1.8 vs. 2.0

[TimB]

Well I hope to be in the market for a NICE 914 soon. I'll have my 911 sale as a "budget" (like there is such a thing in the long run!).
It looks like ideally I should go for a 2.0, probably '73 or '74. There are, however, a few restored 1.8's in my area.
Question: How much different in performance, maintenance, etc. is the 1.8 vs. the 2.0?

Thanks

[tat2dphreak]

from what I hear, the 2.0 is the king in performance.. no comparison...

maintenance: pretty much the same though. the 2.0 heads tend to crack more from what I've heard

the 2.0 is much more desirable and will have a better resale
some people SWEAR by the Ljet vs. the Djet on 2.0 though...

IMHO, if the car is NICE!! (I mean VERY NICE) it doesn't matter what engine it has. I would stay away from 75-76s though... smog crap sux..
if you aren't happy with the performance later, you can always kick it up to a 2.0+ anyway.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

1.8: 76 HP, ~95 lb-ft of torque.
2.0: 95 HP, ~105 lb-ft of torque.

The 73 2.0s will be about the same weight as the 74 1.8s, the 74 2.0s a tiny bit heavier. The 75 1.8s will be significantly heavier, and the 75-76 2.0s a tiny bit heavier than those.

Parts prices for those things that are 2.0-specific, in particular the exhaust and heads, will be significantly higher than the corresponding 1.8 parts. Maintenance should be similar in cost, longevity reasonably similar but I'd give the nod to the average 1.8 over the average 2.0 by a tiny little bit I think. (They'll tend to be used a little less hard, I feel.)

--DD

[DDS]

My 2.0 heads were badly cracked.
Study up on L-jet - it certainly seems simpler than D-jet and no spendy MPS or fancy distributor to replace. 1.8 valve sizes are near enough those on the 2.0, and jug spigot holes are the same as 2.0 so the 1.8 is a decent core for a bigger motor if you decide to go that route.

Dave

[914Ghost]

Find a GOOD RUST FREE car. Who cares what engine it has to start with unless you're paying some extreme price.
Anything mechanical can be dealt with.. ..the worse the body and rust the less you'll sleep.
I have a good strong running carb'd 1.8 in my 70' and its fun as hell- I can collect and build my dream 2056 on a budget and collect parts bit by bit. When I do the engine swap my car will only be off the road for a weekend and I'll know the engine inside & out in the end.
By the "car" you want and build the performance to fit you later after you drive it and figure it out.
my .02
-Bob O

[TimB]

Anyone have a good online source for L and D-Jet?

Thanks

[norustscott]

good? as in cheap ... no.

[Bleyseng]

Here is the site for learning everything about Djet
http://www.members.rennlist.com/pbanders

I like a 2.0l over a 1.8L as the hp difference is alot. But I agree with finding the best rust free car thats complete. So what if its fast if its rusty as hell. I have seen several 73 2.0L for sale that were just rust with paint and they wanted good money so beware.
I think Djet is pretty easy to figure out and very easy to tune with in parameters. Ljet has that airmeter which is caput if the car backfires


Geoff

[sean_V8_914]

I stuck my foot in my 74 1.8 L jet for 6 years with minimal wrench time and max flogging time. The previous posts mention the 2.0 head issues. I have driven 5 or 6 2.0 cars (thanks guys . Although neither car is fast, the 2.0 has enough more push to satisfy. My 1.8 was just shy of the satisfaction mark. I have seen many 2.0s die since I had my white 74 1.8. Now she lives under the heavy right foot of another, in Seatle. He only takes her out in the sun shine. I miss that car...what was the thread about?

[Bleyseng]

Who has the 1.8 in Seattle?
I agree the 2.0L has enough get up and go to satisfy, the 1.8l's feel like they have a bug motor in the middle to me.

Geoff

[anthony]

The other thing that nobody has mentioned is that a 2L car has all the options as standard (sway bars, console, Fuchs alloys, appearance group). I think the stock sway bars make it a very well balanced car. You can of course put a nice bar on the front of an earlier car and stiffer springs on the rear and make it a little better.

The other thing I've heard is that a fresh 1.7/1.8 engine can have more umph than a tired 2L - just something else to consider.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Not all of the 2.0s had all the goodies on them. Just about all of the 73s did, but they were extra-cost on the 74+ cars, and the smaller-engine'd cars could get the options as well.

But yeah, I think a higher proportion of the 2.0s came with all the goodies than the other cars.

Some L-jet resources can be found at http://www.type2.com , as the later Buses also used a version of L-jet.

--DD

[sean_V8_914]

Austin Cox has my 1.8 car now in woodinville Wa

[sean_V8_914]

I just spoke to Austin. He only drives the car when the weather is clear. He said he has been driving it frequently into Seattle

Geoff: does your car have the big rubber bumpers and teh "Porsche "script under teh doors?

[Bleyseng]

Not anymore. I have early chrome bumpers on it and a black duck tail spoiler. The color is Nepal Orange but I havent driven over to the Eastside in awhile. Most around Seattle or to Bremerton.
I hang out with the Seattle 914Club guys alot to so he should join us at the next breakfast at Emerald Downs on April 24th.
Geoff