914 engine build suggestions

[saturdaymechanic]

Was in process of what to do about an engine set up on a 914 project.

The engine in the car is a 2.0 that was all machined and set up from FAT, about 12 years ago. The car sat in a garage for 9 years since the owner was setting it up for autocross and his job started bouncing him around. Story short he started it before he started bouncing, had no oil pressure shut it down and garaged it at his dad's.

Fast forward 10 years......

I picked up the car for a project with all the receipts and the story starts.

Well its the next project in the garage and I'm getting ready to pop the drive line and get her back running.

Problem is, I came by a Mark Stephens engine set up that is a 2.6 or 2.8 set of parts from a screw up from his shop. He built this motor and left out the the dowel pin on the mains. Guy that had this stuff has the stroker crank, big bore cylinders and pistons, relieved case with upgraded hardware, flywheel and some other stuff. All new and wrapped up, I just bought the parts. He was installing the engine, went round and round with Stephens according to the story and decided to go with an FAT motor after getting the replacement parts from the Stephens motor for his customer.

No heads or cam.

I've been searching over a lot of forums looking for a set up that would be sweet. It's going to be a streeter for my fun and figured a nicer deal that a Chevy or subie deal.

I'd like to retro a megasquirt EFI on to it but am looking for advise on heads, or head work spec's, and a cam grind for this project. Probably post and polish according to the old Building HiPo VW book.

Would be great to get some inputs on recommended cam and head updates for this Type 4

Was originally looking at the Rabe Kits before these parts fell into my lap.

Thanks for the ear!

[Michel J]

I would give Jake Raby a call. He will give some good advice.

Early Mark Stevens stuff were usually big bore p and cs that went out of round early and were sometimes that way even when new. I bought a set and had them measured a while back.

Some of the items you have may be usable. It all depends on the what they are, who made them, and how they measure. Jake will know right away.

You need to have come up with a plan based on what parts you have and can use, and how much $ you want to throw at this engine.

IMHO, carbs are very simple and may be simpler in the short run. You can learn megasquirt later. That is a can of worms by itself.

Cams can only be chosen once you know your bore, stroke, and rod length, and head flow. Do not use modified 2L stock rods. They are too short for anything but a stock motor.

Heads will always be expensive. 42 x 36, or 44 x38, or stock 2L heads will work. Again, it all depends on the engine plan. Putting a bunch of parts together and hoping for the best it not a way to go. I have been there.

Good luck!

Michel