Switching to VW engine -Thoughts?

[69porsche]

I have a 67-912 with non matching but period correct engine. I like the car, yet in some aspects I would like some "punch", HP to the car as well. I was wondering for those who have either bought a 912 with a VW engine in it or those who made the conversion to a type 4 VW engine is there any regret or things that you enjoy about the engine that the 912 did not offer. I know there are some manufacturers of these type of engines that are extremely expensive yet they have the expertise to back it up, so not a knock on them. If I was able to I would put some $$$ in getting these engine in my 912, however I am looking at those engines that are found or possibly rebuilt with a few add on, etc, etc that can maximize torque and horsepower without that much expense...expense being nominal and different to each individual and yet there is a good sense in the old adage, you get what you pay for. I know there are alot of threads on this, but there seems more on the mechanical aspect of installation, HP, etc... All comments welcomed! Pro's vs Con's
Gordon

[Jaems]

First, there is this book on the 912 engine. Duane Spencer's : "The Complete Porsche 912 Guide" To Improving the punch of the 912 engine.

Second, to change a engine in the 912 is not just a drop in and bolt it up. The type 4 VW will require the sheet metal in the engine compartment. If you leave it out you could have heating problems. Also the more CC's the hotter the engine will run without a front oil cooler. That was a problem with the earlier bugs with the larger CC engines.

There is also the Polo 4 cylinder engines that a couple have gone for instead. They are four cylinders of a 911 engine. It will depend on how much you are willing to pay for the conversions, HP and lost longevity of the engine.

I chose to keep my 912 engine and I wanted longevity besides the increase torque. After 29K km It has never been tuned up and the carburetors adjusted once since our State went to the 10% alcohol in the gas, back in 2006.

It pulls smoothly from a stop sign or light, like a front engine car, without having to rev the engine. As long as there is not a long straight I can keep up with 911s and the newer Porsches. On real tight curvy roads I can pull away. The 912 and engine are a well balance combination. The 914 with it's mid engine is a little more balance. The 912 is probably the most forgiving rear engine Porsche ever made with the original engine.

It is what you are willing to pay for a upgraded or a conversion engine. As you have already said: You get what you pay for and with a conversion engine you then fall in the Renegade 912 class.

On the 912 BBS the is a Renegade section for those that have done the engine conversions.
912 Renegades

[69porsche]

Originally Posted by Jaems

First, there is this book on the 912 engine. Duane Spencer's : "The Complete Porsche 912 Guide" To Improving the punch of the 912 engine.

Second, to change a engine in the 912 is not just a drop in and bolt it up. The type 4 VW will require the sheet metal in the engine compartment. If you leave it out you could have heating problems. Also the more CC's the hotter the engine will run without a front oil cooler. That was a problem with the earlier bugs with the larger CC engines.

There is also the Polo 4 cylinder engines that a couple have gone for instead. They are four cylinders of a 911 engine. It will depend on how much you are willing to pay for the conversions, HP and lost longevity of the engine.

I chose to keep my 912 engine and I wanted longevity besides the increase torque. After 29K km It has never been tuned up and the carburetors adjusted once since our State went to the 10% alcohol in the gas, back in 2006.

It pulls smoothly from a stop sign or light, like a front engine car, without having to rev the engine. As long as there is not a long straight I can keep up with 911s and the newer Porsches. On real tight curvy roads I can pull away. The 912 and engine are a well balance combination. The 914 with it's mid engine is a little more balance. The 912 is probably the most forgiving rear engine Porsche ever made with the original engine.

It is what you are willing to pay for a upgraded or a conversion engine. As you have already said: You get what you pay for and with a conversion engine you then fall in the Renegade 912 class.

On the 912 BBS the is a Renegade section for those that have done the engine conversions.
912 Renegades

Thanks for the reference, I will shop online and buy it !

[Jerry1]

I had my 67 912 upgraded and it haul azz. It has a 1720 big bore kit JE pistons and cast cylinders. Lighten flywheel, torque cam, and modified for an external oil filter/cooler. Very linear power and fast. Keep it the 912 engine when it come time to sell it you won't regret it.

[69porsche]

Originally Posted by Jerry1

I had my 67 912 upgraded and it haul azz. It has a 1720 big bore kit JE pistons and cast cylinders. Lighten flywheel, torque cam, and modified for an external oil filter/cooler. Very linear power and fast. Keep it the 912 engine when it come time to sell it you won't regret it.

Jerry-Thanks! What are we talking about in $$ for this bore kit and where were you able to purchase this kit and what did the kit comprise of?...."Lighten flywheel, torque cam, and modified for an external oil filter/cooler"..was this a necessity or was this to enhance the upgrade?
Gordon

[Jerry1]

Hi Gordon
Walt at Comp Engineering helped me build my engine. I drive my car hard DE, track days, and I wanted my engine to be fast and stay cool. Here are a couple of threads i made while building my car.
Jerry's 912 engine rebuild
Jerry's 67 912 restore
Price will depend on a lot of factors.
Condition of your lower end. Case, Crank and Cam
Condition of your heads. Valves, guides and no cracks.
Comp Engineering can do all the machine work, and you can purchase the Cam, P/Cs, Bearings and gasket build kit from them as well.
There are other builders out there I have only worked with Walt.
He may even have your original case if you know the number.
Check out my builds. My engine cost 12,000 and worth every penny.
Jerry

[69porsche]

Originally Posted by Jerry1

Hi Gordon
Walt at Comp Engineering helped me build my engine. I drive my car hard DE, track days, and I wanted my engine to be fast and stay cool. Here are a couple of threads i made while building my car.
Jerry's 912 engine rebuild
Jerry's 67 912 restore
Price will depend on a lot of factors.
Condition of your lower end. Case, Crank and Cam
Condition of your heads. Valves, guides and no cracks.
Comp Engineering can do all the machine work, and you can purchase the Cam, P/Cs, Bearings and gasket build kit from them as well.
There are other builders out there I have only worked with Walt.
He may even have your original case if you know the number.
Check out my builds. My engine cost 12,000 and worth every penny.
Jerry

Jerry, Great rebuild! you can certainly be proud of your 912, I hope to get mine as close to yours! Great insight into what you were faced with!
Gordon

[Brett Voigt]

I bought a 69' 912 that had a VW 1600 dp engine in it. I puttered around in it on/off for a year which was fun but was lacking something. Last fall, my grandpa, dad and I found a 68' 912 engine through a friend and put it in. It wasn't as simple of a bolt on as we thought, but after a few weekends of work and some modification it's all back to as factory as a 69' with a 68' engine can be. Not sure how to describe it, and it sounds kind of korny but there's a certain extra fizz I get knowing the car is 100% Porsche again. I think that if your goal is to race, the type 4 route is the way to go and just place your 912 engine in a clean dry corner of the garage. Otherwise if you're looking for a more fun weekend driver, there are a fair amount of options out there for engine building. Once I get the money, I want to send it to Wilhoit in CA and have them tinker with it. He does stuff for Jay Leno, so it must good.