Newbie.....1600 vs.1835 cc Help Me Please

Hey guys, I asked you last month about what I could do to my stock 1600cc to increase the hp. You all gave me awesome ideas on after market parts. I'll be flying to Detroit to pick up my new speedster and then on to Nevada to for a month. I met a fellow speedster owner who has a freshly rebuilt 1835cc who would exchange out my engine and drop this one in for $1400. He said that it would increase my hp from 50 to 80. Does this sound like a good deal? Is it worth $1400 including labor and a new progessive carb? Thanks -Meriah
OR doeas anyone know any shops or have their hands on an egine that could beat this price including labor costs.

An 1835cc would not be my first choice. Others???

I second Hoss; if going bigger go with a 1776 cc or a 1915 cc; the 1835's use thinner walled cylinders which will compromise roadworthyness due to less ability to shed heat. First of all you need to decide if the 1600 cc is appropriate for your needs and taste; with the light weight of these cars you'd be surprised at how a 1600 cc will make it move, especially if it's got some performance mods such as ported & polished heads, dual carbs, ratio rockers and less restrictive exhaust.

Does it ever get hot enought in AK for engine heat buildup to be a problem? -- I doubt it. I'd be more concerned with a modified engine starting and running in AK (especially dual carbs without automatic chokes). Also is quality of gas good? - most mods need higher test fuel. I'd personally stick to the 1600cc with some of basic add-on mods suggested (especially electronic ignition and alternator --- maybe even a sump electric oil heater).

Meriah,
The progressive carb that the 1835 motor comes with...
If this a single carb set-up,consider that you usually have to carve up the inside of the deck lid for carb/air cleaner clearance.
A separate carb for each head, mounted on a short manifold at each head is the common set-up.

Greg B

In reading numerous VW forums, it does seem as if most folks skip on past the 1835 configuration, opting instead for the 1776 and the 19 something or other.

I took my 1776 to a couple levels before moving to another engine altogether and I had a very good experience all the way along. Part of my satisfaction was knowing what was done as it was being done, why and by whom.

Not being a hands-on mechanical sort of guy anymore the who, what and why really is important to me.

Good luck in your speedster 'sperience!

alright, let me try to rephrase the question......is there something wrong with a 1835cc engine? I've heard a few stories on how they over heat in extreme desert conditions but in alska the heat is 50-80 degrees in the summer and thats when it will be driven. It rarely reaches 90 and its only for a few hours. I thought for 1400 bucks this would give me quite a bit more hp then my 1600 stock. Or should I just skip it and wait for a 1915cc to come available for around 2,000 grand. Does anyone have any experience at all with this specific engine and piston size?

Meriah

I am on the same boat as you are.I got my speedster 18 months ago.I got it used (made '94)and it came with 1600cc dual port engine and dual Weber 40idf.The rest of the engine is stock. The engine is sooooooooo reliable but I do not have the power I want.Since last winter I keep changing my mind on keep the 1600 or not.Few months ago I was offered a deal for an 1835cc with dual 44idf with some good performance parts.I thought about it very hard and decided not to do it.I have found a very good reputable shop in town that can built me a 1915 for a reasonable price.Here in Missouri it gets really hot during summer so I do not want to worry about overheating. Now back to your question in my opinion if the engine is well built and the weather does not get really hot you should be fine with the 1835cc.BTW 1915cc has 94mm bore with 69mm stroke.I forgot to tell you that I rode on a vw with 1835 and the power was wayyyyyyyyyyyy better than my stock 1600(the owner claim to have around 95 hp).Remember that the vw is heavier than the speedster.That's all.Good luck.

War stories aside, I don't think it is much bang for your buck. I'll go out on a limb here; you need to go at least 125-135HP before you experience much change in performance.

To get to those numbers, ambient temps are not so much an issue as knowing the innards of your engine are sympatico. That includes better suited heads, cam, lightened flywheel and all that stuff. Internal heat.

I built out my 1776 to near 135HP as I recall in two stages and spent more than $4,000 doing it, not counting the upgrades to the carbs and exhaust system that came along at different intervals.

The lack of change when I stepped on it brought about phase two in that search for notable power. That's when I went from about 85-90HP to how it sits in another member's car today.

Not meaning to be sarcastic, but is there much opportunity to get on it where you are? Or are you like in a mountainous area? If you're dealing with a lot of steep grades, a lightened flywheel might not be good(?) but I could see the need for more power, sort of.