Engine size?

Hi

After many years of wanting I'm finally close to buying my first classic body 356 speedster and wondered if anyone out there with experience could advise me on engine size?

I'm considering both the stock 1600cc or an upgrade to the 1915cc but wonder if there's really much of a noticeable difference in performance at this level? Would be great to know if there are any other advantages to the larger engine, for example...better on longer journeys, more/less reliable etc...?

I plan to use the car as often as possible so need reliability but also want something that's fun and provides a reasonable level of performance.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated : )

Thanks

Daren

PS Great site for a newbie like me - thanks

Welcome to the madness. I have a 1600 which is fine for what I do but if you're at the engine size phase, I don't think you can go wrong with the 1915. From what I've seen they are very reliable as well and give quite a bit more punch. Others here will chime in as well. VS? Becks?? Good luck.

Daren, Al's a tad bit older than I am. His 1600 is similar to one I threw away a couple years ago -- although his is maintained a whale of a lot better. The average age of a Speedster replica owner seems to be somewhere between 60 and 70 years old, and I'm going out on a limb to suggest those guys are less likely to speed through a weekend afternoon than I am.

There are a couple of us snot-nosed kids on this site, who grew up with the hand-me-down hot-rods those guys set up when they were in their 20s and 30s, and if you're in that demographic the 1600 will not be enough for you. The 1915 is a great platform for spirited driving, and if you want bulletproof reliability where your engine is concerned, that's a good setup to go with.

I'd suggest the VS setup for a 1915, only because whomever builds their engines has done a grand job of it for a long time now. If you go with a turn-key car from JPS, their really well-set engine seems to be the 2332, but I don't know how individual owners' experiences are behind the scenes. The ones I've seen are really hard to keep up with on good back roads.

If you're going Beck, you can count on a variety of engines, and they (may still) offer a 2.0 Type IV, which is my personal favorite starting point.

My car is a terrible example unless you like to go really, really fast in Kansas. It's a 2424, with a few modifications from stock. I like it, but as I mentioned, I'm pretty much a juvenile 'round these parts.

Welcome to the Madness!

Hey Kid Cory,

Are you throwing the old guys under the bus? If I ever make it to Carlisle with my SAS, I'll let you drive it, and you can see for yourself how far out on the limb you really are.

Old guys rule!!

"Old age and treachery beats youth and skill".

I have a CB Performance 1915 in my car, and it's a solid, reliable, and quick little engine. Be aware that the size of an engine isn't the only measuring stick - not all 1915s are created equal. It's the same with all sizes. Carburetion, exhaust, ignition system, cam profile, etc. all make engines of a given size perform differently.

Daren, don't you know that size doesn't matter....

DAREN U R 5 MILES FROM MY HOUSE
COME FOR A RIDE IN MY 2332

Jim, my Momma always said the fruit was at the end of the limb. Somehow, that analogy has narrowly missed getting me killed a bunch of times.

Uh, yes. Don't look up. That IS a bus. :)

"A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams" ; )

I really appreciate all your feedback. Thanks to you all I'm more confident that I'm not going to regret my final specification! Looks like I'll be going for the 1915 and I'll be back with an update once I raid the piggy bank.

Gerd, thanks for the offer of a ride in your 2332. Gah, right now, that's not on my horizon but, maybe sometime in the future when I'm mature enough to handle the extra horsepower??? ; )

But, seriously, I truly appreciate all of your words of wisdom and I hope you won't mind my returning with more questions in the future. Thanks everyone.

Cory! You smart aleck little wippersnapper you. When I get to Carlisle I'm gonna slap you so hard your kids will be born dizzy!

Daren.
I've got just the car for you. Check out the Silver Outlaw in the classified forum.

Troy, I never said YOU were old!

I should have, but I didn't! ;)

Any time, Daren. We'll be here.

Daren, Troy tells the truth. Snap that new Troy-mobile up, you can drive it home!

Thanks for the heads up about your car Troy. Sure is a beauty. Right color combination as well. Unfortunately I'm a young, old fashioned, guy looking for a classic speedster so will have to pass this time. Good luck with your sale though.

Stick around Daren, Troy will have another for you to see shortly. He grows them in his back yard.

I'm increasing my displacement by 755cc...

To be clear folks, no, I'm not adding another 755 to the 2666. The math went like this 2666 minus 1911 equals 755. Someone I know questioned my sanity.

Oh we ALL do that, Rich.

Whatever size you think you want, go at least one size bigger.
And don't forget about gearing. You can get a lot more out of a small engine with the proper transaxle.

A 1915 is OK and is a mainstay engine in the replica Speedster world. It consists of 94mm pistons and a stock VW 69mm crankshaft) but, for only a few bucks more, you can add a 74mm crank thus increasing the displacement to 2054cc's The added 5mm of stroke over a stock 69mm VW crank is very noticeable in the torque department. It's a VERY reliable engine and no internal case clearancing is necessary. All that's necessary is for the builder to increase the spigot holes that normally accept stock 85.5mm cylinders to 94mm cylinders and add some .10" spacers under the cylinders.

skip the 1915 and do what Larry said. The extra torque will help keep your pecker firmed up. I did and I'm as happy as the 'smiley guy' in the commercial

I'm 52..I guess I'm the punk around here

Or if your cash flow is not limited.....Check out Jake Raby's grocery getter type 4 engines in the "over 2.5 liter" sizes..... The wait would be worth the effort..... Ask Jack C.

I have a 2054 and love it.

When my 1915 finally wears out I'll probably do as Larry suggested and rebuild it as a 2054.

That's exactly what I did and it's a great engine.