[sketchers356]

The 356B engine was available in later forms with 60/75/90 hp. The 356C was available in 75/95 hp. The 912 has pretty much the 356C 95 hp engine (There are some slight case modifications). For the money, as cool as a 356 engine could be, I would do a VW engine, probally a Type 4 as was used in the latter busses and the 4 doors. Not quite as cheap as the type 1 (beetle/ghia/early bus) but still MUCH cheaper than the 356. Also I feel that butchering a 356 engine is a crime. The type 4 is technically quite similar to the 356. However, unlike the 356 boatloads of reasonably priced mods are available for the engines. If you want to go for it you probally could get 200 hp out of it which would be a hell of a lot in a 1400 lb car. I have heard of turboed type 4s running ~400 hp. Not sure of the reliability of that state of tune though. The type 4s main advantages that warrent its higher cost over the type 1 are to me a stronger Aluminum case and an integrated oil filter (type one has a strainer although a screw on can be modified). I sure as heck want a 550 myself!