REBUILDING VETERANS - Advise sought in upsizing 1.7L to 2056cc HELP!

[ptravnic]

I know this topic has been discussed over and over but I have read and reread the old posts (actually printed most of them out for reference) and I'm getting nervous about the upcoming Memorial Day weekend engine tear down on my 72 914... I have a core 1.7L and have been compiling parts to beef it up. My intended end result is a 2056cc using/FI. All comments are appreciated, even if to say that buying such and such part was stupid! This is my first rebuild (although with my father supervising who has a few rebuilds under his belt). My pops is less willing to see alot of money spent on the engine - read he's budget minded - whereas I'm footing the bill and have the means to spend a little more than he is, at times, comfortable with. My usage of the car is limited to summer weekends and occasional 600 mile road trips - annualy about 5K miles. I have no intention of racing so very high revving isn't necessary. I don't need to get 100K miles out of the engine but would not like to have to do this exercise over again in 3 or 4 years. So, here's my list of parts so far:

*Jake Raby Type 4 engine rebuild video tape - a very useful tool (can you see me watching the video in the garage? - I can...).
*1.8L heads - what type of machine work should be done on a budget and also if not on a budget?
*96mm Keith Black Piston/Cylinder kit. - Any feedback on this (reliablility, etc) is extremely appreciated!! What compression will I end up with by using these? Will any shims be needed or will they just mate up to the 1.8L heads w/o a problem?
*Also have a couple sets of used stock 94mm domed P/C's that I picked up in @ the Hershey Swap - at least 4 will be useable if necessary.
*Stock 2.0L crank (71mm) & rods. These have been cleaned up & machined. I bought these off Ebay for about $190 (included shipping). Is this price about market?
*Hydraulic cam kit - Eagle T-2 914-Hydraulic Cam Kit, Torque Special. Kit came with hydraulic lifters & new push rods. Bought this kit of Ebay for about $150 (included shipping). Found the kit on CB Performance's web sight listed here: http://www.cbperformance.com/catalog.asp?ProductID=74 Does anyone have experience (good or bad) with this cam/kit? Will this cam work (without machine work) with the above parts (96mm KB P/C's, 1.8L heads, stock 2.0L crank & rods)??? Please ease my mind/burst my bubble....
*Stock flywheel - Bought used for $75. What would I benefit from getting a lightened flywheel? Or a new stock flywheel? Cost factor?
*Full 1.7L FI set up as well as a spare 2.0L FI set up (missing injectors).

So that is my parts list (so far). Such a hodge podge of parts makes me wonder... Other questions:
*Which gasket set(s)?
*Oil Pump replacement? Probably re-using the stock, any thoughts on this?
*Re-use push rod tubes?
*Balancing? Can someone give a price estimate (I've guessed about $300). Anyone know of a reliable T4 mechanic in Buffalo area? I've read over and over this step should not be left out, anyone's thoughts?

Lots of info, if you are still reading I THANK YOU , especially if you can help me through this rebuild jungle. I will be doing the tear down Memorial Day weekend, the machine work (again, anyone know of a good T4 mechanic in the Buffalo area?) will happen in the following 2 weeks (as will miscellaneous part purchases). Then, I have the second week off in June to carefully assemble and break in the beast. I plan on taking meticulous notes on the process and doing a final write up for any future wanna-be rebuilders. Oh yeah, I'm also posting this message on Shoptalkforums 914 section and the Type4um section.

Wish me luck!
Pete Travnicek

[John Rogers]

A couple of things to keep well in mind to prepare you for the overhaul/hopup of the engine: 1st, it will take longer than estimated, 2nd, it will cost more than expected, 3rd, there will be some unforseen problems and 4th, there will be frustration unless you keep 1 thru 3 in mind and go with the flow. Good luck.

[ptravnic]

Thanks for the advice John, will take it to heart. -pt

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

First, I'm not really wild about hydraulic cams. I figure that a fairly-frequent valve adjust is simply my way of keeping acquainted with my motor.

Second, I keep hearing that Web-Cam is the only way to go.

Third, I have heard that the 96mm cylinders you commonly get aren't as straight or true as they could be. If you have the capability to check or fix this, it would be a very good idea. FAT Performance in Orange CA can hone your 94s out to 96es for (I think) $15 each.

Most of the info above is from the Shoptalk Forums.

--DD

[dman]

Ditto John Rogers comments on the rebuild process, definatly a learning experience. I had some difficulty getting my FI to work with the larger displacment Brad Anders should be able to help you there. If you need any FI parts I have to complete working systems a 72 and a 74-5. I went to a larger cam. Good luck!

[Bleyseng]

1. Dump the hydro cam and get a Web Cam with matching lifters stock grind. If you are going to use the stock Djet FI save yourself some headaches.
2. You must have someone who will check all your used parts for you to see if they are in spec and can be re-used like the oil pump.
3. Balancing is a must! Send it to Raby.
4. The 2.0l FI will work fine with the 2056cc with some adjustments. Check out Brads site for info and if you have problems post them here.
5. If you can afford it get a Jake Raby kit as then all the parts and pieces are checked. You just assemble it.
These engines are pretty easy to assemble but there is still alot of things that can go wrong with parts not matching etc...
Geoff