Super MPG 1600 cc VW Engine Build

[dagoldfishies]

Next I tried a Pict 28 from a 40 Horse or something, I lost some acceleration but the highway speed with the big rear tires had plenty of torque and would push the beetle over 90mph and the MPG was 28-40 mpg. Drove the 67 on a 3000 Mile road trip and averaged over 30 MPG.

[dagoldfishies]

Nice Engine! Now I am an amateur at building VW engines but have done a few. One day I set out to see what I could do for My 67 Beetle. Now It was an early case and a single port so what I came up with was a balanced crank, 1600, Single port. and one of those Engle 100 Cams and Scat lifters etc. Tried Pict 30 carb. Got 25mpg Highway. Tried one Pict 32 Solex from a 1956 356A engine and after stuffing a toothpick in the Air correction jet it came alive Ran best Still about 25 MPG when driven easy.

[catalinaumbert]

I put an electronic ignition on mine and it runs better and leaner.123 ignition.com

[SuperKenny720]

How many hp is 1600cc

[thevelvetknight]

@SuperKenny720 I have heard 1600cc is around 55-60hp. However I think when you tune these engines to maximize efficiency or power, the other stats suffer. Who knows what this engine can do, but just the same I would want it. If they can convert it to a pancake motor. Type 3's FTW!

[Petzuhhut]

@thevelvetknight

To convert to type 3, you need to change the oil cooler stud, the fuel pump stud and put type 3 tins on. The distributor gear on a type 3 is turned 180 out to allow to have a vacuum advance towards the front of the car vs toward the rear in a type 1.

[TreAldMatVideo]

WOW BELTING STYLE ENGINE.

[EYEReive]

Hello i am in the process of repairing a 1973 VW 1600 cc engine/transmission, I have few problems and it would be a great help if you could answer them!

Problem 1: can't depress clutch, throw-arm and bearing work, the problem seems to be the clutch is jammed almost but its not.

Problem 2: engine will not spark, coil is good, park plugs/wires are good, would if be anything but the distributer and rotor?

Any answers are greatly appreciated!

[psymansays]

@EYEReive

The clutch is probably shot, and the points are probably fouled. Of course, you probably know that, by now :)

[mawijamana]

q onda man ..

wats up , hey the header and the exhaust are empi??? good video

[1974Alfa5Spd]

Suck it hybrids.

[bdz13]

awsome track !

[n6ugy]

Replace that 009 sawmill distributor with an SVDA, and you'll do even better.

[stevodieseltech]

PANCAKE MOTOR!

[iangoblin71]

belt looks like it could snap any minute

[scaryjames]

say you wanted to change the standard coil on a vw bug to the pertonix ignitor 1, apart from changing the points for the ignitor box thing in the dizzy, would you change any subsequent wiring due to the increased voltage?

[verdemanthe1]

runs a lot better than mine,im trying to learn how you did that,im not familiar with vw's but Im quickly learnin

[opferte]

So...... What MPG does this motor get?

[Bladeserpent]

I believe it got around 35mpg

[xzeroXsmash]

please tell me the way of the jedi force master!! lol seriously tho, im planning on getting a bug and working on one as a hobbie and was wondering is that a stock engine that u fix from scratch or is it better to swap it with another engine as like for a honda accord 92.

[LeviMan2001]

Why'd you go 009? I would've done an electronic setup (like megajolt or something) for mpgs.

[Maxpound]

Just exactly how much does one of those weigh? I may be able to talk my uncle into letting me rebuild his 62 Ghia.

[memomota]

theres some noise..like the generator's or the fan blades

[Bladeserpent]

I'm confused why the 009 was used. Aren't the vaccuum advanced distributers better for increasing full economy? Also if you just want better mpg's, just drop in a 1200cc and tune it well, you can get up to 40mpg's with those

[TanzanianRoots]

I drove an 1800cc T2 Kombi through Africa.

Could not keep the damn thing cool enough.

Next time I will go for the 1600. I think the fairings are more solid.

