Cranks-How big is too big?

Is there anyone out there using an 84 mm crank in their T1? I'm looking at an 84 mm crank with Chevy rods or (on the safer side?) using an 82 mm crank with forged VW rods. Or should I really play it safe and go with a 78 mm crank. They're basically the same price so I figured, hey go with the biggest.

Thats what everyone thinks...They all have their applications.

An 84 stroke engine will be tougher to build with clearance issues, also it will need better heads else your powerband will be moved way down low.

I stick with 78 stroke and a good rod ratio witj a 5.4 rod. Going with a longer stroke requires thye use of a longer rod to correct the angle and reduce wear as well as keeping the powerband higher.

I run 5.5 rods in my 84 stroke engine. My pistons are custom made by JE so I moved the pin heigh really far into the piston and built the engine with .050 deck (running aluminum rods) and zero deck shimmage with a 36cc combustion chamber.

Ron, go with whatever you want, but as Jake says, you will have to match engine components to get a good working combination. My in-process engine is a type 1 with 86mm stroke, type 4 center main, and 2" rod journals (use the wider early Chev 283 insert bearings instead of the narrower Buick insert bearings).

A 78mm stroke with 90.5 bore and decent heads, cam, exhaust, ignition, and carburetion makes a very nice street engine.

I've decided to go with the 82 mm crank (scatt), forged VW rods and 044 heads (stock size). I like torque.

Are you using stock VW rods or RIMCO's "Super Rods" (these are modified stock VW rods)? If stock rods, it is good insurance to upgrade the rod bolts. My 82mm stroker uses 5.5 rods, but stock length rods will move power/torque down in the power band (higher piston speed).

(Message Edited 11/6/2002 5:33:04 PM)

They're Scat rods...I believe they're 5.5's too.