Buick V6 Conversion

[Peter_Hinkle]

I know that Kennedy makes an adapter to run the buick v6 in a 914 but what I don't know is whether or not one can use the motor that originally came transerse mounted in a FWD car or do you have to get the motor that came in a RWD car only?

[tat2dphreak]

dunno, but one of the supercharged Regal motors would be a sweet choice if it works...

[skline]

To the best of my knowledge, the engine itself is the same. I have one I am installing in a Chalon and it is a 1980 3.8 liter Turbo from a Regal.

[Scooter311]

'Yello
I've been tossing ideas around for a motor swap, and one was the 3.8 V6. I believe when I called Kennedy, they said there was an adapter for each. I don't know what the differences are, but the motor I've got is a 3.8 SFI from a FWD car, and apparently you can use that.
I've been told an earlier, carbureted evenfire 6 would be best, as you can really modify it without fuel injection or computer worries. I've been trying to do my homework on this, and have found out quite a bit - I'd be very interested in your progress, or at least throwing some ideas around.
Cheers,
Jeff

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

AFAIK, either one will work. But the guys at Renegade claim that it's better not to. The SBC is the same amount of work to fit, and you get more power. They also claim that the power delivery with the V8 is a lot smoother and will cause less wear and tear than a V6 putting out similar torque.

No real data myself; I do know of several V6 cars running.

--DD

[skline]

Just to add one more thing about the 6 over the 8. I have my engine sitting on my garage floor right next to a SBC. The 6 is shorter than the 8 with the water pump and everything attached to it. The SBC is the block only and it is longer. My thought is, if I am cruising around in Arizona or New Mexico someday or out in the middle of nowhere and my water pump goes out, I want to be able to go to any local parts store and pick up the replacement rather than to have to manufacture something or wait for one of the conversion vendors to send me one. I also did not want to cut up my rear trunk to make a distributor fit. 270 HP from the turbo and a lot less weight. Over the counter parts at any parts house. I am still trying to find the down side.

[sammyg2]

The basic water pump they use on a chebby conversion is an early chrysler big block water pump or so I'm told by a very reliable source. Most auto parts houses can match it up.

The downside for the six is that it is more expensive per horsepower than the V8. It is also harder on the transaxle and CVs than the same amount of torque from a V8.
Other than that i can't see a thing wrong with it.

[SteveStromberg]

Heres A Buick link: http://www.gnttype.org/
Steve

[tat2dphreak]

one thing to consider/remember... the GM v6 vs. the V8: the v6 is basically a V8 that they chopped off... the pistons and stroke was the same (as I recall) basically they designed the 8cyl. and the 6 was an afterthought... the 8 has always been the chevy forte... and always the better choice

I had a vortec v6 in a pickup... it blew thermostats monthly, the low end wasn't there and the quality of parts didn't impress me... I also rebuilt a 350 for another truck and it was a monster... the V8 was so much smoother and plenty of choices....

not to say the v6 is crap... a friend has a s/c regal and that car hauls!

another thing to remember... 4000 will get you a new crate built V8... dunno about the 6 though

[sean_V8_914]

total power divided by number of cylinders equals power per cylinder fired or each pulse of energy delivered to the tranny. I have played with several versions of the Buick v6. They make an all aluminum motor also. It is lighter, shorter(water pump fits) Although I really liked my Grand National Turbo car, I chose a 327 V8 for mine. First conversion I did was a 350 stock out of a 72 Chevelle. Pulled like a raped ape till teh tranny snapped. after two sets of axles and countles burn outs. It was a squirley POS but hella fun. Car lives in Orlando now.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Those 4.3 Vortec v-6's are great engines as well. My old Blazer had one, and even with an auto I could light up the tries.

[soloracer]

There is a guy who put a Nissan 3.0 V6 in a 914. Here is the link:

http://nissan6.914resources.com/specs.html

Click on the tabs on the left and you will see he has a pretty good detailed build up plus a list of parts (approx $4000 worth) for the conversion. Wonder if a new 350z engine would work?

[AJS]

Recently I spoke with the founder of Kennedy Eng. His opinion is that the Nissan V6 makes for the nicest swap in the 914. Good power (reasonably friendly to the transaxle), favorable RPM range, fits well, light weight, suspension changes are not manditory, and resonably priced. FWIW

Andy

[sean_V8_914]

I have an extra 300 ZX motor if anyone wants it. $50 OBO

[bkbs22]

Has anyone put a rotory engine in a 914 yet.

[peter carroll]

My Chevy 2.8 V6 is a couple of weeks from going in the 914. I am getting a bad vibe from this discussion. Did I make a bad decision? It is a low mileage Citation x-11 V6 with adapter, headers Holley 4 barrel and Red Dawg engine cradle for $850.00.(used) Kennedy says it is one of the smoothest V6's to put in the 914. I think the Buick is listed as being heavy on vibration. Starting to panic. Pete

[sean_V8_914]

good, smooth reliable choice. the buick was a skip fire rocky bastaaard . since you have teh parts already, do it and enjoy the power boost. was 850 with everything mentioned above? I would call that a fair deal. teh red dawg craddle gets in teh way of teh oil filter on a v8. does it clear OK on teh v6?

[914GT]

Originally posted by skline
... if I am cruising around in Arizona or New Mexico someday or out in the middle of nowhere and my water pump goes out, I want to be able to go to any local parts store and pick up the replacement...

I wonder how hard it would be to replace the water pump on a V6 with the engine in the car. I'd think it would be difficult to access but maybe there's enough room. It takes about 5 minutes to remove my water pump.

[sean_V8_914]

the v6 conversions look like they have alot of room

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Originally posted by bkbs22
Has anyone put a rotory engine in a 914 yet.

This might have worked better as a new thread...

Anyway, it has been done several times. There are several different ways of setting it up, they all seem to work more or less equally well. The rotary needs as much cooling as a V8, so you wind up using one of the V8 radiator setups. (Renegade's is reputed to be the best, but is one of the most expensive.)

I had thought that it would be neat to use two smaller radiators inside the engine bay, but AFAIK nobody has done that and made it work. Getting airflow to them both would likely be a really major problem.

--DD