Porsche 914 1.7 liter for buggy

[Keller1044]

I have a Porsche 914 1.7L engine that I am going to rebuild that was given to me for free from a Samba friend. I want to convert it to a 2.0 or 2.4 turbo engine. Any suggestions on if this is possible to go bigger? What is the consensus on making it a turbo with a larger piston set up? What suggestions would anyone offer for the best build with this engine?

[Dale M.]

It will cost you about 3x to build a 2.0 Porsche than a 2.0 VW and in the end only difference you can claim is its a Porsche....

Do price comparison shopping for Porsche parts vs VW parts before committing to build...

Dale
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“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson.

"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
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All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ...

[manxdavid]

The 914 was only fitted with a slightly modified VW Type 4 motor though wasn't it? Nothing exotic, just a van engine really.

[Keller1044]

Can the 1.7 be converted to the 2.4L and would it be better than a 2.0 for the Manx I want to build? I am trying to do it without turbo at first they add a turbo later. I don't want something that won't be able to take the turbo.

[Glenn]

That's a lot of weight hanging out the back.
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

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#BlueSquare

[bugtub]

[jspbtown]

What is your budget?

[slalombuggy]

I wouldn't even bother with a T4 motor unless you are definitely going over 2.4L . The 1.7 you have is just a bus engine with a little bit more compression and a slightly larger cam. You can build a 2.0L T1 engine for next to nothing compared to the T4.

brad

[Wolfgangdieter]

Lot of advantages to the VW/Porsche engine. The low end is rock solid - you rarely hear of them requiring a line bore. The even have a superior oil cooler and a modern oil filter. Parts aren't expensive because of the Porsche name - it's because there just weren't that many built. Google Jake Raby and type4store.com.

So you have strong bottom end, the 1.7 heads can be opened up for bigger cylinders - a 2L crank will fit and increase the stroke. You'll need a bus flywheel and autostick starter that doesn't require bearing. Weight is not that much greater (30#) than a T1 plus the case on 99% are repairable aluminium. (The new T1 aluminum cases make them heavier that the T4).

Stock 1.7 914 has 76 hp and 2L has 106 hp - not a bad starting point for a free engine. You can keep the flat pancake configuration for convert it to upright like T1.
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CMC '57 Porsche Speedster Replica and Dolphin boat tailed full pan VW MOD-T Street Buggy

[didget69]

...here we go again about T4 weight.

bnc
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I never found the need to impress people with any mechanic certifications, trophies or track wins... unless it was for Mom to post on the refrigerator door.

[BL3Manx]

With some fabrication, you can also convert a Type 4 to upright cooling using a Type 1 fan/shoud

http://www.nextgen-usa.com/

http://www.aircooledtech.com/type4_upright_conversion/

http://type4store.com/conversion-cooling-systems.html?mode=list

or 911

http://www.bergmannvw.net/

http://www.sharpbuilt.com.au/sharpbuilt1/page12.htm

[Keller1044]

This is a year long project starting with the engine and working my way forward. At every stage I will post pics. My budget is whatever I want to make of it. I am looking to make a strong reliable engine with power. The Dune buggy weight with engine is going to be less than the 4seat Turbo RZR. My last one was under 1600 lbs. but the engine did not have the power I needed to keep up with my friends since it was stock 1600 dual sport. Sold it starting on new one.

[Keller1044]

The reason I am asking questions is I want to learn as much as I can about the whole dynamics of building the engine, putting my blood, sweat and tears into it for the buy in with me and my family. This is something I want to get my boys to help with and my family to enjoy. The experience in building it and making it is where the fun, anger, stress and heartaches (aka memories) are made.

[didget69]

A 100 horse T4 engine will push you along plenty fast -

bnc
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I never found the need to impress people with any mechanic certifications, trophies or track wins... unless it was for Mom to post on the refrigerator door.

[Keller1044]

cool I just don't want it to be a slug.

[Vanapplebomb]

[DWP]

I run a 1.7 from a 914 in my"Streetrail" No Problems. On nice thing about the 1.7's is the Porsche guys just about give them away. They all build 2.0 instead.
DWP

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[tpinthepack]

I will shed some of my thoughts on the Type 4, and 1.7 version from 914. My 66 Standard Microbus had one converted to upright using the FAT performance fiberglass shroud and 911 11 blade fan/alternator.

I loved the larger 215mm flywheel. My 71 engine had factory pop up pistons with higher compression and 86 HP from the factory. This sucker pulled all day long, no hesitation, smooth and reliable. Drove from Tampa to LA for the Classic in 1997 and I was the only VW that did not break down on the drive, including one guy in a new Dodge Van!

Push Rod Tubes pull right out of the head, lifters can be swapped on the car, Valve Cover Bail's are super thick and sturdy and never leak. Front Pulley Sand Seal, Oil Filter, nearly 4 Quarts of oil fit in the sucker.

Exhaust was expensive, and the upright kit was too, after that it was killer.
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TP in the Pack (I am a cyclist)
1968 Manx N.O.S. w/ Barrett Chassis
1960 Single Cab 1914 w/ 40 DLRA's
1990 Vanagon DOKA
1972 Super Beetle
1979 Super Beetle Convertible
2011 Porsche Cayenne

[didget69]

...and when trying to package the pancake-fan-cooled T4 into a fiberglass bodied buggy so that the exhaust exits through the 'license plate area', you can play with cool exhaust system packaging.

Rough draft:

bnc
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I never found the need to impress people with any mechanic certifications, trophies or track wins... unless it was for Mom to post on the refrigerator door.

[porkey]

My 2ltr T IV