how to hot rod a 1.8?, I have a low mileage 1.8 ... Options

[jimkelly]

with fuel injection but am - only mildly considering - tearing it down and rebuildingit with maybe new rings - and - some bigger and higher compression pistions and cyliders on it, wilder cam, and carbs - as I don't think it would need much else.

What parts, part numbers, sizes, etc - would you guys recommend?

This is a fun excerise - as I really want a SBC V8 : ) - but not having to buy adaptor bits to have more HP is appealing : )

[anthony]

It honestly doesn't make a lot of sense to tear down a good running, low mileage 1.8 because you can't use any of it's parts except the case. My recommendation is to collect the parts you need to build another longblock and then sell the 1.8.

To recap:

It makes no sense using the current crank with bigger pistons and cylinders. Go for at least a 2.0L crank and rods ($200). They are pretty cheap overall and add a lot of power and torque. For $900 more you could buy a 78mm crank and rods and make a real hot rod.

Once you do wild cams you need either an aftermarket fuel inject or carbs. Dual 44mm Webbers aren't cheap these days ($1000).

Heads: 1.8 heads don't flow as well as 2L heads but you could put about $1500 into them and make them flow just as well.