Craig's aircooled adventure - Engine upgrade questions

Hi everyone,

I'm a daily lurker on here, but given I know nothing I rarely contribute, but have learnt much since I bought my first Bug nearly two years ago, so thanks everyone for the information and entertainment.

Anyway it is about time I pulled my finger out and learnt more, in the only way possible, by getting my hands dirty.

So to that end, I have acquired a stock 1600tp engine (out of Steve and Dave Carter's white 1303 (thanks Steve)), and the plan is to pull it all apart and put it back together and get it running again. The good news is if it all goes pear shaped I can afford the loss.

But, given that I'm pulling it apart, I figure I might as well make some improvements as I put it back together, and then replace the stock 1600 sitting in my car at the moment so I can have more fun. So the question for today is, what improvements would you recommend?

I don't have a budget as such, but I'd prefer not to spend the earth on this stage of her development, because I still need to save for lots of other things for her as well as a much bigger engine (or Subie transplant) in the future. For no particular reason I was thinking of aiming for less than $2k on the engine. If you think more needs to be spent, feel free to say so.

I already have a set of 36IDFs that need reconditioning and some parts to make them work properly.

Some of the things I'll need (or want) are:

- Alternator
- Manifolds
- Hex linkage kit
- Exhaust system
- Tacho (and associated stuff)
- Oil temp and pressure (including senders etc)

Those last three items I'm not counting in the $2k.

But what else would you suggest?
Should I go up in size? 1776? Higher?
Camshaft?
Crankshaft?
Ratio rockers?
Heads?
Deep Sump?

Also, given the used nature of the engine, is there anything I should definitely replace or get reconditioned / machined?

Given that I'm a engine building newbie, it needs to kept reasonably simple AND robust because once finished it will go into a car I drive a few times a week. Also because I'm such a newbie at engines, specific suggestions (what cam, what rockers, where from etc etc) would be great.

Look forward to your suggestions and appreciate your help. Once underway I'll be asking 10,000 questions as I fall into every hole there is.

Thanks & Cheers 😎

Craig

Craig

What about leaving the bottom end stock, just strip it down and get the cranked checked. Chuck in a set of bearings and a new cam and lifters. Get the barrels checked and honed if they can be and install some new rings. Then spend some money on some good heads or have yours done up real good. Then stick on some carbs, an exhaust and an electronic ignition. Heads and cam are the heart of your engine, so the VW guys here should tell you what cam you should use.

If you are looking at crank and rods etc then your 2k is way gone lol.

I bought 4 barrels and pistons, bearings and a cam and gear, set of lifters and gaskets and an oil pump and that went through $800. So that was just a freshen up and doesn't include heads manifolds and carbs and ignition.


I reckon first step would be to strip down your engine and check the bottom end, see what nick its in. Then start from there once you know what you've got.

Thanks Clinker,

I was pretty sure that after getting whatever needs some love sorted out that there would not be enough money left over for the big stuff, but I am hoping that by doing some relatively minor things I can make a decent gain and have some more fun whilst saving for a big engine.

Do I take it from the general lack of response that I should find an engine builder and pay them for some advice on what to do, or just wait until the thing is torn down?

Craig

I think you need to wait till its stripped down. Your really just stabbing in the dark at prices and what needs replacing untill you do.