Wow! This will really tick-off the 911ers

[Bob Bischoff]

Originally posted by Zeke
OK, we all agree to disagree as friends. I think the reale value suffers on both examples we have been discussing here when motors are swapped out. Again, I could be wrong. I AM NOT TRYING TO GET IN THE LAST WORD. I just forgot to mention this in my previous posts.

I like Chevy's, however, I don't want one in a Jag, Mercedes, Ferrari (yes, I've seen it), Porsche, Austin Healey, MG and so on.

Not even in a Jeep.

[John 9:14]

Funny someone should mention putting a 4.3 V6 in a 914 or 911. I have an '89 GMC Jimmy 4x4 with a 4.3 that runs great. I just take it off road and beat the crap out of it occasionally. Its got balls for certain, not sure on how many horses it has though. I have been thinking more and more about trying to jam it in my '73 914. It would be a huge improvement over the 1.7 dog. What kinda tranny would I use, would a 901 be compatible? I wouldnt think it would.

[zymurgist]

I'm a 911 guy, AND a Chevy guy, and I know that these type conversions are pretty popular. But... a 305?!? Come on now, those engines were dogs right from the git-go. I could understand a 327 for a small cubic inch SBC, but the 305 was a smog motor that basically isn't worth building up. Much better to go with a Goodwrench 350. $1200 new and more torque than you'll ever need in a 911.

[Zeke]

Originally posted by Bob Bischoff
Not even in a Jeep.

Hey Bob, you got me on that one! How's the 914/V8 project going?

[noporsche]

My point is that posts that *continue* to malign good design like the SBC don't match the
facts...and such comments continue certain folk-lore that simply isn't true.

True,
Many people (especially true with Many Porsche owners) look at the more "basic" versions of the small block chevy and think it is not a performance engine, but they should look to the factory performance versions (especially the factory race cars).

The 350 only became available in 1967, and not really a performance piece except for a few 1970 variations (Corvette and Z-28 camaro). Most of the 350's developement was spent during the 70s and 80;s when emissions and smog laws curtailed performance...

Look at the factory offerings of the 327 (up to 375HP (rated) in a stock "show-room" 1965 Corvette (not some one-off race car). These motors also had "factory" red-lines of 6500, but would usually pull much higher RPMs...

Then there was the 302 version used only in the 1967-1969 Camaro Z-28s... These motors were rated at a conservative 295 HP, but in reality were much stronger. These motors were built to be raced, and the stock motors could easily top 7000 RPM in stock, show-room form... Rebuild with a balance job, and I have seen street motors reliably peak at over 8500 RPM, and comfortably cruise for a few hours at 5000RPM+ (and this was with early 80's technology and not alot of money). While these motors were originally intended for racing, they used a combination of stock parts (327 block and 283 crankshaft, I recall).

Even today, the Nascar engines (limited to I believe 358 CID/5.7 liters) with all their Nascar restrictions, are reving to 9500+ RPM for hours on end and producing 750-800 HP...

I understand the desire to keep a Porsche engine in your Porsche, but if one is after true performance (without regard to originality), then overlooking the SBC solely because it is not from Germany or the design is "old" or its an iron lump is just ignorance... If looking for performance, you look for power, weight and most people would also look at cost. If the power is greater with the Chevy, the weight is similar, and the cost is less, why such a problem?

I own some classic Chevys, and I understand what some Porsche owners are thinking (I think). I have seen people put the classic chevy bodies on 4X4 chassis, which I think is a waste of a classic. And I guess I would laugh if I saw an engine swap with what I thought was a inferior engine (I have seen Chevelles and Camaros with big Cadillac V8 engines installed. Althought the performance was better than most Chevy-engined cars, they didn't look as nice, IMO).

I don't know why so many people choose the 350 for a swap into a Porsche. I think the SBC is a great choice, but a shorter stroke SBC with less low-end torque and higher redline would be better suited for most Porsche swaps... the 350 is better suited for a heavier car, and forget the 305 and 307 engines, as those were not performance versions at all.

The small block Chevy remained the same basic engine from 1955-1990s. It wasn't an outdated engine all those years, its design was just superior from the begining and revised accordingly... Chevrolet knew by the 80's that the engine was begining to show its age (which is why the worked on the ZR1/LT5 Corvette engine, and the newer designs of there V8s of the last few years (often reffered to as the LS1 and LS6, etc).

Its nice to have a newer technologically superior engine, but to have such an engine that lasts for 45+ years (and still going strong) in its basic form is a testament of the original design...

[sean_V8_914]

well said.

[BigD9146gt]

Question, how much have people spent on a TOTAL V8 conversion. And don't hide anything, include all of the after thought add ons that where made 2yrs down the line.

noporsche is on the money though about the classic being converted to something else, i think when people do a good V8 conversion it is nice, but i can't stop cringing when i see them. I know that you can put a 3.2L Carrera in a 914 for about $9,500. Thats motor, exhaust, flywheel, oiltank and engine mount. Now this is assuming the motor is $6k, and all new parts being around $3500. I'm sure if your a good wheeler and dealer you could do it for less, including some used parts. But after driving a 3.2L with a Dansk sport exhaust(duel tip out), nothing sounds as good to me. Rumbles like some american motors at the low RPMs, and screams bloody murder at the high RPMs. I'm hooked, I'm broke, and I'm an OEM nut.

But its all about what floats your boat, and V8's are good anchors! Call me a snab, call me a Nazi, call me a wanna be porsche owner because Karman stamped my car out and VW put there stamps on it. We all know who designed it, there is no escaping the heart and mind in which it originated from, a true performance master from the beginning.

[Joe Bob]

Originally posted by John 9:14
Funny someone should mention putting a 4.3 V6 in a 914 or 911. I have an '89 GMC Jimmy 4x4 with a 4.3 that runs great. I just take it off road and beat the crap out of it occasionally. Its got balls for certain, not sure on how many horses it has though. I have been thinking more and more about trying to jam it in my '73 914. It would be a huge improvement over the 1.7 dog. What kinda tranny would I use, would a 901 be compatible? I wouldnt think it would.

Kennedy Engineered Products, Palmdale CA....they make a conversion flywheel and adapter that can be sued with the 901 trans.

The 901 is weak at the first gear and fifth is too low...the engine tachs/revs to high at freeway speeds. So most people will lock out first and get a higher fifth gear.

You can DIY or see Renegade for a gear set kit or have them do it for ya....some people have used a 930 trans...but that requires mods too.

The 930 (turbo) trans is a four speed and had TALL gears and is more suited stock wise for the V8....BUT, still needs to be moded as the trnas turns the wrong way.....

YMMV

[sammyg2]

Why do people use 350 engines instead of a short stroke 327 or 302?

350s are cheap and plentiful. I haven't seen a 327 lately that wasn't all used up. A good one is hard to find and aint as cheap as a 350.
Aluminum 302s cost three arms and a leg, I aint got but two arms so that leaves me out.

I could build a 327 out of a 350 real easy but it still costs more money. A 350 forged crank costs about $10 a pound
a perfect 327 crank is getting to be made of unobtainium around here.

The reason most go to a V8 conversion is cheap horsepower. If they build a $4000 V8 is aint cheaper any more.

[norustscott]

Hey, you chevy in my porsche ... you got porsche in my chevy....its two. two treats in one...