Which Motor??

After looking around the net.. i've decided on getting my first kit 550 from Vintage (i like their tubular frame and other options). however, I would like a really peppy engine, and i'm thinking about the Type IV 914 engine. Any downsides to this motor? any special things to make it work correctly? also.. Carburetors or dual Throttle Body injection systeM? I've heard they're a pain to get working correctly. I have a lot of experience in fabrication (mainly jeeps) so the VW stuff will be new to me. A bud has a lot of experience restoring 914's, and I've been pleased with his work but i'm not a fan of the exhaust note. any specific exhaust to either quiet it down or smooth out the sound so it doesnt sound like a VW bus while keeping the power gains of a free flowing exhaust?????

Let

Type 4 EFI is anything BUT great -I had a girlfriend with a VW 412 and the EFI was a PITA. Add to that the fact that the "black box" control unit will be difficult if not impossible to find if one fails. Dual Webers or Dellorto carburetors are simple to tune and keep synchronized.

A type 1 VW engine is every bit as reliable as a type 4 if built correctly with the proper parts for the desired BHP output. You can even get aftermarket flanged type 1 crankshafts with type 4 main bearing journals, etc.

Guys to check with, at least the most highly recommended, are Jake Raby and CB Performance. Jake's on the East Coast and CB's on the West.

Alex, I'm going in that direction too. A 914 with a 2.0 4cylinder type4 engine with a 901 tranny. If you don't mind modifying and welding a custom frame to fit.

I did some research and found that the type 4 is alot better than the type 1; Not that much heavier, Aluminum case are less prone to cracking, Larger intake/exaust ports, exaust valves are sodium filled (like 911 and aircraft piston engines), 901 tranny doesn't have to be modified for high torque/hp, and 901 is also a 5 speed.

Try to find a 914 with a side shifter and the 2.0 has 3 intake studs holding the intake manifolds (better design than the 1.7 & 1.8).
The stock FI system is complex to trouble-shoot and can be expensive to repair. Check out CB Performance, they have a very clever FI system with optional turbo. If you feel your not inclined to build an engine or simply just don't have any time to do it, I highly recomend Jake at www.aircooledtechnology.com. He does very impressive work.

Also, bear in mind that there have been no new type 4 engine cases in a long, long time, so any type 4 engine you get will most likely be built on a used/junkyard engine case.

Several different new type 1 cases are availble including aftermarket aluminum castings as well as VW factory cases.