1600 beetle performance mods

[Heinrich93]

Hi all

I am new to the vw aircooled subject, I have a 1974 1600tp, the motor runs well but I would love som more power, maybe about 80-90bhp?

Is this achievable without changing the bore size or stroke?

I read somewhere on the forum you could get to about 75hp without splitting the engine.

[Tony Z]

yip, 75hp is achievable with head work, a decent exhaust and twin carbs - thats enough to keep up with modern traffic without issues.
90hp can be done in a 1600 without boring and stroking, but this is a full rebuild and not a cheap one either...

[Heinrich93]

What carbs would you recommend?

With headwork, what does it mean?

[Tony Z]

twin weber 36IDF or Dellorto DRLA
Headwork means modifications to allow them to flow better and have a more efficient combustion chamber

[Heinrich93]

Ported and polished heads?

Where will I be able to source these carbs?
As I understand I will need to have manifolds fabricated and I also need a carb link?

[Tony Z]

Occasionally you find them on gumtree. Otherwise, Volkspares, VDubTech or FFR often has used ones for sale.
manifolds and likage can be bought from Volkspares

There is more to making a set of heads work than just porting and polishing, but yes, thats the type of work needed

[Heinrich93]

What else would need to be done? What is the estimate cost involved including the exhaust and carb kits?

[Tony Z]

thats a very open ended question.
Carb kit will cost anywhere from 4k (used) to 20k (new)
exhaust, 3k to 7k
engine 20k minimum if you want to build it properly, if you scraping the bottom of the barrel, maybe 8k and then it wont be properly built

[Heinrich93]

20k for the work on the heads?

Carbs and exhaust, I can understand the price but 20k for the heads seem a bit high.

[Tony Z]

read it again - I said engine

heads will be about 6k to rebuild and modify

[didi]

Tony is right about cost. Also keep in mind there is always a knock on effect.The power of the engine is in the heads. There is the question of valves, retainers and springs. Look at performance heads like Los panchitos for a 1600. Real good value for money, you will still need to do some porting but I know someone with those heads and 36 Dells twin carb setup and the performance is wow.

[retrovan]

If price is an issue, why not do the heads, get an 2nd Hand Manifold set, and fit 2 standard VW beetle carbs, this will also do the trick.

Now thats a Budget solution........

As you can spend the price of a new Mercedes-Benz to tune a beetle engine, and you can do a lot your self and get some extra power with little cash and lots of effort.

Tell these guys what your budget is and they can work something out for you.

Herman

[Heinrich93]

Only reason I questioned the price was because I didn't understand.

R6k sounds about right. I'd like to use carbs like 40 IDF they just sound beautiful.

So in about 3 stages of say 6K each, I would be able to do the heads, exhaust and tge carb set?

Which should I do first?

[Donovan D]

Im sure you are going to be spending a bit more than 6k on a pair of 40IDFs with linkages, manifolds and correct jetting.
I bought a set of 36IDFs off gumtree last year for R550. Bought rebuild kits, new jets, linkages and manifolds and probably came in just under 10k.

Get a good 4 into 1 exhaust, my 2k empi exhaust is rusting away and now has holes in it.

Do the head work , Tony did mine and its really worth it.

[Tony Z]

in steps
1)exhaust
2) carbs / heads
3) heads / carbs (both together would give you the biggest smile)