[garemo456]

i have an 1800 and its hard to keep cool you upgrade your oil cooler and check the fuel air mixture i know this is and old post but i hope this helps

[knightterror66]

belt is a little tooo loose

[defkon1972]

I agree I see that as well .

[MillerRacing95]

@knightterror66

Just a little too loose haha. hes going to mess up the belt

[22Angst]

@MillerRacing95 Ive seen belts on other motors run with a lot more slack than that on farm equipment etc, running for years daily and they hardly ever snap or come off or even need replacing, too much tension wears down the belt and pulleys faster and of course added stress to any bearings. I'd say that belt is just about right.

[bpoogas]

@knightterror66 I don't think so

[computer188]

Its not good for a motor when you run it without its air filter, but for things like this testing on a motor and turn it on for 2 minutes isnt really going to do anything, this isn't a gumball 3000

[ouchy112]

if you're running through the desert.

[gapster101pow]

Nice sounding motor you got there though. :)

[Xerxes371]

Lol you should have a performance engine too, so when you wanna burn some tires you just drop it in their in 10 minutes. And when you wanna save gas you just pull it out and drop in this one. BEETLE FTW!!!!

[PkwVw]

you drop it in in ten minute, hahahahaha.....you dont know aht your talking about...takes around 4 hours to a day to do a engine change...especially if you are putting in a performance engine...you have to do all of the plumbing and evertyhting

[ilagbad]

what if the car is already built for performance engines? no need to plumb anything...just a 10 minute engine swap

[PkwVw]

but you cant runstock engines with performance parts....such as you cant plumb single cabrs to dual carbs

so you cant have the car already plumbed for a performance engine unless a performance engine was already in the car, which in this case it isnt

[defkon1972]

Actually I just had my 1600cc rebuilt into a 1776 and using Scat rebuild kit parts. The only thing we did was machine the case for the 90.5 and line bore, thrust cut, and I bought new alum. heads as well. No major modifications at all and it runs like a bat outa hell.

[sirlonghair]

I had a bug customised the engine compartment so the twin carbs cleared and could do a 20 min swap

[super71beetle]

you obviously have never taken out a vdub engine

[PkwVw]

Check out my prfiel and you will see my engine i have recnetly built

[diegodiegodiego14]

dude i have a 1999 VW same type if engine just not modified or aything but same concept, and it only goes up to 120kmh and its hard getting it to 120kmh i want to fix it upp sooo bad but i have no idea where to start... what would you recomend me to do?

[2tallbrandon]

... headers and pipe then maybe some webbers then maybe a cam then maybe heads and valves then maybe a stroker kit... or swap for a flat 6 out of corvair

[Bladeserpent]

Why do you guys thumbs down for me.... fricken idiots.. bugguy1967 agrees with me.. you guys just don't know anything about engines..

[betodj90]

there buddy i tumbed you up i agree with you...

so i have vw bug too but i want more power but without the losing of mpg or if its possible add some mpg´s but then again with more power than a stock engine.... what can i do? greethings

[coolgyger]

No matter what engine you work on, you must sacrifice MPG to achieve more horsepower, because to achieve more horsepower, you first need MORE FUEL.

The best and only way to achieve both that I know of is to keep restriction down. That means smooth manifolds and head ports.

[LeviMan2001]

If you burn the fuel you have more completely you increase power and mpg.

[inegma29]

HHO would give you both MPG cooling and Hp gains. Its all in if you believe in a hydrogen generator. I do as I use to work in alternative fuels. We have carbs and what a plus when it comes to HHO. 72 super B loves the stuff ;)

[65mustangguy]

@Bladeserpent Dual carbs = greater airflow = greater economy ,

with dual cards YES you are jetting more fuel into the carbs but not as much as you think..... the dual carb jets are alot smaller than the single carb jets ...but the air intake is almost 4 times that of a single carb

[69Polie69]

@65mustangguy

So what your saying is that I can use the argument to justify switching to dual carbs!!!!

[Bladeserpent]

Should have put dual carbs on there, they help economy too

[betodj90]

really do they? (im asking seriusly) cause on my concern that would make more gas flow = less mpg

[Bladeserpent]

True, but only if your driving it like a race car. See, since you have more power with duals, the less you need to pump in gas. Plus, most dual carbs req less fuel pressure than the stock carb does.

