914 Flat Six

[Daviboy]

Hi guys I have slid over from the 911 forum as that is where I spend most of my time due to having an 82 SC. Anyway I have always had a thing for the little 914 as well think its just its quirky looks. It does stand out in the crowd and they are fairly rare where I am. There is one for sale see ad Porsche 914-4 1700cc - Cape Town used car for sale - Gumtree Cape Town Free Classifieds
I am really tempted to buyt this car as a new project and to present to my eldest daughter who just turned 17 and is itching to drive.
Now I dont really want a 4 I want a flat six and just so happens there is a 2.2 with 901 tranny for sale as well Porsche - Cape Town car parts for sale - Gumtree Cape Town Free Classifieds
All in I think I could pick both up for about $10000 which I know is expensive but the reason being the rarity of them here.
I want to know how easy the conversion from 4 to 6 is and what kind of things to expect and be on the lookout for. Any and all information is welcome...

[carr914]

The conversion is not that tough, but you will need

Engine Mount ( weld-on Bulkhead is the best)
Oil Tank
Oil Lines

to name a few things

oh course, this is a slippery slope as then you will want better brakes, a 5-lug conversion, flares

[Daviboy]

carr914 thanks for that. I guess amongst the community someone will have drawings or specs to perform the conversion. I know how the slippery slope goes having bought the 911 for $12000 I now have an additional $7k in with no chance of recouping the investment but I plan on keeping her forever anyway. I would most definetely do the 5 lug conversion as I would want a set of fuchs on it say 6 & 7's or 7 & 8" whichever would be best fit.

[carr914]

You can go over to 914World, plenty of info on Conversions including Vendors with everything you need

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Some web pages to look through:
Pelican Parts - Porsche 914-6 Conversion Guide

Some of the info may be outdated by now, but the basics still apply.

The expense of the conversion will be directly related to how much of the work you do yourself versus how much you pay someone else to do. And that includes fabricating parts versus buying them--we know people who have built their own home-made oil tank for a Six conversion, for instance.

The largest expenses:
- The engine
- The exhaust
- The engine mounting system
- The oil tank and lines
- The engine tin

A 2.2 911 engine in a 914 is a fun little beast! Depending on the weather in your area, it may not require external oil cooling, which cuts down on complexity and expenses.

--DD

[RSBob]

Before you move on the car, have it thoroughly checked for rust. Rust repairs and paint could easily double the cost unless you are a consummate DIYer. Last year I had a 3.0 built and put into my 71. With parts and labor, engine not withstanding, the build price was 9K, but that includes a conversion to 5 lug wheels, and a Carrera front end, new master cylinder, tires, yada yada... Just beware of price creep.

[Daviboy]

Hmm I am just wondering now whether this is such a good idea given the cost involved. TBH I would rather spend that kind of money on another 911 to do the RS clone I have always wanted.
After all it would be a car for my daughter not me and probably the 1.7l which is in it will be enough for her.
I spoke to the present owner and he assures me it has a solid tub, it has been in storage for a long time. The motor is seized but thats fixable and I will do it myself. Its a matching numbers car and I think it would be nice to keep it as original as possible.

[rfuerst911sc]

I recently completed a 3 + year restoration/conversion of a 1975 914 with a SC 3.0. I did 90% of the work and have 30k + invested it is a very slippery slope. The parts needed to do the conversion correctly can be quite pricey. As an example the oil tank and lines will run aprox. $1000.00. If you are lucky you might be able to find a set of Fuchs for 1000.00 - 1200.00 it just adds up real quick. I don't regret the money I've spent just saying it's an expensive toy. And to be honest not sure a Porsche of any type is a good car for a first time driver.

[racer]

Is the 914 for

1) you?
2) your daughter?

Not sure about Capetown, but in the US, most girls won't get caught dead in an "old smelly car" that only has 80hp and a manual transmission" since these get in the way of being more easily distracted by friends /phones/etc

Seems whenever I mentally price out a 4 to 6 conversion, it smells like $10,000 USD (since I am a credit card mechanic), but as mentioned, some parts are expensive and when you are done, its still a 40 y/o car.

I really enjoyed the 120ish hp 2056cc 4 cylinder a previous 914 of mine had. More hp AND tq than an original 914-6.