Probably typical story, but I've had my 914 for quite some time now. I haven't driven my 914 for quite some time now do to the pipe dream of restoring/freshening it up, and then way too much other crap getting on the way. But I'm really trying to make this the year I start the endeavor.

I keep coming back to being tempted into doing a V-8 conversion even after twice as many times of talking myself into leaving it a type 4.
Problem #1: I'm just not in love with the VW motor or the cost of having a stout one built.
Problem #2: I've never come across a thread post where a V-8 conversion owner is disappointed in having done it. They seem to always come to the same consensus that it is a reasonably painless swap, reliable, and very enjoyable end result.

Appeals: effortless torque, reliability, aural bliss (second only to an almighty -6), affordability

My thinking is that since I'm going to go through the whole car anyway (with a much desired 5 lug conversion) doing it to accommodate a (mild) V-8 swap, shouldn't be going off the deep end. And, it would kind of kill two birds with one stone and allow me to have a retro Porsche that handles well and is still light weight and a V-8 all wrapped up in one.

The point of this post? I'm still not convinced that it's not a "bull in a china shop". Does it retain the proper character of something you want to drive fast and have fun with on twisty back roads? Is the balance thrown off at all? Or should I just stop wasting my time going back and forth and commit to doing it?

Chris

I say take a drive down to socal and I can line up at least 3 V8 914s for you to evaluate, and possibly test drive. I don't have a V8 car now but I worked with Andy (Renegade founder) back in 83...I was one of his first V8 conversions.

Oscar

Wow, what an offer from the kind, generous Oscar. After you have been in a V8 car or a 200 plus HP 914-6 it is never the same.

I had my 914 20 4 back in1979 and I had a 73 911s so I knew what a fast or at that time fast Porsche was like but when I bought a finish it off 914 V8 set up in a super deal that I could not turn away from. Anyway when I finished the V8 car (I was 26 or so) It was so fast I could not believe it and my 427-side pipe 64 Corvette buddy felt is was also so fast. Now his 427 Vette would pull you back in the seat when you where a passenger and I have been in lots of high torque cars. My car was a 283 with a 4-barrel. 200HP? Not much a compared to a 400 or so torque LS1 or hot 350SBC

There have been a number of cars that just needed to be finished or need what was to me no big deal back when I was young like 26.

My current v8 car I am very slowly building is a 4 speed Porsche 930 Turbo Trans With a 400 FP of torque aluminum head Corvette Eng., Boxster brakes, Bilstein rear, Koni up front, real leather seats, exhaust from a Ferrari 12 cylinder. I could go on and on but it’s not done.

There is a wrx turbo swap $10,500 on cars for sale here in the world that should be able to be finished off for not that much and you may even make some money on it. Depends what you do to it but with these higher horsepower cars but you will want to up grade the brakes and perhaps a bit more.

For me part of owning these hot rods is the excitement going from stoplight to stop light.

I think you need to pencil it out and compare and you may give it a try.

You may make some money if you do the work on it if you want to sell it if it does not do what you want it to do. I made a lot on my first 914-v8 Paid $3200 and put maybe had a total of $4500. With Primo Bk paint. This was 79 or so. Sold it for $11,500. I was very happy with that and I loved driving it and selling it.


Bob B

Another tempting swap is the Honda 60° V6, light weight at close to 300hp, kit to bolt to your transmission is about $1000 and the motors can be found all day for half of that price.

There are a few swapped cars on here with that motor.

Hey Oscar... we made the v8 block hugger headers for Andy, also the muffler kits that went along in the package. MSDS was on Rosemead Blvd, 1984-1999...small world !

This would be a cool swap!

I understand the lack of love for the VW motor. I hate it too.

LS+Boxster 6 speed lovely package.
SBC weights a ton and changes the car noticeably. I used to work at Renegade and chose not to despite a nice discount. The Chevys are also a cooling nightmare. On the plus side it's cheap and easy.

You can get 300+ out of either the Subaru turbo swap or the Audi turbo plus a much more modern trans.

There are also 300 hp V6's out now and using a Kennedy adapter. Small and lightweight. Keeping the stock trans has it's benefits.

The first 914 I ever purchased was with the intent to build a V8 conversion. That was 30 some years ago and I still really want to.
I would if I could.

For a street-only-hot-rod the swap is a no brainer! I have described the end product with something factory-like - if Porsche had the balls and technology back in the day. Here is the catch though...you get out of a swap what you put into it and pinching pennies is not advised. If you have 15k to invest into the package plus your own labor - do it. If you are not THAT committed - I would suggest you do not move forward. Simple as that...

