TheSamba.com :: View topic - single or dual port? is there really that much difference?

Sun Aug 02, 2009 6:18 pm

alright heres the deal im getting a 1600cc engine and i want to start with the most powerfull engine that i can.

for $300 i can get a nonworking 1600cc dual port , its a 72 i have to go and pull it my self. (i have to drive like 2 hours)

for $300 i can get a good running 1600 single port engine and it about 12 min from my house.

i was just wondering if its that big a deal if its single port or dual port?
the single port one is a good running engine so i think ill prolly go with that one but i just wanted to know.

what are the pros and cons of both?
whats the power difference?
how much is it to get a used set off dual port heads and switch out?

thanks guys

Sun Aug 02, 2009 7:04 pm

The single port will give you more torque in the lower rpm and better gas mileage around town, but the rpm will top out sooner.

Dual port will give you more power in the upper range of the power band and will rev higher.

I have been running a single port in mine and plan on keeping it that way. I like the extra grunt for the bigger tires.

Sun Aug 02, 2009 7:19 pm

I would get the 72 dual port. If you have to pull it, can you here it run 1st?single or DP, buying a used engine is a TOTAL crap shoot anyway. in general, a stock DP engine will have more power across the board, & be a better base for simple performance upgrades. maybe ask this ? over at the engine/performance forum, see what they think? good luck with whatever you decide.

Mon Aug 03, 2009 8:59 am

$300 for a runner or $300 for potential scrap metal? Get the good running single port. A non running dual port may only be wrth $75.00 for nuts and bolts, the tin and oil cooler. Unless it is a real mild performance engine, you are going to want to build it with new case and heads anyway.

Mon Aug 03, 2009 9:38 am

The few times I've ended up with a used VW motor it's needed taken apart and freshened up, folks tend to let them go maint wise prior to getting rid of the vehicle. Of course there's exceptions. If it's a woods buggy and you don't plan on building it up much performance-wise go with the SP. The DP is a better basis for perf upgrades but most of the parts are interchangable with a little machinework so the choice isn't critical. Loot at both of 'em. Check endplay & compression (if you can), consider the overall (visable) cond of each one and then roll the dice.

You may want to consider some of the runners that are available in the classifieds, I've seen some good deals on complete motors.

Mon Aug 03, 2009 12:24 pm

just got off the phone with the guy, he had the single port in his bug until about a month ago when he swapped it out with a dual port motor.
he said it runs great, its a 1972, he last ran it about 2 weeks ago and he can put it back in the car so i can hear it run.

BUT HERES THE BEST PART, he said he would prolly take $250 for it so for $50 cheaper i can get a good running engine.

as far as upgrades go i was prolly only going to put $300-500 into it max, prolly just k&n air filter, exhaust, adjustable carb thing, and maybe a .009 bosch distributor.

dont know a whole lot about the engine side of vw's so im learning as i go.

Mon Aug 03, 2009 12:54 pm

One thing about a vw, "you drive it 3 days and work on it for 4 days"

you will know alot by this time next year!!!!

Mon Aug 03, 2009 2:13 pm

I've been running a single port 1600 for the last 4 years and can back what Jason C said 100 %. Sounds like a good price too.

Mon Aug 03, 2009 4:56 pm

vindeta, I just re-read your original post. of couse get the running engine!

Mon Aug 03, 2009 6:11 pm

If you get the single port and later decided you want an all out screamer, it doesn't take much to convert it to a dual port. You will have to pull the heads anyway to put in the bigger pistons.

Tue Aug 04, 2009 7:47 am

When VW when to the dual port design in 1971 it added 3 hp.

Wed Aug 05, 2009 11:03 am

I prefer the dual port if for no other reason than the intake studs seem to
come loose and leak chronically on the single ports..... however it would seem foolish to spend $300.00 on an engine that doesn't run.....

Thu Aug 06, 2009 7:56 am

unfortunately it sounds like the dual port is more what i need.

this will be my daily driver, and about 60% of my driving is on the highway, like 10 miles into town at 70 mph...+ lol

DOES ANYONE HERE HAVE A STOCK 1600SP WITH 30" TIRES?
(im eventually going to 28" tires)

how is it in 4th gear (can it pull it)? and what is your top speed?
i really dont want to redline my engine every time im on the highway...that wouldn't last to long.

how much would it cost me to convert over to dual port?

maybe next spring/summer i want to rebuild the engine and get it up to 1650cc, k&n air filter, .009 distributor, oil filter, and anything else thats cheap.

would it be better to just wait till then to switch over?

Fri Sep 25, 2009 1:06 am

vindeta wrote: unfortunately it sounds like the dual port is more what i need.

this will be my daily driver, and about 60% of my driving is on the highway, like 10 miles into town at 70 mph...+ lol

DOES ANYONE HERE HAVE A STOCK 1600SP WITH 30" TIRES?
(im eventually going to 28" tires)

how is it in 4th gear (can it pull it)? and what is your top speed?
i really dont want to redline my engine every time im on the highway...that wouldn't last to long.

how much would it cost me to convert over to dual port?

maybe next spring/summer i want to rebuild the engine and get it up to 1650cc, k&n air filter, .009 distributor, oil filter, and anything else thats cheap.

would it be better to just wait till then to switch over?

I know this is a pretty old thread, but I've been using the search function to do some reading, and this thread came up.

vindeta: I just bought a Baja with a 1600sp two weeks ago, it has 30" rear tires, and in 4th seems to do fine on the freeway. Sadly, neither the speedo or tach work at the moment, but with someone following me and measuring speed that way, it seemed to have no problem going 65mph, and didn't sound like it was really struggling.

And I am also curious about the price and value in converting to a dual port, as well as what the fairly low cost but worthwhile upgrades are.

Fri Oct 16, 2009 4:46 pm

I have run a 1914cc single port in my street car (66 fasty) with freeway flyer and have never been happier with the performance. Small cam stock heads tons of torque and never had to rev it over 4500 rpm. I also have a 2275 single port 40x35.5 with a single 40mm kadron in my rail and it is nasty torquey and again make tones of HP and tq in the lower rpm range.
My 2 cents worth...
Gary.