Derek asks- >I was wondering if you guys could give me the dirt on VW engines. >Are they reliable? They are pretty cheap and I am trying to find out >if this is another "you get what you pay for" type of thing.
Derek, other than the Type IV which is more robust (but more expensive), you're dealing with an engine that started life at something like 40 HP and we're asking it to put out at least 50% more than that in most KR setups. A few ask even more of the engine than that, but engine life drops pretty quickly if you take them up higher, run turbo 2180cc setups, etc. The engine is a very well known, well supported quantity. Lots of aftermarket support, parts are available, and the VW has been used in many homebuilts with good results. Its weaknesses are also well known. One of the weaknesses has been trying to drive a prop off the "wrong" end of the engine, and there have been conversions for driving off the output end, such as the unit offered by Great Plains. Simply put, the engine is reasonably reliable if you use a known conversion method and don't ask for more than about 55-60 continuous HP from it, keep it cool, and keep the valve train adjusted. Now the Corvair is a different story. The aero conversion drives the prop off the power output end as originally intended. The lifters are hydraulic, so no periodic valve lash adjustments. The engine was made to put out up to 180 HP in its high output trim in the car, so we're only asking it to put out half that in the aero conversion. But you already know that-? Oscar Zuniga San Antonio, TX mailto: taildr...@hotmail.com website at http://www.flysquirrel.net
