Porsche 914 conversion to Subie wrx engine

[roywb46]

Have a Porsche 914 (1974) and I am in the process of installing a 2004 WRX 2.0 Turbo (227hp) or 2.5L STI (300hp) engine in. I have followed most of reviews and was wondering due the cost of the conversion kit which is sold by Renegade Conversions which is around $2,000.00 plus radiator etc. What my options are on fabricating some of the similar kits for bolting up flywheel etc. Due to cost of implanting a air cooled 911 engine 3.0L/3.2L/3.6L and the cost for getting the hp up on my 2.0L 4-cyl I've decided to go this direction. I realize their is a lot of controversy on this conversion etc.. Anyone have any suggestions or directions. Without getting into resale value etc., thanks or if someone has already bought the conversion possibly some suggestions or short cuts. I have access to fabrication shop etc..and some options to changing gear ratios for possibly a good combination of 1/4 mile times and top end. Once this is started I will gladly post some pics.

[Fud]

I am in the process of doing this conversion to. I’m using the Subie transmission, so everything is stock, (trans, clutch, slave cyl. Ect..). I'm using an adapter from Bremar Automotive , (www.bremarauto.com) to convert the AWD to 2WD. Then just install it as one unit. All you have to do is make new motor and trans. mounts. Everything so far is coming together fine.

[Matt Monson]

http://www.kennedyeng.com/vw_por.htm

Here's the first place you want to start. You can buy these parts off the shelf for fairly reasonable prices.

The stuff you will need to fabricate is an engine cradle for the WRX engine and the exhaust piping, including the uppipe, downpipe, and whatever muffler configuration you decide to go with.

Then comes the question of where you are putting the radiators. Renegade has stuck to putting them in the front trunk, like they always did with their v8 conversions. I am taking a different approach with mine. I am completely removing the rear trunk of my car and running a pair of smaller radiators back there on either side of the tranny. I am probably going to alos have a medium sized air to air intercooler mounted in there as well. I will vent the hot air out the top of the deck lid.

I'm using a v1 1995 STi engine rated at 250chp and 2.0l displacement. I don't favour using the Ej257 USDM STi engine for this swap because of the low end to mid-range torque of that engine. I know that plenty of guys run v8's against the 914 transaxle but I personally like my 1st gear. I'm going with a 7500 rpm redline and an engine that's not doing much below 4000rpm for that very reason. More like a 914-6 GT in it's manners that way. If you choose the Ej257 just plan on using your transmission as a 4spd and starting in 2nd.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Matt, before you decide that you need to vent the hot air out the top, you might try some "tuft testing" on your 914. Air flow on a 914 actually goes forward along the rear lid, and into the engine bay. I don't think that's a great place to put a hot air exhaust...

--DD

[roywb46]

Thanks for the information...will post pics as I go along.

[roywb46]

Bob Fud;
Sorry i've had to put my project on hold for awhile, just getting back into it. Interested on how the subie trans connection is working out and the rest of your conversion...thanks Roy

[Fud]

Hi Roy, I haven’t had a lot of extra time to work on it lately. I did receive the trans adapter and it looks like it's going to work great. I removed the rear yoke assembly and have everything ready to install. It should only take a half hour or less. A Fiero cable shifter was recommended by a company from TN that uses the Subie in there 356 Kit Cars. I bought one on eBay for around $35. I'm making a cradle type mount that will hold the engine and transmission to the 914 chassis. This way it will stiffen the chassis and will allow me to remove everything together. One other thing that did come up was the Subie has a hydraulic clutch. Instead of mounting the clutch master cylinder at the pedals, I going to mount the master cylinder to the transmission and operate it with the original 914 clutch cable.

How’s your coming?

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Some of the Honda engine swap places (like HAsport) have cable-to-hydro clutch setups. I don't know if they will work correctly inn this application, but it may be worth a look.

--DD

[roywb46]

Sorry, I've been busy on some other projects. Just know starting to get started on the 914 Subie project. So far just got the engine, 2005 WRX STI engine, has about 50K on it but it appears it is going through some oil (about a quart every 1000 miles) so probably will start out by rebuilding it first. From there will start putting together the Basic conversion kit and radiator etc. In the mean time I'm watching the other forums for ideas. Thanks for any help. I plan on using the stock 901 trans, I realize their is complications but as usual I'm pretty resourceful..Roy

[Matt Monson]

Roy,

Do a compression test on it. Those engines are known for burning oil when not broken in all the way before switching to synthetic, Mobil 1 in particular. If compression appears good on all 4, usually going back to dino oil will alleviate a lot of the oil consumption issue.

