Price check on 914-4 2.0, 157 hp Race Engine

[Gunther]

Price check on 914-4 2.0, 157 hp Race Engine.

I have a race motor that I need to sell, but I have no idea what it's worth.

Someone did a nice job putting this engine together for vintage racing, with all the little extras. I have some bills and records from the engine build. The previous owner spent $17,200 on it in 2011.

Before we pulled the motor for inspection, the oil was checked and changed along with the filter. So far so good. I pulled one of the heads off, I was told it has large valves and noticed the 3 tiered high compression pistons like the ones that Jake Raby uses. Cylinder walls looked great. I had a quick chat with Jake about the pistons and motor. I know that Jake gets over 25k for some of his motors, but this is not one of them. After a closer look at some of the records that came with the car, it was used in three events. I do not know what the mileage is on it. Out of all 10 914s that I have owned and customer cars I have driven, this is the fastest 4 cylinder motor in a 914 I've ever driven.

Some Specs.
914-4 2.0, 157 hp Race Engine. Built in 2011 for Vintage Racing. Uses 110 octane gas. Engine Dynoed 157 hp, 6500 red line, Webb Cam T-4 H .286 dur. x .488 lift. HD duel springs. JE Pistons & Rings 11:1 comp. Headers and muffler. Ported and polished heads. MSD ignition box. Pertronix igniter. MSD Blaster coil. Twin Weber 44 idf.
Picture to come.

Thanks for your input.
Gunther.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Usually, a modified engine will sell for pennies on the dollar compared to the build cost.

You might talk to folks in the race group the motor was built for. Any of them who run 914s might like to have it as a backup motor, or a primary that they can run right away. Your best bet would be someone who just lost a motor, actually, because they should be able to get back on track quickly with this one.

The target market is pretty small; it is very much a race motor and not going to be suitable for a street car. That tends to keep the price down.

You might ask on the Racing BBS, and maybe ask for opinions over on 914world.

--DD