What to look for when buying a "turnkey" engine

[Kenzio93]

Hello fellow "Vdub" lovers and enthusiasts! I have decided to put a 1914cc in my bug! What I want to know is, what do I need to look for when I buy a "turnkey" engine? Meaning how to tell a legit company from crooks. Someone mentioned "gex" to me. What companies would you go with? Being that my budget is in the ballpark of $5000. Also I wanted to know if the stock tranny could handle the extra power, or if I should upgrade it. A buddy of mine thinks I should put an older style 6 speed Porsche tranny in it. Your thoughts on that? Thanks guys and gals!

[rob a]

Most people on this site will tell you to stay away from GEX. For $5k you can build a reliable 1914. Look in your area for an established engine builder who you can talk to in person, they can help you iron out all the details for your engine. I say, match the trans to the engine. Bigger power should have a upgraded trans but no need for overkill.

[mightymouse]

lol.. i feel like im just on repeat.

skip the 1914 and build or buy something with some more crank in it.

Almost all porsches came with a 74 crank from the factory, and they are much more fun to drive and more tractable in every situation.

Check the builder thread and see about someone in your area to save on shipping costs.
If not, Pm me. I can build you one and ship it no problem. Done it many times.

DO NOT buy from gex. And its good that you check with the samba folks. Cause many "turnkey" magazine engine shops suck ass. Rather not see you lose money for a leaking low power making junk engine.

Especially since you have a very realistic budget.
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Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.
Thomas Jefferson


Note to EVERYONE.
Know your ZDDP levels or you WILL lose a cam and lifters.

[tattooed_pariah]

I agree with everyone else, find a local shop that is willing to spend time with you, if they won't talk to you about it, go somewhere where they will. Maybe it's a pipedream, but good customer service for building an engine involves finding out what your customer wants.

There are good builders nationwide that will ship, but if you can find someone local, if it ever needs work you can bring it back and they already know everything about it since they built it.
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-pariah (just a novice from "that other VW site")
'72 Volksrod "Effigy"

"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.)

[mxracer]

Give Geno Boyd a call. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=90787

He is not too far from you, around PGH, and has MANY contacts up there. He can either build you an engine or put you in touch with someone who will, and Geno is one of the best guys you will ever talk to/meet to boot.

You didn't say what you were going to use the car for but assuming street use a.k.a. not drag racing.... the stock tranny, when in good shape, will be fine.

I also agree to skip the 1914 and do a small stroker like a 1904 or 2017 etc.

Last thought.... if you don't care about shipping etc. I'll throw my hat into the ring to build you one.

Good luck.

[Glenn]

The builder is the most import decision.

Start here: Official Engine Builder Topic
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

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