What Rebuld Modifications for a 1.8??

RonD922 · 11-03-2002, 03:04 PM

Hello,

What options are available for a 1.8 when rebuilding??

What are the HP gains??

Should I just forget the 1.8 and Find a 2.0 to modify??

Thanks,
Ron

PS also with Pistons and Cylinders where can I get them and how much do they cost??

Bleyseng · Bleyseng's Garage

Since you say this is going to be a track car, look at the rule book to see what class you want to run in.
Then look at what mods you can do or look at the next class to see if you want to run there.
That is how you can decide what to do on what the rules allow,maybe a motor like Rich Bontempi's 1.8 that outputs 200hp at 7000rpm. Maybe just go with a 2.0l w/ FI or carbs outputting 110-120 hp.
Its not that much fun running in the wrong class due a modification dead last all the time.
Geoff

RonD922 · 11-03-2002, 06:03 PM

Geoff,

Thanks for the input...Plans have somewhat changed and I am porbably going to be using the 914 for everyday driving plus every autoX and DE I can get too!!

Just trying to get an idea of what I can do with this motor, becuase My dad and I would enjoy a project like this but I am not wanting to spend the hours and $$$ for a rebuilt-76HP!!

Thanks,
Ron

scg · 11-03-2002, 06:37 PM

Maybe Jack Raby will chime in with a suggestion or two.

...I think you need another 900cc

Jake Raby · 11-03-2002, 11:01 PM

Make it into a 2056, or 2270..the case and heads will be interchangeable with the bigger parts.....

If you are interested in a kit or engine I can help you, or if you wanna go full bore by yourself I can aid in some assistance here.

Main bit of advice:
Do it once, do it right, or don't take it apart.

jmargush · 11-04-2002, 03:22 AM

Jake,

with your 2056 or 2270 kits can the stock injection still be run or do you need to switch to carbs or a aftermarket injection system?

Jeff

Tom Perso · 11-04-2002, 05:08 AM

Jake's right, "Do it once, do it right".

A 2270 would wake a 914 right up. Look what it does to a Bug...

Sorry to hijack the thread, but man - this sucker moves.

http://shoptalkforums.com/bbs/NonCGI/Forum1/HTML/004389.html

Later,
Tom

Jake Raby · 11-04-2002, 07:19 AM

Yep, Tom has the equal to one of my engine kits for the 2270 in his bug, too bad he has more invested in it than the kit would have cost, huh Tom??

Tom Perso · 11-04-2002, 07:24 AM

*grumble, grumble, arg!*

Yeah, Jake, you're right...

Trust me, if Jake can build you a kit, get it. Way easier and you'll be on the road a hell of a lot faster...

In fact, I could have just had Jake build me a motor for the same money I spent!

Oh well, live and learn.

Later,
Tom

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

To answer (at least somewhat) the question--

Most of Jake's engines will run very poorly or not at all with the stock EFI. I doubt many/any of them will run well even with a modified stock FI, unless you really wanna pour money and dyno time into it.

Jake tends to use dual Dell'Orto carbs, though some of his more recent CIS experiments sound like they're paying off fabulously. I have seen one or two builds of aftermarket EFI'd engines as well.

The short version is, Nope.

--DD

Jake Raby · 11-05-2002, 03:47 PM

Dave,
I have a few engine combos that use the stock EFI system, but I build few of them, mostly because it is very risky business to try to make more power with the system in place...

I justr built and dynoed two engines last week with stock FI, it cost so much to keep the stock system up to date and etc that it is normally just not worth it.

mikester · 11-05-2002, 09:55 PM

I've got a 1.8L that runs like a champ but I know one day I'll need to rebuild it.

I'm in SoCal and the car's a '74. Smog laws.....

So, when I rebuild, I'll either have to build a 2.0L with the D-Jet (I've already got most of those parts put together) FI but to do that the way I would want I would have to stay '74 legal and not go to '75 legal or '76 legal as those years have all that dang smog equip.

On the other hand, the same question...(Dave?)

What can a guy do to a 1.8L to get more HP on a Daily Driver/ Occasional AutoX'er and still keep the stock L-Jet FI?

I imagine the first and formost thing is to read a good book on the Bosch FI systems...

I've been wondering this for a while...as I'm sure every single 1.8L owner wonders. Worse yet, I just drove my buddies highly modified Honda Civic on the way to lunch. Gawd it was fast and furious.

Jake Raby · 11-05-2002, 09:59 PM

A good exhaust is about all that can be done, except bumping the fuel pressure a bit and general tuning..

If you have L jet you can add a Mallory distributor and get a gob more bottom end.

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

Mueller had his 1.8 L-jet system feeding his 2.0 motor for a while. He reports no problems at all. So I figure a high-compression (8.5:1) 2.0 should work reasonably well with L-jet. You might need to do some tweaking, though.

A high-compression 1911cc (8.5:1 compression, 96mm bore, stock 66 stroke) should work as well.

Exhaust, as long as you're willing to lose your heat. Evidently the Mallory will help too.

Reducing friction losses/pumping losses will free up some power. Port-matching the oil pump, etc. Lots of detail work.

Not sure what else offhand.

--DD

mikester · 11-06-2002, 07:08 AM

Dave,

That's exactly what I wanted to hear...someone putting the L-Jet on a 2.0L (or almost 2.0L).

First thing's first though, I'm going to have to learn as much as possible about the FI.

Hi_Fi_Guy · Hi_Fi_Guy's Garage

Some guys at ShopTalkForums have even got LH-Jet (Mas AIr Flow, no L-Jet flap) running on some engines.

I personally think that would be the way to go. The LH-Jet is pretty self adjusting with it's O2 sensor it can continually adjust the mixture to keep the A/F ratio just right. Also, it measures the MASS of air with a hot wire so altitude changes are slightly less harsh than with L-Jet or carbs.

I think you have to upgrade to electronic ignition as well to make this work but I am not sure.

Bleyseng · Bleyseng's Garage

I have seen 2 L-Jet 2.0L cars that ran great. One had switched the TB to a larger late bus one to get more air flow.
Geoff

mike mueller · 11-06-2002, 09:16 AM

I was running a 1.8 with a big bore P/C kit for an approx cc of 1911. I ran the stock L-Jet with no problems, motor ran very strong.

When I rebuilt my 2.0, I increased the compression and swapped on an L-Jet FI instead of the D-Jet. This too ran great.

Mueller
2.0 Type IV - Megasquirted, a motor with no chassis

kellzey · 11-06-2002, 10:38 AM

A have a beautiful, clean, strong-running 1.8L with FI that will be for sale after this coming weekend. It has jet-hot coated heat exchangers and an original-style muffler. Powder coated sheet metal, etc. No oil leaks. Only $950 . see pics at www.iepg.com/914

While it's not an upgrade, it's a great motor do plug in while you're building your new one!

Regards,

Karl Ellzey

Kenny Powell · 11-07-2002, 12:32 PM

I have a 2.0 w Ljet that I had built by my mechanic 3months ago so far so good, the only problem I have is with the AAR it doesn't kick idle up when cold starting, when warmed up runs like a bad mother F#%2er. and it's probably just the regulator I tested the circuit and it is getting the 12 volts it takes to kick it up. But I'm happy with the performance.