What makes a 356 engine different from a type 1?

[Rocky_Samba]

I speak mainly towards how it sounds. A 356 and a type 1 both are known for the 1600cc displacement (as far as I know).

They look very similar, yet from what I have seen they sound much different.


My dad used to buy and rebuild Porsche 356's all the time back when they were not considered a classic. Right now he is helping me put together a type 1 VW engine for a kit car we recently acquired. Of course it's been a long time so he doesn't remember everything to point out major differences.
He was telling me that most of his porsche's used an abarth exhaust to get it that wonderful vintage sound.

So, I was wondering what might it take to get a type 1 engine to sound the same or close to. Is it as simple as the exhaust? Do the dual carbs make a huge difference in sound?

[jjjjack]

Hey Rocky_Samba, welcome. Yes, the Porsche engines have a distinct sound. I think it's the combination of components that constitute the whole package. Dual carbs are one factor. The heads are another. Even the early 2-piece engines that are most like VW engines had Porsche-only heads. Whether it has an Abarth exhaust (to which I'm partial) or even a stock exhaust, they still sound different than a Type I, so I'd think it has most to do with the heads, cam timing, etc.
_________________
Jack Stenner
1967 21 Window WT
1953 Porsche 356 Coupe

[gimmesomeshelter]

Hello-

I suspect that the 356 muffler is what makes a 356 sound different from a VW. Here's a thread that illustrates what's inside a 356 C/SC muffler. http://porsche356registry.org/356talk/topic.html?f=1&t=28696&hilit=muffler

I've been trying to find someone who can reverse engineer one so I can make a VW muffler that will sound like a 356, but so far, I haven't had any luck.

If you're interested, there are some (very expensive) muffler design program out there that have a 30 free trial. Heck, you might end up creating a muffler that makes a VW sound like a Porsche.

Cheers,

Paul
_________________
My dog's vet has all my car money (http://sagecenters.com/)

[Rocky_Samba]

Sounds like the innards were enough to change the resonance. Especially if the stroke is different and the cam. I'll do my best to make my type 1 sound good. It's going in quite a sleek looking car