Hi all,
I am currently researching a VW based kit car project. I will probably go with a Eureka but am looking at a couple of other options. My problem is I
do not know a lot about air cooled engines. I could go water cooled but this does introduce a whole set issues about locating and installing the
cooling system. I am happy to do this but what I am weighing up is the options available. What I would like to know is with a stock 1600 VW engine
is it possible to get reliable and drivable power in the 130 to 150BHP range. The next question is if that is possible what is the likely cost to
achieve this power range. I would prefer to stay naturally aspirated because forced induction will bring its own set of issues.
Andrew
buy a subaru ej20 or 22 conversion kit from custom vee dub in brisbane - site sponsor also. am pretty sure they do kits with everything you need.
plenty of room in the back of a eureka for it. mick (sinecure) on here has a dbr sabre kit car with an EA81 conversion that goes like the clappers.
if you want reliability, less maintainence and overall cost effectiveness that is.... don't think you can achieve reliablity out of a stock 1600 if
you want to get 150hp out of it.... unless you go forced induction... then $ start to add up.... talk with the boys at custom.
nick
Stock 1600 giving 130-150hp - nope - no chance.
Sure you can up the capacity on a Type1 engine (that's what the basic design/layout of a stock 1600 aircooled engine is known as) and get there, but
it's not even close to stock and can cost quite a few $$$ to build one that will last. 1916cc is a popular choice amongst hillclimb'ers, and
they're usually good for somewhere in the 110-130 hp at the wheels. You can go up from there still to say 2276 or 2332 and get up to maybe 160-170hp,
with more $$$ still of course.
Type IV would be another option - that's what 1800 and 2 liter Kombi motor's are known as - and it's common for them to go out to 2.4 liter and get
very good power. Still aircooled, though cost I think would be about the same as a Type 1.
What you're aiming at is A LOT of power in a very light car... for example 160'ish hp at the wheels in a beetle weighing 700'ish kg runs into the
11 second range down the quarter. That's SERIOUS fast - a lot faster than any Ford or Holden - but can guarantee that even 100hp in car as light as a
Eureka will put a big smile on your face.
dave - my type 4 build is killing me financially - in hindsight i doubt the benefit will exceed the cost.
if i hadnt already incurred a good $6k in sunk costs i personally would have looked at alternatives....
nick
Yikes - OK - take back what I said about the cost to do a Type IV then !!!
What Bond says is right about subi engines I reckon - I'm a bit too much of a purist to put one in a Beetle, but for Eureka or some other kit-car,
sure - why not. Subi's are relatively cheap, parts are easily available, most of the solutions to conversion issues are known and they give good,
reliable power.... and being a flat four they even sound right !!!
agreed. i was a little too much purist to do the same hence went the type 4 option 
live and learn.
wot they said.... heres your 150 bhp...
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Subaru-Outback-Liberty-EJ25-engine_W0QQitemZ2202780378...
andrewl why do you think you need 130-150hp ?
I've driven a eureka (for a weekend) with around 90hp at the wheels and it was still pulling at close to 180kph. Acceleration was quicker than 90% of
the cars on the road today.
The eureka is light and aerodynamic, so big HP isn't needed to make the car perform.
| Quote: |
u ever seen one?
whilst there one of the better looking kit cars out there theyre still got an ugly arse no matter what tail lights u use...
now THIS is as good as it gets for VW sports car(pics courtesy of Wes)
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=58256&page=1#pid553350
Thanks for the feedback guys. I thought that might be the answer.
Craig I think you are probably right 150 is not necessary but I wanted to know the general view on whether it is achievable. So that leads to the
next question. Is 90-100 achievable?
Joel what can I say other than each to their own.
the stock t4 2L is 90hp so its easy.
Gee I am glad i didnt buy one in 1976
| Quote: |
I agree sounds like the way to go. Any idea of the ballpark cost of this
$5-6000 is a realistic budget that should get you what you want and maybe a little more.
Talk to Matberry ... he can point you in the right direction.