914 Fuel Injector Substitutes?, Choices... Options

[JeffBowlsby]

I recently set out to identify possible substitute fuel injectors for stock 914s. With the interest in replacement PEFI, I thought it was important to identify any options for this important part. I have not obtained or physically tested any of the injectors below, the information is based only on published data from the internet and hard copy sources available to me.

The easiest solution is to identify identically performing fuel injectors that can be direct substitutes for the original part numbers. Direct substitutes are convenient because they can be installed into new PEFI installations or existing FI systems if original parts cannot be obtained. Criteria here include that the substitute be compatible physically for mounting purposes and identical in function/performance to the original injector. I was hoping to find new alternate injectors for <$50 each that were plentiful, but I could not find anything available.

As it turns I found information that the original Bosch pintle-style injectors are a very robust design and are the only physically similar injectors, allowing stock 914 mounting hardware and fuel/electrical connections, which for this option is important. No manufacturer makes anything similar or easily adaptable. Several different Bosch injectors are excellent matches for original 914 injector part numbers, why Bosch offers several seemingly identical injectors with different PNs I am not certain, but there are hints that the injector bodies are very similar if not identical, it’s only the attached hose that is different – short/long, straight or angled. Hoses are easily changed. A side by side comparison and testing would be important to distinguish actual differences. Don’t think that 914 injector flows are hugenormous, The original PN injectors are nicely sized and capable of supplying sufficient fuel for 914 engines with only short duty cycles, which contributes to their durability and long service life. Bosch makes several injectors with comparatively enormous flow rates much greater than 914 injectors.

Substitute identical injectors I found were all about the same price, and mostly made for Volvos and Mercedes Benz’ of the same vintage as the 914 using D-Jet fuel injection, which raises a concern. Not only are these substitute injectors no less expensive than the 914 part number, it would seem likely that at sometime in the future when Bosch decides to no longer support 914 injectors they might also drop all injectors of this design and era, so at that time, this straight substitution will not be an option. Who knows when or if that might be?

The chart below shows several possible substitute Bosch part numbers that seem to be sufficiently identical to the original 914 injectors. I found at least one source for each of them, with only a brief search.


A second solution uses physically identical injectors, but part numbers with different functional characteristics, compensating with PEFI tuning to make them work. I don’t think this is the easiest solution, but it could certainly work well. They should easily mount right up, but one problem is that these Bosch pintle-style injectors that may go obsolete. Another issue is that tuning a PEFI with these parts requires a commitment to those specific parts, or retuning using different parts in the future may be required.

Great news though…check out the injectors that are bolt-ins for the 1.8L 914, especially part number 0 280 150 114 for many VWs. I found this PN available from several sources for as little $65 new. They require electrical connector swaps (easy), but there are so many cars that use them, including newer cars than the 914 that they should be plentiful for many years to come. These injectors will require longer duty cycles, but nothing extreme.


A third option which I see as the last resort or only for very special needs is to use other suitable injectors of any physical design and functional characteristics. This is the most difficult option, promising at this point in time, little if any benefit to most owners. Newer style injectors could be selected and a PEFI could be tuned to work. Fabrication work would be necessary to configure a fuel rail and other mounting and electrical requirements, which for many is not possible or expensive in terms of time and/or cost. I perceive this to be the most expensive option in time and cost, for undetermined benefit.

Thought I would pass what information I found for reference…use it at your own risk.

Do you know of any other options?

[Uraquan]

Looks like the normals have it!

I think I got tunnel vision on not liking that the injector spray point was more outboard from the airstream than the OEM injector. So I tried the O rings to get it a little further in but didn't make up for the difference in the rubber mount around the injector.

The normal seal is in and no air leaks. Another lesson in leaving the engineering work to the engineers.