Restoration or Porscharu, Whether to restore or Suberize Options

[R_u_dd]

I've got a 1971 914-4 with the 1.7 in need of restoration. The body has some minor dents, typical rust not severe but needs work. Looks to be the original engine and transmission. Most of the parts are there, though corroded.

Manufactured 10/70
vin 4712904015
4259606 L21E Tangerine
engine W018107x

I would like to make it a Porscheru with the WRX 2.0 Turbo and Subaru transmission wiring harness and ecu. But, I have misgivings about transforming a car that could also be restored to the original. Let's say I would like to stay around $5,000 (maybe I'm dreaming here), first do the metal repairs and paint, then drop in the Subaru engine. Similar to Orange 75 Project, engine is in...

I am looking for a little better performance and I'm not sure the original 80 hp engine with a lot of work involved is the answer.

So, for the return on investment, is it worth doing a restoration, or as my wife says, "do what you want to do with the car"- that would be the Porscheru.

Restore or Suberize?

Click below for all the pictures:

Photos on Photobucket


(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1301.photobucket.com-17072-1401772696.1.jpg)

Battery tray area

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1301.photobucket.com-17072-1401772696.2.jpg)

Engine with corrosion and rust

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1301.photobucket.com-17072-1401772697.3.jpg)

Engine Out

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i1301.photobucket.com-17072-1401772697.4.jpg)

[CptTripps]

Any which way you slice it, you've got your work cut out for you.

From MY experience (which I can only offer because you need to make the decision for yourself) the Subie conversion is MILES further than it was even a year or two ago. With a lot of the parts that Ian is making, you can have a stellar power-plant and transmission that's relatively easy to do. There are a metric-ton of upgrades available to push the car well past 300HP if you desire. Or, even a stock EJ20 is north of 200HP by the time you yank all the unnecessary crap like PS, PB, AC off the motor. The cable-shift linkage and 2WD trans shift easily which can make for a lot more fun driving.

At the end of the day, there are a lot of experiences that you can pull from on both sides of your decision. I'm sure others will chime in here, but you're looking for about $3K-$5K in "stuff" needed for the subie conversion. I wouldn't skimp on the brakes either, so you'll need to think through that if you're looking at nearly tripling the HP for the car. Going fast means you'll need to stop fast too.

Good luck, and we're here for you however you go with it.

Could be kinda cool to have an Bumble-Bee with a turbo though...

[R_u_dd]

Any which way you slice it, you've got your work cut out for you.

From MY experience (which I can only offer because you need to make the decision for yourself) the Subie conversion is MILES further than it was even a year or two ago. With a lot of the parts that Ian is making, you can have a stellar power-plant and transmission that's relatively easy to do. There are a metric-ton of upgrades available to push the car well past 300HP if you desire. Or, even a stock EJ20 is north of 200HP by the time you yank all the unnecessary crap like PS, PB, AC off the motor. The cable-shift linkage and 2WD trans shift easily which can make for a lot more fun driving.

At the end of the day, there are a lot of experiences that you can pull from on both sides of your decision. I'm sure others will chime in here, but you're looking for about $3K-$5K in "stuff" needed for the subie conversion. I wouldn't skimp on the brakes either, so you'll need to think through that if you're looking at nearly tripling the HP for the car. Going fast means you'll need to stop fast too.

Good luck, and we're here for you however you go with it.

Could be kinda cool to have an Bumble-Bee with a turbo though...

I appreciate all the feedback. This is great. I wanted to make sure I am not committing a grave Porsche sin here by destroying a decent car, but the 1.7 is not all that desirable... and my car is way less than pristine.

Interesting thoughts on the 2wd tranny. It would be nice to hold out for one if I can find one. My thoughts on the WRX EJ20 are that they are plentiful and use the manual tranny more readily than the forester and legends with the 2.5 which mostly have auto trannyy's. The ecu would be wrong on most 2.5 autos, for a Porshe transmission??

I like the idea of a smooth shifting transmission which may be harder to achieve with the Porsche (901?).

I will keep my eyes open for the Subie threads and what Ian has to offer.

Thanks (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[CptTripps]

I appreciate all the feedback. This is great. I wanted to make sure I am not committing a grave Porsche sin here by destroying a decent car, but the 1.7 is not all that desirable... and my car is way less than pristine.

Interesting thoughts on the 2wd tranny. It would be nice to hold out for one if I can find one. My thoughts on the WRX EJ20 are that they are plentiful and use the manual tranny more readily than the forester and legends with the 2.5 which mostly have auto trannyy's. The ecu would be wrong on most 2.5 autos, for a Porshe transmission??

I like the idea of a smooth shifting transmission which may be harder to achieve with the Porsche (901?).

I will keep my eyes open for the Subie threads and what Ian has to offer.

Your best bet is to convert the AWD to 2WD. Easy to do, and takes up less room than the 2WD they did. (I think anyway) LOTS of people making the gear you need.

Plan on about $1K in stuff from Ian. Engine Cradle, 2WD conversion, Shift linkage, Motor mounts are all TOP NOTCH!

You can get an STI with the ECU and Trans for about $3K on eBay. Like this one...

Wrx STI Engine EJ20-T