What I have so far is a bone stock 2.0 T4. What I know about its internals:
-It was a super fresh build right before I bought the Bus, and I drove on it very little. *SHOULD* be very solid internally.
-Stock 71mm crank
-Stock rods
-Stock cam w/hydraulic lifters
-New 2.0 AMC heads
-New Mahle 94mm piston/cylinders
-Spanish Weber 40 IDFs
Now I've already started the process of gathering parts for the upright conversion. I have:
-Full DTM cooling kit (the one that uses the T4 oil cooler)
-200mm conversion flywheel, STG I pp, and clutch
-Ahnendorp/BAS 4 into 1 header
So what I'm looking for is maybe some guidance or advice regarding stepping up the performance of this T4. I have limited background with T4's in general, but I do have a lot of background in performance T1's (which I realize are not the same). I've built everything T1 related from 1915 to 2276cc, naturally aspirated, injected, and turbocharged. So where do I start with this type 4?
I've pretty well settled on wanting something "simple" this time. I don't really want to go down the road timewise/costwise to build another fuel injected or turbocharged engine. So I'm thinking either a basic 2056, or maybe a stroker 2270 is the way to go. Looking back at all my T1 engines, my 2276 TIMS STG 2 K8 cammed engine was one of my most favorites. I'd *LIKE* to end up with something similar performance wise. I realize this likely would push me towards building a 2270 T4, but depending on how much that would snowball, I may consider backing off for a more cost effective (and less HP) 2056.
Some questions:
-How much HP/motor will my BAS header really support?
Ive read some debate on that here. Since its a brand new already purchased part, I don't really want to replace it. Even if that means I need to stick to a more mild build.
-Cams: I see the 163/86b and 86b/86c cams suggested a lot.
What sort of power levels/displacement are each of these ideally suited for?
-Heads: How far can I go with my existing AMC 2.0 heads?
I *assume* these are 39mm intake and 33mm exhaust. I expect these will be pretty limiting?
-Heads: I see that AA pistons is offering some "performance" versions of the AMC T4 heads.
Stg I: https://aapistons.com/collections/cylin ... tage-1-p-p
Stg 2: https://aapistons.com/collections/cylin ... tage-2-p-p
Anyone with any experience with these? 48mm intake valve seems larger than the 44mm recommendation I've seen quite a bit. What sort of intake valve size/power level/bore size rules of thumb are there for T4 heads? I know that maybe not a "simple" questions, but for a T4 newb, what sort of advice do y'all have?
-How about AA T4 piston cylinder kits?
Looks like they have a lot of offerings. For both the 2056 and 2270 I'd need some sort of 96mm jug. Looks like I can get forged JE pistons in either standard or stroker pin height configuration. They also offer a standard stroke 24mm pin 96 piston kit as well. What about their brial cylinders? Are they worth using? Looks like 22mm pins are more or less "standard" for the forged JE/stroker pistons, so I would be looking at different rods (likely some sort of H-beam)
Connecting rod length/big end journal size/etc
This is something I'm still trying to research and learn about. I realize there is a TON of information buried in this forum. I'm still digging in obviously. Any tips? I assume there is an ideal rod length and journal size on the 2270 that minimizes internal clearancing and cylinder spacing.
With some of those basic questions out of the way, here is what I'm thinking:
I'd LIKE to go with a 2270. I would love to end up with something in that 175hp range similar to where my old T1 2276 was. Obviously I would need:
-Bigger valved/ported cylinder heads (maybe the AA/AMC heads?)
-DPR 78mm crank (journal size?)
-H-beam rods w/22mm pin
-96mm stroker piston kit (AA kit with JE pistons, maybe birals or just standard iron jugs?)
-Cam (what would you recommend?)
-Little bits and bobs (cam gear, lifters, chromoly pushrods, solid rocker shaft kit, etc)
-Dual Weber 48 IDFs
-DTM Cooling (HAVE)
-BAS header (HAVE)
What else?
If I were to stay with something more basic and lower power level and build a 2056, what should I change?
-Heads (can I do anything with my existing heads, or still best to up valve size/porting?)
-Reuse stock crank
-Reuse stock rods
-AA 96mm "standard" piston/cylinder kit (24mm pin)
-Cam (again, what would you recommend?)
-All the same little bits and bobs
-Reuse my Weber 40 IDFs
-DTM Cooling (HAVE)
-BAS header (HAVE)
What else?
Obviously these are two very different builds, two different performance levels, and two different price tags. I certainly understand to build the 2270 right it will cost some $$$$. I'm OK with that to a point. If it snowballs to much I'll just stick with the more economical 2056. I *WANT* the 2270, but certainly don't *NEED* it. I really just want to the car drivable again. Depending on how much more it would cost to go ahead and build the 2270 will make the decision for me.
And just so its not all words, here is the motor as it sits currently.. Anxious to get it reconfigured and in the '67 soon!
Certainly appreciate any advice and input from the group. I'm searching and reading through old posts as I go along trying to learn what I can, but I thought I'd go ahead and get a thread going while I had some time this morning to do so. Looking forward to the discussion!
