Longevity of High Output Motors

[rustbucket]

Speaking of the 'Busa conversion, I have a friend who is currently working on putting a GSXR1100 engine in a Fiat 500. Pretty trick. I'll let you know how it turns out.

As far as longevity, I think you hit on an important point. The issue is how much HP am I happy with, and what engine can meet that criteria without over working it. Certainly you can build a T1 or T4 for 500HP, but it won't last long. A Suby would be better suited, if not a SBC.

If you're looking for ~150HP, The T4 would be my choice.
If you want <125HP, a well built T1 will do.
More than 200HP, I'd look at water cooled conversions.

That would be my guideline just from several thousand hours of reading other people's experiences online. Of course, if money isn't an issue, throw all of that out the window.

[volkdent]

Bump, keep it coming! Would you guys that are posting also tell us how long you've been in the VW scene for? I think that time might equal experience, so I'm curious what people who've been doing this for a long time think.

Jason

[lazylongboarder]

The best bang for the buck in my book are the newer ecotec motors. You can buy the motors with 10,000-20,000 miles for $250-$400, stock hp is 140, w/computer 170, N/A with mods and computer 225, Turbo with stock internals up to 380, Turbo with internals... anything up to 1390 (thirteen hundred and ninety) hp! My friend has 18,000 miles on a turbo stock internaled 2.2 cavalier with a T3/T4 with 350 hp @ i think 15 lbs of boost. Power and reliability. $2500 for motor, computer, turbo, and adapter.

[oicdn]

^^ Hahaha, the problem with a a cavalier is though...is it's HEAVY AS HELL....I think around like 3400lbs heavy. Holy hell, a G35 and other LUXURY cars weigh that much and have a huge V8 or V6 in there with tons of other leather heavy interior crap.....

Been there, done that.

Also, that rear suspension SUCKS. He'll have ALOT of catching up to do to match what the beetle has to offer.

I would also like to see where an ECU gives 30HP on a stock motor. Not to burst your bubble, but those HP numbers are a bit inflated. It's a great motor, sure, but meh, There's better performance out there for less money. Yeah, the motor is cheap, but the fact you have to fabricate to get it in, just so you have 140HP of electrical GM headaches, is not worth it to me. You have to spend another $1500 on fabrications to get 140HP...then on top of that, the mods to get the motor in the high HP area....not worth it. In the end you just spent a ton of money when you coulda got either a Type 4, a Porsche conversion, or a Subaru conversion.....started out with a higher BASE HP and a bigger aftermarket. And well, you'de end up spending all that money on fab, why not get something that works out better in the long-run...


....I dunno, I don't think I'de want a GM product in my dub...

[Wally]

Strange poll; too many variables to make viable statements.

F.i.: I don't want a watercooled engine in my aircooeld VW! But a stock 200 hp Subaru will always have a longer life than any tuned aircooled engine that started out as a 50 hp (type 1) or a 100hp (type 4) engine...Duh!

Most bang for the buck is not my or most peoples goal. Than everybody would have a watercooled conversion in their car...

Oh, I drive tuned beetles for 20 years and 18 of that with type 4's in my bug (and type 3's). I have never broke any engine, or took it apart because it needed an overhaul or s/th like that. They always came apart because I wanted to improve them or make them faster or both so I really can't say anything on your poll

Best regards,
Walter

[volkdent]

Bump, keep em coming.

[cnavarro]

I'm with Wally, most guys aren't looking for bang for the buck. You can easily afford weight wise a heavier engine that makes more HP and handle the tradeoff that 15hp is needed for every extra 100lbs.

One of Jake's 2270's is the perfect balance of performance and longevity. Anything more and you need to start shelling out big bucks for longevity and reliability (i.e. Nickies).

Charles Navarro
LN Engineering
http://www.LNengineering.com
Aircooled Precision Performance