[rollaranger]

wondering what the final verdict is....has the car been finished/tested?what was the mpg? I can get 31 out of my '71 super with a '67 1500 single port as long as I don't get on an interstate. That's stock with a 34-pict3 solex carb and the timing backed off 2*. Only problem is I get beat off the line by old ladies on 3 wheeled bicycles.

[bugguy1967]

They probably didn't get the mileage they were hoping for. The valves should have been kept stock, they should have used a better ignition, and small dual carbs. To make even more mileage, they could have thrown in a bigger crank. 82mm with 85.5 B pistons. They ARE out there.

[coolguymagoo1]

sounds beautiful :]

[fcmmm]

With the good brazilian-Autolinea heads... congrats! =D

[Fahrvergnugen]

Cool! I might be copying this idea for my '59. Right now I have a stock 1600cc single port that doesn't make the sort of mileage I'd like to see. Did you plump for one of the Berg 5-spd transaxles, too?

[thepmiester]

Why in god's name would you go with a 009?

A stock 205 vac advance would give much better MPG!

[skrapmetal]

Great job and clean looking engine. I can't see going through all that work for 35 mpg though. I'm surprised you got that with an 009 no less. I mean, even my beaten to death bone stock 1600 gets 31, and I probably could tune it better. Vac advance 205M, H30/31, 10-30 oil. Not knocking you though, Great job indeed.

[grand916]

i should put that on my mini bike

[x7afroman7x]

so what IS the mpg with this engine?

[Callumonfire]

Its To Quite for a Beetle engine you need to ROAR!:)

[arvekvalvik]

aircooled vws have really shitty gas mileage for their size!

[tuffness35]

all right, i have a 73' super beetle, i need some easy mods to the body, interior, and motor... any suggestions?

[tuffness35]

name of song at beginning?

[jimmy82022000]

Super Freak, Rick James

[tuffness35]

"i'm Rick James bitch"!!!! lol

[ChallengeTheSea]

tighten that fan belt!

[hotrodsurplus]

Good job, but you're leaving mileage on the table with that 009. November '80 Hot VWs: engine builder Jon Karcey shows how he got 46mpg. April '81: Jon got 55mpg. Among the changes: a '74 federal-spec distributor. Other mileage tips: reduce surface-to-swept area with a smaller bore (stroke to regain displacement); small-valve heads, tight deck height, and dual carburetors with very small venturis (better atomization).

You should be able to get into the 40s easily with stock gearing.

[buzzboy7]

I'm surprised you went with a 009 dizzy. I bet you could get smoother performance and therefore better mileage with an SVDA.

I have a stock 1600 dp with a 009 and running 23" diameter tires in the back. I am getting near 30-32 miles per gallon highway when I drive conservatively. Driving angrily I get no less than the advertised 25.

Nice build though. Props.

[azcension]

what is the compression ratio for this engine?

[AKSquirrel]

I'm guessing i get over 35, because i only had 2.5 gallons left, and i did 80 miles, and i still had some left to make it another 5 miles to the gas station.

1968 Autostick Beetle. (with a missing gear) (Low-1-NONE)

-Squirrel

[joness105639]

35mpg?? Ever consider selling that gas guzzler and buying an MG Midget? The only modification I did to mine was putting in a 5 speed transmission and I just got 42 MPG highway on a 130 mile trip going a steady 55mph. Of course if you can get an overdrive in your v dub it should be even better than my midget. BTW I did that with 30 psi in the tires on a fresh oil change and tune up.

[celestialblus]

I wouldn't call any car that gets 35+ mpg a gas guzzler. The objective wasn't to find the best MPG car; it was to make a VW beetle achieve optimal gas mileage. And no, I don't think I would consider buying an MG regardless of the gas mileage. Also, this is a Volkswagen Restoration Shop, not an individual. So I'm sure you can tell we might be a little prejudice against other cars. That's why were called the Bugoholics.

[joness105639]

I was being sarcastically prejudiced against vw's primarily they are some of of the few cars my Midget had a chance against when new. All that aside, an overdrive or 5 speed tranny would boost MPG considerably. What prevents you from doing that?

