Out with the old...in with the new...Britain's Racecar Development, Subaru Engine, Lotus Suspension! Time to go racing! Options

[Britain Smith]

For those who don't know me or the car, I have a '74 914 that is a dedicated AX car. It previously had a high compression 2.7 6-cylinder motor and made 205hp/205ft-lbs at the wheels. This set-up wasn't all that bad considering that it won the 2008 and 2009 914 Shootout events, however the quest for more speed continues.

Here is the car in the 2010 season trim.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/dragracevws.com-364-1291656786.1.jpg)

I have recently sold the 2.7L 6-cylinder engine and all the remaining 914/6 conversion parts. I have used the proceeds to fund the conversion to Subaru power. Now most would say that a Subaru conversion can be done on a budget, however I have found that the money goes flying out the window when doing something like this.

Regarding the engine...logical choice would be to go for a EJ257 2.5L USDM STi engine. However, all the SCCA rules for AX are built around displacement which in turn dictates the minimum weight. Therefore, I have gone with a JDM STi version8 Spec-C engine which is a 2.0L, twin-scroll, hand ported/polished, 8500rpm animal. I will get slightly less hp and torque numbers than the 2.5L, but save 150lbs of weight.

[bandjoey]

Where does the AC compressor go? (just kidding (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif) )
what a lot of work. What a professional looking job. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

If you compare this conversion against your old flat 6 which one is harder - easier and cheaper - more expensive?

Great work and enjoying the build pictures.

[J P Stein]

If you compare this conversion against your old flat 6 which one is harder - easier and cheaper - more expensive?

At this point...he's not done spending, but close......it's about a zero sum swap moneywise. All that old stuff sold quickly for about .50 cents on the dollar.....you do the math
The degree of difficulty would seem a toss up, me thinks.
He's making it tougher on himself by compressimg the time frame needed to do the work. That said, he's doin' gud.

God help him if he sets it up & ready to go racing by Feb 1-15. "Stuff" (including the weather) don't get rolling up this way till the middle of March at best.....he'll go nutso. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[r_towle]

If you compare this conversion against your old flat 6 which one is harder - easier and cheaper - more expensive?

At this point...he's not done spending, but close......it's about a zero sum swap moneywise. All that old stuff sold quickly for about .50 cents on the dollar.....you do the math
The degree of difficulty would seem a toss up, me thinks.
He's making it tougher on himself by compressimg the time frame needed to do the work. That said, he's doin' gud.

God help him if he sets it up & ready to go racing by Feb 1-15. "Stuff" (including the weather) don't get rolling up this way till the middle of March at best.....he'll go nutso. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Cheer him on..I got that.
Still must be somewhat sad to watch your baby be taken apart.

Rich

[J P Stein]

Still must be somewhat sad to watch your baby be taken apart.

Rich

I was kinda burnt out on it. What Brit is doing is pretty much what I would have done and he is better equipped to do so on many levels.....which means he's as much of a lunatic as I ever was. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Dan:
The car needs some serious mods to the front end to get more tire up front.
"The Kid" has plans for that but it is another project that will be a serious time/money eater.