Choice of engine

I've decided to post this as I just can't make up my mind on an engine choice for my speedy.

I'm running a 1641 with twin 36 dells at the moment. I find the car great, but a bit too slow. I' m probably in the 55-60 HP bracket

I'm looking to fit a bigger engine this winter. But I can't decide which way to go. My choice seem to be:

1. Build a 1776 myself. I know how to do this, and with the parts I'm thinking of I should be able to get a reliable 100 HP

2. Buy a stroker motor. This is a much more expensive choice in the UK than it would be in the US. I've tried to look into buying an angine from Chico Performance in the US, but they've responded to none of my emails. This points me towards a UK builder, where at least I can go and find them if I have any issues.

I just don't know what to do. I haven't driven a car with the specs of either of these, so I don't know what is 'enough' HP in a speedster rep.

Any advice is appreciated !

John, can't help you with your engine choice as I'm still grinding up the learning curb on the flat 4's.

But I do know this. There is no such thing as too much horsepower.

Inadequate brakes, inferior suspension and poor driving skills- YES.
But no such thing as too much horsepower.

angela aka torqueslut

Go with a stroker engine. You'll be much happier with the power output. Your current 1641 has 87mm pistons and 69mm stroke. A 1776 has 90.5mm pistons and a 69mm stroke.

A stock VW 1600 (1584cc) has 85.5 mm pistons and a 69 mm stoke.


Real power comes when the stroke is increased. Back in the 70's I built custom VW engines for the dune buggy crowd and for myself. Back then, the largest you could go was 2180cc's (92mm (cast) pistons and 82mm stroke)

Most people back then only ordered a 2110cc engine (90.5mm pistons & 82MM crank) At that time, Forged pistons were only available in a maximum size of 90.5mm

It wasn't until several years later that larger pistons became available in sizes above 90.5 such as 92mm and 94mm's

One of the very best street engines I ever built was a 1,968cc engine. It ran very cool, had great power and was extremly reliable. That combination included 92mm pistons and 74mm stroke.
(All that's required is 2.5mm spacers under the cylinders.)

Just for reference, a Porsche 1600 engine (1602cc's) used 83mm pistons and a 74mm crank.

Because I'm sure someone will correct me, Porsche used 82.5mm pistons for a total displacement of 1,582cc's

Now there's reports of some new thick wall 92's that are supposed to be very reliable (as opposed to earlier 92's which had thin cylinder walls). I've read about this rule of thumb: a ratio of 10 pounds of total car weight to 1 horsepower is muscle car territory. If you figure 1,600 pounds for a Speedster approximately; that tells you that 150 to 160 hp will make your car behave like a mean Mustang or Camaro. You can get that out of a 2,110 cc engine if the heads are done correctly and if the combination of parts is well planned and put together. There's been some claims of around 130 to 140 hp for a well put together 1915 but if I were you I'd stick to 90.5 jugs and use a stroker crank.

Man this feels like really plowed ground:
Type 1
Type 4
Porche six cylinder
Subaru
normally asperated stock
turbo
stroked
oversize bore cylinders
big valve heads
water cooled heads
etc, etc, etc.
We all have our own opinion on "optimizing". After all, how many of us actually get to do this more than once? This is not a car, it is a realization of a dream. So I strive to make it perfect - for me! Yes, horsepower can be your (very expensive) friend - like your girlfriend/mistress/wife-buy as much as you can afford AND maintain. Your relationship can be as exciting - or dull - as you allow it.

Angela, you should change your AKA from torqueslut to torquewench. Sounds more appropriate with your experience and knowledge.

That's FUNNY! Maybe if I get to to 50% of Larry's knowledge, then I'll feel OK to jump on the Torquewench aka... angela

If someone were to enter "key words" such as JUGS, WENCH or STROKED CRANK on a web search - I wonder if the SOC website come up?

Just wondering...