I have a complete 1968 1500cc SP, which I had planned to completely tear down and rebuild. The upside to this is that I haven driven the car with this motor in and have heard it run....however it has been sitting for at least 5 years...hence the total rebuild. The downside is that it is the H5 case, which is fine for a stock motor, but it is still and H5 case.
However I recently have gotten the opportunity to get a 1971 1600cc DP for $50. The guy claims he just wanted something bigger so he bought a long block and wants to get rid of the 1600 and decided the shipping to get back the core charge isn't worth it. I am told that it runs it just leaks a little oil. The downside with this motor is that I have never heard it run, and I don't know what I'm getting. I do know it will need a fan shroud as he is keeping that. I would do a total rebuild on this anyway.
I had planned to keep the 1500 reuse as much of the 1500 as possible, same heads, etc. The cylinders and pistons would have been 1600 as that is what is most readily available.
For $50 I may buy it anyway, but now I have to decide which one to focus on and rebuild. Is the switch to DP really going to make a big difference on a pretty stock build that will mostly be driven under 65mph? It will likely rarely if ever see the highway, but I do live in a rural area with some decent hills.
So....rebuild a 1500cc SP into a 1600cc (keeping the 1500cc SP heads), or rebuild a 1600cc DP??
However I recently have gotten the opportunity to get a 1971 1600cc DP for $50. The guy claims he just wanted something bigger so he bought a long block and wants to get rid of the 1600 and decided the shipping to get back the core charge isn't worth it. I am told that it runs it just leaks a little oil. The downside with this motor is that I have never heard it run, and I don't know what I'm getting. I do know it will need a fan shroud as he is keeping that. I would do a total rebuild on this anyway.
I had planned to keep the 1500 reuse as much of the 1500 as possible, same heads, etc. The cylinders and pistons would have been 1600 as that is what is most readily available.
For $50 I may buy it anyway, but now I have to decide which one to focus on and rebuild. Is the switch to DP really going to make a big difference on a pretty stock build that will mostly be driven under 65mph? It will likely rarely if ever see the highway, but I do live in a rural area with some decent hills.
So....rebuild a 1500cc SP into a 1600cc (keeping the 1500cc SP heads), or rebuild a 1600cc DP??
No question....the 1600cc DP is a better motor. Breaths better, better oiling, better case, better all the way around.
Plus, if your budget allows in the future it works so much better with dual carbs, better exhaust, etc etc.
Plus, if your budget allows in the future it works so much better with dual carbs, better exhaust, etc etc.
i am in no way a VW professor. i have been in the same battle your in but my other motor is a H0 case.
but i will totally agree with Jeffery. Hands down rebuild the 1600DP. from the reading i have done on different forums around, like you said the H5 case is ok for a stocker. even could use it for a stock 1600DP but like noted everywhere else the dual port is way better. and also from my reading the power and performance froma 1600 is way way better, dress it up with a dual carb setup and a good exhaust and it day and night
whatever your decision
good luck
but i will totally agree with Jeffery. Hands down rebuild the 1600DP. from the reading i have done on different forums around, like you said the H5 case is ok for a stocker. even could use it for a stock 1600DP but like noted everywhere else the dual port is way better. and also from my reading the power and performance froma 1600 is way way better, dress it up with a dual carb setup and a good exhaust and it day and night
whatever your decision
good luck
The other thought I had was to rebuild the 1500SP for now and use that. Then as budget allows later, use the 1600DP as the base for something a "little" bigger...
Enjoy the DP now....one thing I have learned is that buggies are often a passing hobby.
Build the DP...run it...enjoy it. And then look for another DP to build.
If you are building a motor then build one that you will enjoy while you still have the bug.
Build the DP...run it...enjoy it. And then look for another DP to build.
If you are building a motor then build one that you will enjoy while you still have the bug.
Thanks, I think I'll go with the DP.
Your comment on the passing hobby is exactly why I am building this on as small a budget as I can get away with! Who knows I may drive it for the summer and hate it and if I do hate it, I may just get lucky enough to break even if I unload it. Luckily I got a complete buggy for nothing and the only costs are the rebuild, but even that can get out of control real quick if you don't watch it.
If I decide I like it and keep it, then upgrades will get prioritized and implemented, but for now legal and reliable are the only 2 priorities!
Your comment on the passing hobby is exactly why I am building this on as small a budget as I can get away with! Who knows I may drive it for the summer and hate it and if I do hate it, I may just get lucky enough to break even if I unload it. Luckily I got a complete buggy for nothing and the only costs are the rebuild, but even that can get out of control real quick if you don't watch it.
If I decide I like it and keep it, then upgrades will get prioritized and implemented, but for now legal and reliable are the only 2 priorities!
Exactly.
And if you do decide to sell a DP equipped buggy will have more resale.
And if you do decide to sell a DP equipped buggy will have more resale.
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