You can't turbocharge a 914, but if you could? Options

[ConeDodger]

I had lunch and hung out with McMark and the Original Customs crew today and an interesting subject came up...

We've all heard the old joke about how you can't turbocharge a 914. In reality, it's been done many times. Mostly badly, but it's do-able. McMark's own car is a 1.7 turbo he built as a proof-of-concept and his build has worked so well, he practically daily drives it!

I know most of you have no reference for what I'm about to say but I'll try to explain; driving a 2270 stroker TypeIV is a great big bowl full of fun. The flat torque-curve means you don't have to shift all the time, just put your foot down and go. No lug, just grunt! Driving McMark's 1.7 Turbo is like driving a 2270. That, and when I have driven it, it was only at about 6# of boost or less. Turn that up, and you've got a serious screamer on your hands...

His execution is about the best I've ever seen (as per usual Original Customs fare). Yet, having very nicely proven the concept, McMark has only built one other turbo engine. What gives? You guys don't like the idea of a turbocharged 914? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Let's discuss this...

[Randal]

Moggy, over in the paddock section, has been hard racing (Rally) a 914 4 with a supercharger for years. He had special groves machined into his heads /barrels that seal without any issues. Of course Moggy has done a bunch of other modifications to make it all work, but it does.

Same thing could be done with a turbo, which would make an effective setup and then one could run higher boost levels.

Britain Smith has build a big time Type IV turbo motor for his 912. It works and puts out serious power.

I've thought long and hard about building an effective turbo motor. 300Hp out of a 2.0 would be excellent and would compete with the fast group with SCCA XP, in a 914, but it's likely a nose bleed from the start as no one has done a Type IV before.

FYI SCCA screws anyone using CC to compete.

If I was still going to do it I'd visit CB performance. They've build a huge number of hot turbo Type 1 motors for sand rails, etc. They have the experience and parts, likely a bunch of them adaptable to a type IV. They say 300hp is the low end of output they work with, but guessing this would be on larger motors.

It'd make sense to take Mark down there on the same trip, figure out what could be done, secure the parts and have him do it.

BTW their Type I turbo motors are reasonable.

Hi Mike. Nice to see you back on the forum.