Second opinions...

[djs]

Hi, all. My '75 2L is running fine, but I'd like a bit more power, so my current plan is to build a new engine for it. I have a running 2L core from a '73 914 that I can build while I continue to drive my car. This will make passing smog inspections easier, as well.

I am thinking of purchasing a 96mm Stage 1 Deluxe kit from Mark Stephens High Performance. This kit includes 96mm slip-in pistons, ported & polished heads with 42 x 36 mm SS valves, a new stock or mild cam & lifters, counterweighted 71mm crank, and an aligned-bored case. The kit also includes all bearings, gaskets and seals, as well as balancing. Displacement is 2055cc, compression is 8.5:1 and power output is approximately 120HP/130 ft.lb torque as measured on a dyno. The comp ratio can be reduced, but 8.5 is the default with the 96mm pistons.

My question for the forum: Can I retain my stock fuel injection with this setup, and if so, what mods will be necessary to ensure I run correctly? (fuel pressure/injectors, timing, etc.)

I installed a similar Stage 1 kit in my '82 Vanagon and found I needed to modify my air sensor door spring (L-Jetronic F.I.) and ignition timing to prevent an overly lean mixture during cruise/full power. Other than that the van runs really nicely, although gas mileage went way down. Because it weighs 3500 lbs, I don't expect mileage on the 914 to drop quite as drastically.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[John Rogers]

The big factor it seems would be the cam since the size increase is not too drastic and you can get up to 2.2l I've been told with the stock system but it is pushing the limit. The stock FI cam is pretty mild and to take advantage of the better heads and a little hotter cam I would go with webers and swap back to the original engine every two years or so. That way you would only have a month or so of agony instead of constant worries about the stock FI system and have it get too lean and burn something up? If it was my project, I would also consider an external oil cooler as has been tossed about in other posts here to extend the engine life. Good luck.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

I have a friend with the MSHP 96es on his 2.0 motor. I don't think he has the counterweighted crank, but apart from that he has a very similar motor.

His is a 74 and it passes smog. He has the D-jet on the car, but I think he needed to monkey with it a bit. Check Kjell Nelin's article on the 914 Fan Page http://www.914fan.net about how to tweak the D-jet FI.

--DD

[tmk]

DJS: The 120HP/130 ft.lb torque comes from a MSHP engine with 40mm IDF Webers and a 163/86B WebCam with ported and polished heads. It is in my 73 914. I do not think you will get the same output with FI.

TMK
73 2.1L

[stlrj]

I installed NPR 96mm P&Cs on my '70 1.7L, retained the stock FI, and had no problems with lean running conditions. It seems the stock injection compensates just fine and the increase in torque was nothing less than fantastic.

Joe Garcia