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Tue Dec 02, 2003 4:41 pm

I'm rebuilding a 1973 Super Beetle, and now is the time for a engine rebuild. Here is my delima, I want an engine for daily use and an long trip every once in a while, I also want an engine that will hold its own on the street. If you have any advise it would be greatly appreciated. Oh by the way I live in Georgia and it is hot most of the time.
Thanks Steve

Tue Dec 02, 2003 5:42 pm

Super steve... you said that you wanted an engine that would hold its own on the streets, be used every day and be albe to take a long distance trip everyonce and a while. Right? Well I'll tell you from my own personal experience. I have a 1776 in my car right now. I live in sunny southern California, which probably is hotter than Geogia all year round. I assume. Let me begin by telling you this, if you want your non-stock engine to have any longevity at all you'll want to buy good quality parts for it. I drive my bug every single day to and from work(10 miles one way mostly freeway at about 75+mph) and school(about 15-20 miles away at about 75+ mph) I have a counterweighted crank, 009 with compufire ignition, 110 cam, 041 heads and a nice merged exhaust with fat boy muffler. oh and dual Kadron carbs. With this set up i haven't really had any big problems. To make this set up even more reliable it will be full flowed soon and i will be running a aftermarket external oil cooler for when it starts to really get hot. I hope this helps. Oh one more thing as far as the long trip goes I've driven my car with this engine for 4 hrs straight from LA to San luis Obispo, and no problems. :)

Tue Dec 02, 2003 6:03 pm

It's like HoJo said. Quality of parts is what counts.

I've been going through the same dilema as you, and no matter what route you take it all falls back on the quality of parts and their compatability with each other.

I've finally settled on a 1914cc. I'm looking for the same as you. Reliabilty, a little power to play with, and will it run cool in LAS VEGAS!

Everywhere I turned someone was trying to change my mind. "Got to go with a stroker to get all that", "Type IV's the only way to go". But every mechanic agreed that if you spend the money right the first time and buy the guality parts, anything will be reliable and run cool as long as you leave all the cooling items as designed upon first build.

Just ask the mechanics in your area. They know the climate and what works. They have to build reliability, or go out of business.

Tue Dec 02, 2003 6:57 pm

Thanks guys, I've been leaning towards a 1776 with a single 2bbl carb, have you had any problems with the dual Kadrons?
Steve

Tue Dec 02, 2003 7:23 pm

Hey HoJu, my bad on the screwing of your name on that last thread :oops:

It's kind of they same thing as above. If your willing to shell out he bucks, duals are the way to go. There's enough equipment out there now to ge them synched easily, so don't be afraid of that fear from the past.

IMO, and experience outside the VW world, you should build your motor aound your intake system. So make your choice before you start buying parts, 'cause some perform better depending on single or double.

As far as brands go, I'm up in the air.

Tue Dec 02, 2003 9:56 pm

I had the same problem as you Steve. I live in San Diego where the weather is warm year round. I too drive 12 miles to work and plan to take the car on 1500 mile trips once or twice a year. I finally settled on a 1776 with dual Dells and a Web cam. The engine is full flowed with filter and cooler and is being built at this time. I don't have all the exact details but everything in it is top quality either genuine VW, German, Scat, or Berg. My top priority was for the engine to be ultra-reliable and to have enough power to stay out of trouble. (or in trouble depending on your point of view) As mentioned before, build the engine around your intake. The heads and cam will depend on your intake system and the compression ratio you decide on. And of course, a good exhaust is mandatory.
Plan on spending at least $3000 :shock: if you have the work done.

Wed Dec 03, 2003 6:42 am

Steve,

What part of Georgia? I've got a 2110 over in the classifieds that would probably hold it's own on the street. I'll also throw in a complete single 44 Weber kit in with the motor for an extra $50. The single 44 is Carb, air filter, outerwear, manifold, end castings.

http://thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/index.php?photo+200312021101531004

Wed Dec 03, 2003 7:19 am

Uncle Bob,
I live near Hinesville Ga, I just retired from the Army. I've been looking for a Volkswagen shop around here but not with much luck. I think I'll have to go towards Jacksonville. Your engine sounds good how much do you want for it?
And again thanks for the help guys.
Steve

Wed Dec 03, 2003 7:36 am

What about Foreign Policy and Herrel's Bug Parts? Aren't they both in GA?

Wed Dec 03, 2003 7:37 am

I'll take $700 for it, complete with 44 Weber. If I was going to put it in a daily, I'd have it disassembled, checked out, and sealed up. Would be a good opportunity to port and polish the heads.

Check out www.sevwc.com for clubs/service in Georgia area. Here's a link for sales/service in the SouthEast.

http://www.sevwc.com/links.html

Wed Dec 03, 2003 7:38 am

Shoot, Foreign Policy moved.