what would you do?

alright lads. dont post much on here sorry.
ive got a 74, which i love exactly the way it is.
its just unusable. and i want to start using it for the summer months next year.
so im thinking the little small block could do with being changed.
with it being a 74 i dont really went to destroy the bay.
so what would you do?
1300 driver engine? g40? polo gt?
or go for something real g60? 16v t?
just after afew ideas. ive been thinking g40 as it can be down without messing bay.
looks good, quick but not crazy. and not too many about.
and i know its better original, which is why ill keep the original engine, tidy it up. then its always ready to drop back in.
just no point in having a car with a naff engine i dont use.
opinions, ideas. cheers guys
(bad spelling due to night shift)lol

g 40 would be my choice

Keep it original and buy a different car.

1.4 16v on standard management, still a small block so keeping to its roots but a nice modern engine with efficient fuel injection to make it a perfect daily driver. 112bhp standard so plenty of power

you could put bike carbs on but that would make it more unreliable and a fuel guzzler

dubboy said

Keep it original and buy a different car.

Me too.

There aren't enough very early exames left. Restore that 74 and but a cheap Mk2/3 for £500 as a daily if you can afford to do it.

Hope you can. Any photos???

I agree with the above, there's plenty of fast stuff out there that's dirt cheap. Post up a pic of your 74, would be nice to see it.

andy-dry said

its just unusable. and i want to start using it for the summer months next year.
so im thinking the little small block could do with being changed.

Why is it unusable? Even if its a 1.1, being in a light car it should have enough power to be usable - so long as the engine is working properly. I'd suggest check the basics on the engine, and fix it whatever it takes, even if that's a full rebuild of the engine. You might be able to swap another 1.1 into the car. Swapping a 1.3 or another non-standard engine will massively devalue the car (in addition to the cost of the engine), as others have pointed out.

As the voice of treason i would say g40 too  you say you want to use as a summer driver so you wouldnt want anothet car ie mk3 i guess. Just do what you suggested and keep the standard lump and refit if you ever sell so you dont devalue it. If it was mine i would modify it to the hilt regardless of age or model, go for what you want bro

If you never plan on selling it on then stick a bigger engine in it.

If you plan on selling it on in future, then recon the current engine and find another car to fettle with.




Or sell it to me…. :mrgreen:

Keep it original, please please don't mess with it

Look how VW themselves have progressed. Modern times, modern engine - get stuck into it & turn it into what YOU want.

i'd sell as is to a guy name mAtt- and buy a daily

That's the thing, with a g40. Everything could go back the way it was. So it wouldn't de value the car. As i could return it to standard and sell the g40. Not loosing much money.
Only asking ideas and opinions. Im pretty sure I'll never sell the car. I've hardly used it, but still have mad love for it. Spent more time cleaning then using it. Was also my wedding car. So I'll be keeping it forever.
Hence the wanting a decent strong engine I'll enjoy.
Tho I do see the keeping it original side.
I may get the engine recond. See what it's like then.
Focus on the paint&body side first. Just wanted to see what you would do. I know it's what I want that counts. And I'll do what I want. But opinions are always good so keep em coming. Thanks for advise.
Anyone recommend a decent garage to do the engine recon?

I would sort the bodywork out first it's what these cars are all about especily being a 74. Give the people what they want…………………pics!!!!!!

It is your car mate so I guess its up to you,I think the biggest down side of the early cars are that they seem to be undergeared.Mk2 1.3 High compression engine and a 5 speeder will make the car much more user friendly as an every dayer as well as not butchering up the car. Deffonatly don't sell it as someone else may well ruin it.

If you plan on keeping the car forever as you say,then I wouldn't worry about its future value,along. You keep it's structure sound then the car wil only grouping value
Sure if you kept it standard it would hold its value better but it's your motor do it to your spec  :wink: