Replacing Camshaft in 2.0
 

Having my 2.0 rebuilt, the shop has proposed installing a hydraulic performance camshaft instead of a non-hydraulic performance camshaft. I know that it would require fewer adjusts and would make less noise, but Could anyone please give me some other pro's and con's regarding the use of this type of camshaft.

Thanks! Jon

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Make sure they install a complete setup, cam, lifters, push rods, etc and adjust the lifters correctly at install. Our 1974 914 has a hydralic Web cam and it gives a little more low end torgue and there are no valve adjustments to do. We have to drive it regularly or the lifters clatter a little when it starts after sitting for several days and I use synthetic oil too. I'd see if they have one with the hydralic cam running around and check it out to see if you'd like it.

They tend to float at higher RPMs, they are very noisy if they sit awhile, they were not designed for the 914, and no racer I know uses them. Hydraulic and performance in the same sentence is an oxymoron.

If you want hydraulic lifters, IMHO, buy a bus.... ;^)

[This message has been edited by mikez (edited 08-05-1999).]

I'm not an expert on hydraulic cams in 914s but I don't think that the case was designed for them so I personally wouldn't do it.

Having said that, Tom Wilson recommends the change to hydraulic lifters on page 99 of his book "How to Rebuild your Volkswagen Air-Cooled Engine". He also has a short list of the parts you will need to make the swap.

Alpine

[This message has been edited by Alpine (edited 08-10-1999).]

I posted a long note on this subject to the 914 Club's forum. The hyraulic setup has both good and bad points. Click the link to check the post, it's way too long to re-type here...

http://www.dgi.net/cgi-bin/HyperNews/get/914modification/1/1/1/2.html

--DD