Looking for Engine/Gearbox

[barryb]

Hi

Having just bought a 550 project off another DDK member I am now looking for a VW engine and gearbox. Who are the best VW second hand engine and gearbox suppliers? I have looked on ebay and all I can see is piles of rusty bits or at the other end of the scale highly polished and tuned motors. I want a 1600 if possible. Any leads would be appreciated.

thanks

Barry

[Anta]

Hi Barry

I think it is worth keeping an eye on thesamba.com just filter out the 90% of us stuff....and volkszone just google VZi

Other than that I have used volks Magic and they were good for used.

I am just about to post a link to my 550 Spyder rebuild....I have 914 motor and the 5 speed box, I know they cost more than a bug setup but the box and easy tuning of the engine really do make a difference I think...

[barryb]

Hi Anta

Thanks for the reply. I have been following your posts on Spyderclub car looks nice. The V dub setup is the same as the 356 with engine hanging off the gearbox. The 914 engine is the same as the VW camper engine isn't does that mean the gearbox is the same? The reason I was considering the VW engine and gearbox is the ease of getting parts and the base engine and gearbox. I am not really interested in being able to leave streaky tyre marks on the road, so I thought 1600 would give me what I needed that combined with dual carbs. I have seen a motor that has been supposedly been rebuilt on Ebay, it is from a company in Essex called Megaaircooledvw2015 they have just joined Ebay and have a score of 1 so I am a little suspicious. I live in France so can't pop round to have a look it also has no cooling just a long block. I would prefer to get a complete unit even if I have to rebuild it myself. I have got a new M & W shell being made at the moment which should be ready by September so I have time for the search. Maybe I should start a seperate build thread when the time comes.

Barry

[Bruce M]

Is it a mid engined chassis or rear engined? A bug gearbox will need the "diff flipped" in a mid engined chassis.

[barryb]

Hi Bruce

It's a M & W chassis, mid engined so I will need to flip the crown wheel otherwise I will go backwards fast and fowards slowly

Barry

[Bruce M]

Or you could use a 914 box?
& if you continue on that path a 1.7 (high compression) 914 motor with upright type1 cooling (from CSP.de) would make a great combination.

[barryb]

Hi Bruce

Is that the same as a Type 4 VW van engine? The CSP upright cooling system looks good and a reasonable price. I guess using a 914 box means no flipping. As you can see I am not familiar with VW or 914 stuff so your help is appreciated.

Barry

[Bruce M]

Very similar to the type4 van engine (as repeated with the 924 using the LT van engine) with some subtle differences. The heads use larger valves and the pistons have a raised crown to increase the compression ratio. Also has a different flywheel / clutch and some other details. If you switch to upright cooling, you can't use the original EFI and need to use carbs or aftermarket EFI.