What's the best (VW based) engine set up for a Buggy / Baja in your opinion?

in my opinion id say a stroker type 1 engine. of about 1.9 litre capacity.

long stroke for more torque. and type 1 sump for extra ground clearance over type 4 large single carbie so the linkages dont break and u can then use a snorkel. (although i suppose u could use twin snorkels).

balanced crank, medium cam, ported heads, upgraded valve springs. and general other things on a custom VW engine.

i think the main thing is to maximise toruqe while still retaining the power u need.


mounted to a 1700 box for low ratios and strength. or a custom type 1 box

[Edited on 18-1-2005 by Anthiron]

the one you can afford........ big h/power is only good if you can do the rest of the car.

Make it light and reliable. Start with a 1600tp or 2lt bus motor or if you want to spend a little money, get a Pobjoy 1916 and don't look back.....lol

The best motor I ran was my old stock 1600tp. No stuffing around with any problems associated with obtaining the extra power like twin carbs, overheating etc. Just start it and go.

never had any heat issues etc with my 1916.Just started it up and went hard....but having "seen the light" i would say to drop in a subaru donk for less money and enjoy the extra power!!! But each to their own:party

Got a 1641cc in one and a 1916cc in another.
and i can't fault the 1916

2L type4 with 1700kombi tranny, only driven it a bit but the torque is awsome compaired to the type one. but ran a 1776tp, holley bugspray in the manx for years with no trouble, just no go with four poeple in it...

high torque 2lt +, but I've seen 1.6lt do very well.

Quote:

Originally posted by Mick H never had any heat issues etc with my 1916.Just started it up and went hard....but having "seen the light" i would say to drop in a subaru donk for less money and enjoy the extra power!!! But each to their own:party

me, id stick to a 1600tp. at most go the 1641. at least this way when youre out with mates, if there is any problems. its easy to sort. either with parts from you and mates, and or knowledge. if you start hot rodding,t hen maybe less will wanna help ya.
i got a 1641 in my buggy. progressive carb and scat manifold. goes great, and simple. coupled with a weight of 515kgs, and your cruising for fun.

Thanks Guys.

At the moment I've got a 1641 with a mild cam, single 40 DCNF weber and cannons. It's driven daily and goes off road about 2 -3 times per week.

Judging by what you've said I'll stick with this setup but need more go (don't we all). I might try getting a dyno tune to make the most of what I've got and take any unnecessary weight out of the car.

loose the cannons and go for a 4 into 1 baja setup............you will notice the extra torque straight away.

apart from that.......save for a pobjoy 1916 !

A few other people have mentioned the 4 into 1 exhaust to me, I'll have to give that a go.

A pobjoy 1916 will have to be on my wish list, for now..............

Anything that makes your beast wheelstand!!

:bounce:bounce

Type 4 is the only way, you would need a 2.5 litre type 1 to get the same stump pulling grunt at idle but if you want revs and trench digging power but have to rev the crap out of it to get it anywere step a type 1 is for you personly type 1s suck in offroaders its just were i go but they are still good motors but i would not have one

ive got a 2 litre engine to go in my baja project (AKA: collection of parts) i spose a stock engine because parts are cheap and readily available. but i still wouldnt mind a stroker type 1.

with the new alloy T1 case becoming more cost affective, i would go the stroker T1 route. no iffs, buts or maybees. the T4 engine is just too heavy & lazy.
cheers,
rick

Pick one!

Does anybody have the factory bore and stroke figures for 1700,1800 and 2-litre Kombi?

1700 66mm stroke by 90mm i think
1800 66mm stroke by 93mm
2000 71mm stroke by 94mm

type 4 motor,s SUCK in kombi,s so why put it in a beetle or any thing else for that matter


suppose they WOULD be great boat ancors though


the T4 engine is just too heavy & lazy as rick said
revy t1 any size will do
or subi 2.2 any day
terry

yep millions of kombi owners world wide would agree that after countless billions of miles t4 motors are totally useless, overweight ,gutless pieces of shit that are only good to send to comalco at $1 per kg, in 2l form i know a lot of very satisfied owners who will happily sit on the speed limit all day with their kombis .

Don't worrie dude terry don't know just a flash back terry to rainbow beach what motor powerd the 4 fastest and most capable cars oh thats right type 4's and if your scoop of shit every go's you will still get the taste of defete just like normall, type 1's are good for racing nothing else they don't have enough grunt i would never go back.
Ps the two cartoon of beer baja is almost done but know its a 4 cartoon baja but it looks flash and the owner is going to bring it out so then we can get andrew to come up with a new saying you remember that one don't you oh ok here it go's hay look the two cartoon baja is here before the 20 grand one

later

i agree with mud bashing my 2L powered bug may be a little heavier due to the engine but it will cruise all day at 110km and hour and doesnt worry about hills and its stock so who with a stock t1 can say that

Well, in my opinion if you want absolute power and speed, GET A JET ENGINE!!! lol always works.

And for wheel stands, all 4 wheels would go in the air. Trees in the way? No problem, just fly over. lol

Anyways, on a serious note, what would be the best engine in terms of being the most reliable and cheap to run as well as being powerful and fast?

subaru, but 64vwmark is asking about vw motors. I don't know anything about type 4's, so I'll just tell you what I know which is the 1835 type1 in my baja is pretty sweet. I have no plans to change, I'm happy and I've already spent too much money.