Buick GNX Turbo V6: 1973 Porsche 914
I’ve driven a few Porsche 914s in my life, and most were underpowered compared to modern cars on the road. The 1.7 liter version is particularly gutless, but it brings a certain amount of pre-planning to your driving style and I found it fun. However, I don’t doubt that a 914 with an upgraded engine would be a blast, but I never in my wildest dreams imagined that someone would shoehorn a Turbocharged Buick V6 from a GNX into the middle of a 914. Find this 1973 Porsche 914 offered for $12,500 in Sandown, NH via craigslist.
From the seller:
1973 porsche 914 v 8
cylinders: 6 cylinders
drive: rwd
fuel: gas
odometer: 45000
odometer broken
paint color: silver
title status: clean
transmission: manual
For sale 1973 914 Porsche project. Transplanted 1986 Buick Grand National 3.8L V6 turbo engine. 235 hp at 4,000 rpm and 330- lb. ft. torque at 2,400 rpm. This is a completed car was finished and driven more than 5000 miles. Engine has approximately 45000 miles. Has been sitting 3 years or more. The engine turns over has spark has fuel but injectors not firing. The Battery is New, the fuel pump is new and the pedal cluster has been rebuilt. Brakes have been serviced and are in working condition. Hell hole is OK the floor pan has patches. 914 Porsches are Targas, The roof comes off. 5 lug rims only come with asking price. Slotted “mag” uni lug wheels will be provided otherwise. Clean Title. Transportation might be possible after sale for a fuel fee. calls or text is best youtube vids at …. highlight and hit go to link … https://youtu.be/XEl6ijVVExk
…
See a better way to drive something fun? tips@dailyturismo.com
So I was searching cultcars.us and saw the 914 weathered Gulf livery wide body 350 v8 swap with the wicked Shelby wheels that’s been posted here a couple of times for sale and most recently a couple of months back. It has me wondering about these types of builds, are they that sketchy that you impulse buy them then realize what a mess you bought and hope someone else does the same.
Of all the stupid things people say and do in car sale ads the “you don’t get these wheels!” is the worst. So you want to sell something for thousands of dollars, but you can’t be bothered to swap wheels? GTFOH
If you are going to do an engine swap there are more powerful engines that actually fit without cutting away a structurally important bulkhead and introducing some heat management issues. Also 200 FtLbs of torque is about all that a transmission that doesn’t cost more than this car will handle. And if it had one don’t you think the seller would mention it?
Also lots of rust in places that look fine in even rusty 914s, no pix of the radiator installation which is usually a clown show other than a couple of water pipes dangling under the car. No word on how the 5 bolt conversion was done, so it’s probably cheap adapter plates.
So bad idea, poorly executed, plus rust, what’s not to like?