914-6 conversion

[hipdoc]

I have 1970 914 that I'm interested in putting a 2.2L 911 engine. I have the motor but I was wonder what the cost to convert it and is it worth it. And is it easy.
Thx

[Cairo94507]

Yes it is worth it especially since you already have the engine. This is an excellent site but you may also want to cruise on over to 914world.com when you have a chance. There are a ton of excellent conversion threads and experts with great advice and suggestions to do this conversion easily. Good luck and have fun. Nothing like the sound of a flat 6 behind your head.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

It isn't that cheap, and it isn't exactly easy. However, it has been done many many times, so you are not breaking new ground yourself.

Here is an article that talks about some of the stuff that you will need to do, and stuff you will want to think about: Pelican Parts Official Guide to the 914-6 Conversion

Here is the Pelican catalog section pertaining to the conversion stuff: PelicanParts.com - Porsche 914 (1970-76) - 914-6 Conversion

There are a lot of ways to do a Six conversion. There are a number of other things that people often do along with the conversion that are not strictly necessary, but are often a good idea. (E.g., five-bolt wheels, 911 brakes, extra oil cooling, etc.) If you are patient about waiting for good deals, a good scrounger, and do most or all of the work yourself, a minimal sort of conversion can be done for $5K or so if you have a running motor complete with carbs.

Prices quickly escalate if you need parts NOW, or if you pay someone else to do the work, or if your conversion is better than the bare minimum. I keep hearing that a "reasonable" conversion would be in the $10K range for the parts (without motor), and when you add labor costs it gets expensive very quickly.

That said, a 914-6 is an awesome car. As Cairo said, the sound of a flat-six right behind you is addictive, and the power is even more so...

--DD

[porschetub]

Originally Posted by hipdoc

I have 1970 914 that I'm interested in putting a 2.2L 911 engine. I have the motor but I was wonder what the cost to convert it and is it worth it. And is it easy.
Thx

In the process myself,I started similar to you as I had an engine I purchased years ago (2.2T),what with buying propertys,kids and other commitments buying a suitable early 911 to fit it into never happened.
When I was young I remember seeing a 914 for sale in a car yard near my home and was impressed from that day on.
This year I was able to purchase a car that is restored and set up for a six (see my post) so that gives me a great head start on the project.
I have done many engine conversions and always spend a lot of time doing research,this is a key point to doing it right and getting parts @ sensible prices.
You need to have a suitable car (roller) in good condition to start with,having bodywork (rust issues) to deal with on top of the conversion isn't for most people...or your wallet.
I like to slowly collect all the required parts for the conversion and have been really lucky to meet some very knowlegeable people in the 914 business who have supplied my with parts from half way around the world.
Good luck if you go ahead with it,well worth in IMO.

[larrym]

take Dave's advice

- also is a book about this from George Hussey at *********** - maybe still available

you have easy "drive up, look & talk" access to several fellow "teeners" from Elk Grove to Sac'to area who have recently done this or are doing it now - I have even helped a couple guys do this

PM for a few names of contacts who can help ya thru it & give an honest assessment of costs

- even Better - just post a "help" on World for Sac'to area guys to volunteer to get with you

- it is easy to run out of money & enthusiasm before you get it right

- over the years, i have seen a lot of half-baked and unfinished conversions that can be driven but aren't worth the money & time spent (p.s. - look up "value of conversions" threads on World)

like they say - it ain't cheap if you want to end up with a quality car

good luck

[John Rogers]

We did a conversion on my 914-4 race car and since Black Forest Porsche Repair in San Diego did the work, I did get to either supply or buy all the needed parts. Some decisions we made before it was converted were:

- Front oil cooler and lines. Largest cooler possible and -12 Earls lines and fittings.
- Oil tank size and location. 16 qt. round circle track tank located in the rear trunk on the left side with -20 supply line.
- Dual oil filter mount at return of the oil cooler line using Porsche Turbo filters.
- Get rid of the relay board and use a military sealed type of connector since only a few of the electrical lines are actually needed.
- Use the later style engine mount from Patrick Motorsports as it allows the engine to be tilted down in the rear and the engine sits about 1 1/2 inches lower than stock.
- Use a racing fuel pump that was rated for 200% of needed fuel flow and a regulator to allow adjustment of the pressure at the carbs.
- Use aftermarket sheet metal kit from Patrick Motorsports. We could not find a reasonable priced stock set.
- Raised the rear of the targa top about 2 inches to get cooling air into the engine and combined with a GT style modification to the engine lid eliminated any heating issues.
- Used racing headers from European George as they seem to be the best and had them flame sprayed blue to match the car's color.
- Once it was together and driven, the car spent about 3 hours at the dyno shop where Mark tuned everything very well.

Cost in the end was around 10K more or less. Good luck.

[Jack Stands]

It's a fun project! If it's going to be a street car, I'd go with a factory styled oil tank and not bother with a front mounted oil cooler ( it shouldn't be necessary with a 2.2 engine). The converted -6s are great to drive!

[porschetub]

Originally Posted by larrym

take Dave's advice

- also is a book about this from George Hussey at *********** - maybe still available

you have easy "drive up, look & talk" access to several fellow "teeners" from Elk Grove to Sac'to area who have recently done this or are doing it now - I have even helped a couple guys do this

PM for a few names of contacts who can help ya thru it & give an honest assessment of costs

- even Better - just post a "help" on World for Sac'to area guys to volunteer to get with you

- it is easy to run out of money & enthusiasm before you get it right

- over the years, i have seen a lot of half-baked and unfinished conversions that can be driven but aren't worth the money & time spent (p.s. - look up "value of conversions" threads on World)

like they say - it ain't cheap if you want to end up with a quality car

good luck

Great advise,think it is worth noting that you need a good engine for the conversion ...few consider this and find issues after a lot of set up work.
Personally my engine has ''word of mouth'' that its ok but that is something you need to check out.
I'am in the process of checking and repairing a few oil leaks in the usual area's as well as checking chains and rails,but I take the risk when I fire it up in the end....