1.7 vs 2.0?

auh · 07-03-2003, 10:23 AM

What are some of the advantages to these two engines?

I've heard the 2.0 is built stonger than a 1.7 ie piston rods, head, cylinders.

I think I'm gonna look for a 2.0 but was just wondering if the 1.7 has any advantages over it

Thanks

Adam

tat2dphreak · tat2dphreak's Garage

1.7 has nothing on the 2.0 IMO... the 1.7 has some things over a 1.8, but not a 2.0

I'm assuming you are talking about bone stock only though...

however... if you are going to keep the engine exactly stock(not upgrade later) AND you can get a 1.7 signifigantly cheaper... it's a good engine.

the biggest problem with a 1.7 is the amount of work you have to do to upgrade it... heads, etc.

the 2.0 is more ready to be upgraded AND has more power!

mikester · 07-03-2003, 11:31 AM

A 2.0l as it stands is better than any other stock 4 for the 914 can't really compare.

I have a 1.8L and it is very reliable. I know plenty of guys with 1.7s that are very reliable. Find yourself an unmolested 2.0L and you'll be set.

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

The 1.7 has two advantages over the 2.0 that I know of. First of all, it's cheaper. You can not infrequently find people all but giving them away after upgrading to a 2.0 or a Six.

Second of all, the 1.7 heads do not crack when you blink at them crosseyed the way the 2.0 ones do. The latter love to crack across the spark plug holes and like to crack in the short-radius bend of the exhaust port. The 1.7 does not.

Some will argue that the 1.7 pistons, with their "pop tops" are better. Certainly higher compression.

--DD

tat2dphreak · tat2dphreak's Garage

Dave,
when I pulled te heads off my 1.7 recently... I found flat top pistons... were there 1.7s with flat tops?

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

Probably... I don't know what year/car/Bus they would have come out of though. Might be 73 CA-spec 1.7 (7.6:1 compression gave it 72 HP), or might be a Bus motor, or might simply be the later 1.7L 914 motor. Those also made 80 HP (the 73 CA-spec 1.7 "EB" motor excepted) but used a different engine code ("EA" instead of "W").

--DD

tat2dphreak · tat2dphreak's Garage

it's an EA case#... I'm thinking the flat tops might have been put in when the rings were replaced... if they were replaced!

Barber Dave · Barber Dave's Garage

I have a 73. 1.7 goes fast enought for me . Ask the three other P-Cars I followed from Indianapolis To Terre Haute on the Way to Tweeks Fun Fest ( 90mph) . I don't auto cross ,may be if I did I would want more.

Dave

Biggy72 · Biggy72's Garage

keep buyin 2.0's so I can get another 1.7 for cheap. I wanna put one in a bug.

auh · 07-03-2003, 08:27 PM

Dave, which 914 did you have at Tweeks? I was there with my dad selling 914 parts at the swap meet, and talked to a lot of people. Just wondering cause I thought it was a blast this year!

Barber Dave · Barber Dave's Garage

AUH: Mine was the Black 73, Ohio Plate 73 914, in the first Row.
I was the old guy hanging those bright colored flyers,( On The Mid West 914 Meet I host in Aug.) on every 914 i could find. Probably talked to you and your dad. I was there only Sat. Tho
next yr. I will stay for both days. Did you stay for Sun. if so was there the same bunch of cars as Sat. or a whole different group?
thanks Dave

auh · 07-04-2003, 04:34 AM

Hmmmm, I didn't get a flyer. Probably cause I didn't have a 914 at the show this year. I was with a silver 1970 911 that was for sale. But I do remember seeing your 914 down there. That show was awesome, maybe I'll see you down there again next year.

hardflex · 07-04-2003, 05:46 AM

tatood- check the diameter of your pistons. I bet you have a big bore kit already.

Bruce Allert · 07-04-2003, 05:56 AM

My 1.7 is the Calif. EB. It's kinda snappy but not like the 2.0 I drove last month. I also have an EA that I'd like to do some swaping of parts to the EB or just do a rebuild on it. See if I can get more "POOP" out of it rather than finding a 2.0. Can a rebuild with "poop" on the 1.7 be had for the cost of a good 2.0?
bruce

sean_V8_914 · sean_V8_914's Garage

2.0 has smaller journals

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

Rod journals, specifically. The "big end" of the connecting rod is smaller on the 2.0. Does not seem to be an issue, as the 1.7/1.8 crank and rods are incredibly overbuilt.

--DD

sean_V8_914 · sean_V8_914's Garage

...just an observation. I cast no judgment since I wish my 1.8 was a 2.0

Jake Raby · 07-04-2003, 01:59 PM

They all have factory flaws, in the design, but they can be overcome...

I like a 1.7 for durability for a stock engine, but there ain't nothing like a well built 2270!

sean_V8_914 · sean_V8_914's Garage

Jake: what bore and stroke combo do you make that with?

Jake Raby · 07-04-2003, 02:46 PM

78.4x96...

But the power is in the heads/cam/CR being matched...I have seen these engines not even make 100HP if done incorrectly, or 207 done the right way. Most of mine are 145-165 and idle like stock and run cooler head temps!