1.8 to 2.0 engine conversion, What's required and tips for the job Options

[-JR-]

Hey guys, I'm a new 914 owner and have been a 914 "wanter" for some time. I bought a car that I knew needed engine work but it had a great body!

So now I am looking at the engine work and I am thinking up upgrading my EV case 1.8L engine to a 2.0.

I've never worked on a air cooled motor before and from what I gather this conversion is pretty straight forward. However, having said that I'm not convinced that it's as easy as just buying larger pistons and cylinders.

Can someone please spell out for me all the parts that are different from a 1.8 to a 2.0L engine if there isn't too much? I'd really appreciate it!

I did search the forum and didn't find any topic covering this.


-JR-

[-JR-]

Building a 1911 would be the cheap route. You could leave the bottom end together, but as you mentioned, the cam is unknown. It's most likely stock. It's not a very good cam for carbs, but it'll still work fairly well. You're probably looking at about $1000 for new pistons and cylinders and some head work (new guides, etc).

If you want to do a 2.0 it's probably best to do a 2056. That's 96mm pistons instead of 94mm. Because you'd have to buy the crank and rods (you can't use the 1.8 rods) and because you'll have to split the case which means a new cam it'll probably run you $2500 to $3000 for that upgrade.

So the 1911 is the cheap easy route because it's just new pistons and cylinders and rebuilt heads. It'll be a blast. Add a cam and really fly.

Unfortunetly the bottom end is the reason for the work. The car was a recovered stolen vehicle. Someone has run the bag off it and I think it needs rod bearings and I'm not sure what else at this point. I am really hoping I can just slap on some 2L pistons and cylinders just by them themselves. I've got a line on parts to do just that from a few locations. I can do all the work myself and I've set a $300 rough budget for myself because it's not worth me spending anymore on the motor then I can sell it for. I'll be selling the motor and transaxle from this car in about a year, so as long as it still runs ok by then, that's all I'm looking to do. Of course though, if I can squeeze a little more "Kikky-pop" out of it until then and keep around the same budget; well all the better!

Thanks!