Need a motor, what would you do?
 

Okay, here is the scoop. I've got sitting in the driveway a very nice 76 912e. Ready to go except for the motor.

I'm trying to figure out what to do about a motor. I've got a 2.0 type 4 motor in the shop that I was planning on using, but found a dropped valve seat on cyl #1. This will be a $3-500 repair to rebuild both heads. I have a hard time spending that kind of money on a junkyard motor without doing a complete rebuild.

I also have in my shop a 2.2 911t motor sitting in the shop. Needs to be cleaned out and check the heads. One of the head exchangers is shot. Has a bosch dissy, and a great set of zenith carbs.

I'd like to work with a budge of $2500. I'd like more HP that came with a stock 912e.

I've got a few options:

1. Build a hotrod 914 motor, us type 4 motor as a core and build a 2056. Would be 96 mm pistons, webcam, carbs I have, exhaust would be a bus exhaust till I could afford a race header. 130 hp tops. Would take every dime of the 2500

2. Fix up the 2.2 as is. Gonna have to at least take the heads off and check it all out, check the heads and all, use the carbs, etc. Misc repair stuff, probably run 1000-1500 in bits and pieces. Should be 120 hp.

3. Rebuild the 2.2 to a 2.4. New crank and rods, use everything else. Not sure is the dizzy will need to change. Do a complete rebuild top to bottom, probably take all the $2500. est 160-180 HP.

4. Find a 2.4 e or s engine, $2000+?

5. See if I can find a 2.7 or 3.0 long block, ready to run, put my carbs on it if needed. Sell off all the 2.2 stuff. 2500 might be pushing it, but I could keep my fingers crossed, might have to go to 3000. Would be 200+hp

So, what would you do. I'd really like some advice here. I want the best bang for the bucks.

Thanks

5. See if I can find a 2.7 or 3.0 long block, ready to run, put my carbs on it if needed. Sell off all the 2.2 stuff.

If you have TIME...

If the car came with a 4 cylinder, you may need to spend alot of extra money to be able to use a 911 engine (at least that is true for a 914) - oil tank, oil hoses, engine mount, etc. I think it costs several thousand dollars to convert a 914, not including the engine.

That was my thought...much cheaper to stick with the 4 banger..

Why not build a super-duper 2.1 ltr VW motor - like they use in off-road racin?

I've got a 70t to pull all the 6 cyl goodies off of, motor mount, oil tank, etc. A super duper 2.1 type 4 costs more than a 6cyl.

Your handle says that short putts never go in. I don't want to offend anyone, but a 4-cylinder 911 is a short putt. IMHO. but then, I'm the kind who'd rather drive a Yugo with a Cosworth engine, than drive a Maseratti with a Briggs & Stratton.

Well, if it were me, I'd probably end up ignoring my budget and getting in touch with Harald. :D

Get the six in there--912's with fours are, well, silly. Something that looks like a 911 but sounds like a bug....Couldn't get over that after my first 912 ride two weeks ago.

jhelgesen,

If you have the 912E specific parts - Engine tin, Rain tray, Heat Exchangers, muffler, motor mount (the mounting bar of course not bushings), L-Jet EFI, distributor. Thermal Reactors; auction/sell these off. Use these proceeds, proceeds from your 2.2 items with your $2,500 budget to purchase a used 3.0 or ?

The above items are unique and very desirable for the 912E purists.

A quality Type IV rebuild for a budget of $2,500 will not yield much HP. To do the heads correctly with the proper reinforcing would drain at least 1/3-1/2 of the budget.

Putting a six in a 912E is far easier than converting a 914-4 to a -6.

Good Luck,
Bob

What's the deal with the 912E? Wouldn't that be like an impact-bumper VW with a 911 silhouette? I get the point of a reg. 912, just not the e.

The 923/912E was an interim solution to fill the vacancy for an entry level Porsche (914) until the 924 was ready for the masses. Due to the conflict between Porsche and VW over the 914 this model was discountinued. Porsche had a few leftover Type IVs from the 914 production, so....923/912E with a Type IV motor.

I think one of my favorite things about 911s is their sound, especially the 3.2 Carreras and earlier. I wouldn't buy a post-356 Porsche unless it came with an aircooled flat six. Sorry 912E guys, but that's my 2 cents.

Is everyone forgetting about the 923 transaxle ? It has a different size(smaller) input shaft than the 915/901 etc. There lies a major problem if he dont have a tranny along with his 2.2 motor . How about just selling the whole car and all the parts. Then shop for a 911 in need of a little work. That would be a better place to invest $2500.00 dollars. Also he will need to mount an oil tank ,aquire a cdi box, torsion bars,+many other headaches to use the 912e . Either go with a type 4 or sell it all . Thats just my opinion.

Kurt Williams

jhelgesen:
 

I agree with the post that said you should sell the car and look for a 911. If you want a 911, you should just go ahead and buy one. With transmission and oiling issues involved in addition to a new engine, I think when all is added up, you're better off starting with a clean slate.

You can't do a quality rebuild on a mag-case 911 engine for $2500. The machine work costs more than that alone...

-Wayne

Whatever motor you put in it the title will still say 912E. So putting in a six is money down the drain. The car will be more valuable with the 4 banger. I would look for a Type IV that someone else has already built and now wants to get out from under. It may take a while but one should show up. Either that or sell the car.

By the way, as Bob pointed out there are some parts that are very hard to come by on that car. The heat exchangers and the L jet to name a few.

You'll never be happy with the dollar to performance ratio of the Type IV. Sure you can build a 2270 rocket, but not for $2500. Early sixes are abundant and affordable. You can probably get $1000-$1600 for the "E" transaxle if you part it out. If you are not fond of the Type IV then do yourself a favor and sell what you have then budget for a 911.

My 2 cents.

Bobboloo - nice inventory. Sometime this year, I am hoping to add a '72 coupe ( gonna have a 2.4 MFI motor built first) to my P-Car inventory. Need to pay for a wedding first though...LOL


;)

If you're on a budget.......

.....I'd go with building a wild type four motor. It seems pointless to drop a 3 litre engine in, when you'll just end up having to spend money on suspension and brakes to build a "balanced car". Anyway, the type four engine would mean a lot less weight hanging over the rear which gives the 912 it's arguably sweeter than 911 handling characteristics.

If you prep the car with the zenith carbs, a wild cam and some decent quality p&c's then you could come up trumps with a lightweight/reliable engine, sweet handling and raucus sounding, (if you find the right exhaust) fun little 912 that's surprise a lot of the early 911 T's and E's !!!

The Type IV should be quite a bit cheaper to maintain and build than any flat 6 too....;)

oh yeah... and sell the 2.2 T to help fund the cams and the exhaust !!!

(In my opinion there's nothing wrong with a four banger..... as long as it's air-cooled:cool: )

912's are perfectly balanced. 50/50...that's their advantage.

go with the four. you have emissions??? carb it, bursch exhaust, make the little four banger roar.

sjd