House of Karmann Engine ramblings
Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 9:20 am
Trying to decide what engine to fit into the Karmann Ghia. The plan for the car has always been to build a period look car which I can drive day after day during the summer without fear of standing beside the road waiting on the tow truck or spending hours fiddling to get the tune or maintenance just right. A car which I am not too precious over, if that's possible. Something with great fun acceleration and cruise at 70 mph. Rev to around 6000 and approx 200 ft/ibs of torque to match the 901 5 speed gearbox. I am thinking ECU/ EFI which should give some better fuel efficiencies and control over power band.
Any thoughts/ opinions?
356/912 - A few engines around, rebuild with 1720 might be around 100 bhp on carbs, price could be a limiting factor. Perfect look and originality.
Type 1 - So looking for an engine that looks like a 356, this would be a great starting point, possible to build plenty of power, 160 bhp for around £12k on carbs maybe EFI, question reliability on a built engine? Modern case and internals are better than years ago, but are they good enough? Easy to buy and engine off the shelf, but where's the fun.
Type 4 - Again could be made to look period, maybe use a Porsche 911 cooling shroud, a little more expensive as a 2.3. Obviously a heavier engine which may upset the cars balance.
Flat 6 - sounds great but maybe beyond the budget for this car. 3.0sc on itbs would be awesome. There does not seem to be much available at present as a plug and play option. I would need to do some engineering work to get it to fit, running 1303 stub axles so twisting these off could be fun!
WBX - So interesting to look at vw last developed flat 4 engine which is water cooled. Company in the USA sells a long block 2700 and new ECU plenum injection system giving 160bhp. Water cooling would add a new dimension of heating! No idea if it could be made to look like a 356 engine/ period look? Engineering wise maybe use the Boxster radiators and pipe work down the centre tunnel or over the wheel arches. Engine designed for a van so no idea what it would be like in a KG. Would be a relatively simple solution and move the technology into the mid 80's
No Subaru's welcome. Totally understand why people go down this road.
Electric - various kits around and obviously huge power and acceleration available.
Porsche 718 flat 4 engine and gearbox mid mounted. Wow this would be amazing. My fear would be how much of the electronics would be required from the original car. I understand that a lot of the electronics are all interrelated so may need most of the wiring loom, gauges/ sensors etc. Not aware if you could run on itbs and aftermarket ecu. Also whether it could be run by changing the gearbox crown and pinion over to hang the engine out the back. The engineering work would be very complex and challenging.
I think the Boxster/ 996 engine is too large to fit, too wide to fit between the rear arches.
So what have I missed?
Anyone got a steam driven engine at the back of their shed?
Any thoughts/ opinions?
356/912 - A few engines around, rebuild with 1720 might be around 100 bhp on carbs, price could be a limiting factor. Perfect look and originality.
Type 1 - So looking for an engine that looks like a 356, this would be a great starting point, possible to build plenty of power, 160 bhp for around £12k on carbs maybe EFI, question reliability on a built engine? Modern case and internals are better than years ago, but are they good enough? Easy to buy and engine off the shelf, but where's the fun.
Type 4 - Again could be made to look period, maybe use a Porsche 911 cooling shroud, a little more expensive as a 2.3. Obviously a heavier engine which may upset the cars balance.
Flat 6 - sounds great but maybe beyond the budget for this car. 3.0sc on itbs would be awesome. There does not seem to be much available at present as a plug and play option. I would need to do some engineering work to get it to fit, running 1303 stub axles so twisting these off could be fun!
WBX - So interesting to look at vw last developed flat 4 engine which is water cooled. Company in the USA sells a long block 2700 and new ECU plenum injection system giving 160bhp. Water cooling would add a new dimension of heating! No idea if it could be made to look like a 356 engine/ period look? Engineering wise maybe use the Boxster radiators and pipe work down the centre tunnel or over the wheel arches. Engine designed for a van so no idea what it would be like in a KG. Would be a relatively simple solution and move the technology into the mid 80's
No Subaru's welcome. Totally understand why people go down this road.
Electric - various kits around and obviously huge power and acceleration available.
Porsche 718 flat 4 engine and gearbox mid mounted. Wow this would be amazing. My fear would be how much of the electronics would be required from the original car. I understand that a lot of the electronics are all interrelated so may need most of the wiring loom, gauges/ sensors etc. Not aware if you could run on itbs and aftermarket ecu. Also whether it could be run by changing the gearbox crown and pinion over to hang the engine out the back. The engineering work would be very complex and challenging.
I think the Boxster/ 996 engine is too large to fit, too wide to fit between the rear arches.
So what have I missed?
Anyone got a steam driven engine at the back of their shed?