Alright, so I scored a deal on a VW Baja bug, that im gonna restore first then turn into a true baja bug. The first issue is that it has no engine, just pieces of what used to be...

So first off here's what I need from an engine:

Capable of climbing sand dunes
Capable of pulling a constant 65-70 highway
Capable of lugging through mud

What engine should I be on the look for to rebuild? Which to avoid!?

Also which after market parts / performance should I put in while i'm building this engine.

Last, are there any books on rebuilding these engines? Or am I on my own?

Thanks guys,

Justin H

check out this link

www.azbaja.com/ForumsP...=5663.html

What's your budget and engine building experiance?

Mykul wrote:

What's your budget and engine building experiance?

x2

Sand dunes require paddle tires. With power you can kiss a stock T-1 transaxle goodbye.
A 1600 will run 65-75 as long as you use 235 75 15 tires and a full flow oil filter and cooler.
You don't use used engine cases unless you know thier history.
Most everything else inside the engine does not get reused.
Going slow in mud usually means getting towed out.

Factory VW manual and the two HP books Rebuilding VW Engines and Hotrodding VW Engines.

To answer the other questions please post a budget for guages, engine and transaxle, axles, cvs etc.

The post Grunt-0341 linked you to will help.