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

[bbrock]

I'm no expert on this but I know I've read several times that D-Jet is good up to a 2056 engine. I'm in a similar situation as you. Thirty years ago I got tired of being stranded by a worn out D-Jet system in my 73 2.0L. The engine was due for a rebuild anyway so I tore it down and rebuilt the bottom end bone stock except with Euro spec pistons and a carb cam to match a pair of Webers purchased at the same time. Life happened and 30 years later, I'm just now at the point of finishing what I started. If I started today, I would have refurbished the D-Jet but given I have the carbs and the cam is already installed, I'm going to run with them for awhile. Maybe I'll tear it down and swap cams at a later time but that is TBD.

[Bleyseng]

I'm no expert on this but I know I've read several times that D-Jet is good up to a 2056 engine. I'm in a similar situation as you. Thirty years ago I got tired of being stranded by a worn out D-Jet system in my 73 2.0L. The engine was due for a rebuild anyway so I tore it down and rebuilt the bottom end bone stock except with Euro spec pistons and a carb cam to match a pair of Webers purchased at the same time. Life happened and 30 years later, I'm just now at the point of finishing what I started. If I started today, I would have refurbished the D-Jet but given I have the carbs and the cam is already installed, I'm going to run with them for awhile. Maybe I'll tear it down and swap cams at a later time but that is TBD.

I have had my 2.0L car running Djet since I put it back on since 1998. It has failed once with a dead CHT in my driveway! Worn out parts hmm- you can buy new 123 dizzys now, injectors, rebuilt MPS's, etc... What the heck failed you all the time?
There are still 2.0L Djet setup's out there for someone to install on their car to make it "original".
I still have yet to drive a Megasquirt 2056 that runs as strong as mine. Do your homework as there are soo many possibilities..