A bit more power...
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- Drip
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A bit more power...
Hi All,
I'm new to the beetle scene after havings spent four years of saturdays restoring an old Merc....although my first car was a Beetle which I drove from age 16 to 24. ...which was a few decades ago.
I need some advice please.
I have a 1960 Karmann Ghia. (wife's university car) It does not have its original engine anymore (I think its got a 1300 engine in currently), so restoring to original is not an option. I am, however, at the point of convincing myself - Why, if it already has an unoriginal engine in it, don't I put in another unoriginal engine with a bit more oomph.
So - I have found a Type 4 - but after having read up a bit on it it sounds as if it will not fit in width-wise without modification - and I don't want to cut on the car.
Can anybody offer some opinions from experience on what type of other VW Beetle engine might fit and with what modifications? I'm thinking mostly subtle mods (pistons, twin ports, skimmed head..... nothing that will make the old girl look like she's got a Baja's shorts on.
Also - can anyone please refer me some reputable engine suppliers? (I live in Gauteng)
Thanks a mill!
I'm new to the beetle scene after havings spent four years of saturdays restoring an old Merc....although my first car was a Beetle which I drove from age 16 to 24. ...which was a few decades ago.
I need some advice please.
I have a 1960 Karmann Ghia. (wife's university car) It does not have its original engine anymore (I think its got a 1300 engine in currently), so restoring to original is not an option. I am, however, at the point of convincing myself - Why, if it already has an unoriginal engine in it, don't I put in another unoriginal engine with a bit more oomph.
So - I have found a Type 4 - but after having read up a bit on it it sounds as if it will not fit in width-wise without modification - and I don't want to cut on the car.
Can anybody offer some opinions from experience on what type of other VW Beetle engine might fit and with what modifications? I'm thinking mostly subtle mods (pistons, twin ports, skimmed head..... nothing that will make the old girl look like she's got a Baja's shorts on.
Also - can anyone please refer me some reputable engine suppliers? (I live in Gauteng)
Thanks a mill!
- retrovan
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Re: A bit more power...
I would start by having a chat to a guy called Impi, aka Armand, he is the correct guy for upright type 4 motors as he makes the fan housing for that conversion. He also builds motors.
He is not on this forum much but is on the Puma watsup group.
Will see if I still have his number....
Herman
He is not on this forum much but is on the Puma watsup group.
Will see if I still have his number....
Herman
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc
1968 Fastback 2Lt.type4
1972 Low Light Bay Panel Van 2Lt type 4
1975 Fleetline Panel Van 1914cc
2020 MeFusco Beetle Truck 2Lt type 4
1972 FT Hahn SP 1776 cc
1968 Fastback 2Lt.type4
1972 Low Light Bay Panel Van 2Lt type 4
1975 Fleetline Panel Van 1914cc
2020 MeFusco Beetle Truck 2Lt type 4
1972 FT Hahn SP 1776 cc
- Tony Z
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Re: A bit more power...
your best bang for the buck is to get twin port heads and have them ported
on the coast this usually offers around 15hp increase without any other mods.
Keep the 1300/1600 engine, it looks stock and parts are available...
on the coast this usually offers around 15hp increase without any other mods.
Keep the 1300/1600 engine, it looks stock and parts are available...
ANGRRR
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=14775
1302S
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=33521
Panel Van
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopic.php?p=288723
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=14775
1302S
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=33521
Panel Van
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopic.php?p=288723
vader wrote: The Force is strong with you young Sith Lord Z!
- jolas
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Re: A bit more power...
Lovely looking Ghia
by fig » Mar 26, 2018
Sambas in South Africa are good for only 2 things: showing off and sunburn.
Sambas in South Africa are good for only 2 things: showing off and sunburn.
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- Drip
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Re: A bit more power...
Thanks Jolas!
Tony Z - thanks. Thats a topic I will need to research myself on a bit. Is it converting a single port engine to a TP?
Retrovan - thanks. I would love to speak to someone like Armand. Pls send me his contact details.
Tony Z - thanks. Thats a topic I will need to research myself on a bit. Is it converting a single port engine to a TP?
Retrovan - thanks. I would love to speak to someone like Armand. Pls send me his contact details.
- Tony Z
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Re: A bit more power...
the difference in the single port and twin port engines is the heads, cylinder tin and inlet manifold. Also, 4 head studs need changing. Its not difficult to do and there are plenty spares around on gumtree and fb if you need them
ANGRRR
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=14775
1302S
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=33521
Panel Van
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopic.php?p=288723
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=14775
1302S
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=33521
Panel Van
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopic.php?p=288723
vader wrote: The Force is strong with you young Sith Lord Z!
