>I would go for a tuned type 4 engine. I read only today about a Beetle in
>a german mag (VW Speed), this type 4 was a 2,9 with 200 hp and 290 Nms.
>This bug did a quartermile in 13,793 secs. You can get plenty of power for
>the same cost as replacing your engine with another make.

Except that you'll get very low reliability with such an engine. And you'll
spend plenty. I'd guess you could spend $5K building an engine like you
describe.

Just a guesstimate, but I'd say it would likely break down about like:

P&C's of that size approx $1000 US
Counterweighted stroker crank $1200 or more. There are cheaper ones, but
they are welded stock cranks, and are known to break.
Heads, appropriately modified $500 each.
Custom rods $150 each? Maybe $600 total.
Standard rebuild stuff (bearings, gaskets, motor mounts, etc) $300
Large bore exhaust system (no more heater) $500?
Cam, lifters, rocker arms, push rods $600
Induction system (carbs, poor starting, bad milage) $600 up.

The total of the above parts approaches $5k, and isn't complete. Granted
you could probably get some of this stuff for less, although it can be
difficult to find quality high performance vw parts.

I'd much rather put a 3.0 liter Nissan V6 Turbo in, it can be rebuilt for
about $1500 including a turbo rebuild, has gobs of low end torque, and is
nearly bulletproof. Never heard of a nissan v6 head cracking, or dropping a
seat, but it happens all the time on the type IV vw.

My potential engine conversion is to use a nissan VG-30ET engine from a
late 80's vintage nissan 300zx, and a porsche 915 (goes in a 911)
transmission. The VG-30ET requires no intercooler, although an air to water
unit can be fitted for increased power. It makes in the neighborhood of 220
hp, and is rock solid reliable, fuel efficient, and quiet. Doing this would
necessitate building a box over the engine compartment lid, to gain about
4" of clearance.

Joshua Van Tol -- jjvantol@lear.csp.ee.memphis.edu