Cam Swap, Engine All Together Options

[dereknlee]

I have a decision to make and could use some advice. My 1.7 engine was completely re-built into a 2 liter in 2012 by a local shop. At the time the plan was to run 40 IDFs so a Webcam 86 (00-152) cam was installed. My 914 hasn't driven since 2008 and has been an on-again/off-again project ever since, so the rebuilt long block has never run.

Well the 914 project is back on again and in the intervening years I've decided to stick with D-jet. I talked with Webcam, they said the 86 grind isn't too different but that they recommend a 73. And they generously offered to exchange for the cost of shipping (assuming the cam condition is as new).

Swapping the cam is a bit intimidating as a project, but I have some engine rebuild experience and have done enough wrenching that I think I could muddle through.

My questions are as follows:

1) If in my shoes would anyone not change the cam? My consensus from searching this forum is that the 73 is the grind to go with for injection and 86 is for carbs. But the conversations are usually had while someone is doing a rebuild anyway and looking for the optimal cam.

2) Is there a minimally invasive way to get to the cam, or should I just follow engine rebuild instructions and pull everything apart? Haven't found anything in my searches on this or other forums to suggest there is any option here.

3) Should I really just have a shop do this? The warranty on the rebuild has long expired. But the possibility for mistakes that could take down the otherwise good rebuild abound (or so I fear). Are there any steps in this process that require experience or special tools that someone who is book taught on this process is likely to mess up?

Here's a picture, because walls of text are boring:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.thesamba.com-14259-1587828462.1.jpg)

Thanks!

-Derek

[dereknlee]

Lots of good ideas.

I think Webers look sexy as hell, so that coupled with my initial 'ick' reaction to the tangled web of FI hoses had me going down that road. But then I got a Vanagon and was forced to get a little more comfortable with FI - which has been rock solid in that vehicle. Also, maybe it is wishful thinking, but in the 12 years that this car has sat in my garage it seems like their value has gone up - so that's additional motivation to keep it stock (all be it with more displacement), maybe that will pay dividends in another 20 years. I do have the full 1.7 FI system, and it was working when the car was last parked.

You've convinced me that I need to change out the cam, and now leaning heavily towards paying to have it done. Trying to get through it on my own might save a few bucks on the cam, but its a false economy given the time and risk of causing other problems.

The engine was rebuilt by Northwest Connecting Rod. Looks like they have moved to Kent/Auburn since that time, if they are still in business? Any recommended engine businesses closer to Seattle? I'm not really concerned about warranty, already expired for the original rebuild.

I love the color too. It was more of a John Deer green when I bought it, but i really lucked out that I could turn up the volume on the brightness while still keeping the color original. I will post pictures of progress. This week I removed all the suspension. Today I finished disassembly of the front suspension and spent a few hours prepping it for paint. So not very photogenic work, but feels good to be making progress again.

Thanks again for all the advice,

Derek