Pistons

[chipvw]

I have 1965 VW and it has a single port 1600cc motor. I'm looking to turn it into a dual port and increase the motor to about 1900cc-2100cc. What size pistons should I go with? What type of brand should I get (I'm not looking to spend a lot, but get a good brand for a reasonable price).

Also, will I need a certain type of rods to go with it?

[drscope]

Why do you want to do that?

Tell us some more about the car and why it has a bigger engine then it originally came with. What other modifications has it had?

And also how big is your budget?
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Mother Nature is a Mean Evil Bitch!

[chipvw]

Because I want to add more HP! (faster bug)

[Ghia Nut]

94mm jugs, forged mahle if you can get them. Will need the cases and head machine for 94mm. Will get you a 1914 engine. Not crazy power but more.

I'm from the ham btw. We have a VW club if interested.
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'59 typ1 rajay turbo
'72 Ghia rajay 1641 dual 36DRLAs, 1 3/8" SS merged header and fat boy
78" GL Vert with ej22t swap
This will likely change tomorrow to something else.

[Jon65]

[chipvw]

@GhiaNut Thats cool. I will check it out. My bug is completely stripped down right now though. I would like to check the VW club out once I move back to bham next week. What size are you running in your motor?

[chipvw]

@Jon65 P&C's? Pistons and Carbs right? I don't plan on stopping there, I'm just trying to figure this stuff out. I'm very new to this and don't know much, so I'm trying to learn as much as possible!!!

[Jon65]

[chipvw]

@Jon65 I understand that. What are you running in yours?

[Jon65]

87mm. Been in my 1641 since last may.

More detailed specs are in my sig.

[Ghia Nut]

We have a new shop in birmingham, Magic City VW. Theres actually a show and shine the 13th. There is central alabama vw club, but I dont know if they are really still around. The los punkitos guys are cool as hell. They put on the Tannehill Bug Blast.

As far as engine advice. I was running a 1641 with dual Dellorto 36 DRLAs.
Great little engine. Really woke it up and ran great. With dual can distributor I was getting really good gas mileage too. You can run a 1915 dp on the stock 34 PICT-3, but it will feel a bit anemic. I always wanted to build a big engine, but you buy this, you gotta have that, you gotta have that, you really need this... etc etc, and 5k later with empty pockets and parts well, you get the idea. So thats why I ditched out on vw performance for the most part. Im turboing a 1500 single port now with an old Rajay kit for fun, then when the engine goes, subaru swap time.
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'59 typ1 rajay turbo
'72 Ghia rajay 1641 dual 36DRLAs, 1 3/8" SS merged header and fat boy
78" GL Vert with ej22t swap
This will likely change tomorrow to something else.

[chipvw]

Ok... I will try to make it to that show. i need to come by your shop and talk to you personally to become more familiar on things and learn a lot! My plans is to do a lot of it on my own in the garage, but have a great source that I can talk to when I'm in need of help. Does your shop do body work?

[Ghia Nut]

My bad man. I dont actually work at the shop or for the shop. He does not do body work, just sells parts. The owners name is David Kirkland, and hes a cool guy. He has a good inventory of parts, and anything you need that he doesnt have you can order.

www.magiccityvw.com

All the guys around here are do it your selfers, and theres a good bit of knowledge and experience around here as well.
What part of Birmingham are you from?
_________________
'59 typ1 rajay turbo
'72 Ghia rajay 1641 dual 36DRLAs, 1 3/8" SS merged header and fat boy
78" GL Vert with ej22t swap
This will likely change tomorrow to something else.

[chipvw]

I live in Forestdale, Al

Email me at [email protected] so that I can give you my number. If you have some time this week, we can talk about it over the phone.

Have you ever heard of Don's Buggie Stuff in Hokes Bluff, Al? He sells parts as well! He's about 20 mins away from where I am now in Jacksonville, Alabama

[drscope]

The reason I asked why is because you need to look at things differently. You need to look at the engine as a complete package and not as individual parts.

You may see a small horse power increase by simply slipping in bigger pistons and cylinders, but if the intake can;t get more fuel/air into the cylinder, or the exhaust can’t push it out, you won’t see the optimum increase you are hoping for.

So you need to really look at the complete package from air filter to exhaust tip and everything in between if you are after a real power increase.

Carb(s), intake, heads (compression ratio, valve size, porting) cam dynamics, exhaust system, ignition ALL need to be carefully selected and matched in order to get the most out of the engine. You can’t just replace one mis-matched part of the puzzle and expect great results.

But you left out the most important part of the question – how big is your budget? The answer to that will really have a big impact on what is the best way for you to go.
_________________
Mother Nature is a Mean Evil Bitch!

[chipvw]

@drscope I totally understand that!!! i really can't say what my budget is because I think I will be buying things on the fly. I just want to become more informed about parts so that I will have an idea what the hell I'm looking at...lol

[chipvw]

@GhiaNut Do you know any good body shops in Birmingham that are reasonable and good? Also, they have worked on Vintage Bugs before? I'm ready to start on my chassis

[VWAdam]

If you are new to VWs, I'd keep it simple right now.
Slip in 87's, dual carbs and a header can give you a noticeable difference.
It's by no means going to be a fast car but you certainly won't be holding up traffic anywhere either.

I'm in the Bham area as well. It's unbelievable how many aircooleds seem to be popping up in the area lately.
Call David at Magic City, he's been into VWs for close to 30 years now and come to the Show on the 13th (next Saturday). I'll be there in my green and white '63 Bus.
I'd be more than happy to help you out sometime too.

I can't recommend any body shops in town but if you just need pans, those are relatively easy to weld in.
Again, come to the show n shine on the 13th.
_________________
All he needed was a wheel in his hand and four on the road.

'59 Euro Beetle ragtop
'63 Standard Microbus

Come to my show! www.volksjam.com

Looking for badge/sticker/frame from Western Motors in Great Falls, Montana

[chipvw]

@Adamvw Thanks man! I definitely will be at the show next weekend! I look forward to talking to everyone there cuz I'm trying to get my bug right! In the meantime I will continue to researching about it and looking around. See ya then!

[drs1023]

You are getting some sound advice from a lot of guys. For the bucks and some performance increase the 87 mm P & C bolt on and upgraded carb(s) will keep you from holding up traffic.

I'm pleased with the performance of my 1641 with a re-jetted 34 carb, headers, electronic ignition and mostly pleased with the Engle 110 cam. I had not run so aggressive a cam for many years, and I would probably back it down to the 100 series for slow cruising. The 110 doesn't like crawlinig very much, but it's peppy at road speeds.

The previous VW engine I built for my kit car (Mini-Mark) was also a 1641 with a stock cam and dual 34's, header, and electronic ignition. Boulevard cruising was smooth and kept up with traffic on the freeway.