First post , First 914-8, Saying hello Options

[Sean_S]

Hello All !

My name is Sean and I've been lurking here for a few hours and figured I'd best register since I just purchased my first 914 V8 conversion.

I live in Coos Bay Oregon as a Los Angeles escapee.

In my former life I was a machinery dealer and thankfully this has provided me with a full machine shop (kept the cream for myself). Hopefully this will help with that trials of owning this conversion.

I also have a custom Lotus Esprit S1 and a Toyota FJ-40. I've owned and converted several FJ's to V8's so I'm comfortable with tweaking and re-tweaking. I may at some point convert the Lotus, but the engine is fresh so it will wait.

In any case, here is a photo of the 914 conversion. I haven't gotten into it yet, but basically it's a 5.0 EFI conversion...let me know what you think?

Also, I am interested in hearing from the V8 guys (and gals) about the performance of their cars and any 91(8) advice that a newbie must know.

All the Best
Sean

(IMG:http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v500/twomarbles/914/DSC00714.jpg)

[Sean_S]

Joe, stuff falling out the bottom of your car always seems to directly coordinate with plenty of people watching...I feel your pain!

The PO of this car, and now a few different posts I've read mention not using first gear at all. That's a shame in my opinion. I'd be curious to learn about what mod's are available to beef up the stock tranny and especially any that return all 5 speeds to the driver again. I can hear "it costs as much as swapping in a different tranny" coming down the road but I have to ask.

There seems to be a gap tranny options...

You have stock...300hp on 4 gears which does not allow you to drive the car as it is meant to be driven (ie drop the clutch once in awhile).

You have the 915 which can take 500hp (according to Renegade) but has the wrong gearing (is that wrong for a stock 914 or wrong for a 500hp 914?).

Then you have the 930 @ 700hp...which is really no longer a streetable car of any fashion. It couldn't be a driver's car at this point....unless you are a kevlar and halon driver.

Soooo...what is missing is....

The 300-400hp reliable (and hopefully affordable) transaxle which hopefully would be built on the stock case and have correct gearing (stock?) and all 5 speeds. A tranny that will forgive a little abuse...whether accidental or intentional.
I don't know if this exists, but I hope so.

Sean