other marques in porsche/VW

atlporsche · 09-10-2002, 04:28 AM

what's the strangest swap out there???

I've been considering subaru power for my 67 912.

I figure I can swap in the 2.5 L with 165 hp, have it be "drive across america" reliable, still have close to the weight balance of a 912, with 30 more hp than the 911 of the same vintage.

sjd

bowlsby · 03:12 PM

Its been done. There is a guy here in the Bay Area who just put in a 2.7L - 6 cyl Subaru in a 914...very cool. Eric Tischer is his name.

salomon16 · 10-04-2002, 09:35 PM

I considered doing the same engine swap in my 66' 912 as well. Transmission adapter plates are available for $500 for the 2 or 2.5 liter subaru engines. I talked myself out of it, however, because of a few reasons. Installing the engine would require a radiator to be mounted and piped, engine mounts to be fabricated, and much guess work and tuning. These were my main drawbacks.

I must admit, however, that a subaru engine swap offers the best bang for your buck. If I were to do it I would use the WRX 2.0L turbo 4. The 2 liter single turbo gives out more than 220hp and is selling on ebay at this instant for $900. This is for a good condition, 30-40 thousand mile engine from the japanese domestic market. You could probably have yourself a beast of a 912 for roughly $2200 and a bottle of extra strength headache medicine. Personally I decided to rebuild a 3.0L 911 engine with the same amount of hosepower, is air cooled, and will mount easier. Hope some of this made sense.

atlporsche · 10-07-2002, 07:19 AM

Made lots of sense...I've considered the turbo 4, but they're RARELY 900 bucks...unless that's the legacy block...the EJ22 (130 hp, with 2.5L heads and a bigger turbo, up to 400). The EJ20's WITH EVERYTHING regularly go for 4500...

I'm not too worried about the piping/ radiator...

I'm a mech engineer who was in automotive design for awhile...engine mounts are no big deal.

sjd

the912guy · 11-08-2002, 05:33 PM

How about an SHO V6?

Kennedy Engineering has a kit that will adapt the bellhousing bolt pattern, a custom flywheel, and clutch kit. Jeg's has a 12"x 20" aluminum radiator for $120 that'll fit in the trunk in front of the gas tank.

220 hp, EFI, and it fits in the engine compartment (if you turn the intake around 180 degrees.) Plus, they're all over eBay for a few hundred bucks.

It had been my intention to build a 150 hp 2500cc type 1 VW motor, but for about the same price, I just might do the extra work to bolt in a 3.2L DOHC V6.

atlporsche · 11-14-2002, 11:20 AM

oooh...like that....

trouble is, I gotta learn about yet another engine...not that that's a bad thing.

The car started working better after a good tuning...not smoking oil anymore...

turned project ideas to subarus again...might just drive the 912 for awhile and see what transpires.

sjd

Big D · 12-07-2002, 06:40 AM

I wonder how well a Toyota MR-2 Turbo motor would fit. 200 hp should be plenty and I think it would fit fine. Maybe an option? Later DG

atlporsche · 12-20-2002, 07:36 AM

well, I've totally (almost) scrapped the project. it's in the back of my mind, but i'm going to concentrate the effort into putting an impreza drivetrain under the body of a subaru 360 micro car...

sjd

Dad Roberts · 12-31-2002, 10:44 AM

Hi Guys......New to this site, thought you might be interested in my old Vdub with alternative powerplant? See if I can get ya a connection....Click here: eBay Motors item 1871205138 (Ends Nov-01-02_07:47:47 PST ) - Other Makes :Custom : VOLKSWAGEN See, if that works.....like I said.....new to this. Norm

ishmeal · 01-03-2003, 09:34 AM

I have a 2.5L in a 69 912. It fits w/room to spare. Engine is short enough to reuse stock engine mounts. Haven't turned the key yet, but soon.

atlporsche · 01-07-2003, 06:42 AM

a 2.5L what? subaru?? send me some pics.

sjd

ishmeal · 02-04-2003, 07:04 AM

Yeah, I have a EJ25 in my 69 912. It fits with room to spare. I'm going to mount the radiator behind the engine and run a belt driven fan to pull air through the radiator. It's going to be a clean setup. The engine, radiator and everything fits nicely back there. Currently the engine is in. I'm waiting for spring to set up the fan and radiator. Will be running an engine management system.

It's an easy swap. Bought the KEP adapter and engine mount and header from smallcar. Will have to modify the gas tank for EFI though.

Hopefully get around 160 hp.

Just too buzy w/life to finish the project. Hope to have it finished this summer.

atlporsche · 02-04-2003, 07:49 AM

be sure to send me pics...

you're not in the southeast us are you???

sjd

ishmeal · 04-10-2003, 06:09 AM

Here's the pic. Engine is just in. Nothing else is hooked up yet.

ViolentBlue · 04-11-2003, 07:47 AM

cool, cant say I've never thought about doing this swap on my beetle.

Wardog · 10-01-2003, 08:42 PM

dyou think I can use the subaru 2.5 turbo engine on a 944 NA??? or it´ll be better if I use a V6 from a supra???

ishmeal · 10-02-2003, 05:35 AM

I don't think the subie engine will work well. The boxer engine is wide and may not fit well. You'll have to make measurements.

For similar power, try the Toyota 4age, 3sge or Nissan SR20DE. These engines are popular and can be found easily (and easily modified). Also, they are well documented on the net. However, these probably don't provide enough power to make it worthwhile.

For more power, turbo the 4age, or get a 4agze, toyota 3S-GTE, SR20DET. These are the turbo/supercharged versions of the former engines and can easily make hp levels similar or more than the subie turbo. These are great engines and can be purchase for a reasonable price. Also, they're reliable engines. They have racing history too.

Subies make good replacements for vw or porsche, because they share the boxer design.

I don't think that the supra engine would be a good choice, because it's too long and too heavy. The beauty of the 944 was it's handling. The above engines should provide plenty of power for the porsche, as long as you're not drag racing (even then the SR20DET will be plenty fast). They are also 4 cyl, very similar to the porsche engine, so you'll notice power gains, and hopefully won't lose the weight ratio.

ViolentBlue · 10-02-2003, 03:03 PM

supra is a straight 6 not a v6, thus it may be too long, but next time you go to the junk yard take a measuring tape to compare the lengths of the two blocks.

just a word of warning, supra engine parts are not cheap, particularaly aftermarket high perf parts.

if you must have v6 or v8 power look at the powerplants in some of the newer mustangs.

atlporsche · 10-31-2003, 03:58 PM

welll I've scored a 1.8 flat four from a subaru...for VERY little money...

I think I'll progress with the conversion afterall...

912 to scooby 1.8....

sjd

DavidI · 12-02-2003, 06:30 PM

I had a 67 912 with a Mazda RX7 in it. I could not get it to cool quite right, but it was a screamer! I opted to put a VW 1835 type 1 with dual 40 Webers! It worked out great because parts were cheap and readily available.