Cheapest engine upgrade?

OK, so I have been trying to find a later model replacement for my 71 camper for a while now but have not found anything really good and I am starting to think that I would be better investing the money I was going to spend in my current bus and getting the rust cut out etc. The only problem is that now I have test driven a few 1800's and 2ltrs I now know what sort of power I am missing out on by pushing my big heavy bus around with a beetle motor.

So the question is, what is the cheapest way to get a reliable and more powerful engine in my bus (preferably staying aircooled) and what is it going to cost me? Is it hard to fit upright converted 2ltr motors to early bays or is there a better way to go? I would be wanting to get the job done professionally as I think my family would refuse to travel in the bus if I tried to do it myself (and I dont really have time anyway).

Cheers
Tim

Price up a sharpbuilt kit from www.sharpbuilt.com.au. Problem is finding a good reliable 2l Type 4 that doesnt need work. There a lots of Kombis that have spent the last 30 years travelling Australia with various patch up repairs to keep them going.

My 71 Bay has a fresh 1600SP and although its slow off the mark, it can cruise on 65-70mph no problem.

I reckon a good 1776 with a turbo (see www.lowbugget.com) is best bang for $.

Cheers

Steve

i put a 1800 in my 71 with out the upright kit just had to weld some mounts for rear of g box, cut old 1600 mounts off and weld mounts from later bus .only took a few hours just have to cut some of the tin ware and fab some seals cheap and easy

Cool. Thanks for that guys. Do you need to change the tranny too or is it Ok to run the 1600 tranny with a bigger motor?