I would install a stock LS1 (300-350 hp) and stick with the fuel injection - the 901 will be perfectly happy with this engine combo as well. I hope you finally get off the fence and jump in head first. You will not regret it!

PS: One more thought...what makes the combo so amazingly enjoyable is the torque; horsepower is great but without the associated abundance of torque it is just like a six. The same goes for any other small displacement motor, new or old..

Tony

I'm just completing a V8 conversion Andy first impression is this is a stop light to stop light car. Something like strapping a 200hp Mercury on a canoe. My Pet is a 914 with a Subaru 6. It still handles like a Porsche and has an honest 4.5 sec 0-60mph time. As mentioned above, if you go Subaru or Audi then you also upgrade to the respective stronger transmission and hydraulic clutch very easily and cheaply.

More power is a must, and absolutely addictive.

But do be aware that stock components will be stressed beyond their design... specifically brakes, transmission, CV's, and rear suspension, and should be considered for upgrade along with a substantial increase in power... and thus your first step down that slippery slope!

Conversions are complicated, with lots & lots of individual details. Fortunately, most if not all, have been solved over the years. I would add that "easily & cheaply" are relative terms.

Good luck with the decision. Not many here will try to talk you out of it!

Like any project you have to set a budget, then add another 20% for the unknowns or fubars that will occur. Pencil out your cost and don’t forget to include work that may have to be out-sourced. If it is something that is affordable then DO IT.

FYI, I ran 10,000 over budget on my 3.2 conversion due to unknown rust issues and things I kept adding to the build because I saw things that others did and I had to have.

Good luck

Interesting. I hadn't run across that yet. The weight of the V-8 was one of my concerns. I'll have to search those out. I'm not really looking for mega hp, just reasonable low and mid range torque. And I kind of want to stay narrow body.

I have to say one of the appeals of the Chevy, be it a gen 1 or LS, is that it's been done so many times and there is a wealth of info to guide me to a reasonable end point. There are a lot of different swaps one can conjure up, but re-engineering too much just isn't my forte. I think that getting the fuel injection happy and working correctly is one of my bigger fears. I don't have a lot of knowledge on that front at this point and can see needing assistance in the end.

Having an end product that is saleable with an interested market is another thought, should I have an unforeseen need to part with it and not lose too much.

That's really what I don't want to wind up with. I think the pendulum swings back to again consider something lighter. As mentioned above, I think maybe I just need to overcome my fears of making the fi work on other swaps

Not to hijack the thread but if you decide the V8. I will soon have some parts for sale.
Going to a boxster 6 speed. Will be selling
1. 901 side shift transaxle flipped 3,4th, 1st removed and locked out, H-5th with 106 mm flanges
2. SBC to 901 adapter plate, flywheel, stage 2 clutch & p plate.
3. IMI high torque starter
4. extended shift rod
5. trans setback mounts

$800.00 plus shipping

Will be posting in for sale section soon

Thanks
David

Hey Chris -

In the end, it all comes down to what makes you happy & what fits your budget. But make sure that you'll actually like the 914 in various resto-mod flavors by driving them first, since there's everything from built-up T-IVs up to 300+ HP, Subie 4s & 6s in the same ranges HP, Porsche flat-6s from all eras, & various V8s out there.

A tired &/or non-original 74-75 1.8 or 73 1.7 are good platforms for such shenanigans of modded 914s, such as yours with changes over the years.

So take Oscar up on his generous offer, & stop at CVS on your way down from Paso for some adult diapers, & go have fun!


Tom
///////

This is a great buy! The regeared transaxle is worth the asking price alone.

That would work with a Chevy 4.3 V6 correct? I think that would be good choice as well. Seen a few and the fit is near perfect due to the shorter block.

If I ever get around to doing another one, it will likely be what Mike is talking about. One of the top 10 engines ever built, power and reliability, and dirt cheap.

Oh, and you should check out a V8 if you are so inclined... the positive is corvette like power and all that, but the down side is upsetting that weight balance and where. We ran circles around V8 914s at autocross, but life isn't autocross....

The thing I really dislike about the V8 swamp is the gear ratio, it's just too low. For my taste it would have to re-geared to take advantage of the small block torque. And thats a lot of $$$$

IMO Subaru is the way to go. Keeps the car closer to stock and even a 150 hp Subaru is light years ahead of the stock type 4.

It will if its for a 86 or newer SBC with a one peace rear main bearing seal. The Flywheels changed to a different bolt pattern with the change in 86. I think all 4.3 v6 have the newer bolt pattern.

