110HP

How easy is it to get 110 real HP from a Beetle engine, not a pie in the sky estimate?
My original plan was to fit an Alfa flat 4 engine and box(118hp as standard) but things are getting a little difficult, getting the gearbox to turn the correct way, drive shafts, speedo cables, radiators and all that stuff!!! but at least it has 2 sets of twin 40's that I can use!

It'$ ea$y! If you have the de$ire.
150-170hp is common for large 2 liter strokers.
But compared to a 1776, you will be asked to part with a significantly larger chunk of your de$ire.

Mark

Mick,

A 1915 cc motor can easily produce the 110 hp with:
Balanced crank, rods and lightened flywheel (12.5lbs.) as a unit. matched pistons with Total Seal rings, mild cam, race lifters, decent ported heads match ported intakes and Webers or if you can find a complete set of Dell's are my personal choice for easy of servicing them. Also a Bosch 009 with pertornics Ignition.

Mike,

CB Performance has a 1915cc that is normally spec'ed at 125hp, and that can be upgraded to around 135hp with some head work. I have one of those in my Speedster and it'll put you back in your seat. I wouldn't call it inexpensive, but neither did it cost an arm and a leg. You can PM me for more details if you want.

Ask these guys here:

http://shoptalkforums.com/viewforum.php?f=15&sid=7d2e749828f8dc336b632c067a64088a

They've already done everything that you're planning and have answers to every question that you'll ever have. The very best in the hobby frequent this forum.

Luck,

TC

Oh, and these guys:

http://shoptalkforums.com/viewforum.php?f=19

Will have the answers for installing that Alfa if you ever return to Plan One.

Thanks for your help so far.I have two twin 40 Dellortos from my Alfa engine, so I would like to build an engine around them to save costs. My budget does not extend to a stroked crank so it's either 1776 or 1915, I have been told that a 1915 engine does not last long because of the thin walls on the barrels, is this another myth? why can I still buy this engine from good engine builders if it expires quickly? It only costs

Absolutely

Thanks for all your help, I have decided to go down the Beetle engine route. I will cost the same as re building the Alfa engine, without the additional complications!
Need to know more about 1915cc life expectancy, so I will start another topic.

Mick

If you want addition info you can go to www.thesamba.com and search for 1915cc.
My 1915cc is a mild one.I am happy with it,but I am not happy with the tranny.Nothing wrong with it, I just want the freeway flyer for hwy cruising.

Mick; I've heard of life expectancy problems with 92 mm cylinders, not 94's. If I recall correctly 94's do have the same wall thickness as stock and 90.5's but if I were you and thinking about reliability I'd go with 90.5's. I've also read about blowby in a short period of time as per Gene Berg's literature. If you're going to go with ported 044's, cam etc. maybe you can get the 110 hp out of your 1776.

I'm starting to think bigger now 2000cc+ There is a Guy on Ebay.com selling big engines, even with $500 shipping 4% import duty and 17.5% tax it's cheaper than buying in the UK! Need to know more about this guy, i will start another topic.

Mick, not to stray too far from the engine topic, but how much will that monococque hot rod of yours weigh? I'd hate to see you fish-tailing all over those mossy British roads in the rain with a giant 2000+ cc mill.
You'll be fine on both sunny days ...
Are you planning on updating us with some photos anytime soon?

Hi Cory, I have just updated my photo's, just body and wheel pics. I am waiting for a gearbox so i can finish the back end of the chassis.
The finished car is on track for being no more than 600kg thats about 1320 pounds in your language:-)
I am moving the gearbox forward about 2 to 3 inches and my wheelbase is 5 inches longer than standard, 1.5inches in the scuttle, 2 inches in the door and the rear wheel well has been moved back 1.5 inches. I am hoping with the longer wheel base, the weight closer to the centre and the trick suspension will help the car stay in the direction that I am pointing it!!

Good stuff, Mick. Those are som FAT "tyres."
How's the timeline looking? At this rate, you'll be done before me!

Cory, no timeline, I just do a bit here and there, I have an extension to build on my house, have to keep the women happy! The tyres are another thing which I hope will keep my car pointing in the right direction.

Cory, just been doing a bit of work on the car, decided to dispense with the pushrod operated coilover front suspension and just mount the coilovers as normal, very boring but this has sorted the mounting of my fuel tank and the front body mounts in one go, if its good enough for Lotus, it's fine by me!