A 914's handleing compares to ???

[trailblazr81]

So I am searching my area for a decent 914 to drive and work on and got to wondering what a 914 with say 140# springs in back new shocks/struts, maybe a front sway bar and sticky tires compares to handling wise? I have never had or driven a mid engine car. I rode in a Boxster once. Only rear engine car I had was a Baja Bug. For example Ive owned a
2000 Mustang GT with Eibach springs, sways, boxed control arms and wide sticky tires. Did OK on smooth roads but turn and hit a bump and rear would step out. Also take a turn too hot and you go straight with engine sitting right on top of front tires. And those stiff springs were far from comfy. So I think the 914 can out maneuver this 3200 pound pig.
1996 Miata is my brothers car. Factory stock and the funnest car Ive driven. Not too fast but can toss it into corners, when over-driven its predictable and controllable. With springs, shocks, sways, and sticky tires it should be handling great. This is what I would like a 914 to compare too. Acceleration wise as well after a new motor. Miata weighs close to the same and has about 130 HP.
E36 M3 a buddy owns let me take it for a spin. This car was awesome. Not as fast in a straight line as my Mustang but rode much better and the handling was amazing. I took corners faster than I ever did in anything else and all I got was barely a noise from the tires. If I could get handling like this I would be more than a happy camper.

[IanTBoyd]

In my opinion very few cars give the same feel. My sisters e36 handles very well, I love driving it. My 911 is a lot of fun to but I feel as though I'm always waiting for the rear to slide out, (3.6 conversion) fun but not always confidence inspiring. My 914 however is my prefered for fun twisty driving. A little anemic but I plan to fix that in the future. Stock sway bars are a must in my opinion and upgraded springs. I also have bilsteins front and rear, with 205 sticky tires.

[SirAndy]

Originally Posted by trailblazr81

A 914's handleing compares to ???

Ever been in a go-kart???

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

When it was absolutely bone-stock, my 914 used to out-handle vastly modified Mustangs left right and center. I remember posting autoX times that were on the order of six seconds faster than a Shelby GT350 (the old school Mustang race car). Not bad for a car with 1/4 the power and much smaller tires.

My 914 is now pretty much set up as you describe. In terms of handling and responsiveness, it beats my mom's E36 328 is six ways from Sunday. There isn't any comparison. (Except in a straight line, that is.) Then again, I never liked the way her E36 drove... Maybe hers is messed up somehow?

The Miata responds much better to the modifications allowed in the SCCA's stock and street-prepared autoX categories than the 914 does. So it does better on a national level than the 914 does. I haven't driven a Miata (I don't fit in one!) so I cannot comment on the differences between them.

I do know that the Honda CRX was generally more capable at SCCA events than the 914. I own both, and when both are stock or the 914 (only) is slightly modified, I think the 914 handles better. Once again, I think the 914 doesn't respond as well to allowed mods as the other car does, which is one reason it doesn't tend to do that well against it.

--DD

[Netspeed]

Originally Posted by sirandy

ever been in a go-kart??? :d

+1

[trailblazr81]

I really dont fit in a Miata either, but with the top down I can stuff myself in for a short drive. I dont know how Jeremy on Top Gear does it. I have been in go karts and it is fine till theres a bump then it can be painful. I have heard people describe cars handling like go karts or like its on rails but the rarely ever do. Dont get me wrong I know a 914 handles great, but just want to know how it compares to a more modern and more common car thats on the road today. I dont plan on going against SCCA or SPEC Miata's. Just like my bro's with the basic's such as springs, shocks, stickier tires. If I can hang with that, have fun on the weekends, and have a ride thats comparable I will be very happy.

[racer]

approx 2,000lbs, and all the weight is between the axles... NO power inputs (manual steering, manual brakes) all make a 914 experience unlike any others.

Ultimate skidpad grip can be equaled by other cars.. but the feel is almost one of a kind. The only "similar" feeling car I've ever been in is a 2000lb lotus Elise.. but it had 180hp to fix that "straightline" issue so many 914s get annoyed with.

[trailblazr81]

racer - how do you like that 2056? And are you running carb or fuel injection?

[racer]

Originally Posted by trailblazr81

racer - how do you like that 2056? And are you running carb or fuel injection?

I really enjoyed that motor. Ive since sold the car and miss it quite often

It was running dual webers, 40's iirc. 9.4:1 compression. A huge (50%) improvement over the stock 1.7 the car had before. While I don't have the dyno sheets, there was noticeable LOW end torque advantages as well as to the overall hp gains.

It seems you can run a 2056 with either carbs or fi. but the larger motors become carb only or custom FI set ups.

Do a search for jake raby's type iv motors.. not sure what size motors he still builds (note, mine was Not a Raby unit), but its a great reference for these types of motors.

