I know that earlier in the month I had starting putting together my ideas around a 2110cc engine for the future “performance” engine build, but I’ve been reading more on camshafts and other combinations of parts and work and I think I may just go with a “2275cc Mild Engine Combo” spec’d out at aircooled.net. Or at least something very close to that depending on the money situation when it comes time to source parts. (I still need to successfully build my stockish engines before I attempt anything like this… so let’s say 2025 or so if I’m still alive.)
Basically, it comes down to:
- Case: AS41 Case (Stroker Clearanced/Full-Flowed)
- Heads: 94mm Bore (40 x 35.5) Cylinder Heads (Dual Springs)
- Pistons/Cylinders: 94mm x 78-84mm Hypereutectic Set
- Crankshaft: 4340 Forged Crankshaft, 82mm Stroke
- Rods: SCAT 5.394″ I-Beam Connecting Rods
- Camshaft: Engle W120
- Forged Lightweight Flywheel
- 1.1:1 Rocker Arms
- Distributor: TBD
- Vintage Speed 43mm Header Merged Comp 740 Exhaust
- Carbs: Weber Dual 44mm IDF Carbs
- Exhaust: 1 5/8″ size – (as hidden as possible)
One of the nice things is that parts-wise, I can still just drop the crank down to a less strokey 76mm and adjust the rod size and end up with a 2054cc that is not too far from the 2110cc I was originally looking at building. I want to spec a reliable better performing engine for daily drive use with as many possible shared parts as possible. That way, I can take advantage of sales here and there when I source and end up with a final configuration that all works together, regardless if I’ve had to change to a lower part (crank or cam) here or there.
The one consistent thing will be the shift to Dual 44mm IDF Weber Carbs, or possibly even a modern FI system.
I’ve posted 2 pics of other people’s engine bays that are ultimately the guiding principle I’ll be following for configuration and orderliness.
I don’t think I’ll have too much rust repair work on the inner rear wheel wells (I hope), but I plan on installing carb/plug access panels anyway. Let’s face it, VW should have put those in as stock by the 70s. If you haven’t worked on a stock 75-79 FI engine, you don’t know what a pain in the ass it is for man-sized hands to get tools in there. There was just too much stuff in the engine bay by 1975 and they would have made maintenance a whole lot easier!
This post at The Samba by member ap_sand. He used one of the GAB-FAB Weber windows from seller Danny Gabbard. There are other options out there, but I like these square access ports as opposed to the round ones I’ve found. Massive huge price difference though.