Beck 90 HP or 125 HP

I had a 2110cc with AC it worked fairly well, I am not sure how well AC would work with that low a hp if you like it really cold on top of that I would buy once, the 2110cc at around 145hp in my experience is a more pleasant car able to handle hills and keep up with traffic much better.  Make sure the tranny ratios meet what you want ie: R&P 3:44 for a cruiser at 70mph, or others for hill climbing.  @ALB can fill you in on gear stuff and more 

I now have a subie and it seems the vintage air is much better, just saying. 

Definitely the more powerful option with A/C.  Be advised that it will likely require a bit more maintenance, mostly because of the carbs.  Have you considered going with Subaru power?  Better performance and less maintenance, but less authentic.

I've had three Speedsters, and more horsepower is always a good idea.  You'll be on roads with modern cars - little compacts that have twice your 90 hps - and you need to keep up with them, simply for safety's sake.  Even though these cars are fairly light, there is no fun in driving an under powered speedster (or any car, for that matter).

This site has seen many, many questions about engine size, but I don't know of anyone who has ever asked how they can put a smaller engine in their speedster.  

The only thing I'll add is that modern rotary compressors use a lot less HP than the old York bricks. But with an aircooled, carbed engine, you won't be able to bump the idle when the compressor kicks on.

If you're stuck on aircooled, AC can be done efficiently with EFI, but at a cost.

IMHO if you want good AC I'd go Subaru. Carey and the Beck boys are VERY well versed in doing a quality Subaru engine in their cars, with ice-cold AC. 

This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you for your help! looking forward to future conversations and knowledge bombs!

Always the old VW Swamp Coolers!

@WOLFGANG posted:

Always the old VW Swamp Coolers!

Come on Wolfgang. You know we don’t have any windows to hang that from. 

If you're insisting on VW power AND air conditioning it might be smart to build a mild (5500 or 6,000 rpm with power) 2110, 2180 or 2276 cc engine- the bottom end torque will handle the compressor much easier and it will be way more fun to drive!

GO WITH SUBARU POWER. You won't be disappointed, in fact your expectations will be surpassed. I cannot say how much nicer the Suby engine setup will make your car. If you want A/C and are dropping the bucks for this nice ride go the extra bit and do it right with a Subaru engine. I am working on a big 2276 Air cooled type 1 engine right now for another  project car I have and it reminded me of how much better the Subaru engine package is. Please do yourself a favor and go Suby!  You will love it.

I did not want to say it but if your doing a new build, go subaru for sure.

Subaru motor will require a lot less fiddling around too.    Just turn the key and drive...  change fluids every 5,000 miles or yearly, whichever comes first.

Thank you! This has helped tremendously and I think we will go that route now. 

Ben

With VW air cooled engines you will be constantly doing maintenance.  The values need adjusting and carbs jets cleaning.  I have 2276 motor in mine.  If I were to do it over again, I would opt for the subie.  As for air condition, 99% of the time you will be driving with the top down.   

@Ben but if the AC is installed with dash level and foot level where you can choose the mixture you get to have nice cool air coming from under the dash which keeps you cool and it flows up to your body and face, even in stop and go traffic, when it is scorching.   When you get tired of the sun on your head, you close the top, and if your window is a zippered back window you get to drive with a canopy so to speak with AC and then finally you can close the back windows and side windows and be in a sealed AC compartment.  Ah, the joys of roll up windows and AC in an IM  

Just saying, there are lots of possibilities.