Converting a 412 to a 2L engine

[Synchromesh]

Howdy all! I've owned a '72 Super Beetle for a long time but have been dreaming of finding a decent 412. Yes, it's a weird dream car to aspire to but here it is.

Since I live in California and want a manual that leaves me with a '73 coupe which I believe only came with a 1.7 engine. I also have a 2L long block from a 914 which I squirreled away just in case I find one. So my question is: how hard would be to convert that wheezy 1.7 into a 2.0? From what I gather I will need to split the block and basically swap internals. Just wanted to check if this is correct? Also, would the fact that the engine is located 180 degrees from original placement in a 914 play a role? Thanks!
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'72 Super Beetle sunroof sedan

[raygreenwood]

[Synchromesh]

Thanks for the info. Actually, in California emissions only need to be passed on 1976 and younger cars so a 412 would be automatically exempt. Therefore, there's no reason to fiddle with emissions equipment. So with that in mind, what exactly needs to be swapped over for this to work properly?
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'72 Super Beetle sunroof sedan

[raygreenwood]

[vw81jetta]

[Lars S]

I recently did about the same operation, put a 914 2.0 engine in my 1.7 Coupe.

You need to use all oft the engine tin from the 1.7 since the 914 2.0 tin is made to fit a totally different surrounding (same as the early Porsche 2.0 six).

Just drill new holes for the spark plugs and block the old holes.

I used rubber plugs on mine but welding them would look even better

I currently use trottle body and plenum from the 2.1 WBX....

...but have earlier used the 914 throttle body with good result.
Both plenums can easily be fitted to the stock air cleaner with a suitable flexible hose.

/lars S
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Porsche 914 -72, Bahia Red daily driver
VW411 2-d -70, White, sold
VW412 4-d, -73, Gold Metallic, daily driver
Suzuki T500, -69, Candy Gold, sold
Suzuki K50, -77, Black, daily driver
BMW R69S -69, White, sold
Husqvarna 118cc, -47, Black, Sold

[Lars S]

..also if you not have noted it already:
The 914 has the roller bearing for the trans input axle in the flywheel, the 412 has it in the end of the crankskaft.
I bought a new bearing (they are cheap!), replaced the small distance ring in the end of the 914 crankshaft with the new bearing.
(I used the 412 flywhel.)

You also have to move the two engine mounts at the oil pump from the 1,7 to the 2.0.

The gas wire in the 914 comes from the wrong direction (since it has the engine in front of its trans) so it wont work before you do a workaround on that, can take some pics on how I did if you like

Of course the heat exchangers, also has to come from the 1.7.

Nothing more comes to my mind .....right now...
In total its not a lot of work to make a 914 2.0 fit and wey well worth it!!



/Lars S
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Porsche 914 -72, Bahia Red daily driver
VW411 2-d -70, White, sold
VW412 4-d, -73, Gold Metallic, daily driver
Suzuki T500, -69, Candy Gold, sold
Suzuki K50, -77, Black, daily driver
BMW R69S -69, White, sold
Husqvarna 118cc, -47, Black, Sold

[raygreenwood]

[Synchromesh]

[Lars S]

No, nothing from the 1.7 trottle/plenum/intake will fit, it is also way to narrow, big hp needs big breath!

Will post throttle pic later.

Lars S
_________________
Porsche 914 -72, Bahia Red daily driver
VW411 2-d -70, White, sold
VW412 4-d, -73, Gold Metallic, daily driver
Suzuki T500, -69, Candy Gold, sold
Suzuki K50, -77, Black, daily driver
BMW R69S -69, White, sold
Husqvarna 118cc, -47, Black, Sold

[Lars S]

[Lars S]

This is why the 914 cooling tin will not fit in a 411/412 engine bay, its made to fit a totally different surrounding namely the same surrounding as for an early porsche 2.0 six.
I cant think of any of the tin pieses that will fit a 411/412...possibly the small inbetween cylinder pieces under the barrels.

pics showing a 914 1.7 but my comments apply to all 914 engine sizes




/Lars S
_________________
Porsche 914 -72, Bahia Red daily driver
VW411 2-d -70, White, sold
VW412 4-d, -73, Gold Metallic, daily driver
Suzuki T500, -69, Candy Gold, sold
Suzuki K50, -77, Black, daily driver
BMW R69S -69, White, sold
Husqvarna 118cc, -47, Black, Sold

[Synchromesh]

Thank you, Lars S. I will keep all of this in mind!
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'72 Super Beetle sunroof sedan

[Vanagonsgoslow]

According to the folks over at the ShopTalk Forum.com's VW Type 4 engine subsection, the 2 liter VW Bus engine's intake plenum is the best one to use for optimum air flow and is way better than the Porsche 914 2 liter engine's intake plenum.

Your opinions may vary. However, the VW Bus intake plenum is shaped similarly to the stock VW 1.7 liter engine's intake plenum, so it may be more of a simple "bolt-in" part to use when you upgrade to a 2 liter engine in your VW 412.

The Porsche 914's intake plenum is allegedly not the best for air flow because it supposedly creates too much turbulence within the plenum for best air flow into the individual intake runners.

[wagen19]