[celestialblus]

For starters that would generally require a conversion to a Porsche 5-speed tranny. A very costly job that most customers don't have the money for and don't need. The parts to do the job alone are very expensive and this also requires a great amount of fabrication and modification of the car. Moreover, some of the Porsche 5-speeds don't have an overdrive gear in fifth and won't help fuel economy. It all boils down to what you want. This customer wanted a good MPG while retaining performance.

[alexthe22]

Some of the newer Mexican build bugs came with 5speed gearboxes. You should be able to find some, and they are original VW parts.

[dodgecoronet68]

That's a lie, dude. None of the Mexican-produced bugs were 5 speed. The gearbox was always 4 gears and reverse, that's all. I'm a very big VW fan and also I'm Mexican.

[marco114]

Gene Berg makes a 5 speed trans

[dodgecoronet68]

yeah, but that's aftermarket, ain't it? Alexthe22 said that some of the newer Mexican bugs came with stock 5 speed transmissions, which is a complete lie.

[Alisterwolf66]

Not always. As is mentioned in a later comment, Gene Berg Enterprises makes a 5-speed conversion for any VW 'case (including the buses). They're not cheap, however.

I've also got an MG Midget. Great car, loads of fun... but costs ten times as much to fix as an air-cooled VW! They're both great in their own right. Can't beat the charm and fun factor of a well-maintained MG; even tougher to beat the anvil-like durability and simplicity of an air-cooled VW.

[L8nitedave]

Learned on MG TDs, VWs, Buses, and 914s. all the "throw aways" of the time. Yep the top down original sports cars are tough to beat. One compareson that can't be ignored. Lucas v Bosch.

[Alisterwolf66]

Heh... that's not even a comparison!

A funny quote I found: "If guns were made by Lucas, wars would not start".

This is why my Midget runs an 80-amp Bosch alternator pulled from an early 90's Saturn and a modified Honda (Hitachi) gear-reduction starter.

[riegirrl]

35 mpg right?

[celestialblus]

yes, the very fist test drive after the motor was built achieved 35 mpg.

[riegirrl]

what about the subsequent drives?

[celestialblus]

it has averaged around 35 mpg.

[riegirrl]

awesome!

[reprobacious]

35 mpg with a 009? Your tires must be about 95psi! Best I ever did with a stock '72 and SVDA dizzy was 29mpg by keeping it under 65 on "secondary" hwys during a 400-mile trip once. Of course, it's the only car I've ever had which can break 18mpg so I guess I shouldn't complain.

[boo66]

For even more economy, try single-port heads from a 1500!

[celestialblus]

Specifications for this 1600 cc. motor:

- 041 Auto Linea Heads

- EMPI Quiet Pack

- .009 Distributor

- Original German Crank

- 40X35.5 Stainless Valves

- Cam Specs Confidential : )

- 35 + Miles Per Gallon

This motor was built by Bugoholics Bug Shop. You cannot just buy parts to swap out, it entails completely rebuilding the motor.

[boo66]

I'm guessing the confidential cam is a standard VW profile. Made for the job!

[InfiniteMushroom]

Why didn't you use the Bosch L-Jetronics F.I. system? Didn't the '75-'77 Bugs already get in the low 30's with it?

[arnone160]

What parts did you change and How much did it cost to get your bug to get that kind of MPG

[giantsocks]

looks like the same set up i have if u need any tips for painting the header and qp hit me up my paint has lasted over a year now oh also u may wanna go up one jet size because of the header

[fdzwes]

I would like advice about hi-temp paint that lasts!

[64fairlanewagon]

You know what type of mpg you get? :)

I am still testing mine out. Seems around 35mpg on highway!

[celestialblus]

This motor was just finished being built when I posted the video. It just got put in its car a day or so ago. Some fine tuning still to go. I'll post another video soon of the results and it in the car.

[gumpydoood]

When my 72 bug was brand new, the best I ever got on the highway was 26 mpg. I would be real curious how you squeeze another 9 mpg out of a 1600.