[campbellcj]

A Boxster or Cayman "feel" generally similar but are much heavier, cushier and quieter. Lotus Elise is an even closer comparison on paper (I haven't ever driven one yet, unfortunately). A modified 914 is phenomenally fun to drive, and can hold its own against many if not most "real" Porsches (911, Boxster, 944/951 etc.) in autocross or short/technical racetrack situations.

Good luck in your search!

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

In my very few drives of the Boxster/Cayman cars, I have found that they are much less involving than the 914 is. The teener is very direct and very connected to the road; you can feel absolutely everything in it! Every more modern car I've driven (which sadly does not include any Lotuses) has been more isolated from the road and less involving. Even some scary-fast cars (like a 911 Turbo from the late 80s or early 90s) was still not as involving. Terrifying at times, but not involving.

--DD

[3D914]

trailblazr,

Most of us who hang with the 914 do so because we're enamored with the whole car - a big part of which is the handling and fun factor. Admittedly it's not one of the sleek breeds in the looks department. But that should tell you something about the rest of the car - for so many of us to stay with them, own more than one, and keep coming back to these NARPs (Not A Real Porsche).

They have been and continue to be an almost "cultish" car. One either loves them - because they've emerged beneath its skin, or they loath them - and relinquish them to the likes of VW bugs. Which is great company in my book.

The only way for you to know for certain is to start by getting a ride in one. Then see if you can arrange a test drive. If you're fortunate to live in an area where there is any 914 activity, look for some events where you can talk first hand with owners and see the car beneath the skin.

If you're able to look past its few flaws (and all cars have them, some more than others) and want to delve deeper - then perhaps this is the car for you. Good luck in you're pursuit.

Enjoy!

[racer]

Agreed.. I tought the Boxster would be a great modern update of the 914.. but it was "too" modern, in that it was very heavy in comparison (700-800lbs more) and laden with comforts like AC and heat. It was also much easier to drive near its limit than the 914 ever was (most likely due to the boxsters better suspension).

914 also sits lower.. you hear the motor more.. its a much more visceral car.

[droverknutts]

It is also possible to buy a 914, or retrofit yourself, with a chevy small block 350 or ls-1 engine. It is heresy to some but sure cures the straight line anemia. This was what got me back in to 914's after not having one for 30 years. Lots of fun.

[simonr]

I have always been a 911 guy . I have 4 of them. I really like my 914 best of all. It is the purest feel the road car out there. Mine is bone stock , I am just rebuilding the engine now as its a little tired. I cant wait to drive it . The handling is very responsive and go kart like.

[RSBob]

My guess would be either a Fiat X/19 or early Toyota MR2 - maybe a Lotus Europa - but with less power - but it was a cornering question, wasn't it?

[infraredcalvin]

Originally Posted by Dave at Pelican Parts

Even some scary-fast cars (like a 911 Turbo from the late 80s or early 90s) was still not as involving. Terrifying at times, but not involving.

--DD

Dave, I'm glad you only mention the late 80s - early 90s... The early turbos are VERY involving...

As for the handling/ride question, I've had quite a bit of seat time in the boxster and the Elise, track and street. IMO, they don't compare, the boxster, as said above is an advanced and heavy car, easy to drive to the limit, but much wider tires and a much cushier ride tend to dull the feeling of the road. The Elise on the other hand is the opposite, it's light with a harsh ride, again modern suspension makes it easier to drive to it's limit, but as a street car, it's simply jaw rattleing uncomfortable. I love the 914 in a slightly modified form, stiffer springs in the back and a little bit wider tires all around (mine was a dd with 195s all around) but it was comfortable for a 100 mile daily commute and still hung with the best in the twistys. I am physically exhausted after a long drive in my early turbo, not so in the 914. Lacking in engine power, but the car is meant to stay at speed once you get there.

Drive one, it's like no other! Good luck!

As stated above, you will love it or hate it, if love it will get under your skin!!!

[Scott Walshaw]

My 2 cents...I have a 914-6 and an early 911 T...love both cars, and I'll lucky to be able to choose between them; but I have to say that if I ever had to sell one it would likely be the 911. Granted my 914-6 has been refined in a way that makes it even more fun to drive than a stock 4 cylinder car, but either way you really feel like an extension of the car when driving it. Having driven both a stock and modified 4 cylinder 914 for a number of years, I can say that putting a 6 with suspension and brake upgrades in these cars is comparable to what happened when the P-51 Mustang's original Allison engine was replaced with the Roll Royce Merlin!!!

[Ericv]

I hit a 90 degree turn last year going 55 mph. I had a lot of tire squealing but, the rear end never broke loose. My car's basically in stock form. I love it. It heightens your sense because you have to actually drive the car versus a late model feel where the suspension is so smooth that you can barely feel the road.