The other possibility (or likelihood may be more appropriate) is that it has a broken ringland. 9 times out of 10 it's on #4. If it happened fairly recently, many people have had very good success just pulling the bad piston out, putting in a fresh one with new rings on it, and putting it back together. Saves you having to crack the case and go through a full rebuild. The pieces of the ringlands rarely come off the piston and cause any sort of collateral damage. They are usually right there still attached to the piston, but just cracked. At that mileage, the bearings are probably in great condition if it wasn't ever run low on oil.

I've rebuilt lots of Ej series Subaru engines and if you have any questions as you move forward, feel free to ask me questions.

[roywb46]

Thanks for the info....had some personal business come up, will get back with your suggestions in about a week..thanks..Roy thought I would go ahead and throw a picture in..later.

[Matt Monson]

Great color. I also like how the checkerboard fades to pieces of paper floating in the wind off the back. Cool styling. Very appropriate for a 914 because it's unique, like most 914 owners.

[roywb46]

Been talking to a company called LIC Motorsports (info@licmotorsports.com) about wiring issues or approach. Still non thing definite but it appears like it would be more cost effective to just purchase a complete wiring harness (engine bay & body harnesses) including ECM and relays etc. than trying to piece it together. Obviously their would be a lot of extra wiring not used throughout the conversion but probably easier int he long run. Found a complete unit on ebay for around $400.00. At this point I'm planning on using the stock 914 trans. Another issue I haven't looked into was hooking the gas pedal up to the STI wire unit. Haven't decided yet on rather to buy some of the basic kits from Renegade yet or make my own. Radiator options are still being looked at. I have potential good air circulation in the front through my front end arrangement on the 914 hopefully without having to do much cutting, which will be the last thing I want to do to my body or fender wells etc. Should be able to keep the original speedometer with retaining the original trans. etc. Will have to decided later if I'm going to retain the stock cv shafts or get them upgraded for obvious reasons. Any suggestions let me know or shortcuts that are productive and cost effective. Thanks Roy

[gizmoboy]

Hey Roy,
I love that car!
I was wondering how you did the fender flares. They look much nicer than the GT style every other 914 has. The open wheel wells look more modern. And the paint is fantastic.
I'm picking up a 914 "Project" car this weekend and may attempt the subie swap.

Ed

[roywb46]

Unfortunately I don't have any answers for you. Bought the car about 3 months ago from a guy back east. The paint and body work and steel flares were already on it. You're right whoever did it knew what they were doing. Thanks for comments. Roy

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

I've seen 911SC flares grafted onto the rear of a 914; they looked similar to yours. A good body man can do wonders with metal...

--DD

[Matt Monson]

Roy,
Where are you located? You signature doesn't show where you are...

I can help you with a solution around the drive-by-wire on the Ej257 engine. You can use the Ej205 ECU and wiring harness (easier and cheaper to get as well) if you switch over to the Ej205 throttle body and a few other things. You lose the AVCS on the Ej257 but it's not required anyways. Then you reflash the Ej205 ECU for the other engine and you're in business. It's a far easier solution to the problem than getting all tied up into trying to convert the pedal cluster.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if I can provide further help. My business does 3 things. I do vintage Porsche transaxles. I do Subaru transaxles. And I do WRX swaps into other vehicles. I've usually got harnesses and ECU's available, and will pre-strip them for you. Do a search for me on NASIOC.com if you want to check up on me.

As for LIC, as the bio says, he used to be part of I-Speed. Adam and Bill (of I-speed) used to be very active in the local Bay Area Subaru community back even before we got the WRX stateside. That's when NASIOC was founded and was only a thousand or so of us mostly in the Bay Area and a big meet was 25 cars. These days, membership is pushing close to 200,000 people!!! If you are in the bay area his shop is a good one to work with on this.

[roywb46]

Matt;
Sorry I've been busy at work and trying to rebuild the subie motor. Since i logged in last time I picked up a complete wiring harness and pedals and steering column and ecu etc. from a wrecked 2005 STI for $400.00. Just have to put it all together..fun!! I've access to equipment to reflash ECM later. I'll be getting in touch with you once we get to that point. Right now I have my hands full. Thanks for the info.. Roy and by the way I live in Dallas, Oregon 97338..thanks