Opinions and advice, My 914-6 resto Options

[flyer86d]

you are credited with this one:

So over this summer, I refreshed the suspension and brakes that are going on the -6. I’ve had a set of front suspension with delrin bushings, 21mm torsion bars, big aluminum calipers and -6 rear trailing arms with delrin bushings. It’s all repainted and ready to go in. A mild heart attack at the end of September and a triple bypass 6 days later postponed a bunch of work. I’m getting back to it cleaning parts for the winter project of building a motor.

I’m looking for motor advice. I want a small displacement screamer. We don’t have freeways on the Maine coast and it’s not going to be a daily driver just a toy that I will never sell. So, I am building this on a 914-6 case, not the original which I have, counter weighted crank with matching rods, 69S heads, 81 mm 906 pistons and cylinders with 40mm Webers. Which cams? I am looking for a willing motor with explosive ( for a small motor) revs from 4500rpm up to 7500. What does the group say? Our old track 911sc was a 3.2 with ge80 cams which did that but I don’t want that kind of power for a street car. What does the group say? 911s, mod S, 906, Dc60?

[mb911]

I have a 2.4 with S pistons, ported heads, solex cams and you requirements is what my engine provides

[rgalla9146]

Charlie
I hear E cams get nearly the same perf as S but do it more smoothly
I wish I could say from personal experience.
Happy New Year !
Rory
PS ask Peter ?

[mepstein]

Definitely not 906 cams, even though I have three sets to sell, each slightly different. We built a 906 engine last summer for a real 906. Got 285 hp on Peter Dawe very conservative dyno. Sounds wonderful, right? But it would be terrible for a street car. I’ve spent a lot of time in Maine and New England. There’s some great winding roads with plenty of elevation changes. Fun roads for sure. But a 906 engine, no power until it’s on cam at 5k+. So absolutely miserable until you get into it. Unless you are constantly driving traffic free roads without any stop signs or lights, you want something more drivable. Same with suspension. My thought is that 21mm front bar, unless the shocks are really soft are going to be a rough ride. But that’s an easy change compared to cams. Cams all have their own personality but they are still dependent on other choices. Piston design, compression ratio and induction all play a big part. My suggestion is to talk to the place that you are buying your cams and get their take on it. Dougherty, webcam, etc all know their cams and can help you pick the best one for your combo and driving style.

[SirAndy]

Definitely not 906 cams, even though I have three sets to sell, each slightly different. We built a 906 engine last summer for a real 906. Got 285 hp on Peter Dawe very conservative dyno. Sounds wonderful, right? But it would be terrible for a street car. I’ve spent a lot of time in Maine and New England. There’s some great winding roads with plenty of elevation changes. Fun roads for sure. But a 906 engine, no power until it’s on cam at 5k+. So absolutely miserable until you get into it. Unless you are constantly driving traffic free roads without any stop signs or lights, you want something more drivable. Same with suspension. My thought is that 21mm front bar, unless the shocks are really soft are going to be a rough ride. But that’s an easy change compared to cams. Cams all have their own personality but they are still dependent on other choices. Piston design, compression ratio and induction all play a big part. My suggestion is to talk to the place that you are buying your cams and get their take on it. Dougherty, webcam, etc all know their cams and can help you pick the best one for your combo and driving style.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

For a (mostly) street car, you want as much low end torque as you can get.

So basically the exact opposite of a "small displacement screamer".
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[rgalla9146]

Dbl

[DennisV]

I hear E cams get nearly the same perf as S but do it more smoothly

When I had the cams for our mostly stock 914-6 engine done by Dema Elgin he also recommended E grind. This is for spirited street driving. It has slightly higher valve lift than the standard 911T cam. If you go this route don't forget to adjust your cam timing to match.


I haven't put this in the car yet, nor do I have another car to compare against. I can only pass along his advice and specs. FWIW.

[mepstein]

Definitely not 906 cams, even though I have three sets to sell, each slightly different. We built a 906 engine last summer for a real 906. Got 285 hp on Peter Dawe very conservative dyno. Sounds wonderful, right? But it would be terrible for a street car. I’ve spent a lot of time in Maine and New England. There’s some great winding roads with plenty of elevation changes. Fun roads for sure. But a 906 engine, no power until it’s on cam at 5k+. So absolutely miserable until you get into it. Unless you are constantly driving traffic free roads without any stop signs or lights, you want something more drivable. Same with suspension. My thought is that 21mm front bar, unless the shocks are really soft are going to be a rough ride. But that’s an easy change compared to cams. Cams all have their own personality but they are still dependent on other choices. Piston design, compression ratio and induction all play a big part. My suggestion is to talk to the place that you are buying your cams and get their take on it. Dougherty, webcam, etc all know their cams and can help you pick the best one for your combo and driving style.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

For a (mostly) street car, you want as much low end torque as you can get.

So basically the exact opposite of a "small displacement screamer".
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

You can definitely build a small displacement screamer but one designed for the street is built different than one for the track. A good cam company is a great resource for figuring out the combo.

[914forme]

I prefer to have the best suspension I can have on any car. You can do a lot with a smaller engine, and very good handling car.
To that I end up with more questions.

Rear spring size?

Swaybar(s)?

Shocks?

[JmuRiz]

If you want a mix of E and S, the solex or DC30 is a good choice on a 2.4 (from what I hear). Ben mb911 is right, it should satisfy your needs.

I started with a 2.7 case so mine will be a different animal, if I can ever afford to have it completed.