ALRIGHT so about a year from now, actually a little less than that, i'm going to be putting a brand new engine in my bug, i need help deciding what i should go with. Here's my criteria:

I want as much HP as i can get while still being able to pass emissions, Emissions is a big deal in this case (no pun intended) because it is the main reason (other than my 1641 is on it's last leg) that i'm getting a new one.

i'm looking for the displacement that would give me the best of both worlds. Runs clean for the Emissions Nazi's and runs fast for my inner speed deamon, i've heard of certain engines that run hotter than others and i would also like to avaid that.

Thank you everyone ALL INPUT WELCOME!

Usually a smaller bore longer stroke will have cleaner emissions. The CB performance cheater cam is a great emisions cam that gives good performance. I think a 90.5 with a 74 or 76 stroke crank, stock valved 3 angle valve job, pocket ported heads, cb cheater cam, and dual 36 dellortos and a qualit 1.5" header would be a good combo.

I agree with Madman, The CB cheater cam is one of the best VW camshafts I have seen. Its an awesome grind that makes plenty of HP and torque, yet passes emissions with flying colors. You can run up to a 8.5-1 compression ratio on 87 octane pump gas with no detonation issues (lobe separation is the key here). Its a perfect baja cam as well as a street car cam becasue the power band starts just off idle.

As far as motor size, you can build a 1915 for the same price as a 1776 or 1835, so just build a 1915

OR..... If you go stroker I would go with a 74mm or 76mm crank (little to no case clearancing needed) and go with 94mm pistons/cyls (becasue they are the same price as 90.5s or 92s). Biggest difference on the stroker vs a 1915 (or smaller) is the extra cost of the crank.

Dual carbs are nice for performace, but a single dellorto is going to be easier to keep tuned.

Daryl, what would be your theory on a 2276, some of the guys on D3 were saying that could be a good engine too, they say it's better at dispersing heat than a 1915.

i'm thinking 2276 with a cheater cam (if that could be done) and a single 40 weber.

You want torque not HP to move tall tires especially in a heavy Baja.
It is not the engine size that determines if it passes emissions. Choice of cam, heads and carbs do. Single carbs and performance cams with more duration than a W 100 usually won't pass AZ emissions. The 2280 cheater is a mild cam similar to the old Weber 76 cam I have used on otherwise stock 1600s. Great cam. Those 1600s easily passed emissions. The king of bottom end is the FK 65 cam which is similar to the above two cams but has more lift for even more bottom end.