Our thoughts on ”other” engines for your 914….

Once upon a time, not so long ago it was basically a requirement to complete a six cylinder conversion to a 914 if you wanted reliable power. This is no longer true and in just a few short pages I will show you why you should ditch those ideas for that heavy, expensive engine that has too many cylinders!!!

Since for so many years the 914 was a much loved car by those who liked a great handling, Targa topped vehicle. Since there were several years when Type IV engine development basically died the engines were thought of as “not capable of making power and reliability”. Due to this and the general demand for power many 914 engine conversions came along to put bigger stock engines into the 914 chassis. I will go over each of these and give you my thoughts on them and try to convince you through facts that the best engine for 90% of enthusiasts is what Porsche installed in your 914 from the factory. We have brought the 914 engine back to life on the street as well as on the track and for the first time in years we are making them competitive in national levels- reliably

You will see here that my ideas are biased due to the fact that I absolutely LOVE the Type IV engine! But I will still do my best to keep the opinions and facts as real as possible. I will do this because I want you to choose my engine only if it’s for you! This is the way I have gained a flawless reputation and keep my customers happy. I may not be a smooth talker, but I get my point across and if I rub you the wrong way- well I just do……. 

Porsche 6 cylinder transplant

In general

This is perhaps the most widespread transplant because it’s still aircooled and still a Porsche engine.  Many people consider the Six cylinder more of a “Porsche engine” than the type IV and in some ways it is! You really know that it’s a Porsche when you price parts for a rebuild, or even a tune up and they are double and triple their Type IV counterparts! The other reason that so many people go with the six cylinder is the fact that Porsche offered a “914/6” from the factory with a 2.0 six cylinder 911 engine installed. These engines were stronger than the Type IV when they were developed, but now our mildest Type IV produces as much power as a stock “914/6” and does so just as reliably for literally ½ the cost.

Cost

Many of those who are contemplating a conversion are tricked into thinking that the 911 conversion is about the same cost as a “Big Four” build up. It could be around the same if the convert got a good deal on a six cylinder engine that is in great shape and running good and not needing any work, or even a rebuild in its next 50,000 miles. This is something that is few and fare between!

I have seen many 911 converts install their six cylinder engine that they got a “good deal on” into their 914 and need engine work immediately. This is when they find out that they are definitely working on a Porsche engine and the wallet opens very wide. Most used 911 engines sell for 4-6,000.00 in known good condition and with the rest of the conversion can more than equal our “Big four” replacement engine that is “Spankin new” and dyno proven. So in short the conversion will get you a used engine in unknown condition, while we set you up with new power fresh off the dyno. Buying a used engine might mean you are buying someone else’s basket case and that can get expensive fast.

Since we work on six cylinder engines as well, we know the cost to rebuild them well and do so correctly. The facts are that the cheapest stock rebuild that we offer for a six cylinder is 10,000.00! That’s for an engine that has a 3-400.00 Alternator, 2-300.00 cooling fan and over a hundred bucks for a set of spark plug wires! Compare these prices for parts for Your Type IV and you’ll see which one is the wiser choice should you need any engine work/parts later down the road. The Porsche six cylinder is not a cheap or easy engine to work on, especially when stuffed into the mid-ship position of the 914! Buying a used engine is one of the biggest risks that a person can take, even that famed six cylinder Porsche power plant!

Conversion headaches

They exist! With ANY engine conversion for any car there are several grey areas that you will have to address when you are slapped in the face with them. I have converted many cars and hit tons of issues. Heck once I installed a Chevy 350 into a Jaguar and what a nightmare that was! With the six cylinder conversion most of the issues can be overcome easily but you still have to add a dry sump oil tank, add mounts, a front mounted oil cooler and beef up a few areas for the added stress of the extra weight as well as buying custom exhaust or sourcing the original 914/6 parts that are very rare. All this takes time and money to do. My engine can be installed with none of this needed unless you need an external cooler and it can be done in less than one weekend, even if you are slow! Since your car was set up for Type IV power, keeping Type IV power is the simplest route and simple = less to break! 

Added weight

When you add weight to the 914, it really is noted! Since the stock engine is so well balanced for the vehicle when any weight is added handling will be affected. The six cylinder conversion is probably the lightest of all conversions because it does not require a radiator and incidentals that come with water cooling. It does add a noted 100+ pounds more than one of our Type IV engines and the handling changes can be felt. Adding 100 pounds to any car, especially right in the middle of a mid engine car can make drastic differences in the entire vehicle.

The added weight can be felt as well when you hit the brakes! Extra weight requires more brake to stop in the same distance so it definitely increases the chances for needing updated stopping power as well. Our engine does make more power and can use some extra brakes, but at least our engine is equal to the stock weight, or can be lighter due to stronger, lighter materials that comprise it.

Remember, the only replacement for displacement is weight reduction! This means that a lighter car with 160HP, may be faster and more fun to drive than a heavier 180HP car! Don’t forget that the power to weight ratio plays a key role with performance of any vehicle, especially the 914!

Sound

Yep! It may sound crazy but I know of some guys on message boards that have chosen the six cylinder engine simply for its sound! They think that the only engine that can create a thunderous roar is the Porsche six! They have obviously never heard one of our engines operating at full song through a pair of dual throat Webers!  I think it’s silly to buy anything based on looks or sound alone, so I don’t need to go any further into this category to make my point. If you do all that work just to gain sound you really are not wise enough to benefit from one of our engines anyway- just go buy a damn 911 and be done with it!

Overview

The six cylinder conversion is heavier, more expensive, more time consuming and adds weight to your vehicle. When you are done you’ll still have a used engine and you’ll still have a bastardized car that has been hacked up from its original state. The Type IV bolts right in, gives you a new engine and a sense of security that it was built just for you and your car by the best in the business. You don’t sacrifice your vehicles appearance, or originality for added power and when we are done the engine looks stock on the outside but it’s a beast on the inside!

Considering a V-8 Conversion?