Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
How Much Difference with the Mid Engine 914 vs the 911?
Forum Index -> Porsche - 911/912/914 Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
nydj66
Samba Member


Joined: October 31, 2018
Posts: 1
Location: Mohawk Valley, NY
nydj66 is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Oct 31, 2018 7:38 am    Post subject: How Much Difference with the Mid Engine 914 vs the 911? Reply with quote

I've been wondering how much difference the mid-engine makes in the 914 vs the rear-engine 911?

I mean, the 911 has a 220lb engine behind the rear wheels with a 100lb transaxle mostly in front of it. Spinning that 180 degrees in the 914 moves that center of gravity a little bit in front of the rear wheels, but how much difference does that translate into in handling.

Doesn't the 914 still exhibit a tendency to oversteer? I ask as someone who has never driven either and hasn't drive an old beetle in a couple decades.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
[email protected]
Samba Member


Joined: December 28, 2016
Posts: 276
Location: atlanta ga
dr914@autoatlanta.com is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Oct 31, 2018 7:55 am    Post subject: Re: How Much Difference with the Mid Engine 914 vs the 911? Reply with quote

914s are wider lower and with a longer wheelbase than the 911 and weigh much less.
The 914-4 understeers, the 914-6 with the extra 150 or so lbs oversteers. The factory made an adjustment with sway parts to make both cars more neutral. 914-4 15mm sway bar front 16mm sway bar rear, 914-6 16mm bar first 15mm bar rear
When the 914 finally breaks loose it spins around in a circle, the 911 goes off the track rear end first


nydj66 wrote:
I've been wondering how much difference the mid-engine makes in the 914 vs the rear-engine 911?

I mean, the 911 has a 220lb engine behind the rear wheels with a 100lb transaxle mostly in front of it. Spinning that 180 degrees in the 914 moves that center of gravity a little bit in front of the rear wheels, but how much difference does that translate into in handling.

Doesn't the 914 still exhibit a tendency to oversteer? I ask as someone who has never driven either and hasn't drive an old beetle in a couple decades.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Synchromesh
Samba Member


Joined: April 14, 2014
Posts: 297
Location: San Francisco, CA
Synchromesh is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Nov 26, 2018 12:09 pm    Post subject: Re: How Much Difference with the Mid Engine 914 vs the 911? Reply with quote

I owned a '75 914 1.8 and now own an '84 911. Let me say this - the 914 was no very impressive in any way. My old Miata with factory R-package suspension and wider wheels handled much much better. Sold the 914 after about 9 months of ownership, right before the prices really took off. Don't miss it all that much. 911 has much wider factory wheels (Fuchs) and handles far far better. I pushed it pretty hard on the twisties and the heavy butt just made it stay in place. Altogether 911 is far superior imho.
_________________
'72 Super Beetle sunroof sedan
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
[email protected]
Samba Member


Joined: December 28, 2016
Posts: 276
Location: atlanta ga
dr914@autoatlanta.com is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Nov 27, 2018 8:38 am    Post subject: Re: How Much Difference with the Mid Engine 914 vs the 911? Reply with quote

Please remember that the 914 is a car of the early 70s and the Miata and 911 progressed into the 90s and 2000s

For what it was, the 914 was the superior sports car to its competition, fiat 124 MGB, Datsun Z alfa Spyder, fiat 850, fiat x19, triumph, and all of the American crap at the time


Synchromesh wrote:
I owned a '75 914 1.8 and now own an '84 911. Let me say this - the 914 was no very impressive in any way. My old Miata with factory R-package suspension and wider wheels handled much much better. Sold the 914 after about 9 months of ownership, right before the prices really took off. Don't miss it all that much. 911 has much wider factory wheels (Fuchs) and handles far far better. I pushed it pretty hard on the twisties and the heavy butt just made it stay in place. Altogether 911 is far superior imho.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Bleyseng
Samba Member


Joined: July 03, 2005
Posts: 4752
Location: Seattle
Bleyseng is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Dec 12, 2018 9:22 am    Post subject: Re: How Much Difference with the Mid Engine 914 vs the 911? Reply with quote

Some simple upgrades to a 914-4 suspension, tires and hp (120)and the 914 will out corner a 911 or Miata easy. Done it on track events as they pass me on the straights but I pass them on the twistys.
_________________
70 Ghia Black convert-9/69 build date-stock w/133k 1600 SP-barn find now with a rebuilt tranny and engine
77 Westy 2.0L w/Ljet, Camper Special engine-95hp and with LSD!(sold)
76 Porsche 914 2.1L L20c, 120hp Djet (sold)
87 Syncro Westy Titan Red 2.1L 2 knob 100k miles
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
andreas5bmw
Samba Member


