BUILD-OFF CHALLENGE: Madmax914, '74 914 Subaru Turbo Conversion Options

[madmax914]

The car is a ’74 1.8L presently on jack stands with both front and rear suspensions removed. Motor and transaxle is removed with plans for a Subaru conversion. Driver side floor pan under the seat has rust which I plan on replacing and of course the battery tray is rusted pretty badly. This was an A/C car so the front trunk had been cutout which I have tacked in a replacement panel from Restoration and Design. The body itself has been blasted and a sealer coat of primer has been applied to protect the metal, by no means is ready for paint by my standards. The underside of the car is as it was from the factory 41 years ago. I have a little surface rust in the trunk area, which is remarkable considering it has spent most of its life in the Pacific Northwest.

My plans are to convert the drive train to a Subaru motor (turbo) & transmission. I will attempt to use the Outfront Motorsport header which relocates the turbo to the front of the motor. I also plan on fabricating a bulkhead type motor mount in the front to give me more room for the exhaust. I have already purchase all the parts for a 911 suspension including Bilstein coil over front struts. Wide body is a must and at this point I am really considering going wider that the GT fender widths. The car will sit as low as possible at a height that will allow it be driven on the streets. Many of the body panels will be replaced for fiberglass to lighten the car. All bodywork and paint(not my first rodeo but not an expert either), will be handled by myself since I’m too cheap to pay someone else to do it. As for the interiors it needs a complete overhaul and I’ll modify with Sparco/Recaro type seats and possibly do Auto Meter type gauges. I would like this car to meet the criteria most would think of when describing it as a true “Outlaw” car.

BTW when you see my picture it will be clear why I call myself madmax914.

[madmax914]

I have the motor and transmission in place so I can finish the motor mounts. The good news is the header and turbo fits nice between the motor and the firewall. There's about an inch between the turbo and firewall.

[porsaru]

I have the motor and transmission in place so I can finish the motor mounts. The good news is the header and turbo fits nice between the motor and the firewall. There's about an inch between the turbo and firewall.

Are you considering flipping the intake manifold to shorten your charge pipe? Or possibly adding a water to air intercooler because the airflow for the air to air intercooler is not that great. I would recommend this addition while your at it.

[madmax914]

I have the motor and transmission in place so I can finish the motor mounts. The good news is the header and turbo fits nice between the motor and the firewall. There's about an inch between the turbo and firewall.

Are you considering flipping the intake manifold to shorten your charge pipe? Or possibly adding a water to air intercooler because the airflow for the air to air intercooler is not that great. I would recommend this addition while your at it.

I have an air to air innercooler and tubing that came with the motor that I may work for me. This motor was previously in a 914 and he didn't have the intake flipped, I'll have to wait when at that point to see what I'll need to do. The passenger side of the motor will have the pipe coming off the turbo so there will be an issue with heat on that side so that leaves me with mounting one above the motor on the left side or even the rear trunk area. I'm very fortunate about an hour north of me is Extreme Turbo Systems, they can build custom innercoolers and the plumbing to maximize the effectiveness of the turbo. Stay tuned this just staring to get interesting.