The other thing to consider is driving style. The V8 will generally be a lower revving high torque motor that you can easily drive at lower RPM's without a lot of shifting. If you want to wind the engine up in every gear and enjoy driving at higher RPMs, an older V8 may not be the best choice.

I wonder about the "stoplight-to-stoplight" comments.
Tony (Cracker) seems to have proven that not to be the case at all - just check out the videos of him 911 hunting at Road Atlanta.

Also, based on what I've read/researched, an LS/Boxster is in the weight range of a /6 with a 915. Boxster S trans is about 175lb and a 915 AL case is about 150.

The LS3 is about 475 lb and a 3.2 is about the same.

Sure, the SBC is heavier but I'm just sayin'...

The OP asked about a v8 swap...I will stick to that and not a discussion of all the various alternatives available. Be careful what you read and even more so what you chose to believe. Misinformation is shared as fact as if it were the gospel. That's called driving an agenda...not a teener.

FWIW: My 914 has the same weight ratio as a Ferrari 458 but is ONE-THOIUSAND pounds lighter! I'd describe that as excellent company...ehh? I have to believe Ferrari could have made the 458's bias nearly anything they wanted. I am content.

Cracker

Portly pigs...

My all aluminum V6 is 320lbs loaded and turns 7k.

1st V8 conversion 914 I test drove had a bone stock 2 barrel carb'd all cast iron SBC from a wrecked station wagon. It was a hoot to drive and I guess it barely made 250hp.

I could feel the extra weight of it, but after awhile you get used to it. A yera later the owner swapped in a crate ZZ4(?) Aluminum head hot rod motor.

The car was even more fun to drive, however I felt it was getting to the point of too much for a fun street only car. Not many places you could just plant your foot all the way to floor and not worry about looping it or just plain being dangerous.

Be realistic with your budget, lots of little gotchas will cteep up when putting it all together.

I have owned Five V8 powered 914s. I loved each and everyone of them. Lots of power and torque.
I purchased each one already done ready to drive.. there might have been a few minor things to modify or finish. The nice thing was I was able to get in and drive them. I didn’t spend a lot of time or money to assemble them to then discover, this really isn’t for me.
There have recently been some very nice v8 914s listed for sale on this forum, and I’m sure there may be others on other for sale sites.
If you are given the chance to drive a v8 914, jump on it. It will be time we’ll spent, and it will make the desire to own one of these cars even stronger.
The ones that I owned, I paid about half of the build cost. So when I sold them I made some profit, but it was the fact that I actually owned and was able to drive a v8 powered 914 that was the most satisfying.
Craig at CAMP

[quote name='Mueller' date='Feb 24 2018, 05:25 PM' post='2582799']
1st V8 conversion 914 I test drove had a bone stock 2 barrel carb'd all cast iron SBC from a wrecked station wagon. It was a hoot to drive and I guess it barely made 250hp.

I could feel the extra weight of it, but after awhile you get used to it. [quote

This was my thinking when I started considering the V-8 again. Nothing with crazy hp, just a nice torquey, low stressed package. And I totally understand the "you get used to it" about the weight. I'm beginning to think I really wouldn't find it that disagreeable especially being where it is placed. I can totally relate to that description. It's also kind of why I don't think a gen1 sbc & re-geared 901 wouldn't be a bad way to go. It's a way to start on a smaller budget and upgrade as time and budget allow.



name='boxstr' date='Feb 24 2018, 05:33 PM' post='2582802']
I have owned Five V8 powered 914s. I loved each and everyone of them. Lots of power and torque.
..........., but it was the fact that I actually owned and was able to drive a v8 powered 914 that was the most satisfying.
Craig at CAMP
[/quote]

Just adding fuel to the fire! Thanks Craig.

Do all water-cooled engines eliminate the utility of the front trunk? For me the two trunks has always been a charming feature of the 914. Maybe I'd forget all that if I drove a converted one though.

I get rather annoyed at the V8 == Chevy V8.
There are a whole lot of other V8 engines made.

As I see it, the key of a V8 is the noise it makes. If that is what you want to hear when driving the car, then just do it.
If you are looking for HP or Torque, there other other options.

Yes would be the answer. I have seen few radiator's done that still left a little space. Really not much to realistically use it. There is space behind my fans in my front trunk. If I use it I screw with my airflow. So small things are okay. Do something big & I'll have some heat issues. Air has to go somewhere.

There have been plenty of radiator discussions. Bottom line is the front is the best spot for the radiator with the most flow. It believe it is possible to do it in a way that will work & still leave you your front trunk. Just not sure it is worth all the extra effort to try as it isn't a given.

