I have been told that the bottom end of my 1300 is ok. and that it would be possible to rebuild the top end to make it a 1600tp. What sort of repercussions could this have? If the top end is all new, would this then possibly weaken the bottom end?
I need to get a good, more reliable motor in my car asap. :S

Hi

Its possible, but my advice would be to pull it down all the way and examine the bearing & saddles, crank, cam etc for wear. Unless you know for sure that the bottom end is in good nick your wasting money.

Steve

Steve

yes, possible, but asking for trouble as the new extra 'go' from the top-end rebuild will put extra strain on the old bottom end...

Are there any problems with your heads/pistons now?

I have been told by the mechanic that the bottom end is good....but that was all he said and I'm pretty sure he didn't pull it apart.
Am just trying to decide what to do, as I would like a 1600tp and I know the 1300 is a bit on the sad side anyway.
No matter what, I think I'm up for ALOT of moola anyway
and the gearbox needs rebuilding/replacing too....

buy another VW !

the 1300 is avery strong case some builders prefer that case to go to rebuild but 1300 with 1600 top should be no worries ig you only a day driver done it maney times but check the end slap and the same for rods
good luck

The reason is not because its stronger (as its not), the reason is that the 1300 hasn't had the same 'flogging' or 'load' as the 1600.:thumb

LOL! at buying another VW...
I already have one other to get rid of!
am still debating on what to do $$$ are the biggest issue right now.

I had a 1300 bottom end rebuilt into a 1600 single port in Canberra in 1997. The heads were machined out on a Gene Berg rig to give a low compression for unleaded. The engine runs as sweetly as a Swiss watch and is still in use in the buggy I fitted it into.

The ACT registration people said that as the original engine in Beetle that was used to make my buggy was a 1300, then that was all I was allowed to have for ACT rego. An engine with a 1300 casing, and therefore the right serial number, 1600 pistons, barrels, 1600 SP heads and a 1500 SP intake manifold was built to disguise what the engine really is. Up'em I say.

It is a very nice trouble free engine, but it is a bit gutless because of the low compression ratio. The current owner who is trying to sell the buggy as a Meyers Manx, which it is not, is said to be irritated by the low power of the engine. I had it built to never stress the bottom end, so that it would last for years.