how reliable are larger motors 1776,1815 $ 1915??

I hope I got the sizes right. I know they tend to run hotter and need more cooling but compared to a 1600 how reliable are they??

All things remaining the same, just increasing the displacement to the larger sizes might have a slightly negative effect on overall reliability, especially with the 1835cc engine. That being said, the life of the engine is largely affected by the quality of the components and the skill of the builder. It is certainly possible to have a large displacement type 1 with a long service life.

You may also consider a type 4. This engine has, by many reports on this website, proven to be a great powerplant. It is, after all, the highest state of development in the air cooled VW engines.

As with many things, you get what you are willing to pay for. If you opt to buy or build on the cheap, you could find yourself on a short path to engine carnage; there are examples of that experience within this community also.

Also, there is a new wave of Speedster buyers opting to go water cooled; this has its advocates and also many detractors. Henry at IM is building one with an inline VW four and others are working with Subaru water boxers. I, for one, like the 2212cc Suby.

Whatever you decide, you can have a great engine of either type.
my 2 kroner
Hoss

The engines you're concerned with are relatively basic VW engines.
Like Hoss said, good parts = good reliability.
Regular care and maintenance = good reliability.

Drive it like a hot rod and you are apt to shorten the engine's life some. Read some other posts elsewhere on this site. You'll see some guys log lots and lots of miles on these engines.

Paul; if possible go for 90.5 cylinders; those offer the same longevity and heat dissipation as the original 85.5's because the wall thickness is the same. The engine would be 1776 cc in displacement if you go with the stock 69 mm stroke. If you go with 82 mm stroke it will be a 2,180 cc which is a very popular combo too.

You can also go with 94 mm cylinders (same wall thickness as 90.5's and 85.5's) but I've read of cylinder blow-by in as little as 4K to 5K miles. I ordered a 1776 cc for my Vintage but got stuck with the 1915 cc (94 mm cylinders with stock 69 mm stroke) because they were having problems with 1776s at the time and since the cost was the same they shipped it out the door with the larger mill. I'm now in the process of optimizing what I have for long life and good performance.

A nicely configure 1914-cc (69-mm x 94-mm) is a nice engine. Use a mild Webcam or other, upgraded rods with ARP bolts, full engine balance, counterweighted crank, nice pair of CB Performance or A.J. Sims heads (or other good quality comparables), nice 1.5" exhaust, good ignition systems, etc... and you'll end up with a nice, smooth, reliable engine. Just hold back from going to wild. Also, a nice 1911-cc or 2056-cc Type 4 can be even as good, if not better. There are choices and as long as you do not use junk and you do configure the engine correctly, you'll be fine. Good luck!

As for me, my current engine is a 2110-cc that I built all myself, including the cooling setup!

Sorry Paul; I said 2180 in my post when I really meant 2110 as in Tony's car.

Tony; as for what you said with regards to 1915 cc motors, it really puts me at ease coming from you; you're a very knowledgeable fellow.