engine question

[marv914]

I was planning on rebuilding my 1.8L to the 1911 and putting on 2.0L heads. After pricing components I'm aproching the coast of a 2.0L long block my question is which would be better for power, torque and engine life. I have carbs with intake manifolds that will work on 2.0L so i won't have a stud problem.

Thanks
Marv

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

The 1971cc 2.0 liter motor has 60cc more displacement than the 1911cc "overbored" 1.7/1.8 motor. When you rebuild the engine, you can fiddle with the compression, the valve sizes, the cam, and so on--so all the rest can be made more or less equal. You do the math.

If you're looking for a more economical way to go, the 1.8 heads are "almost" as good as the 2.0 heads. They should work pretty well on a 1911cc motor. A little flow work, maybe bigger valves, higher compression than stock (up to 8.5:1 shouldn't be a problem) and a nice lumpy cam to go with those carbs, and you should have a fun motor.

The 2.0 heads tend to be more fragile (i.e., crack more easily) than the 1.7 and 1.8 ones. So using the 1.8 heads may give you an edge in reliability.

--DD