TheSamba.com :: View topic - increasing displacement of a 1300cc engine

Wed Nov 29, 2006 9:35 am

what are the risks? is this advisable? let's say i'll be converting a stock 1300cc into a 1500cck, or maybe a 1600cc dual port?

is it true that a 1300cc engine block is exactly identical as a 1500 or 1600cc engine block?

which would perform well, a 1300cc converted to 1600cc, or a stock 1600cc engine? (assuming that all parts used are stock)

Wed Nov 29, 2006 9:45 am

Yes it is; just get larger pistons, bore the heads and you're there.

Wed Nov 29, 2006 3:32 pm

A 1300 block will NOT be exactly the same as a 1600 block. The 1600 will have larger oil galleries and dual relief valves.

There's nothing to say you can't build a good 1600 engine out of a 1300 block though.

Wed Nov 29, 2006 5:14 pm

so, will the smaller oil galleries of a 1300cc affect reliability and performance if i convert it to a 1600cc?

also, i've heard that some people hate the 1300cc engine, this being the "worst" engine made by vw, allegedly. any info on this?

Wed Nov 29, 2006 6:10 pm

Towel Rail wrote: A 1300 block will NOT be exactly the same as a 1600 block. The 1600 will have larger oil galleries and dual relief valves.

There's nothing to say you can't build a good 1600 engine out of a 1300 block though.

He's right on; you can use the 1300 block you have but why not just build a 1600cc with all new parts? That block is at least 40 years old. I answered your question with a strictly yes or no answer. Yes you can use what you have by boring the heads and installing new pistons but why risk it with older parts and single relief vs. dual relief, etc. etc.? It's best to leave your 1300 cc block for a restoration (none of those being made new anymore). I would venture to say that VW never made inferior air cooled products; they all perform marvelously if used for what they were designed.

Wed Nov 29, 2006 9:48 pm

I've heard that the 1300 was the BEST engine vw made so it depends who u talk to, if your just need some more power for your daily driver then making the 13 into a 16 shouldn't give you any problems. i'm going to make my 40 year old 1500 single port into a 1954 turbo-when i have enough money.

Wed Nov 29, 2006 11:22 pm

Same here, I'm building a 1915 turbo using a AS21 single relief.

Thu Nov 30, 2006 10:37 am

ok guys! :D thanks for the input! :D

Thu Nov 30, 2006 11:28 am

be aware 1300 connecting rod bolts are different, and are questionable for doing the 1600 job. instead if being radiused underhead they are undercut. a seemingly small detail to the layman, but read up on rod bolts and find out how techy they are.

Thu Nov 30, 2006 12:16 pm

"1300 to 1600, all parts stock"- if you keep your 1300's heads when going to 1600, you will need to machine the heads' combustion chambers to accomodate the bigger diameter of the 1600's cylinders. The engine case does not need any machining for the 85.5 cylinders.

If you would compare those heads to 1600 heads, in the USA, the 1300 had substantially smaller valves than the 1600 heads, regardless if you talk about a 1600 single port (1970 only) or a 1600 dual port. So strictly speaking, you will have less maximum power with a 1300-to-1600 conversion and 1300 heads than if you have a full, stock 1600.

If you install 1600 DP heads onto your 1300 case, you should also go for the 1600 DP's "doghouse" oil cooler, larger cooling fan, different fan shroud, etc. And, 1300 engines were 6V only. 1600 were 12V. Generator/alternator and its stand are different than on the 1300. You need to match the parts to the voltage system in your car.

Flywheel may also be different.