's thread to get off track. The V6 build looks great and I hope he continues to post his work which looks outstanding.

Regarding the trans. I'm using 901 with shortened 3rd and 4th ratios due to the high revs. 5th is stock for Cruising. With a V6 I would think the stock ratios would do just fine.

Did you purchase or fabricate the radiator fill that is circled in this picture?

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I have been looking for something like that for my Subaru conversion.

Ray

Hi Ray, It is fabricated, milled lower portion, with welded cap mount. Spent some time today relocating it for the Honda.

Nice work! I have got to get a TIG! I have a CNC mill and a manual lathe but no way to melt aluminum together. Is it to late to get it on this years Christmas list?

I'm sure your kid's bike needs work, or some other household reason you can say "this is an investment we can all use!" Every cool tool I have came after too many years of struggling with junk; then I'd get the right thing, and go damn, why did I do 30 years of roofs before getting this air gun?

Damn, I'm ready to part out my Pilot to make this happen. Only 2 road blocks. One, I'm still paying it off. Number two,.......it's my wifes DD. She doesn't appreciate surprises,.....or my humor...

She is a runner; finished up all but the tach mod. Now just have to wait a few months for the snow to melt. I knew it would sound good, but it surpassed my hopes, as it sounds like the NSX's i had some years back! Rev's super freely, and idles quietly.

Awesome! Can we get a sound clip?

[quote name='Andyrew' date='Feb 24 2016, 12:48 PM' post='2307383']
Awesome! Can we get a sound clip?

I'll see if I can figure out how, thanks

Sound clip indeed! I see you relocated your throttle body for clearance - nice job! Do you have any idle or running problems due to the internal EGR tube or the vacuum path dividers inside the manifold? Great conversion by the way!