Cross roads between a big /4 and a big/6, Share your experience Options

[Montreal914]

I am at a cross road in my narrow body restoration project. This is not an original build, but rather a sleeper 914 with nice elements. The chassis will be reinforced with an inner kit and outer RD clamshell.

The car will be converted to 5 lugs using the right 3" 911 struts/hubs and drilled rear hubs. The braking system is Alfa Brembo calipers in the front and 914-6 reproduction rears with appropriate 19mm MC. Sport Bilstein all around and 140 rear springs. Front 19mm and std rear sway bar.

Wheels will either be Fuchs 15" x 6" or 16" x 6". I have no intentions of shoehorning 7" wide wheels in the back, no fender stretching.

My engine options are as follow:

I have all the nice bits to build a 2.3 4 cylinder (HAM heads, Nickies, rods, crank, block with large studs, Tangerine headers, yadi yada...). I would setup a modern EFI to it and should conservatively get 150-160 HP out of it.

I have an opportunity to get a 3.2 Motronic 6 cylinder, 200+ HP.

I plan on using a 901 gearbox and I already have the Tarett heavy duty CV/shafts kit.


Although it may seem obvious that the desired option would be to go with the six, again, this is a narrow body with 6" wide wheels. My concern is the drastic amount of power and the additional mass on this car's configuration.

A while back I remember reading a comment from Pete Stout @horizontally-opposed , where I recall him saying somethnig like he felt the 914 has a better balance with a 4 cylinder engine, but he was willing to make that tradeoff to have the sound, smoothness and pleasure of a 6 cylinder. That being said, his beautiful car (reference narrow body in my book (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) ) is equipped with a small 2.2 six.

I have some engine weight data that looks like this:

4 cylinder: ~321lbs
2.4 six cylinder: ~400
3.2 six cylinder: ~485lbs

I have never riden let alone driven a 6 cylinder powered 914, but I do have 10 years of daily California canyon driving mine (4 cylinder 2056). I know how the 4 cylinder car feels and I can probably picture how it would drive with a large /4.

I would like to hear what people have experience with their narrow bodied 3.2 conversion (I am sure there must be some), and what they prefer, their old 4 or their new six.

I appreciate and value all of your comments! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

Thank you,

Eric

[Montreal914]

Great! A couple of options on the table, PMS and custom Terry cable. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sunglasses.gif) Duly noted, thank you! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif)

Things are really starting to shape up here! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[wndsrfr]

Great! A couple of options on the table, PMS and custom Terry cable. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sunglasses.gif) Duly noted, thank you! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif)

Things are really starting to shape up here! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

901 Shop in Florida has a very direct straight shot cable system. Literally straight from the gas pedal through the firewall to the throttle cross bar. I can't remember the price but it's excellent for my track car. Call for Brady there..772-781-2944 and he'll send you pics.
That said, I've tried the backside loop approach after getting failures of the "coat hanger". I found that the factory system has a lot going for it in terms of progressive action at partial throttle movement which is the majority of street driving plus it provides full open WOT action when set up properly. The geometry of the bellcrank at the rear of the transmission allows slow opening of the throttle plates during first 25% of gas pedal movement then progressively faster for the rest of travel to WOT. So if you're wanting good street manners I vote for the factory system---BUT getting the correct coat hanger part is a PITA...