[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index] [New Search]

Re: [T3] Advice needed on building that 'Perfect' engine


On 3 Sep 2003 at 14:43, Craig Webb wrote:

> What I want:
> 
> Ultimate reliability, as good as you can possibly get for a VW engine.

> My own thoughts so far:
> 
> Biggest debate is to keep it stock size, or increase the capacity very
> slightly. 

You pay a lot for extra cc's, especially if you want the same reliability that 
you'd expect from a 1600. Whatever you do, don't go with a cylinder wall 
thinner than the stock 85.5s.

> Ignoring the 'cc' size issue, thought I'd go with:

I like all your ideas here. Get a good valve job: 3 angles on the seats, an 
extra angle in the intake valves.
 
> External oil filter mounted from engine support bar.  Any thoughts on either
> remote oil cooler (with thermostat) or a deep sump?  Can the standard oil
> cooler be modified to a seven row one, similar to the bug upgrade?

Extra coolers and sumps are good bragging points, but if the cooling system is 
all there and adjusted properly they aren't needed for stock and mild cc 
upgrades. They also bring their own set of problems. Look at the ground 
clearance under one of those sumps sometime and ask yourself what a medium 
sized rock in the middle of the road, or even just a good sized raccoon, might 
do to it.

> Keep standard dual carbs (would these work ok with a 1776 with jet changes?)
> Standard vacuum distributor with contactless points.  Quality leads and high
> power coil.

Stick to the OE coil. All the ignition you need with much more reliability.

> Other bits:
> Lightened flywheel - worth it or waste of time?

Waste for street use. These are just for racing and make a street car much less 
drivable.

> Exhaust - standard or aftermarket? Want to keep my heaters.

You can keep your heaters either way, but you will get MORE heat if you keep 
the OE exhaust. See if you can find a late (72-3) large pipe muffler and 
tailpipe. 

> That's my thoughts so far.  If I go higher than 1584cc, am I going to
> compromise my reliability?

My understanding is that you don't have to compromise your reliability, but you 
will have to spend more to get really good parts.

-- 
*******************************
Jim Adney, jadney@vwtype3.org
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
*******************************

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
List info at http://www.vwtype3.org/list | mailto:gregm@vwtype3.org


[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index] [New Search]