40hp performance parts help

[stevensjames]

I have a 1964 1200cc 40hp engine and want to build a mild performance engine. I have been considering Okrasa but don't see many parts available and when they do come up they are expensive. I also have the opportunity to purchase a Judson Supercharger and that is still an option. I already have some parts around from previous projects (canister filter, hoses, MANN air filters, etc.) and would like to use them if can figure a way for a dual carb setup. So after searching the classifieds I found some Rethwish manifolds for sale and started thinking about possibility of use. I also have a set of nice 1300cc heads (1966) and some 32 PBIC carbs and am curious if these parts could be used as a basis for a mild performance engine or if I should just keep them stored and start looking for new parts? Any advice and information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[andk5591]

I did a "big bore" upgrade on my 1200 and worked on the 28PICT jetting (took a much bigger main than I would have normally thought) and the car is amazing. Also have the square boss 65 heads on it.

Understand that the gearing on a 65 is different than a later car, so its spinning faster at a given road speed, but this car will outrun a stock late with a 1600 up to 60 MPH. If I hadnt upgraded to an alternator, it would look bone stock.
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D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them...

[stevensjames]

Thank you for the info. Seems like these little engines can be woken up fairly easy then and should have no problems. I am aware of the transmission gearing as well and will address that also. My previous car was a 1954 with a Judson Supercharged 36hp that I converted to 12v. I used a later 12v transmission with a 4.12 R+P with Wolfsburg West nosecone conversion and it was great. I probably do something like this again and have gearing advice from Rancho so get correct. Thanks again, I always appreciate any advice and information

[OLD VW NUT]

Okrasa stuff can be very expensive. You can get 1500cc into a 40hp engine case with a stock 69mm stroke and 1500cc pistons & cylinders. A counterweighted crank cost only $160 or so for a new one and will make smooth power. If you have Bill Fisher's 'How To Hotrod Your VW Engine' he outlines how to do this. And there are many threads here that give excellent detail on how to 'grow' your 40hp motor. I did a few many years ago when it 40hp motors were common since everyone wanted a 1500/1600 motor and were yanking out the 40hp motors and installing the larger motors. A good used 40hp could be had for under $100. With the right cam and carb the larger 40hp will make excellent torque and increases top end to nearly equal that of a stock single port 1600. The limiting factor with the 40hp is the case itself - and the intake and heads tend to act as a governor.
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71 Ghia Coupe - stock body - no rust! Powered by a 2110 W/Dual HPMX 44's - Rancho Pro Street Transaxle - A/C by Gilmore

Other car - 2013 VW Golf TDI

[GTV]

Keep it simple. Counterweight the crank and lighten the flywheel. Some big bore 83's, clean up (valve job and blend ports) your 1300 heads, header, and use some dual Kadron's.

Don't spend too much money on it or else you'll quickly wish you would have started with a 1600 based engine.
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EMPI Power Rules!

[stevensjames]

Thank you all for the advice and information. I appreciate all of it and am now in process of collecting parts. Once start the actual build I plan on posting the progress and eventually have dyno results.