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So, newbie here, both to the forum and the VW world as well. Bought a near "race ready" BAJA bug with a EA engine code. Should be a 1700 by the available info. Entered a couple of desert races here in Texas put on by the good people over at TDRA. Bug ran strong and pretty fast for what we were doing. Fouled a plug in the last race due to excessive oil in the cylinder. Oil leakage at the plug hole and the exhaust port on the passenger front cylinder.

i finally got around to tearing it down and here is what i found. Looks like a 96mm bore with 39mm exhaust and 32mm intake. The pistons have A6 stamped or molded inside. The wrist pin is 24mm. With all that being said, I really just want to go back together with new jugs/piston/pin/rings
and refurbished heads. With these givens, my question is, first, what do i have? cc's? 1700 heads? Second, is there anything i can change within
that scope without machine work? Bolt on. i.e. bigger jug and piston. As i said, bug was strong and fast as is but if Im in there... Dont really want to have to crack er open. Rods seem to be tight. Im more interested in longetivety, endurance, bullet proof. Not that guy looking to put every upgrade possible into a four race a year hobby but I hate seeing DNF next to my name.
I have been all over the web trying to educate myself and it seems the more i read, the less i know...I just want some one with experience to tell me
in plain english what to order so i can get this thing sewed back up and get back in there....

Measure your stroke, the difference between TDC and BDC.

Stroke measures 66mm. It has a 2.0 crank and rods. looks like it measures out to about 2055 cc I think.

Stroke measures 66mm. It has a 2.0 crank and rods. looks like it measures out to about 2055 cc I think.

66mm is 1.7l stroke. 2.0l had 71mm. So your 66 x 96mm gives 1911cc.

Im sorry. I acted like I knew what I was talking about! The whole reason I joined here is because I dont' know squat about
VW and not a whole lot more about motors in general. Thanks! Ordered my kit today.

What kit?

vw9600t466 from aa piston

what can i do with my heads? 39 and 32 in it now. what can i open those up to?

Well you have committed yourself to 1.8/2.0 register heads, wise move. Frankly 1.7 heads opened to the late register are great, unless cracked or plain worn out. And that isn't something that can be fixed on the cheap.

Even as a play toy, the answer is new heads no matter the OE application. HAM heads from the type-4 store for top shelf blessed parts. I wouldn't be looking at recycled parts or bargains.