What Engine Would You Put in This Barn Find Porsche 356?

This largely original 1953 Porsche 356 is set to go across the auction block later this month, though it’s missing one crucial component: an engine.

Since many of us enjoy armchair project car building, what engine would you put in this 356? Would you go original with a period-correct Type 369, or maybe go all out with a turbocharged Subaru …

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This Emory Motorsports engine.

I have a hard time improving on Seth's idea (but the site says it is only available in their outlaw cars).

I'd probably clean it up and put the hottest aircooled Vdub I could find, and just enjoy it. That or a 914 engine.

I'd sell it for some insane amount of money and buy a different car. 

Unless I had too much money and wanted to troll the world. Then it would get a Kubota diesel. 

wheelsmithy (Joe-with-an-L) (Forum Supporter) said:

I have a hard time improving on Seth's idea (but the site says it is only available in their outlaw cars).

I'd probably clean it up and put the hottest aircooled Vdub I could find, and just enjoy it. That or a 914 engine.

Kustom Craft Works here in GJ did just that. Built a SoCal bug style 356. 

Why not an electric powerplant?

Colin Wood said:

Why not an electric powerplant?

Because reproductions of this car exist that would be more appropriate for that. 

"Would you go original with a period-correct Type 369"...? Yes, I'd go original on that one. I wouldn't put any Suba engine in anything.

I came here to mention the same Emory engine as Seth already has.  With a current bid of $25K and a projected sale price of, you better be sitting down for this, $50-60K I think any buyer would want an engine that's at least heavily related to something from Porsche.  If someone wants an outlaw 356 (cope, convertible or speedster) these days with a non VW/Porsche engine I'd start with a replica.  Heck you can buy a turn key 356 replica with VW engine from JPS for just over $40k and can add a Scoobie engine from them for less than the projected sale price of this lawn ornament.   

I'd find a super 90 to put in it and enjoy the berkeley out of it.

Toyman01 (Moderately Supportive Dude) said:

I'd sell it for some insane amount of money and buy a different car. 

Unless I had too much money and wanted to troll the world. Then it would get a Kubota diesel.

This.  I do not worship in the Cult of the Bathtub Porsche.  I would absolutely take advantage of... I mean, provide a path to nirvana for someone who does.  For a nominal service charge, of course.

I thought the answer on engine swaps was always LS3. 

Toyman01 (Moderately Supportive Dude) said:

Unless I had too much money and wanted to troll the world. Then it would get a Kubota diesel. 

 

IT may not be a Kubota, but it is 1.6 TD from a VW Quantom.

I've lost touch with the rally community in SE Mi over the last few years, but there was a dentist who's wife co-drove an ex Prodrive Group N Scoobie that was building a stage rally 356, not an oil burner, but some form of AC VW, possibly a Type IV I forget.  I know it was progressing slowly from around the turn of the century through around 2010.  Last I heard either he or his wife passed, but I forget which.  Maybe one of the other Michigan peeps on here knows.

Rotary.

Since the question was what motor would you put in this car, I would go for one of the 1.5ish four cams, original if it could be found or one of the New / Old motors like the Emory or the Capricorn.

But since I'm not in the Tax Bracket to consider that project, I would sell it and get a 2012 Cayman R...

Here's that local one. I think it was built with a 60 hp VW motor or something like that. The build thread seems to have vamoosed, although I think it did show up in Hot Rod.

Depends what's most important. Given that it's going to go for $50K+, I'd spend that on something else.

"If" forced to answer the question, I'd put in a period correct engine, sell it, and go do something else.

Gotta have a Jaguar V12.

chandler said:

Gotta have a Jaguar V12.

BBC are better in every way....

wvumtnbkr said:

chandler said:

Gotta have a Jaguar V12.

BBC are better in every way....

Except in Coolness and the ability to build 500hp for pocket lint, just ask Frenchyd!

I can't decide between 2 or 3 paths. 

1: Front Engine Big Cadillac engine, Full Gasser conversion.

2: Rear Engined, Long Travel Suspension, Subaru H6 off road buggy

3: Full stance works wet dream car build, V6/V8 2 stroke outboard motor.

I mean since we are going ridiculous.  

are you going to show off the engine or just go fast ?

Go fast is any modern  4 cyl twin cam turbo motor like the Ford Ecoboost ., 200 HP 

Show off is a VW based 2.2 liter with 911 Porsche fan and Weber 48 IDAs

Yamaha Vmax

In reply to Lee :

I beleive you just won the internet today!

Duke said:

Toyman01 (Moderately Supportive Dude) said:

I'd sell it for some insane amount of money and buy a different car. 

Unless I had too much money and wanted to troll the world. Then it would get a Kubota diesel.

This.  I do not worship in the Cult of the Bathtub Porsche.  I would absolutely take advantage of... I mean, provide a path to nirvana for someone who does.  For a nominal service charge, of course.

 

Same. Although if I had to keep it, I'd install one of those Motus V4s. It takes design cues from the LS motor but is a clean sheet design, makes 180hp/123lb-ft from 1650cc.