What is the easiest way to start up a 914 engine out of the car.

I have an extra transmission, but seem that just the front part of an old transmission case would take a lot of weight off the whole assembly?
(Anyone have such a thing.)
I figured a set of short legs on the end on et engine mount bar would be spread far enough apart to be fairly stable.

As for the rear, I hadn't got that far in my thinking.

What I really wondered if how well it would start and run with no exhaust?

I have a 1.8 and a 2.0 that are supposedly complete and want o make sure they actually run before putting one in the car.

Each has full factory EFI (D-Jet and L-Jet).
I also have an extra relay board, starter, etc.

I haven't run an engine on the floor but it has been done.

You will want to put at least the exhaust pipes on. If you think an exhaust leak is audible you haven't heard anything yet...

Might be easier to just use the car as the test rig.....you will have to switch the chassis mounted FI components to suit the L jet or Djet though.

FWIW I'm a firm believer in starting and running an engine before installation.
On all of my vw type 1 stuff, I constructed a small engine platform on castors, it has a place for battery, gauges, switches etc. hook it all up and run the engine. I would reset my valves afterwards, and its so easy when its at eye level. you can run it outside and wheel it back into the shop when you are done.
I just did the same with my v8 conversion 914. I ran the engine on the ground to set my timing , because you cant see the marks when its in the car.
that being said, I think the 914 fuel injection stuff might be a bit complicated
I cant help with that

Both engines have the FI currently installed and have all body mounted components with them (Except for the relay board)

I have an extra relay board.

So, other than loud, is there any issue with starting up an EFI engine with no exhaust? I know carb engines tend to run lean with no backpressure.

Back to the other question, anyone have the front half of a garbage transmission case cheap/free?

I don't know of any issues with running a Ljet without a exhaust, but I've been wrong before. Also, relay board is not needed for a bench test running Ljet. If you need help wiring with the Ljet setup, hit me up.

build a test sled so that the engine, transmission, and full exhaust can be run together. This also aids in putting the engine in the car, since you can just push the sled under th car and jack it up.

I also made a simple dashboard to keep track of RPMs for initial engine run in.

Zach

My setup looked a lot like Zach's. Attaching the transmission case (don't need the internals) allows convenient attachment of the starter.

No FI on that, which is a lingering question in my mind... I've found a couple posts where people have done this and I plan to try to set this up with FI too.

Yes, attaching the Exhaust and Trans makes it ready to install.

However, what I am trying to do is start the two engines and decide which I want to prep for install. (Hence why I don't want to futz with the clutch and exhaust.)