914 with a v8 swap / 6speed market value?
 

I am considering buying a 914 with a small block v8, FI conversion and a boxster S 6 speed. My intention is still driving around in a classic porsche but it is cheaper to maintain. For something like this, is it worth between 25K-30k? Please share your honest opinion. Porsche enthusiast, I know how you feel. Please don't preach :)
thanks

It’s all about the condition of the chassis and the quality of the work. Have you got pictures, and more details?

Just some examples. If Rebegade did it, it’s worth more than done at home. If a crate engine was used it’s worth more than if someone bought a used car and harvested the engine. Same with the gearbox? And that doesn’t even start assessing the car itself.

Have you spent time on 914World? Fairly active user group there and many have done various conversions. A few have been sold on BAT over the years including one I had coincidentally seen in person. It was a decent looking car but was an older project and needed some sorting. Sold 4 1/2 years back. Arguably 914 values have risen since.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1971-porsche-914-3/

Thanks Matt and Jerry. The asking price for the one I am considering is $29k. I saw another one which does not have a 6 psd, similar asking price �� and both of them have been on the market for more than 3 weeks now. Tough decision. Anyway thanks for your input.

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Good luck with your search. I'm only guessing here but I would assume the rise in 914 values over the last few years has sort of changed the math on cars that were converted. Especially those with non Porsche power. When an average 4 was $2,500, converting it to V8 power seemed like a non event. Now that the same car is $20k plus and folks are asking questions like "does it have the original engine"? I would think the converted cars are looked at differently. No judgement intended. Have you looked at any with Subie power? Seems like that market is well supported.

I just turned one down at an asking price of $16k. Once the V8 conversion is done the value of the car is as if you were selling a roller chassis with no engine. Any additional value is the sum of the parts, such as an LS engine or Boxster 6spd. Conversion cost you eat. Subtract if hacking up the front for a radiator. Value to the individual looking for that car may be much higher but for the market that's just the reality of it.

Thank you for sharing. It really helps.


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Possible point of reference for you?
https://dailyturismo.com/ugly-duckling-1972-porsche-914-v8/
This was more of a fun car, but as rough as they come as far as being sorted out.

That's the one I turned down at $16k. I can't for the life of me understand why anyone would mate a V8 to a 901 transaxle, or even a 915 for that matter. If they don't at least have a 930 or Boxster it's a hard pass.

Renegade has been doing swaps with the stock gearbox for more than 20 years. They block 1st and make it a 4 spd. It works well enough for an adult driver, but not how I would do it either.

This new approach of doing it with a Boxster S box is great. I’m working on a kit to do the same for Subaru swappers.

The seller of that car told me the 901 box was fitted with Mitsubishi gears, but he was kind of vague as how that was done. Never heard of this before.

Ok then. That’s when I’d ask for pics or it didn’t happen.

You can run a Subaru gearbox in one, but I’ve never heard of anything Mitsubishi.

Yes we went over the Mitsubishi gears. Owner didn't know much about it, I finally figured out they were just taller gears. Don't matter it's still a 901 so I passed. You can't do anything to a 901 or 915 that will make them live long term behind a hard driven V8.

I looked at a rust free running driving 71 with a high Ford V8 conversion done many years ago and never put on the road. Mediocre faded silver repaint on a stock straight body. Nice interior. Engine was built with quality parts with receipts.Fab work for conversion was well engineered and well executed. Started right up and sound great. Probably 350+ hp. Older conversion so done with a 901. Stock suspension and brakes and wheels.

Owner wished for high teens but knew that might be a dream. He did the motor and conversion and had a bunch invested in the car.

I passed .... mainly cuz of the 901....can't subject a 901 to that kind of torque combined with any aggressive level of driving... brakes and suspension could be easily addressed but can't fit much of a tire to handle the hp and torque under stock unflared fenders..$$$$

I think the prior owner used it as a 4 speed, completely ignoring 1st gear.
https://dailyturismo.com/frankenstein-1972-porsche-914-v8/

Noted in the comments.

Eliminating 1st gear won't make the tranny any stronger, it can still be scattered at will. One hard shift at peak torque on sticky tires and it's over.