Porsche 356 Replica - Which engine?
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm seriously considering purchasing a replica Porsche 356.
I have a villa abroad and I'm looking to import the body kit from the UK and build the car over there. I've been reading online that the best chassis to put on the car is a VW beetle which are easily available to purchase where it'll be and take off around 12-13 inches and reweld etc.
My question is, what's the best engine to put in this?
I've read online that a lot of people in the US are installing 2.5lt Subaru Boxer engines. However, they're hard to find over there.
Any recommendations would be helpful and your reasoning as to why.
Many thanks
Blake
I'm seriously considering purchasing a replica Porsche 356.
I have a villa abroad and I'm looking to import the body kit from the UK and build the car over there. I've been reading online that the best chassis to put on the car is a VW beetle which are easily available to purchase where it'll be and take off around 12-13 inches and reweld etc.
My question is, what's the best engine to put in this?
I've read online that a lot of people in the US are installing 2.5lt Subaru Boxer engines. However, they're hard to find over there.
Any recommendations would be helpful and your reasoning as to why.
Many thanks
Blake
Edited by blakebull on Wednesday 17th March 17:25
You can get brand new VW flat fours in all sorts of sizes and states of tune, as they're in demand for resto-mods and the racing scene. I would go air-cooled with a decent power output -120hp will be plenty in a 356 rep.
I have only one experience with a Subaru 2.5t engine - they have a reputation for 'boiling' - blown head gaskets, and I fell victim to that. I know the Yanks put the 2.0t into Boxsters, maybe it's a better shout.
I suppose if you want to run an air-con compressor, then a modern design might be better.
I have only one experience with a Subaru 2.5t engine - they have a reputation for 'boiling' - blown head gaskets, and I fell victim to that. I know the Yanks put the 2.0t into Boxsters, maybe it's a better shout.
I suppose if you want to run an air-con compressor, then a modern design might be better.
blakebull said:
Hey Marki
Thanks for the reply!
Aesthetically, I'm going to keep it as period as possible with modern day touches. Air con, heated seats, radio, and sound system etc.
With regards to the engine, I'm really open to anything
Cheers
Blake
well my ultimate would be an aircooled Porsche flat six, but they aren't cheap these daysThanks for the reply!
Aesthetically, I'm going to keep it as period as possible with modern day touches. Air con, heated seats, radio, and sound system etc.
With regards to the engine, I'm really open to anything
Cheers
Blake
The flat six is a arguably a bit heavy for a 356 and spoils the poise.
Consider if you will the Polo engine, a flat six reconfigured as a flat 4.
Now available as a kit.
http://www.polomotor.com
Consider if you will the Polo engine, a flat six reconfigured as a flat 4.
Now available as a kit.
http://www.polomotor.com
loughran said:
The flat six is a arguably a bit heavy for a 356 and spoils the poise.
Consider if you will the Polo engine, a flat six reconfigured as a flat 4.
Now available as a kit.
http://www.polomotor.com
That's for response!Consider if you will the Polo engine, a flat six reconfigured as a flat 4.
Now available as a kit.
http://www.polomotor.com
Any idea on pricing for these?
blakebull said:
loughran said:
The flat six is a arguably a bit heavy for a 356 and spoils the poise.
Consider if you will the Polo engine, a flat six reconfigured as a flat 4.
Now available as a kit.
http://www.polomotor.com
That's for response!Consider if you will the Polo engine, a flat six reconfigured as a flat 4.
Now available as a kit.
http://www.polomotor.com
Any idea on pricing for these?

A more sensible suggestion would be to have a look at DDk, a forum for early cars that has good replica content.
It's a convivial crowd that love a project and are incredibly knowledgeable about all things pre 73 Porsche.
https://www.ddk-online.com/phpBB2/index.php
My mrs has had two over the years, both had rebuilt 1800cc VW engines (circa 110 bhp)
More than enough performance and a lovely noise.
If we had one again it would be great to have a 5 speed gearbox.
How about a electric motor ?
https://chesil.co.uk/electric-chesil-e/
More than enough performance and a lovely noise.
