Quote:
Originally Posted by .PORSCHE.
So, stock 914/6 engines are anemic? What upgrades can and should be done to help that? 914/6 are more collective than the 1974 Carrera? How can that be? It's a VW isn't it? I saw one right near me, and I really liked it, so whatever it is it's cool in my mind.
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You should buy some books to read up on this, but the HP quoted for the 914-6 is the same as the 911-T from 1969. 110 bhp. The intake valves were made smaller (see Bruce Anderson's book) in order to reduce hp. They used Weber carbs, although I can't recall the exact model number right now, that produced a GLORIOUS sound at wot.
I think modifying a 914-6 motor is somewhat short-sighted. The reason is that the chassis does fine with 110 hp, but would need a bit of strengthening to handle say 180 hp. And that takes you down a slippery slope where you end up bastardizing such a charming car that was doing just fine until you got started on it. I could see a mild upgrade motor to say 130 bhp without issues, but then I'd want to save the original motor and would probably just put it back one day. The original motors with mag cases are going to become very rare like hen's teeth.
That is why my 914-6 motor is completely bone stock, except for the Bosh distributor that I put in it, so that I can keep the Marelli distributor new in the box from Porsche. The only changes that I made to the car were to bolt on a 911SC front suspension and brakes, which can be reversed. I kept the wonky and clicky side-shifter. I feel that such idosyncracies are just fantastic, especially when you drive early in the morning and have the road to yourself.
When you compare a 914-6 to a more "modern" 911 like a 911SC, you realize that the G-series impact bumper 911s had gotten a ton more development and refinement. They are much faster, much more comfortable, much more stable at a high cruising speed, and won't beat you up on a long trip. The 914-6 is a great car for trips up to 2 hours, and for short jaunts say to the book store or coffee shop in the morning. And forget about driving in hot weather.