- sean
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Re: A bit more power...
Hi
Very nice looking car.
Just remember that simply because it has a foreign engine doesn’t mean you can’t put an original engine back. This is also an option.
What gearbox is in your car? The gear ratios changed over the years, obviously early ones catered for low power motors with low gears to give them power. Fitting a bigger motor to one of these gearboxes is not ideal as the revs will limit the engine. IE, you not going to gain speed, only limited acceleration from a bigger engine.
Type 4 motor is completely out of the question.
Very nice looking car.
Just remember that simply because it has a foreign engine doesn’t mean you can’t put an original engine back. This is also an option.
What gearbox is in your car? The gear ratios changed over the years, obviously early ones catered for low power motors with low gears to give them power. Fitting a bigger motor to one of these gearboxes is not ideal as the revs will limit the engine. IE, you not going to gain speed, only limited acceleration from a bigger engine.
Type 4 motor is completely out of the question.
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- Drip
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Re: A bit more power...
Hey Sean,
Thanks. With original I meant matching numbers...but yes, same/similar is also an option. I just love driving that car and always wish it had a bit more power.
Thanks. With original I meant matching numbers...but yes, same/similar is also an option. I just love driving that car and always wish it had a bit more power.
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Re: A bit more power...
Most cost effective option is to work with what you have and add bolt items that will add some smiles.
4-1 exhaust, twin carbs, ratio rockers.
I have done this in the past and can assure that the difference is noticeable, even on a tired motor, you not going to double the power but it sure helps.
4-1 exhaust, twin carbs, ratio rockers.
I have done this in the past and can assure that the difference is noticeable, even on a tired motor, you not going to double the power but it sure helps.
For what it's worth, ignorance has no limits ......
- retrovan
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Re: A bit more power...
Have sent Armands phone numbers to your PM
He is the expert in VW Beetle and Beetle engines, and its good to speak to him before you decide either way.
He got pissed off with the bus guys here and is not on this forum anymore but will help give you all the pros and cons so YOU can make up YOUR own mind.
Hope you come right.
Herman
1952 Split Beetle 1835cc
1968 Fastback 2Lt.type4
1972 Low Light Bay Panel Van 2Lt type 4
1975 Fleetline Panel Van 1914cc
2020 MeFusco Beetle Truck 2Lt type 4
1972 FT Hahn SP 1776 cc
1968 Fastback 2Lt.type4
1972 Low Light Bay Panel Van 2Lt type 4
1975 Fleetline Panel Van 1914cc
2020 MeFusco Beetle Truck 2Lt type 4
1972 FT Hahn SP 1776 cc
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- Drip
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- Joined: Sat Nov 17, 2018 4:29 pm
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Re: A bit more power...
Hi Herman,
Thanks, got your PM. I’ll give Armand a call and keep you posted.
...I’m almost scared to ask - what are “bus guys” if you mean VW Kombi people then how do they piss off people?
Jurgen
Thanks, got your PM. I’ll give Armand a call and keep you posted.
...I’m almost scared to ask - what are “bus guys” if you mean VW Kombi people then how do they piss off people?
Jurgen
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- ACVWSA Junkie
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Re: A bit more power...
Bullshit story - Impi didn't get pissed off with any Bus guys, he left the forum for personal reasons on good terms which he explained in a farewell thread....Can't understand why people are stirring nonsense
If it's too low, you're too old
- Eugene
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Re: A bit more power...
It's a real crappy looking car....sell it to me, I'll dispose of it in an environmental friendly way
You can never have enough Garages
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- Drip
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Re: A bit more power...
Hey Eugene - Thanks bud! I was hoping to get an offer I could not refuse.
Re the stirring - as a newbie I have been following the latest threads with some, mirth, trepidation and angst. ....but if I muster the courage I'll add my two-cents to that particular thread.
Re the stirring - as a newbie I have been following the latest threads with some, mirth, trepidation and angst. ....but if I muster the courage I'll add my two-cents to that particular thread.
- Tony Z
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Re: A bit more power...
go ahead, most of us have thicker skins that others realise.
ANGRRR
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=14775
1302S
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=33521
Panel Van
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopic.php?p=288723
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=14775
1302S
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopi ... 23&t=33521
Panel Van
http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/viewtopic.php?p=288723
vader wrote: The Force is strong with you young Sith Lord Z!