Can I change my Porsche 911 Engine??
 

Hello all,

I am very new to Porsche. However, I just acquired a 1974 Porsche 911 Targa with no engine or transmission.

Can I put a different engine in it, like a Honda or Chevy or something? Please help.

-jamie

I am considering a VW Jetta engine, 1.8 liter. From my research, it would just bolt right in.

If this is the case, I wonder if I would need a Porsche transmission or would the Jetta's fit?

Briggs & Stratton is the way to go.

I thought about this option to.. and rethunk it.
 

Putting anything but a Porsche motor in a Porsche drastically devalues the car.

Save your money, like I did, and rebuild it with the right motor for your car.

With all the information that's available here on Pelican and in Wayne's books, you are going to be money ahead in the long run.

Conversions aren't cheap either.

Just my 2 cents...

The short answer is with enough time and money you can shove almost anything in there... does not mean you should though. The most common non-Porsche engine is a chevy. There are a few places that actually make parts for the conversion. I have seen a few other types, but they were all custom. The hardest part is running the lines up front for the radiators. Nothing will bolt right up and certainly not a 1.8t VW engine! The 1.8t is a front wheel drive with the trans mounted right to the engine... you need to move the trans forward so the half shafts are not totally misaligned. You need to pick a power plant that will mate to a porsche 915 transmission.

The easiest and best thing would be to get a 3.0l 911 SC (78-83) engine and put it in your car.

Good luck! You have found the place to answer all your questions so that is a great start!

Guys sometimes put in a chevy motor, as have been said, you can put most anything in there. What are you goind to use it for?

Kevin

What's the VIN number of the car - you don't want to mess with a 1974 Carrera, if that's what it is. Odds are it isn't, but ...

Even if it is a regular 911, the expense and aggravation you'll encounter will make you wish you'd just stuck a nice 911 engine/tranny in it.

JB

Only on a '72. The oil door is where you locate the rope handle.

Most conversions, with any type of car, will cost you more money than just going with the original set-up.

I had this old 72 VW Westfalia that had been converted to be able to run the rabbit/jetta engines. I took it to a mechanic for some basic stuff and he was tripping on the set-up, making comments of how it was probably a $5000 price tag.

You can put almost anything in it you have enough money and motivation, but the least expensive and the best way to go is to put a used Porsche engine back into your 74.

Then again, a Chevy conversion done right would be cool...if you are into stuff like that.

Wherever you were able to research that a Jetta engine would "bolt right in"......DO NOT ever go there, or talk to them, read that book, or whatever again. How would a 4 cylinder in line bolt right in to where a flat-six boxer engine was?

I saw a 74 running engine in here for 1900$ with case savers as I recall or a 3.2 or3.6.take your time looking and have a nice car why dont ya. stock 74 isnt too bad! Used 915 trans's should be about 500 bucks and are usually fine. Do it carefully and with all the parts and you will have one of the all time best sports cars in the WORLD.

One issue is that the origonal porsche engine is very flat.
A traditional engine, like a Jetta engine, needs to be positioned straight up, I don't think that will ever fit.

Obviou option that SHOULD fit relatively simple is a VW Beatle (old Beatle, not the new one of course) engine .... With a well tuned 1600 cc a decent option.
Or a 4 cilinder from the Porsche 914.

Still I would look for a orignal engine.

your research is wrong in every way.i don't know who gave you this advice,but a jetta engine is wrong in every way.a jetta is a front engine,fwd,transverse mounted vehicle.by the way,"bolts right in"is he biggest red flag in automotive repair.Nothing,ever bolts right in.except in this case,a porsche flat six with a 915 tranny would bolt right in more or less.find youself a motor and tranny.your 74 deserves it.also your car will be far more valuable and easier to sell down the road.you're probably looking at 5k to 10k realistically.

Here is the engine that you should put in your car.
This motor will make your 74 car faster than a real RS. 204HP to the rear wheel....
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-used-parts-sale-wanted/566621-fs-2-7l-engine.html

I vote, the Cadillac V16, I heard that monster will bolt right in.


Steve

73, 911T MFI Coupe, Aubergine

I've also heard tales of a steam powered 911, this would a cheap alternative...

Midwest Model VI Steam Engine Kit 980

Brett

Steam
 

Brett:

Steam power in California won't work, won't pass SMOG. Plus, they're still looking at ways too "apply" taxes to Steam Power.

Steve

73 911T MFI Coupe, Aubergine

Ok, mmm... what about wind power? Take off the rear deck lid, attach a mast to the transmission so the sails could be controlled via the gear shift, or keep the deck lid on & develop a massive/flexible duck tail. Just throwing out ideas...

Brett

A 74 is a fairly light car. How about adding a couple of pedals off an old Huffy? Might be able to drive it in the bike lane.

Come on, this guy was beat to death before June........