Hi Bus Barn. This is my first post. I have purchased a solid type 2 1977 Riviera pop top VW bus for my son. It came with a blown 2.0 engine with a cracked case. I have been looking for cases and rebuildable cores. I am a disabled Vietnam Era vet so I am not cash flush so cheap is always a good thing. I fould a running 1.8 type 4 engine (Fuel Injected) that came out of a Porsche 914. I believe that the case and /or the engine itself is interchangable. In short, can I replace the 2.0 type 4 with ther 1.8 type 4 and swap out all of the FI?
If so (as the 1.8 will cost me only $75) this would be great for a temporary solution while I rebuild the 2.0.
Any input would be appreciated. Besides the HP, will it work? Slow but steadt works for me.
rjhucka
1.8 / 2.0 engine swap
- fusername
- Posts: 6806
- Joined: Sun Jan 28, 2007 11:26 am
Re: 1.8 / 2.0 engine swap
absolutely do it. that 1.8 might be a better candidate for your son. If he drives with a lead foot the smaller engine will run a bit cooler. it is a bolt in swap by the way, externally a 1.8 and 2.0 are identical. Does the 2.0 have FI? porsche and VW used different style FI on the motors, I personally like the bus type. I have never played with porsche, but I hear it is a bit harder to get in tune and much less forgiving about vacuum leaks. MUCH LESS.
if the bus needs tires (make sure it has TRUCK tires) you can get slightly smaller than stock, like a 175 75 r14 to compensate for the smaller motor. will let it pull a bit harder around town, will just rev a touch high on the freeway, but I think the 1.8s like that anyways. 1580 lbs load rating on the tires, reinforced sidewalls make it much better behaved on the freeway, a touch hard to find on a 14 inch rim, but there are several kinds out there. I personally love the BFG all terrains (195/75-14) a little tall and very heavy so you loose acceleration, but you will never get stuck and the ride is awesome.
this your first bus?
if the bus needs tires (make sure it has TRUCK tires) you can get slightly smaller than stock, like a 175 75 r14 to compensate for the smaller motor. will let it pull a bit harder around town, will just rev a touch high on the freeway, but I think the 1.8s like that anyways. 1580 lbs load rating on the tires, reinforced sidewalls make it much better behaved on the freeway, a touch hard to find on a 14 inch rim, but there are several kinds out there. I personally love the BFG all terrains (195/75-14) a little tall and very heavy so you loose acceleration, but you will never get stuck and the ride is awesome.
this your first bus?
give a man a watch and he'll allways know what time it is. give him two and he can never be sure again.
Things are rarely just crazy enough to work, but they're frequently just crazy enough to fail hilariously.
Things are rarely just crazy enough to work, but they're frequently just crazy enough to fail hilariously.
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- Joined: Sat Sep 10, 2011 8:05 am
Re: 1.8 / 2.0 engine swap
fusername. Thanks so much for the validaqtion and the suggestion on the tires. You are awesome. God Bless!
rjhucka
rjhucka
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- Posts: 1171
- Joined: Thu Jun 03, 2004 12:42 am
Re: 1.8 / 2.0 engine swap
I have run a 1800 engine with a 091 tranny and 215/70R14 tires for decades. Has always run fine. Not as torquey as a 2.0, but plenty good enough.
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- Joined: Sat Sep 10, 2011 8:05 am
Re: 1.8 / 2.0 engine swap
Thanks for the reply.