TheSamba.com :: View topic

Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:42 pm

I'm currently running a 1600 dp with a solex 34PICT in a 1964 bug. I've been thinking about upgrading to a 1641 or 1776 for a little more power. I use my car as a daily driver, and the majority of my driving is in the city. I generally take it pretty easy when driving, but would like to beat the odd civic from the stop light. I recently came across the following ad for a 1641 and was wondering if it appears to be a good deal or not.

Is there a significant power & torque difference between the 1600 and 1641, or should I put my money toward a 1776?

My 1600 does run well and is relatively peppy (provided I don't have the added weight of passengers). Would a dual carb set up improve performance significantly? I have a set of weber 34ICT's but haven't put them on yet because there is so many poor reviews on the Samba about these carbs.

Any opinions or advice is welcome. Here's the ad:

1641cc street/light strip bug motor - $1000 (OBO)

hey there, I have a rebuilt 1641cc bug motor here's a quick list of stuff done to the motor.

1641cc big bore kit, about a 1000 km's on it
new c20 scat camshaft
new lightweight lifters
new german aluminum heads
new exhaust header and stinger
new chrome scat valve covers
chrome cylinder and head shroud pieces
new hi- flow 30mm geared oil pump w/ external oil filter.
new stainless steel push rod tubes
polished aluminum crank pully
runs great and nice lumpy idle

had duel 40mm kadrons on it, DOES NOT COME WITH CARBS OR ALTERNATOR

Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:57 pm

Don't expect to be able to beat a Civic with a 1641 cc.

Dual carbs will provide more power but require more tweaking. Also your gas mileage will tank if you exercise the newfound power.

However, I run a 1641 with dual Kadrons and I am not taking them off any time soon! I can get 20 MPG in the city driving it pretty hard.

As for that motor, if they can actually produce receipts for all that stuff, it might be a decent deal, but I would have to question why they are ditching this motor after so few miles if it's so great. Granted, they may just be upgrading to a bigger one, but be wary. At that price you'd better be able to see it run and check the compression.

Zach

Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:13 pm

Thanks Zach, I have the same questions about why they are selling it with only 1000KM on it. Plus, it has a bunch of parts I don't want, like the chrome tins and stinger, so the rest would have to be perfect for me to buy it. Sounds like if I want a noticeable upgrade in power I should build a 1776 instead.

With your dual Kadrons, how's the fuel economy if you drive it easy? Right now I'm averaging 26 mpg in the city.

Josh

Sat Jul 26, 2008 9:36 am

That's not worth it. You always have to assume the worst when it comes to used engines. Plus, if you're looking for an upgrade the difference between a 1600 and a 1641 is negligible. Save your money towards a 1776. You could at least beat a STOCK civic with that. Maybe an older one. If you want some power with good driveability (and be able to beat a Civic) you should do a mild stroker or a decent 1914.

Most people regret not going bigger after they finish their engine.

Sun Jul 27, 2008 12:16 am

I race my friends all the the time in my beetle. 1641 dual kads 110 cam...
I go to the local 1/8th mile and beat civics and cavaliers and junk all the time.

No spare, no rear seat, no passenger seat, nothing in the car that isn't bolted down without the belt ran a 10.6 best time.

Sun Jul 27, 2008 10:04 am

I would hate to spend the money and end up wishing I had gone bigger. I'll have to rethink exactly what I want the car to do before deciding on an engine. In the meantime, my 1600 runs just fine.

Thanks for the opinions.

Josh

Sun Jul 27, 2008 11:29 am

Jehu wrote:

With your dual Kadrons, how's the fuel economy if you drive it easy? Right now I'm averaging 26 mpg in the city.

Josh

I can get 21-22 MPG city, 28 on the freeway at 65 MPH. It is very difficult to drive easy in the city with dual carbs. The power is there and you want to use it. Granted I am running a 009 because I have not laid down the cash for an SVDA distributor and having the Kadrons tapped for a vacuum port. That's an easy $200 right there all said and done, maybe for a couple extra MPG. I would recommend the stock carb for best in-city fuel mileage.

Good luck,
Zach