Originally Posted by
rekmeyata
Back in my day they had what were known as VW Super Blocks, can't recall the horsepower that they were getting out of those, but those engines back then lasted maybe 30,000 miles. They have improved the metallurgy in those after all those years. However after some internet research I think my original assessment of those being grenade engines is still at least partially right to this day. Please read this:
VW Performance Engine Building: Considerations Where this is quoted:
- How reliable does the engine need to be? Are you prepared to tinker with it every other weekend? Are you prepared to pull the engine for maintenance or repair every six weeks? (the upper echelon (180 – 200 HP) of performance VW engines typically need this kind of attention)
So no, I still don't think their long life engines when pushed to 180+ horsepower.
Not to get into a argument over VW engines on a bike forum, but i've built over 40 engines ranging from stock 48hp to 200+hp engines and none have exploded. My last engine had 97,000 mile of me driving it like i stole it before it failed. But the engine case had over 200,000 miles on it. My current has a heavily machined VW case that only had 30k on it when I got it. Forged internals, H beam rods, hand ported heads, dual valve springs and everything dynamically balanced. The engine starts on the first turn of the key and revs to 7800rpm.
Take a look at my website if you want to see pictures of the build.
Come out to Long Island and i'll take you for a ride. Just bring a change of underpants... you'll need them by the end of the ride.
Oh.. as far as tinkering... I haven't touched the carbs or ignition for 8000 miles. The valves haven't needed to be adjusted for 12,000 miles.
All I do is change the oil every 3000 miles and add gas when it needs it.