Joined: September 13, 2004
Posts: 63

andreas5bmw is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Dec 22, 2018 1:29 am    Post subject: Re: How Much Difference with the Mid Engine 914 vs the 911? Reply with quote

The 914/6 out performed the 911 back in the day that should say a lot .
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
[email protected]
Samba Member


Joined: December 28, 2016
Posts: 276
Location: atlanta ga
dr914@autoatlanta.com is offline 

PostPosted: Sat Dec 22, 2018 9:10 am    Post subject: Re: How Much Difference with the Mid Engine 914 vs the 911? Reply with quote

And the 916 killed them all, too bad they could not afford to make it and sell it, only 11 prototypes were made.

andreas5bmw wrote:
The 914/6 out performed the 911 back in the day that should say a lot .
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
CFreeborn
Samba Member


Joined: May 29, 2019
Posts: 2
Location: Pacific Northwest
CFreeborn is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Jul 25, 2019 8:41 am    Post subject: Re: How Much Difference with the Mid Engine 914 vs the 911? Reply with quote

Not sure if there's any interest in this thread... but here goes.
I recently bought a track only 914. T4 engine, side shift, S & X gears in the trans. It is a fully prepped race car with roughly 160 hp and approx 1800 lbs.
It still needs tuning to get it acclimated to sea level but is getting closer.
I also have a '74 911 which is mostly stock, but well sorted suspension and brakes. This car is street legal, but I do track it at DE type events. I run R comp tires on both cars when on track.
The handling dynamics of these cars is very different. The 914 is more like a go kart. You can shift, brake, pretty much anything you want in turns. Things you'd never get away with in a 911. The 914 is very light feeling in the steering, a softer brake pedal feel (still has the regulator for rears), but since it's so light it stops like a beast. A truly fun car to drive. Very nimble and forgiving.
The 911 takes much more preparation going into turns. Braking should be done in a straight line, trail braking done very carefully, trailing throttle oversteer can be a very helpful tool to rotate the car around tight turns, but can also get you pointing the wrong way in a hurry. When you use those tools you have to be quick back on the throttle to get it to "squat" and bite when you've got it pointing where you want to go. I've driven my 911 for so long I've gotten used to these characteristics and can use them to great advantage, especially in the rain. When it's wet I can keep pace with cars with twice my hp. I haven't had the 914 out in the wet yet so I can't comment on it's handling in those conditions.
So, there is my comparison. They're both great, but very different. If you're trying to choose which to buy, the economics of the 914 are pretty obviously better, but the 911 is legendary in its look, feel and well deserved reputation.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
[email protected]
Samba Member


Joined: December 28, 2016
Posts: 276
Location: atlanta ga
dr914@autoatlanta.com is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Jul 25, 2019 11:57 am    Post subject: Re: How Much Difference with the Mid Engine 914 vs the 911? Reply with quote

very excellent comparison


CFreeborn wrote:
Not sure if there's any interest in this thread... but here goes.
I recently bought a track only 914. T4 engine, side shift, S & X gears in the trans. It is a fully prepped race car with roughly 160 hp and approx 1800 lbs.
It still needs tuning to get it acclimated to sea level but is getting closer.
I also have a '74 911 which is mostly stock, but well sorted suspension and brakes. This car is street legal, but I do track it at DE type events. I run R comp tires on both cars when on track.
The handling dynamics of these cars is very different. The 914 is more like a go kart. You can shift, brake, pretty much anything you want in turns. Things you'd never get away with in a 911. The 914 is very light feeling in the steering, a softer brake pedal feel (still has the regulator for rears), but since it's so light it stops like a beast. A truly fun car to drive. Very nimble and forgiving.
The 911 takes much more preparation going into turns. Braking should be done in a straight line, trail braking done very carefully, trailing throttle oversteer can be a very helpful tool to rotate the car around tight turns, but can also get you pointing the wrong way in a hurry. When you use those tools you have to be quick back on the throttle to get it to "squat" and bite when you've got it pointing where you want to go. I've driven my 911 for so long I've gotten used to these characteristics and can use them to great advantage, especially in the rain. When it's wet I can keep pace with cars with twice my hp. I haven't had the 914 out in the wet yet so I can't comment on it's handling in those conditions.
So, there is my comparison. They're both great, but very different. If you're trying to choose which to buy, the economics of the 914 are pretty obviously better, but the 911 is legendary in its look, feel and well deserved reputation.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Porsche - 911/912/914 All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.