2.0 Bus motor

72porsche914 · 11-10-2000, 10:07 AM

I have a chance to buy a complete VW Bus with a carbed 2.0 for $150. I want to put it in my 73 chassis. I heard somewhere the 2.0 in the 914 and the 2.0 in the bus were slightly different(head design??). Is this a good motor? Will a Web Carb Street Performance Cam help wake it up?
Is this motor junk(its a 73 or 74 cant remember)? I will be rebuilding it but I figure its a better shot than rebuilding the 1.7 I have(which needs pistons and cylinders). Any help is greatly appreciated.

PS...Anyone need any bus parts

JP Noonan · 11-10-2000, 10:52 AM

Buy Tom Wilson's aircooled VW engine book!!!!

The bus motors had maximum 67hp. The FI heads have smaller valves than the 914 1.7L give me a head casting number (or buy the book) and I can tell what you have.

The crank and rods are identical to the 2.0L 914 and are about the only thing worth using. The block needs to be modified to work in a 914, the tin dosen't work at all, but the 1.7L tin will fit, unless you put 914 2.0L heads on the engine.

The bus cam is crap for a 914, and the pistons are super LOW compresion.

FWIW, I would use the 1.7L block with a hot cam and new lifters, new big bore or Euro 2.0L 914 P/Cs, machine the crank and rods, put bigger valves in the bus heads (at least the size of 2.0L 914 valves), and have the heads ported. With the right carbs and cam it should be a 110-120+(guess) hp. motor. a good rule of thumb is to use a venturi size 0-2mm smaller than the intake, so 40mm Webbers on a mild engine with 42mm intake valves.

Jim T · 11-10-2000, 10:59 AM

another one bites the dust . . .

CHA914 · 11-10-2000, 11:50 AM

Another problem that you will run into on the bus motor is the dipstick location and the oil filler tube on the bus engine. the oil filler tube can be taken off and that hole blocked off, but you will not be able to check the oil level once you put that engine in the 914, because the dipstick will be up against the firewall. And I have heard that machining one of those cases to put a dipstick in the normal spot is not an easy job...I think you would be better off converting the 1.7 up or finding a junk 914 to pull the engine out of...

IMHO,

Tony

roadtrp204 · roadtrp204's Garage

I did some research on this subject while I worked for an independent parts store for five years that carried a large section of VW parts. When looking at the part numbers for pistons and cams the numbers were the same for 2.0L 914's and 2.0 VW buses. The timing was different on the cams for different years, it ranged from -3 to +3. The only one you can order now is a 0. (years that were non-hydraulic).

I read somewhere that the original pistons for the 914 were of a higher quality, but for both they where cast and of the same compression for the US.

The heads are the only real mechanical difference between the two. The bus has smaller valves, four intake studs versus three, and the sparkplug goes in the same as the 1.7 and 1.8. (exhaust ports design also changed in later years)

Due to a mishap with my original 2.0L case, I have been running a 2.0L bus case for several years now. The conversion was easy, a freeze plug in the bus dipstick/filler hole and a small hole drilled for the 914 dipstick. In addition VW updated the oil circulation system in the years after the 914.

In my opinion a stock bus motor beats a dead 914 motor any day of the week. Driving is 99.9% of the fun. And remember our beloved 914/4's are half Volkswagen, part Karman, and the rest Porsche.
Chris

72porsche914 · 11-10-2000, 04:07 PM

The bus motor is carbed. Im not sure if it runs or not. Supposedly it needs just a starter. Im guessing the 1.7 heads wont work.
Will 914 2.0 heads with a Web Carb Cam make a difference?

CHA914 · 11-10-2000, 05:25 PM

The heads are really the difference with the motors, as roadtrp204 stated, so I would think that if you could get 914 2.0 heads and a carb webcam the car would run great...that is my basic setup with a stock case and I love it, plenty of power! Good luck.

SteveStromberg · 11-11-2000, 12:06 PM

I have cams for type 4 motors, 1.7; 1.8; and 2.0. From 0 to -5 NEW OLD STOCK $125. Steve (818) 508-0582 or (818) 887-5468

SteveStromberg · 06:14 PM

I have cams for type 4 motors, 1.7; 1.8; and 2.0. From 0 to -5 Steve

david c. · 11-17-2000, 07:34 AM

In regard to cams, what kind of performance improvement will a more agressive cam provide in my 912E which is stock aside from being converted to twin 40mm Webers? Any recommendations? Steve, do you have an appropriate example for sale?

Dave

SteveStromberg · 11-17-2000, 09:10 AM

Some 2.0 bus motor have Square exhast ports The can be ID by lack of large casting for oil fill (look at 914,oil fill)it has a round breather on top of case #'s will start with CV. CB,CD are 1.7 AW,ED are 1.8 GD,GE are 2.0. Steve
'

SteveStromberg · 11-17-2000, 09:19 AM

Some 2.0 bus motor have Square exhast ports The can be ID by lack of large casting for oil fill (look at 914,oil fill)it has a round breather on top of case #'s will start with CV. CB,CD are 1.7 AW,ED are 1.8 GD,GE are 2.0. Steve
'

SteveStromberg · 11-17-2000, 09:27 AM

The cat was chasing my mouse If you stock FI. is on your car stay with stock grind. For carbs,to get more punch and improved mileage I like Norris 352S. More carb, bigger cam = no bottom end and your car will be a pain to drive. Slipping the clutch as you take off to keep from stalling. Steve