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Mon Aug 11, 2014 4:57 pm

I have a 1973 Super Beetle and am looking at a near term engine rebuild. I am tempted to build a 2110 or a thick wall 2180 but it looks like it is going to cost me $4-5k to do it myself. I have never driven a beetle with a high performance motor but I have been reading a lot about reliability considerations for the build and trade-offs between cost and component reliability. My question is whether or not it is worth it. I'll have more money to make the interior nice if I simply rebuild the 1600. I'd like to hear thoughts from the community.

Mon Aug 11, 2014 5:17 pm

Be aware . Performance and speed are an addiction!!! :twisted:

Mon Aug 11, 2014 5:42 pm

Get the body and interior done first. You can always build a bigger engine later. Cool cars are cool because of the total cars appearance. A cool car with a 1600 is still cool. A beater car with a awesome 2332 fire breathing dragon is still just a beater car when it's sitting in the parking lot at the Burger joint.

Mon Aug 11, 2014 6:41 pm

yeah make it look nice and respectable first, then you can add some grunt

Mon Aug 11, 2014 10:07 pm

vwracerdave wrote: Get the body and interior done first. You can always build a bigger engine later. Cool cars are cool because of the total cars appearance. A cool car with a 1600 is still cool. A beater car with a awesome 2332 fire breathing dragon is still just a beater car when it's sitting in the parking lot at the Burger joint.

But its a fast POS fire breather.
What id do first is put disc brakes on the front. Then id build your engine of your dreams. I could care less about how the car looks vs how the car runs. That is why I did my suspension and brakes first, about 2 k. Then my built trans and alloys/tires about 3k. Next came engine and carbs about 8.5 k with all the fixins and I built it. Then came the side panel kit. No floor carpet or headliner etc. I am now after 7 or so years just starting to prep my car for paint. Interior comes dead last imo.
I can build you a nice 2110 for that in 2 weeks ( I have the kit already) and that is likely to clear the shipping and crate tag.

Heres a 2176 I did for a customer 2 weeks ago.
http://vid187.photobucket.com/albums/x60/jkanimal/Randys2176cc_zps42e694a8.mp4

I also have a 1904cc available if your interested and can be viewed in my photobucket library. You can use the link above to view the builds I have just started loading up with in the last few years.

Tue Aug 12, 2014 12:19 am

Pictures are worth a thousand words so post some exterior & interior pictures and the community will share their thoughts.

Tue Aug 12, 2014 1:07 am

vwracerdave wrote: . A beater car with a awesome 2332 fire breathing dragon is still just a beater car when it's sitting in the parking lot at the Burger joint.

...also known as a sleeper....

Tue Aug 12, 2014 2:06 am

There is power in 1st gear with a 1600 and power in 4th gear with a 2180... :-) RB

Tue Aug 12, 2014 2:37 am

I'm a big fan of sleepers myself, but I think you have calculated your build costs well, if not conservative. Be aware that the interior is where you are unlikely to have a good result unless you spend the money, or have the skills. If you have access to the right gear and skills, you can save a little on the build, but do some searches here to discern where you shouldn't try to save money on the engine - e.g. valvetrain.

Tue Aug 12, 2014 2:52 am

I am a big fan on all the safety items, good floor pans, brakes and no rust.... Hell at that point you have a new car, ready for a crazy power plant and paint.... :-) RB