hi guys ,im new to vw engines so i was just wondering what i could do more old school style , id'e like to stay standard looking and not go silly with injection and stuff ,just stuff like crank and bored out ,ported and stuff ,could you guys steer me on what to use and what to do ,,,,thanx guys

Oooh, sounds like a good project.
Firstly I will say that yes the later 1300 to 1600 are a better base,
but you love your 1200 so here is what I would do:

69mm crank will bolt in, and later ones will enable you to use an O-ring 12 volt flywheel.
=1285cc up from 1192cc

I am unsure if you can still get them, but a 83mm big bore kit is available,
to go straight into the 40hp case. =1385cc with stock stroke, or 1493cc with the 1300to1600 stroke crank.

These bore kits have the 20mm gudgeon pin so you will have to either bush-down some 1300/1600 con rods, or narrow a set of 40 hp rods to fit on the 1600 crank(about a mm I think)

The 1600 rod is a little longer, but you will have to get a spacer to account for the added stroke anyhow, so if you choose the longer rods, it will be thicker.

Now, just remember that this will only be the same capacity as a stock 1500 engine.

Other improvements are 1300 dual port heads, that will bolt on(1600 dual ports wont, larger cylinder hole).

Then the sky is the limit for what ever carbs and manifolds you want,
and porting too.

Cam wise, keep it small: C25, W100, or 149


If you wanted to bore the case for a 1600 barrels (or up to 94 bore, 1915),
then you can use any heads you want.

Just remember that all but the latest 40hp cases had no cam bearings that can be replaced, so this is a source of oil pressure loss on those engines,
and the casting and oil passages are not as good as the later engines.

Junk the 1200 and buy a 1500 or 1600 single port a lot less expense

thanx guys ,the 1200 is not in too bad condition but i would like to see what i can get out of her without going really mad

If you really want to keep your 1200, a nice blue-print and balance,
and quality valve job will make it sweet.

An extractor type exhaust, and a trip to the dyno to correct fuel mixtures are all money well spent.

Of cores these are all costs over that of a standard engine build full of new parts.

Stay with the 1200 and keep us informed as to which way you go. Good Luck!