I enjoy seeing the creativity of these types of swaps. Guess that's why I like Grassroots Motorsports so much with articles covering Miata engines in MGBs and supercharged Hondas in Fiat X19s.

I have to think that a WRX 914 is potentially a very fast track car and a great bang for the buck.

Engines are $2k, a track prepped roller sans drivetrain is $5k, conversion parts are another $5k, 901 trannies are $1k, add however much you want for body and paint to make it look the way you want and you have a 250-300 hp car that weighs <2,200lbs for less than $20k.

Check out some of the Subie web sites. There are mild 250hp, 400-500hp mid and 600hp monster motors. We could never get the hp out of a Porsche that can be had in a modern Subie motor for under $70K

I wish we could enjoy the fact that a 911 is only the staring point for a hot rodder. I would love to have a 600-700hp 911 to blow away everyone with, but I cannot afford it, so I just dream

This goes back a ways, to the 60s. At the Watkins Glen Grand Prix in 1963 there was a Porsche roadster with a 1962 Corvair turbo engine. It looked like it belonged there; neat, understated and went like stink for its day.

Re: Re: Excellence is now on board with swaps
 

And if the New York Times covered a story, would you think they're "on board" with the subject matter? :rolleyes:

Just reporting the facts. *We* take a neutral stance to swaps, finding them interesting but rarely done well. This one looks like it was done well, and the fact that a bunch of Porsche nuts at a major show voted it Best in Show is pretty interesting.

There should be something in Excellence for everyone. Getting the right "mix" remains a challenge, and I've only been truly happy with 3-6 issues in the last ten years from that perspective. Room for improvement, then...

I'd like to think that we're true to the Porschephile ethos, but we are open to pretty much any topic we think most Porsche nuts will dig. That's why we've covered all sorts of replicas, FABCAR-built VW buses, Porsche-powered blimps and airplanes, Denzels, Bobsys, tractors, 928s converted to look like A1 VW Golfs, and the list goes on.

The only people who actually tend to get mad about these "fringe articles" seem to be pretty closed-minded, but then that's just my observation from getting all the hate mail and seeing some of the ridiculous things people post to forums. And, sometimes, fair and helpful criticism.

Articles like this one are meant to make you think about how YOU feel about Porsches? Where does "modifying" and/or "molesting" begin and end? A car stereo? Coco mats? Bumper guard delete? Color change? 15x7s on an early 911? Engine swaps? A Wevo conversion? An RSR backdate? VIN tag swaps?

I don't profess to know (though at least one of the above makes my skin crawl), but I guess I like a lot of "molested" Porsches...

And my suspicion is that many of you do, too.

SmileWavy

pete

Ed:

"Excellent" observations. All one has to do is study the history of automotive advances to see how many came from the shade tree mechanics. Most "purists" I have known do none of their own work and some have difficulty describing the assets of their ride.

I am glad Excellence spoke up. I get so tired of reading about unattainable super 911's with gobs of hp that I will never be able to build or own. Iwould hate to be any 911 driver and pull up against the 914WRX. It should eat any 911's lunch. I agree with him 100%. Dr. Porsche would be putting anything with more hp into his cars. Most people on this board love to tell others not to modify their cars, but have done do modify theirs with the rational that it is not a proper Porsche as is. I would love to talk about swaps, supercharges, nitrous and other things, but I would be blasted off the board for it.

Its your P-car, do what you want to it.

Motor-Meister installed my subaru engine in my 911 , and it works great!

NOT!

Actually, there should be room for both...hot rods and purists. Let's face it, some Porsche models are perfect hot rod material, and others, due to their rarity and/or being considered a high point of the Porsche line, should be left alone. I think this works for Detroit iron as well. An original '57 Bel Aire ragtop should be kept original...ahh, but an old '57 2 door post? Do it to it....:)

+1

sorry cbeers no more hand me down oldies after i read.

I find "Pano" to have more fluff per page than Excellence.....Just my opinion.

Me too. But PANO is a club magazine, subscriptions sent to members only. You have to expect club magazines to beat their own drum, plug the membership, and sell the latest car to come out of the factory. Don't get me wrong, I think EXCELLENCE is a good paid subscription enthusiast magazine. My reason for cancelling is that I've decided to make a clean break from the Porsche scene. Once my car is gone, I'll be gone as well...except for Pelican O.T. I love reading what you crazy guys have to say...I might be done with discussions of the differences in the oil system of '72 vs. '73...but this O.T. board is a great source of fun for me. Many people from all walks of life with many experiences and opinions. Much better than the letters to the editor of ANY newspaper...or magazine. Gee, "I love you guys"...even Tabbydoll! ;)

All I can add, is that there's lots of believers after a ride in the "porscharu".

I live in Atlanta, everyone is welcome to come for a joyride.

sjd
can't wait until my Miata powered MGB is done.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1177381157.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1177381227.jpg

sjd

pwd

I am kind of in the same boat. Sooner or later, I will get rid of the 944 and won't care if I ever open the hood of another German car. Four Porsches over the years and three VeeDubs have taught me I don't need the frustration anymore.

I hear ya. Part of it is an age thing, just getting weary of dealing with and taking care of "stuff'. But another part of it is societal changes...another of those little OREGONIAN articles in this morn's paper...a guy caught doing 110 on one of Oregon's freeways. Fine? Over 2,200 smackers. Plus loss of license for 2 moons. I don't know if they confiscated the car or not. Big brother is here...black boxes that give info on what the car has done, heavy traffic, severe speeding penalties. The game of owning a special car seems to be for what??? these days.

Cindy & I made a 70 mile round trip on I-5 here yesterday...I assure you, a Ferrari Enzo would be hard pressed to gain 5 minutes in elapsed time over our old Ford Ranger...bumper to bumper, all the way, and right or left lanes both travelling roughly the same speed. It was bearable in the Ranger. I could turn on the air condidtioning, place a bunch of oldies tunes on the car's stereo, and just go with the flow of the herd. If I'd been in the '72S? I'd have been a mass of blubbering fear, wondering who was going to prang me... The hassles now outweigh the pleasures of Porsche ownership. But that's just me...to each his own.

I'd like more articles on the Porsche motorsports history. To me, that is the most glorious thing about the make.

A roadtest of the mythical Chev911 would be cool too. If you can spare the subscribers . . .