• Registered: 2010-09-23
  • Posts: 12

Topic: New Catalog engine vs. Rebuilding

What is everyone's take on the new engines for old bugs, for sale in Motorworks, et al.  I think they are around $1600 ($1 per cc), and I have an engine that may be due for a rebuild, 1971.   By the time you have expended time and money in rebuilding, wouldnt it make more sense just to stick a new one in there?  How do they 'feel', does it have the same sound and torque-feel of my original?  If I were replacing a motor on my Harley, it would HAVE to have that same sound.

  • TomB
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  • From: Austin, TX
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 1,095

Re: New Catalog engine vs. Rebuilding

The VW factory longblocks (Mexico) have been very good. Of course, before they stopped production in 2003/4 the new longblocks sold for $995. Now they are more like $2500. However, the Mexico engine factory has built more of these than any aftermarket builder, and all parts are factory original, with VW's Q/A standards.
http://www.aircooled.net/new-bin/viewpr … mp;cartid=

  • From: Brevard, NC
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 513

Re: New Catalog engine vs. Rebuilding

Ask MAM who the builder is. I doubt that MAM are the builders. Maybe they have a deal with GEX.
David

David
'69 Bug & '71 Ghia
No matter where you go, there you are.
Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day
  • From: Ontario, Canada
  • Registered: 2005-06-11
  • Posts: 266

Re: New Catalog engine vs. Rebuilding

Pick up the BugMe DVD and a few choice manuals and rebuild it yourself in a few weekends.  Save some money and drive your car with an amazing sense of accomplishment smile

Invest in some dual carbs, counter-weighted crank, lightened flywheel while you're at it and get even more performance without having to do any machining work.

When I first joined volkswebbin a few years ago, I was afraid to change a tire on my own because I didn't know how to torque them properly and my front wheel fell off while driving...    Fast forward to today, there are three engine's in my shop in various stages of tear-down or build including a 2 Litre stroker motor with all the bells and whistles.

Before you go out and make any purchase, spend a couple bucks and get the BugMe DVD. Watch it and see if you're not amazed at how simple it is once you watch them take it apart and put it back together.  If you still don't have the interest in it, then by all means let someone build it for you.  But you might be surprised at how exciting it is once you get over any fears you might have...

-biggie

thebignic's Website

  • From: Ontario, Canada
  • Registered: 2005-06-11
  • Posts: 266

Re: New Catalog engine vs. Rebuilding

Bob Hoover wrote:

Chances are, if you’ve never built an engine before, you won’t do any worse a job of it than Volkswagen and may do even better, which is why I think everyone should build their own engines. But most of you don’t. A lot of you are satisfied with a short-block from a reputable manufacturer. And that can be a costly mistake.

http://bobhooversblog.blogspot.com/2006 … power.html

-biggie

thebignic's Website