Dropping in a 2.0L?

[Mockmaw]

Hi All,

Wow, I just got my 914 and I'm already thinking about this:

I have the opportunity to acquire a healthy 2.0L engine for a very good price through a friend. It's a 75 or 76 (are there any differences between the 75 and 76?) It's complete from computer to exhaust.

How difficult would it be to place in my 72? Would there be any motor mounting issues or shift linkage problems?

How much performance increase would be expected over my current 1.7 if the 2.0 had stock fuel injection and a cat-bypass?

I would greatly appreciate any advice/assistance that could be spared =o)

-Tyler

[JP Noonan]

best would to use a 73-74 2.0L system for the exhaust, and remove the smog equiptment. Then you will most likely get around 95 hp from the 2.0L next best would to be a set of 1.7L SS heat exchangers (the ones I've seen have the same diameter as the 2.0L) and your 1.7L exhaust, I'm not sure but the 1.7L heat exchangers might even be the same size as the 2.0L 73-74 he's. In any case I'd say using the 1.7L exhaust on the 75-76 motor would be better than the stock 75-76 exhaust EVEN IF you remove the cat the pipes are all kinds of looped around and flow badly.

The shift linkage would be the same as long as you use the 72 engine mounting bar.

The 70-72 1.7 and 73 49 state 1.7L had 80 hp. The CA 73 1.7L had 76. The 73-74 USA 2.0L had 95 and the Euro had 100. The 75-76 2.0L had 88h.p. due to the smog stuff.

[Ron Meier]

JP is correct, but need a couple of additions.

If you use the GC 2.0L exhaust system, you will need the exhaust hanger that came on the late model car.

If you use the 1.7 system, it is necessary to use the exhaust hanger that came with it.

Ditch the late model exhaust and stay with the earlier system, unless you can find a system off the '73-'74 GA 2.0L.

[Mockmaw]

Interesting.. so I won't experience any backpressure problems by using the 1.7L exhaust system? The Heat Exchangers just bult right up without a problem? Nice! -o)

Also, I'm not sure if it comes with a fuel pump.. if it doesn't, can I use my old 1.7 fuel pump?

[Ron Meier]

My manual is not at hand, but the 2.0 system and the 1.7 system is esentially the same. Your fuel pump from the 1.7 will work with the 2.0. As I remember, the 2.0 runs a little higher pressure to the fuel rails, which your 1.7 pump should be capable of.

The injectors are a different number. The lb/hr rate of the 2.0 is higher tham the 1.7, but the hookup is the same.

Hell, if it came down to it, I would even use a 1.7 FI system on a 2.0 ~

[mike95125]

I am doing roughly the same thing right now to a 73. It had a 1.7 and I got a used 2.0 from a 76. You will need to plug the air injection ports on the heads with 10mm valve adjusting screws. You can get them from any VW shop from $1-$5 each. For sure use your stock 1.7 heat exchangers. I trial fitted mine on the heads and no problem. One thing that I am not certain of though is the spacing between the heat exchangers when you bolt on your exhaust pipe. This dimention may be off slightly, dunno. I have done this conversion before with and the 1.7 Fuel pump worked just fine. The injectors for a 2.0 are different, but I heard that you could use the FI brain from the 1.7 with the 2.0 wiring. I cant be too sure, but I think that I did that last time I converted (6 years ago). Be sure to get all of the intake hoopla as it will be a pain to aquire all of the stuff piece by piece. 1.7 intake stuff will not work with the 2.0, wrong bolt pattern and such. I think that that is it. Ill write as my conflicts arrise. Good luck!!!

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

The 1973 ECUs were the same for the 1.7s and the 2.0s. The rest seem to be somewhat different. I'd try to stick with the 2.0 parts if at all possible, to avoid oddd interactions. Check Brad Anders' page for some great info on what goes on inside the MPS and the ECU. http://members.rennlist.com/pbanders

The exhaust port spacing should be the same between the 1.7 and 2.0 heads. If I recall correctly, you use the exhaust gaskets for the 2.0 rather than the 1.7 . Use the muffler gaskets that go with your muffler (i.e., the 1.7 ones).

Myself, I'd use all of the 2.0 stuff except the exhaust.

--DD