Best bang for the buck engine mods?

[Frankysfree]

Just picked up a '67 Bug with a 1600cc dp in it. The previous owner put dual weber carbs on it but he says everything else is stock. Im trying to get it back on the road so ive got to spend money on some glass, glass and door rubber , and other things so im not going to have alot to spend on engine mods. I would just drive it as is but the engine is smoking a little bit and doesnt run that great.

Ill be budgeting about $600 for the engine right now and would like to know what the best place to spend the money is. Im thinking just all new gaskets, lifters, 1641 kit, and an engle cam. The only problem with that is that when i pull the engine to beef it up about 6 months down the road all those parts will basically be wasted money but i dont thing id gain anything with, say, performance heads and nothing else, or a combination thereof. So if im going to be doing the basic 1641 and cam what do you think the best combination of those parts is as far as what cam to use, etc so i get the most out of the engine for the time being.

Thoughts?

[tattooed_pariah]

google.com

it's free and will answer the vast majority of any questions..

if you wanted something from a spoon.. you might start by reading these:

http://www.aircooled.net/vw-performance/

ACN has a ton of good info..
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-pariah (just a novice from "that other VW site")
'72 Volksrod "Effigy"
'09 Dodge Challenger R/T "Folsom Blue"
'86 Honda Shadow VT1100C (unnamed as of yet)

"Never worry about stepping on people's toes. People who get their toes stepped on are either sitting down, or standing still on the job."
-Admiral Arleigh Burke, USN(ret.)

[Frankysfree]

Thanks. Ill read the article.

Im not new to forums or google for that matter but the problem with a question like this is that everyone has a different opinion and i wanted to talk to someone with experience, as in this guy has X combo and thinks its the best thing since sliced bread.

Oh and i own a motorcycle shop. Ask 10 everyday people what is the best exhaust for their bike and you will get 10 different answers. Now if they ask ME i can speak from experience that exhaust A gives you a big spike in low end torque but peaks early, and exhaust B gives you the most top end power since ive built bikes and dyno them for over a dozen years... See where im coming from??

[smitty24]

Best bang, naturally aspirited= machine case and installing 94mm p&c. Forget about the 1641. A 1776cc (90.5 p&c) is also a decent choice.

For your budget, you could possibly stroke it; though not recommended- install better heads in the future. For now, I would (at a minimum) do cam and pistons/cylinders. Better exhaust, along with good distributor is a must.

Care must be taken on where you gets parts from, as well as the build; if you want this engine to run cool and be reliable.

[Frankysfree]

That makes sense. Spend a little extra on the bigger bore now so its not wasted money down the road for the 1641. Ill definately look into that and also the exhaust. Now i already have the points to electronic ignition(petronix maybe??) upgrade. Did you mean that or go with a whole new upgraded distributor? Will the stock heads fit on that big of a jug? I know if you go to big on the Harley cylinders you need the heads to go along with it.

I dont plan on getting cheapo parts. I was going to stick with the name brand stuff whatever i do. Believe me i see it all the time in my line of work and the chinese or offbrand stuff ends up costing ALOT more in the long run...

Thanks for the helpful info smitty24

[miniman82]

You can always do the 94mm jugs with ported stock valve heads, 110 cam and a hot coil, that's a pretty proven combo with a decent return on investment. You already have the right carbs, a 1915 with dual Webers is a decent motor.
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Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=212747

[andk5591]

Hot VWs did an article a couple years ago for a $500 budget bolt on. Seeing how good my memory is - They installed a set of used Kads, 1.25 ratio rockers and a 1 3/8" header - very substantial difference.

If going new, its gonna run you a few hundred more, BUT you need to do all 3 - just carbs helps a little, the header a little more, but you need to get the mix through the heads - so the rockers are the final piece.

Pretty sure the Aircooled.net article says a similar thing.
_________________
D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1776.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard project at wife's request and your gonna die when you see this one.

[MURZI]

Bang bang for buck on a 1600-1641...... A set of 40 IDF's. Period.....
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PENNY LOAFER MAFIA..step up or step back...
1962 Beetle Convertible http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b374/MURZI/new%2062%20vert/
1968 BAJA http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b374/MURZI/testmule/
My old Dune Buggy http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b374/MURZI/

Quit playing...build a 2276 and be done with it.......

[neena]

[the2ndcashboy]

[Frankysfree]

[Frankysfree]

[mark tucker]

have him port them,get a AAstroker kit & AAbig bore pistons have it balanced,fk8 cam&empi billet lifters.have fun and dont get hurt.

[miniman82]

Mark, you just went over his budget...
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Build thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=212747

[mark tucker]

we all do.but it was only a little.go onto the AA site.no not that one the aa site for vw shit.dang cant get no respect.

[Frankysfree]

I'll check it out. I get my personal stuff ported no charge so the only money spent would be on parts

[Frankysfree]

Any disadvantage with going bigger than 1776 or 1915? I notice it's the same price for the kits from aa whether it's 1641 or 2275

Looking on aa site and every engine kit, literally every single one, shows as sold out...

[rs58rag]

Disadvantage for bigger engine is the $600 budget. Build your 1641 now and save up for the big engine, trans and brakes.

[andk5591]

You said you had a $600 budget. As far as porting goes, simply port matching stock heads works great.

Posted this many times before - Worked with Art at Air Cooled Engineering on my wifes 61 bug daily driver. Had a freshly rebuild 1600 SP. Gave Art free reign on putting together a "kit" with 2 stipulations - didnt want to split the case and wanted to use dual kads.

He supplied a set of Kads with the vac port mod, a new Mex SVDA, port matched stock DP heads and a 1 3/8" header (started with a Tri Mill dual tip, but changed to Bug Pack Single Quite pack). That's it - no ratio rockers or anything.

57 HP at the wheels on the dyno, which equates to 70HP at the crank. Not bad for a fairly stock engine.
_________________
D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1776.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard project at wife's request and your gonna die when you see this one.

[the2ndcashboy]