VW air-cooled engines : how to build max-performance / John Kershaw.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Kershaw, John F., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Volkswagen Beetle automobile.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (268 pages)

Place of Publication:

North Branch, Minnesota : CarTech Inc., [2023]

Summary:

The VW Beetle (officially the Volkswagen Type 1) needs no introduction. Manufactured and marketed globally by Volkswagen from 1938 to 2003, more than 21 million were produced and sold around the world. The car was extremely popular in the US and Europe during the 1950s and 1960s. However, increasing competition from Japanese, American, and European manufacturers as well as stiffening demands for better safety and emissions contributed to a sharp decline in sales in the early 1970s. The Beetle was manufactured in much smaller numbers in Germany until the late 1970s, when production shifted to Brazil and Mexico, where operating cost was a large factor in keeping the Beetle alive. While simple and fun, the Beetle had simply become outdated. Of course, the enthusiast market did not see it that way. Aficionados loved the simplicity in the design as well as its aesthetics, and they enjoyed tinkering with the mechanicals of their Beetles, Buses, Type 3 models, and Karmann Ghias. There was (and still is) no shortage of options when customizing your Beetle, and for many, extracting as much performance out of the air-cooled flat-4 was the way to go. Not only does it remedy the issue of keeping up with modern traffic but Beetles also respond really well to modifications and have a robust aftermarket to support them. In VW Air-Cooled Engines: How to Build Max Performance , VW veteran Dr. John F. Kershaw lays the groundwork for getting the most possible power for your desired use and application. Covered here are all the various power levels and components. This includes rotating assemblies, cylinder heads, the cams and valvetrain, engine blocks, ignitions systems, fuel injection, carburetors and induction, exhaust, sources for parts, and even turbos and superchargers. Are you looking for just a little more power to keep up with traffic or maybe a streetable high-performance machine? Perhaps you are interested in a little street/strip action or even all-out racing applications. All of your options are examined in this book. Add it to your air-cooled library today.

Contents:

Intro

Title Page

Copyright

Contents

Acknowledgments

Preface

About the Author

Chapter 1: Engine Design

Air-Cooled and Liquid-Cooled Engine Basics

Planning

Increasing Performance

Thermodynamics

Engine Combustion

Engine Fundamentals

Displacement

Performance Factors

Four-Stroke Cycle

Valve and Port Timing

Chapter 2: Horsepower and Torque

Engine Dynamometer

Calculating Torque and Horsepower

Compression Ratio

Fly Cutting the Combustion Chamber

Dynomation Simulation Software

Chapter 3: Rotating Assembly and Lubrication System Upgrades

Engine Core Selection

Stock Engine Setup

Cases

Lubrication System Modifications

Crankshaft and Connecting Rods

Flywheel

Chapter 4: Cylinder Heads and Camshafts

VW Head Castings

Valve Grind

Valvetrain

Rocker Geometry Setting Procedure

Porting

Chapter 5: Ignition System and Upgrades

Detonation

Preignition

Ignition System

Ignition Coils

Self-Induction

Mutual Induction

Creating 40,000 Volts Under the Hood

Ignition System Selection

Advance Curves

Setting Ignition Timing on a Dynamometer

Coil

Electronic Ignition

Distributorless Ignition System

Magneto Ignition

Capacitive Discharge Ignition

Ignition Timing

Spark Plugs

Spark Plug Wires

Chapter 6: Powertrain Upgrades

Clutch Pressure Plate

Clutch Disc

Transaxle

Chapter 7: Induction System

Carburetion

Carburetor Modifications

Volkswagen Intake Manifold

Carburetor Make and Model

Carburetor Selection

Fuel Pumps

Electronic Fuel Injection

Forced Induction

Build Recommendations

Chapter 8: Exhaust System and Cooling System

4-into-1 Merged Exhaust Systems

Header Size

Mufflers

Heater Boxes

Open Exhaust Stingers

Building an Exhaust System

Engine Cooling.

Chapter 9: Engine Builds

Common Rebuild Materials

Build 1: 1,600-cc Bolt-on Horsepower

Build 2: 1,776-cc Engine

Build 3: 2,110-cc Engine

Build 4: 2,165-cc Engine

Build 5: 400-bhp Engine

Source Guide.

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

Other Format:

Print version: Kershaw, John F. VW Air-Cooled Engines: How to Build Max-Performance

ISBN:

9781613258194