1.8--->2.0 Big Bore vs. stock 2.0, Cheeper to build a Big Bore from a 1.8? Options

[thomasotten]

I need some advise as to which direction to take my project. I have a 1.8 engine that is already out of my car. It could use a rebuild. I was wondering, for a street car with miild performance increases desired, what are the pros and cons of rebuilding a 1.8 engine to a big bore 2.0, as opposed to just buying a stock 2.0L and rebuilding that? Would I come out about the same, cost and performance wise? Either system will have 2.0L heat exhangers/exhaust.

[anthony]

Since labor and machining costs would be the same whether you rebuild a 1.8 or 2L I'd go with a 2L. For an extra couple hundred you could find a good 2L crank and rods and use your 1.8L case. The 914 cases are mostly all the same. When you have the heads redone you can have the spark plug relocated to the 2L (better) position. I'd also do the smaller spark plug modification like Jake does. With work 1.8L heads should flow almost as well as 2L heads.