I had a Buick 215 v8 conversion & it is tough to beat the sound of a v8 with a 4 barrel carb. I would take my subaru conversion over my buick 215 every day & twice on sunday. I did get the chance to drive an ls1 conversion. An LS conversion with a Boxter trans I would be hard pressed to say no to. The power is insane but you can drive it as tame as you like & have no complaints. So in my opinion I love Subaru conversions. If I had to choose between an old SBC & a subaru conversion. I would take the subaru. If I had to choose between the subaru & an LS conversion with a BoxsterS tranny. I would take the LS

A few of the 1st companies to make V8 conversions used Chevys. Nobody made a kit for a SBF as far as I know.

Adapters are available for many other V8 motors it just is easier for many to do one stop shopping for support.

The V8 I would like to see in a 914 is the Yamaha designed and built 60° V8 motor used in the Volvo V8 cars in the early 2000's, super sweet sounding motor. I test drove one of the sedans they come in and kept the windows down the entire time.

I have a Ford SHO v8 similiar but only 3.4L, it is slated for my jetboat, as I like to hear that noise since the boat is mostly run at full throttle.
This weighs only 325lbs, it is rather conservatively rated at 235hp.

I also have the all-aluminum Audi 4.2L V8, and that might be easier to put in a 914 because it mates with an Audi transaxle already. 300hp.

But sure if someone sells a complete package to put whatever in, and one doesn't have the desire or skill to fab their own, it makes sense to go with the package.

^ You are a sick individual.... I like it!

I have an extra Boxster/Passat 5 speed and I keep looking at those Audi V8's on craigslist, nice and short and fairly inexpensive. What worries me is the price for a proper flywheel setup since I think most are automatics.

I forgot about the Ford version of that Yamaha motor, about 2 years ago a dealer was selling 4 or 5 brand new NOS complete motors on eBay for like a grand or so. I should have bought one. Just checked ebay, 3 NOS shortblocks for $500 each, too bad no shipping only local pickup

Dang that's a bunch '0 power I'm looking into a V6 myself should be just enough.

I'm with you..I love dat two trunk set up.. perfect for all my wife stuff.

With a small enough engine you can get away with a really small radiator in the front. Or there have been a small few that keep it in the engine bay.

I set my radiator as far forward as I could with the intent of shrouding it and leaving about half the factory trunk. Havent shrouded it yet but its 100% doable. This is for a 1.8L that is NOT lacking in power, however displacement is directly related to radiator size requirement.

For the flywheel look at what the B5 A4 guys are doing that v8 swap. LOADS of those out there. I think I have seen 4 or 5 write up on them on audizine. I cant remember what the solution was but I believe it was simple.

I'm not well versed in other conversions. But I am doing a subaru swap in my off-road car now. There are a lot of companies out there with supporting parts and electronics for this swap. These motors are getting popular in the old vw's. I do believe this is a good 914 swap, the motor also sounds very appropriate.

Also an na 2.5L can easily be setup for 200hp (since they will not have a cat and aftermarket ecu). A turbo version can be 300-400hp depending on what combo you do. Also they are a very cheap, light weight and well designed motor.

Check out this motor matrix, some combos require 105 octane but you can lower that if you do lower compression wrx pistons- https://www.outfrontmotorsports.com/offroad...ru-motor-matrix

This place is well known and well respected...if anyone comes to check this place out let me know...I live 5 min away.



Oscar

Looks like lots of them use this
https://store.034motorsport.com/flywheel-in...8-aluminum.html

I would bet someone with CAD and a CNC could probably reverse engineer this...

Heck, I might even have an extra friction surface like shown in the picture. Thanks, I will keep that in mind in case I go that route.

Further research shows that depending on the engine a stock v6 clutch might work... More research is needed...

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.p...l=1#post6901025

I've done a lot of research to put the Audi v8 in my corvair with the 944S transaxle.
The flywheel is a major issue, but you can make your own setup like 034 does, just take the audi flexplate and use a VR6 flywheel in front of it with the teeth machined off and the mounting holes tweaked, and then get it balanced and use the VR6 clutch.
The flexplate is used for the teeth for the starter.

Modifying the 944S transaxle is another project too, but don't need to do that with an audi/boxster/vw 5 speed transaxle.

I have decided to just go with an automatic, aka 'tiptronic', 5hp19 transaxle I got with the engine.

I've thoroughly lost track of what kind of car you have!

lol, i have 15 of them...
This is the most unusual one I have (which I built)
Don't want to hijack the thread, it doesn't have a V8