If we had one again it would be great to have a 5 speed gearbox.
How about a electric motor ?
https://chesil.co.uk/electric-chesil-e/
Here are the instructions for fitting a 718 engine into a beetle and everybody knows the 356 is just an old VW so it should work fine.
https://jalopnik.com/what-will-you-need-to-do-to-s...
https://jalopnik.com/what-will-you-need-to-do-to-s...
The 3.0L 'H6' Subaru boxer is the bomb proof-est one, chain drive cams too! The 2.5 is the worst-est, avoid this at all costs.
Have you seen Hoovie's garage series on a kit 356 build? It will give you some ideas..
https://youtu.be/8bJUDIYXkls
I think some episodes are under the spin-off 'Car Wizard' channel.
I always thought an early Porsche Boxster 986 2.5L would be best, had for around a grand, can come with 5 or 6 speed transaxle, is a Porsche engine.. etc.
Have you seen Hoovie's garage series on a kit 356 build? It will give you some ideas..
https://youtu.be/8bJUDIYXkls
I think some episodes are under the spin-off 'Car Wizard' channel.
I always thought an early Porsche Boxster 986 2.5L would be best, had for around a grand, can come with 5 or 6 speed transaxle, is a Porsche engine.. etc.
Edited by Pistonsquirter on Tuesday 23 March 12:04
No idea what you’re building your 356 replica on but I’d be thinking whether I really need that much power a 356 SC keeps up with modem traffic really well so you really don’t need much more power than that. If you go for a lot more power then you need to start putting bigger wheels and brakes on etc so you’ll be adding weight in the worst possible place together with probably a bigger and heavier engine. I’d be looking for the lightest engine that makes decent power rather than thinking I need a 3.0l engine which I am not sure you do
As Pete.g says ^
pete.g said:
You can get brand new VW flat fours in all sorts of sizes and states of tune, as they're in demand for resto-mods and the racing scene. I would go air-cooled with a decent power output -120hp will be plenty in a 356 rep.
Fit an air-cooled engine for the full experience. 120hp will be more than enough, my engine makes perhaps 85hp and is a hoot, perfectly at home in modern traffic.Blake - is it possible for you to keep the thread updated inc. a build if plans come to fruition as its something im (mentally) toying with doing.
For me, id go with the subaru engine as its tried and tested. If you do go down the subaru route, would it be best buying a donor car so you could raid it for other bits and pieces as required?
For me, id go with the subaru engine as its tried and tested. If you do go down the subaru route, would it be best buying a donor car so you could raid it for other bits and pieces as required?
Subaru EJ engine come in about 50 different iterations. 1.5, 1.6, 1.8, 2.0, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 3.0, SOHC, DOHC, Carb, Single injection, Multi Injection, NA, Turbo, Twin Turbo and incremental power from 95hp to 320bhp and everything in between.
Your local market and will determine availability. How much power do you want and will water cooling be a big compromise on design and packaging? Obviously there is a ready supply of transaxles available too.
Your local market and will determine availability. How much power do you want and will water cooling be a big compromise on design and packaging? Obviously there is a ready supply of transaxles available too.
- There is a ready supply of 2.5 NA engines in the States from the Impreza RS, which should not be confused with the turbocharged EJ205/7 engine.
Edited by TEKNOPUG on Wednesday 24th March 13:07
pete.g said:
You can get brand new VW flat fours in all sorts of sizes and states of tune, as they're in demand for resto-mods and the racing scene. I would go air-cooled with a decent power output -120hp will be plenty in a 356 rep.
I have only one experience with a Subaru 2.5t engine - they have a reputation for 'boiling' - blown head gaskets, and I fell victim to that. I know the Yanks put the 2.0t into Boxsters, maybe it's a better shout.
I suppose if you want to run an air-con compressor, then a modern design might be better.
I would do this. Keep it air cooled.I have only one experience with a Subaru 2.5t engine - they have a reputation for 'boiling' - blown head gaskets, and I fell victim to that. I know the Yanks put the 2.0t into Boxsters, maybe it's a better shout.
I suppose if you want to run an air-con compressor, then a modern design might be better.
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