what engine size?

[sidecargezzer]

reading many of the posts here I'm wondering what size motors many of you are running?
I read some are running stock 1600's to over 2000cc's, what do you folks find the best?

 

[jonboylaw]

I guess it depends on what you use it for. I am planning a 1955cc stroker for torque, just to help modrnize the driving a bit and be able to drive up hills without changing down.
Others may want a higher reving stip motor or those that want to keep stock.. Decide what you want to do with the van then ask about..

 

[sidecargezzer]

good point, in my case I will be doing a lot of traveling here in Calif hauling at least one motorcycle in the van and my race gear and a canopy....not much else, so a lot of hi-way time, of course here everything is long distance and speed is not a requirment, but we do have a lot of hills and summer time (like now) can be really warm. The last week has been over 100 every day.
I have been thinking in the 1700cc range, I want to keep it simple understressed and reliable if possible. Likely I will put 10,000 miles at least in the next racing season (2013)

 

[james_stan]

1776 is a good safe bet for a type 1 engine- (relatively) easy to build with extra torque fo those hills.

In US though you have more of the type4 engines (1700, 1800 and 2000) in post 72 buses
than were ever fitted in Europe. What year is your bus ?

Doh , now I post it I see you're a 71 - 1776 it is then..

JS

 

[sidecargezzer]

1776 is a good safe bet for a type 1 engine- (relatively) easy to build with extra torque fo those hills.

In US though you have more of the type4 engines (1700, 1800 and 2000) in post 72 buses
than were ever fitted in Europe. What year is your bus ?

Doh , now I post it I see you're a 71 - 1776 it is then..

JS

thanks James, kind of what I was thinking and yes a 71, you are correct, there are a lot of buses here with big motors, it was my impression that you folks tend to stay closer to stock motors and is why I was asking, seems you use them more in stock or close to stock than here

 

[james_stan]

You're right. A look at the engine forum of thesamba.com is a bit bewildering and lots of heated debates..

I guess in US there is the benefit of cheaper parts and maybe easier access to machine shops
hence lots of big bore mayhem.

For a 1776 you will need the casing and heads machine to fit the 90.5 bores but the bottom
end can remain stock unless you want to try a slightly racier cam ( I did but I'm not sure it made much difference and I had to spend a bit of time on rocker geometry - yards of post on that subject at thesamba :roll: )

Remote (full-flow) oil filtering is a recommended upgrade - no extra power but hopefully a happier engine. Also twin carbs worth a look, redline Weber ICT34 kits about 400 USD I think.

Good luck

JS

 

[meowdmucker]

I fitted a 2110 from the States when the exchange rate was good and have been very happy with it but to get the benefit you may need to get the gear box uprated to help cruising at lower revs. on the motorway so this needs adding to your costs. Hope this helps.

 

[lard]

I run a 1641 for (hopefully) better economy and oomph - though that was mainly cause I was on a budget and upgraded carbs e.t.c. at the same time - liked the idea of staying close enough to stock that I didn't have to change any geometry e.t.c.

 

[Rosie]

We have a US import 71, the previous owner owned a small Airstream caravan so wanted an engine that would manage pulling that uphill. He opted for a 2010 engine from these guys in Torrence, Cal, http://www.powerhausvwparts.com/Air_Cooled_VW_Services.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I don't know much about engines (still a bit new to this early bay malarkey) but was very impressed by how clean and tidy their workshop is in the photos! ;D

 

[sidecargezzer]

thanks, everyone good info, I'm on a tight budget and want to keep it simple, this will be a working/driver bus so I'll be doing most of the work myself, so I'll likely stay in the 1700 range because it's just a change of jugs and pistons.