Will be pulling the 1600DP in my beetle for the first time in a few weeks to replace the rings and valve guides in the heads. Bought the rings last night but have no idea about valve guides. Could anybody give me a rough estimate on how much it will cost to replace the valve guides in two heads. Will I need to get a valve grind as well? Anything else?
Feel free to give me some hints on pulling engine out and heads off as it will be my first time

Simon

When ever the guides are replaced the seats will need re-cutting
because they are never in the exact same centre line afterward.

Make sure you use new exhaust valves too.

A quality engine/cylinder head shop can put a bronze liner("K-Line") in your present guides
to stop the removal of head material when your old guides come out.

Don't know costs but shop around, and ask for quotes is a good plan,
and new complete heads may be more affordable.

Didn't think it would be that expensive lol. Any idea on how much new heads are? Could I buy bare heads and use the parts off my current heads? Would there any benefit from getting large valve heads?

Simon

i've puchased brand new vw heads from CB performance in the states they were $144 each plus shipping. http://www.cbperformance.com/catalog.asp?ProductID=569 
Damo.

What sort of price would I be looking at for shipping. Never bought anything from overseas before so would I need to worry about customs and what not? Are the heads good quality?
Simon

While on CB I spotted these babies: http://www.cbperformance.com/catalog.asp?ProductID=1470
Would these be good for a stock engine with standard 34 pict 3 and a single quiet pack?
Simon

its possible to use them but i would change the cam to a better grind above stock to fully make use of the larger valves. Shipping won't be that much and don't worry about customs i bought in $1200 worth of parts from CB and they turned up at my door no problem. It's only if a single part is over $1k that they start charging. If you order on Monday they could be at your place Friday, has happened many times to me when i have ordered from CB.

Better cam would be great but don't have the time money or experience to split the case. Would there be any improvement over stock heads with a stock cam? Might not even need new heads, might just be the rings. Will have to see when I pull the heads off.

Hopefully one day I will be able to build a RAT Type 4 like yours
Simon