Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
8/25/20 2:58 p.m.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/a_dlt5cm5H0

Although engine swaps can be a fun (albeit challenging) way to add more power to a car, is dropping in a modern Japanese engine into a classic Porsche considered blasphemy?

Perhaps, but trading one flat-four engine with another has to count for something, right?

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pirate
pirate HalfDork
8/25/20 3:32 p.m.

I'm sure the purists are wailing and gnashing teeth, others are saying cool go for it. At the end of the day it doesn't matter what other people say or think.  Your car your choice. If you are happy that's all that counts.

Snowdoggie
Snowdoggie HalfDork
8/25/20 3:36 p.m.

It's not like he is cutting up a perfect low mileage 914. Putting a Subaru motor in a ratty 914 is better than letting it rust away. That's a bunch of horsepower with very little weight in one of the best handling cars ever. 

earlybroncoguy1
earlybroncoguy1 New Reader
8/25/20 6:26 p.m.

No, putting a 426 Hemi in a '55 Chevy is Blasphemi.

Dieselboss15
Dieselboss15 New Reader
8/25/20 6:59 p.m.

In reply to earlybroncoguy1 :

*sarcastic laugh*

alfadriver (Forum Supporter)
alfadriver (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
8/25/20 7:12 p.m.

Is there a lot of potential from a Subuaru flat 4?  

Not that I'll ever persue it, but that powertrain choice looks to be a good one for a mid-engined, short wheelbase DM car.  I was thinking of something else- given the project that is going on with a 2.5l VW flat four- that was one of the dreams- wrap that chassis with a Fiat 850 body, and go DM racing.  

californiamilleghia
californiamilleghia Dork
8/25/20 7:48 p.m.

are Subaru motors that bulletproof ?

or just better than a 40 year old 914 / VW Type 4 motor , 

As others have said at least its not going to the crusher and he did not by a low mileage cream puff car to do the swap in ......

and a 4cyl or 6 cyl subie ?

CyberEric
CyberEric Dork
8/25/20 8:05 p.m.

In reply to californiamilleghia :

I don’t think they’re reputed to be bulletproof. Lots of bagging on the Subie headgaskets around these parts at least. Just more so than the VW OE motor and a similar size.

I had a friend with a 914 20 years ago. Great chassis, but the motor had a lot of problems. IAnd frankly, it’s not more blasphemous than putting a Subaru motor in a vanagon.

yupididit
yupididit PowerDork
8/25/20 8:10 p.m.

There was a 914 with a similar swap on GRM forsape back in like 2014 or 2015.

flat4_5spd
flat4_5spd New Reader
8/25/20 8:58 p.m.

He's running an EJ22, those weren't known for head gasket issues and last really, really well.  When the  bored out EJ25s came out was when the head gasket issues started, although they're not as bad as reputed. My guess is that the car will move out pretty well; it's not an outrageously powerful engine, but the area under the torque curve is going to be much broader than any of the factory Porsche engines and the 914 is light.  I like it! 

ProDarwin
ProDarwin UltimaDork
8/25/20 9:03 p.m.

A Saturn engine in a 914 crosses the line to Blasphemy

 

Disclaimer:  I would totally rock that.  Probably over an NA Subaru motor :P

MadScientistMatt
MadScientistMatt PowerDork
8/26/20 7:26 a.m.

I'll see your Subaru powered 914 and raise you a Honda powered 911.

JesseWolfe
JesseWolfe Reader
8/26/20 7:41 a.m.

Isn't there a 911 in Lemons that has a 1.9 diesel from a VW?

Andrew Polasek
Andrew Polasek New Reader
8/26/20 11:44 a.m.

Well done video, very comprehensive. I like the fast forward through the tedious bits and real time through the detailed ones. We have had several 914's in our family, it is nearly impossible to find one now that isn't rusted out.

mblommel
mblommel GRM+ Memberand Dork
8/26/20 12:42 p.m.

Has anyone done a base boxster motor and transmission in a 914 to make an updated 914/6? The 2.5 and 2.7 motors are fairly inexpensive and so are the 5 speeds. I dont hate the Subaru motor in there but it would seem cooler to update with a newer P motor. 

I also wonder if that KEP adapter plate works with the BRZ/FRS/86 engine.

Apexcarver
Apexcarver UltimaDork
8/26/20 12:56 p.m.

Driven a friends impreza with 450hp worth of E85 with boost and high compression.  

 

That engine in a 914 would be highly highly entertaining.

 

 

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