Definitive Type 4 conversion info

[Jimbly]

Can anyone help me please?

I'm considering a Type 4 conversion, probably 2-Ltr in my '70 Bay over the winter, ready for next summer.

Firstly, is this a good idea? I don't want to go racing, I just want lots more torque and not constantly find myself in that 'buzz it in third or stall it in fourth' conundrum going up hills...

Secondly, does anyone know of a definitive thread/article/DVD/book/anything that will tell me everything I need to know - parts, technique, etc?

Don't want much, do I...?

Massive thanks in advance for anyone who can help.

Jim

 

[james_stan]

To fit easily in a 1970 I think you will need to convert the engine into 'upright' fan cooling as you currently have.

The famed conversion kit is by Jake Raby (should be easy to find ion google) althought some weeks/months ago there was an (amusing) thread on here regarding a competitive solution form a guy in South Africa. (Raby was so incensed apparantly he was going to swim the Atlantic to duff him up).

Alternatively you can probably carve up your engine bay and it will slot right in (Just Like Jamie Olivers Porsche engine - er yeah right).

Not much info here I'm afraid but maybe some pointers - oh yes and you will need the higher geared 2.0l gearbox unless
all the folks here haven't nabbed them for their Type1 engine upgrades.

Anyone got one for sale BTW ?

Cheers

James

 

[Jimbly]

Thanks James.

I bought a DVD off FleBay a while ago, featuring Raby's DTM shroud for Beetle conversions and tried watching it for the first time at the weekend. Looks like a proper conversion but the DVD froze when it started getting interesting...

From memory, I've seen photos of a few EBs with T4s in but they seem to retain the flat-style fan, I think (certainly none looked like they had an upright). Is this better than the, is it called 'pancake' fan?

Cheers all, again...

Jim

 

[richbaker78]

Dont take this the wrong way - im far from a purist.....but
to be honest for the very minor gains you will see I wouldnt have thought it worth the effort. Parts (and tuning stuff) is more expensive and your already poor MPG will be worse. some might say it would devalue your van too.

If you are intent on staying aircooled i would put your money and effort into some choice parts for your 1600.

however, my personal opinion is if your going to the effort of fitting a non standard engine i would go the whole hog and fit a proper engine - perhaps a golf GTi /subaru 2l/2.2 l or a Ford/ Peugeot / Vw or other Turbo diesel.
see http://www.vwkd.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for infon about this......

 

[james_stan]

JHi JIm

Upright fan = the Beetle aka Type1, EarlyBay style.

Pancake = the later bay (2.0 and 1.8 engine) style also fitted to Type4 cars and I think to the Porsche 914.

A different type of Pancake cooling was in the Type3 engine which is essential a Type1 block and top-end but with
flat style cooling used in a couple of cars.

I think this is about right.

Cheers

james

 

[stagger lee]

if you're handy, with spanners, not your fists :roll:. you can do the conversion quite cheap. Joe Cali's 'Next Gen' conversion manual gives you all the info needed to make up the parts yourself to build an upright cooled t4 engine. manual costs about 20 quid, this is what i have and the road i'm going down. next step is basically a Cali conversion, but aftermarket components based on glass shrouds. check out the likes of CSP for their t4 upright cooling. next stage is Rabey's DTM or Sharpbuilts uprights kits. finally porsche based cooling, most expensive.

There is all you need to know about a t4 engine into a t1, 2 or 3 vehicle on shoptalkforums. check out the type4rum.

if you want a beefier donk for your bus, t4 is the only way forward i.m.o. all those people tarnished with problematic t4 engines, are just that problematic engines. for every badly set up unreliable t4 engine there's a dozen t2 ones the same.

build it right, and build it once.