914 Engine Choices, Will buy 914, if I can build a monster Options

[GreekDriver]

Hello. I'm a BMW fan, sorry guys. But the 914 has to be one of the funnest cars I've ever driven! Other than its transmission feeling like shifting through oatmeal and damn near impossible to get a smoot shift out of... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif) (This is on all 914s I've driven, even one with a rebuilt transmission)

Well, there's a nice 914 for sale, with minimal rust, original motor, great interior and paint, and low miles. It's a 76 2.0l I believe, in Black. A fella in the neighborhood has had it since 1979 and barely driven it. He's not a car guy, he bought it because it looked nice. It drives nicely, but it lacks power, and the brakes don't impress me.

It's going to need an engine and rebuilding the type iv to its horrible stock form would just piss me off. Alot. I've been looking at engine options and I have no clue on what to do. I want lightweight, EXTREMELY high revving, past 10k RPMs, and over 190hp. So the V8s are out of the question. I've thought about a 2.0l Carrea motor, as those should be able to rev like hell when built. But I haven't really seen much info on them anywhere. Another Idea I had was an S14 engine from the E30 M3(1988 BMW M3), but I have no clue what transmission I'd use and how I'd get it to work... My last idea was to build an M10 up. The M10 was THE I-4 out of the BMW 2002s, E21s, and some E30s. It loves boost, the 1.5l block was doing 1500hp for BMW F1 in the 80s. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I would try to find a way to get it to rev high in N/A form, or boost it. But again, I don't know how I'd get it to work with the 914.

Anyways, just give me some general ideas guys. I'd worry about suspension and brakes later. Oh, and the damn transmission would be going to the yard and I'm going to request to see it crunched, it would make me feel so good.

Thanks! And it's nice to be here! Hopefully I'll get some interesting responses to push me to buy that car.

[GreekDriver]

I still can't believe there is no BMW powered 914, who would put a small block over a great BMW I-4

well, I don't know the exact numbers, but I'd have to say at there are at least 100 V8 conversions.....I guess all of them must be pretty clueless since they some how "over looked" this great BMW I-4 you keep bragging about (which they no longer make since there is something called progress (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) )

Sometimes practicality wins over passion , you have a lot of passion for this I-4 motor and there is nothing wrong with that, but at the same time, you seem to be clueless about the motor when it comes to the real world of how much it's going to really cost to get the HP level you want from it. I don't know, you say you want 300hp and to keep it affordable at the same time, I'm guessing it's going to cost you at a minimum $5000 for the motor itself and that is with you doing a lot of the work....of course the price comes down if using used parts such as the turbo and fuel injection.
From what I've read about it on the web, yes, it's a pretty good engine, but a lot has changed and for some people, they don't want a motor based on 1960s technology (I know, they used the same basic engine up to 1983)

1987 actually...

The engine will cost about 8k-10k with a turbo and intercooler. Thats with somebody else building, which would probably have to happen. But it would be able to put out WELL over 450hp.

The M10 block is good for up to 1500hp, it's proven. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) What I would do is get 8.0:1 forged pistons, an S14 crank and 92mm bore would turn displacement to 2.2l, some custom rods, extensive head work, valve springs, keepers and rocker arms, turbo cam, o-ring, copper head gasket, etc... You get it. There are similair setups putting down 750rwhp under 2Bar of boost... Go find me a V-8 that can do that and keep the weight low. BTW... I'd be revving to 8k-9k RPMS... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

The M10 is free, I have a family member with a junk yard. I could do no work to it and put out over 200hp with a turbo, with a total cost of about 2,500, to 3,000 but whats the fun in that.

The M10 is still a great engine, I have no clue why BMW doens't still use it today. IMO, it's new I-4s aren't as reliable, and get worse gas mileage. At it's best the 1.8l SOHC M10 was putting out 127hp. That doesn't include its turbo charged 2002tii variant.

I didn't say they overlooked this engine.

The M10 weighs 186lbs.

Don't say it's not doable, it's been done. If it can't get done with 10,000 dollars, I'll put in more. I don't have many expenses.