I found this on Craigslist but I do not know much about these cars other than I have seen a number of them broke in half at the salvage yards over the years due to rust, what say yee.
What is a "hell hole" as this sounds like an issue but I am not sure.
Anyone know about putting a subaru EJ25 engine in a old 914?
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/3648966000.html
The "hell hole" is an area in the engine bay where the battery sits. It rusts out badly on these cars an is such a terrible place location wise to access to fix it has gained the name.
Subie swaps have been done on these, same principles as doing one to a VW. There's a few websites out there which have documented the swap on a 914.
I'm guessing there is more than a little rust in that car. It appears to have fiberglass rockers, I would want to see what the inner rockers look like.
As 914s go, I've seen much worse for more money. They handle really well, and with a little more power, I'd bet this one would be a blast.
If for nothing else, all of those spares could easily be sold to make this an essentially free car.
I don't often say this, but in this case, it looks like the reward outweighs the risks...
Proceed with caution.
JThw8 wrote: The "hell hole" is an area in the engine bay where the battery sits. It rusts out badly on these cars an is such a terrible place location wise to access to fix it has gained the name. Subie swaps have been done on these, same principles as doing one to a VW. There's a few websites out there which have documented the swap on a 914.
Well it's a little different than the VWs because of the layout. The engine faces a different direction and with an adapter plate you can use the stock transmission if you are on a budget. I am using a Subaru motor and transmission in Mid engine layout and beside more costs, you get a much better combo. Look into subarugears.com and coldwater914.com
crankwalk wrote:JThw8 wrote: The "hell hole" is an area in the engine bay where the battery sits. It rusts out badly on these cars an is such a terrible place location wise to access to fix it has gained the name. Subie swaps have been done on these, same principles as doing one to a VW. There's a few websites out there which have documented the swap on a 914.Well it's a little different than the VWs because of the layout. The engine faces a different direction and with an adapter plate you can use the stock transmission if you are on a budget. I am using a Subaru motor and transmission in Mid engine layout and beside more costs, you get a much better combo. Look into subarugears.com and coldwater914.com
Layout is different yes, but its the same in that with the adapter the motor bolts to the stock transaxle, its the transaxle which is accounting for the mid engine rotational direction not the engine so its not really different as far as installation and wiring. Yes you can go with the subie trnasaxle at an added cost and difficulty but if he's keeping the 2.5 that the seller has in there now I don't see a need to complicate the process with the subie transaxle.
My 914 had 57,000 when I bought it, always slept inside and was in the rain only five times that the PO could remember. STILL the hell hole was there. Be aware that if it's corrosive enough to eat a batter tray, it usually runs down the wall and sleeps in the rear sub-frame.
Cruise back issues or on the web, look for GRM's previous projects. They did a nice 914 that was just too nice for my budget. 
Dan
Thanks guys. I might take a look and go from there.
Paul B
I think stock they look meh, but look on renegade and some of them with big flares look great
well.. it is not stock, and the slant nose kit is not to everyone's cup of tea.
Thanks Datsun for the heads up.
Paul B
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