Type 4 VW vs 914

[bpick]

I know that the VW type 4 and the 914 engine is the same basic engine. I want to know about part interchange. I have been told that except for the heads, all high performance type 4 VW parts will work in the 914 2.0L. How much of this is correct? I have noticed that there is much more selection in high output cams, cranks and rods available for VW.

[JP Noonan]

Look at the posting titled "engine swap" by Dale Taylor. There are more differences between the two motors then you might think. Some if not all of the bus motors are hydralic lifter cam motors. I've been told that the lifter bores oil passages are different but that solid lifter work fine. I guess that not all the type-IV motors will have the dipstick problem that I had.The haeds on the 1.7 and 1.8 have identical castings between the bus and 914 bu the valves are different sizes. The 914 2.0L head is totally different and is considered by many to be a Porsche head.Right now I plan on rebuilding a 914 1.8L with a 2.0L bus crank. All the NAPA engine parts books say it will work but we will see when everything gets "miced" out when I will check clearences.

[bryan]

I am the owner of a 67 baja bug with a 2.0 porsche motor. I have noticed a lot of differences in the bus and porsche engines. when it comes to heads I have seen 1.7 heads with different combustion chamber sizes(depending on the year), also the 1.7 heads have to be cut for the larger 1.8 and 2.0 cylinders. I have not seen a 1.8 porsche head, BUT the 1.8 carborated bus head is very unique it has a very large intake and exhaust valve(even larger than the 2.0. I was told they were larger because of the carbs. Also the 1.8 bus head has it's own special rockers that will not work on the fuel injected engines(they have VERY large adjuster screws and the geometry is somehow different in that they will not bolt on with out interfearing. The 1.8 and 2.0 head bores appear to be the same. The 2.0 heads have the largest valves of any of the fuel injected engines. Larger intake ports, and sodium filled valves. I may be wrong, but I thought the vw engines were type 2??. As for cases they all seem to be the same exept for minor changes including fuel pump mounts and dipstick location and engine code of course. also look out for too small a combustion chamber on too large an engine.

[JP Noonan]

According to Tom Wilson's VW engine book the 1.8 heads you talk about are '74 casting 021 101 371J or Q. However the vales are the same size as 914 2.0L heads 41mm and 34mm. They don't have a CHT hole but one head has aone EGR hole and the other head has two.
bpick what exactly is it you want to do? If you want to put a bus cam in a 914, yes it will fit but the power band wil be totally wrong. If like me you want to put a 2.0L crank in your best bet would to find a machine shop that builds 914 + VW engines for off road or track cars. They should know what fits, and what casting # or year is best for your application.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

JP, you might find that the webs inside your 1.8 case have to be machined a bit to provide clearance for the 2.0 crank. That's what I've heard, at any rate. I forget if the cylinder bores need to be re-sized, there's only a 1mm difference in diameter.

--DD

[JP Noonan]

I plan on using the 1.8L jugs. From what I've heard all cylinders fit in any of the cases. The difference is that the 1.7 head has a smaller combustion chamber circle. i.e. 1.7 heads have to be fly cut to fit on 1.8 or 2.0 jugs. I wasn't aware that the case has to be clearenced. I will check it before final assembly. Has anyone else heard of putting a 2.0 bus crank in a 1.8 Porsche case?

Jp I have 3 conversions done using 2.0 bus cranks..what you need to stay away from is bus pistons"big dish".I buy 2.0 bus cranks and rods for around 150 bucks,then I find 1.8 cases and buy euro p/c's 2.0,normally i run C/W crank and I run 2.0 914 heads.
Brad.