1600cc Air-Cooled VW engine

I have a 1600cc air-cooled Volkswagen engine that I would like to squeeze some more power out of. Are there any bolt-ons that will do the trick or am I looking at an engine swap?

Thanks in advance.

There's a picture of the engine on my website:

http://356porsche.weebly.com

It's a 1957 Porsche 356 C Speedster kitcar/1972 VW Super Beetle

Depends on what you want the car to do and how deep your pockets are......State your expectations and you will get a more comprehensive response from us wrench benders....Car looks good.. ; - )

If you're looking for more power and bolt on only, a set of ported/polished heads with a pair or Webers/Dellortos or Kadron carburetors is a good bet. Bolt on 87 mm pistons are poor for cooling but will increase the cc's from 1584 (stock 1600) to 1641 cc's

Jason, you are starting up a slippery slope my friend. First you add on a 3 Hp header. Well that was nice, but I wonder how a 5 Hp intake might work? Hmmm, that is nice too. I wonder how a nice port and polish job would add to the feel?

You see where this is headed don't you? Don't get me wrong. It's OK what you are doing. It's just so nostaligic to see another "innocent" sucked into the great black vortex . . . . . .

A 3.2 liter turbo with a five speed will fit!

Jason, bolt-ons will give you a bit of an increase, but any noticeable boost in performance will need an engine tear-down, or new engine.
Many of us on this forum started with 1600s and then, over the years, moved up to larger engines. I went from a 1600 to a 1776, then to a 2110, and I now have a 2276, which I'm very happy with (except for the oil consumption).
It all depends on how much you want to spend and how fast you want to go. :-)

I thought this car was for sale?

Without dismantling and replacing guts and big $$$ - dual Kadrons, nice A1 exhaust and ratio rockers. Roughly $600 for parts. Good for may 10 hp if engine is in good shape to start with.

I skipped all the in-between steps and went from a 1641 to a 2366. Now, it's a 2424.
It really is a slippery slope. Be careful.
If you add ponies, better upgrade the shoes, too.

This car currently is for sale. I'm just not giving up on it though. I enjoy working on it and it's a blast to drive. I don't have deep pockets but would be willing to drop about $1k into some additional performance parts.

Jason-

You sure you want to do that, man? Seriously, in or out- anything you do for $1K will net you about <$100.

Right now I'm assuming that it won't sell and I'll keep it forever. Don't get me wrong, I love the car completely. I just wish it had a little more spring in its step. Would it make much of a difference going from a single-carb to a dual-carb?

Going to a couple of Webers or Kadrons will help in the sense that it will sound a bit better and may gain a few HP but nothing beats engine displacement. check craigslist and other on line sources, on occasion you'll find a complete engine within your budget

I like this question and I bet a few of you here know the answer. (I sure don't, but I'd like to; it may be relevant to me). Baseline is a good running 1600 DP with no troubles. Budget is $1,000. What's the best way to spend that $$ in terms of HP return per dollar, with minimal penalty in longevity and reliability?

So what are we bid? The Kads alone are like, what? $600?

That leaves $400 for a set of ratio rockers and a good exhaust, right? But is that doable?

And what's he apt to gain with that?

if you have such a limited budget - search used.there are plenty of killer deals to be had if you wait.

assuming your time is free and you have lots of it - a engle 110 cam is like $70 and lifters $40. $110 would get a better profile for a cam than stock - then you can add / modify with rocker ratios. if you split the case - you'll need a new gasket kit - but those are cheap too. i'd up the compression while you had the case apart (next to no cost for this)

so far: $130 (cam /lifters / gasket set)


merged header: $80:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1136940

muffler: $40
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1134159
(not sure that exact one would work - but you get the idea)

so far: $250 (cam /lifters / gasket set / merged header / muffler)

dual kardons: $250
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1135637

so far: $500 (cam /lifters / gasket set / merged header / muffler / dual carbs)


1.25 ratio rockers: $70
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1134884

"SINGLE SPRING HI-REV KIT - INCLUDES VALVE SPRINGS / CHROMOLY RETAINERS / C/M KEEPERS": $50
http://www.cip1.ca/SearchResults.asp?Search=single+spring&Search1=Search


so far: $620 (cam /lifters springs / retainers / keepers / 1.25 ratio rockers/ gasket set / merged header / muffler / dual carbs)

I'd save the rest of $ for tuning / shipping / misc parts & filters


or buy a 1641:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?submit=yes&keywords=1641&type=text&stype=all&username=&yearfrom=&yearto=&pricefrom=&priceto=&model[]=§ion[]=&wanted=show&zip=&zipdist=0&state[]=&usaregion=&country=&sort=date&sort_order=DESC&submitButton=Search

Go here: http://www.aircooled.net/gnrlsite/resource/articles.htm

then scrool down to the section Titled: Engine and Transmission Modifications

Thanks for the links and information. Since I would assume that most of you have been to my webpage, seen the pictures of my car and read the description, what do you think about my asking price?

Website: http://356porsche.weebly.com

Thanks in advance.

Bring it to Carlisle this weekend - lots of lookers there. If intent is to sell - you'll get great leads there.

Thanks for the advice. I plan on attending this year. I hope the weather cooperates though.

Jason,

You're welcome to come over and park/socialize with the gang. Our tent will be over near the pavilions.

Just remember - If you put a For Sale sign in the window, the car MUST be parked in the area next to the concessions (which the may charge for). If they see a car for sale parked on the showfield, the owner will be asked to move it or leave.

I believe you can put the sign on the seat and get away with it, not by the rules but hey....

I hope to meet some of you on Friday upon my arrival. I'm relatively local to Carlisle (Harrisburg) so I won't be staying over night at all.

Jason,
For the best chance of sale I would say Saturday would be your best bet as there will be many more people on that day on the show field.

Jason .. No For Sale signs in the window BUT there is nothing that say's you can't sign :

" Interested ? Call my cell 555 555 1212 "

@schu - I'm planning on attending the show from Friday-Sunday. My car doesn't have windows, so it's all depending on the weather.

@alanmerklin - That's pretty good idea.