2.0L rebuild Options

[Zaffer]

I know this subject has been beaten to death, but just trying to look for the most current information on parts as I know quality changes over time.

I am no longer doing a Subaru six conversion to my 914 as I will keep the T4. I have 2, one 2.0L and one 1.8L. My car is a factory ‘75 2.0L. I will run factory FI and am not interested in Megasquirt, carbs, or any other aftermarket FI, at least for now. The 2.0L I’m using I bought from George Hussey in 2009 “in running condition”, but it’s been sitting on my engine stand since.

I am going to rebuild my 2.0L and bump it up to a 2056, but have some (a lot of) questions:

Can I use the factory FI for a 2270? I don’t think so, IIRC, but want to make sure.

I have the 1.8L that I could make a 1911, but is it any better than a 2056? Why or why not?

What P&C’s should I use? I know the main ones are AA and KB. I’m looking at the Biral AA’s at the moment.

Can I use a more aggressive cam with factory FI?

What valve springs should I use and is there a better setup?

My initial plan is as follows:
- Install new P&C’s
- Balance the crankshaft, rods, and pistons
- Rebuild the heads: replace/upgrade the valve springs, replace the valve guides, inspect and replace/upgrade(?) valves
- Either use factory cam or upgrade cam, if possible with factory FI.
- Install a larger oil pump, if still available.

While I want to make some improvements with the engine, I am not going to spend 10K+ doing so. This car will be a nice weather driver and I do not plan on doing any track events or autoX’s with it. I want to make the engine nice and “reliable”, but I don’t need new heads, Nickies, etc. I am rebuilding the engine myself but using a really good local machine shop as well. I do not need to get every Nth of power from the engine, but would like to reasonably improve on it without going crazy.

Any advice on what to, and not to, do is welcome and I realize I’m going to get multiple different answers.

As for the car itself, it’ll remain mostly stock with Factory 4-lug Fuchs, factory brakes, etc.

Thanks!

[technicalninja]

I'm a bit of a take no prisoners type of guy. Sorry if I offended.

I've been wrenching since the birth of the check engine light.

OBD2 was 15 years in the future.

If you don't have an internal motor gearhead friend finding one (who knows his shit!) is the VERY QUICKEST way to gain knowledge yourself.

I got INSANELY lucky as a starting tech to hit 3 special things...

I found a really good machine shop that specialized in import ONLY way back in the early 80s. Their "specialty" was air-cooled VW. They still exist today.
https://www.automotivemachine.com/
I met Eric when he was 4 years old. He followed in his father Tom's footprints.

I worked for Corky Bell at Cartech Turbo Systems as one of my first jobs. I was a "lot lizard" and did everything everyone else did not want too.
My first "wrenching" job was in a shop were everyone else was Jedi master level. I didn't know how lucky it was to see "excellence" first.

Later I worked for Bill Sours at Passport Engines as the warranty tech. I had 18 months of "finding the root cause" of engine failures for warranty claim purposes.

I've seen SOO many ways to get it wrong.
That completely destroyed my faith in most shops.
I once found a set of missing Corvette keys embedded in a Volvo piston...
Bill was an engine master and lover of Italian cars. He showed me the way you have to approach work on Italians and exotics...

It was my friends and work mates that had the greatest effect on how quickly I picked this crap up.

Now, years ago rebuilding both engines and transmissions were a common job, and they are far more reliable today.
Back then 100K engine life was great. Today the figure is 300K.
I can see how a guy might not have that much exposure, especially if he's been working at a dealership who commonly are simple unit replacers now.

You will find most "gearheads" are getting old. I'm 59...

Sorry if I came off too strong.

Getting good mentors early was the single greatest catalyst for me!

Reading back I can see how it looks like I was critical of you as you are a professional.

I was not. I was stating how an enthusiast could be a good mentor, you don't have to earn your living at this to be truly excellent.

I was trying to suggest sources for your mental toolbox. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ninja.gif)