Cam Swap, Engine All Together Options

[dereknlee]

I have a decision to make and could use some advice. My 1.7 engine was completely re-built into a 2 liter in 2012 by a local shop. At the time the plan was to run 40 IDFs so a Webcam 86 (00-152) cam was installed. My 914 hasn't driven since 2008 and has been an on-again/off-again project ever since, so the rebuilt long block has never run.

Well the 914 project is back on again and in the intervening years I've decided to stick with D-jet. I talked with Webcam, they said the 86 grind isn't too different but that they recommend a 73. And they generously offered to exchange for the cost of shipping (assuming the cam condition is as new).

Swapping the cam is a bit intimidating as a project, but I have some engine rebuild experience and have done enough wrenching that I think I could muddle through.

My questions are as follows:

1) If in my shoes would anyone not change the cam? My consensus from searching this forum is that the 73 is the grind to go with for injection and 86 is for carbs. But the conversations are usually had while someone is doing a rebuild anyway and looking for the optimal cam.

2) Is there a minimally invasive way to get to the cam, or should I just follow engine rebuild instructions and pull everything apart? Haven't found anything in my searches on this or other forums to suggest there is any option here.

3) Should I really just have a shop do this? The warranty on the rebuild has long expired. But the possibility for mistakes that could take down the otherwise good rebuild abound (or so I fear). Are there any steps in this process that require experience or special tools that someone who is book taught on this process is likely to mess up?

Here's a picture, because walls of text are boring:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.thesamba.com-14259-1587828462.1.jpg)

Thanks!

-Derek

[PlaysWithCars]

do You have a complete and known working D Jet system for the 2L?

If not, and you’re considering paying someone to break the engine down and can swap (which will be a bunch of work and cost since the pushrods will have to be remade with the new geometry, etc), why not instead switch to a more modern EFI system? Even the simplistic system can be tuned to work with a ‘carb’ cam with little difference than an old FI grind. Cost may not be so different, and you won’t have to deal with old electronics. If you’re not too concerned about the stock look, Mario at the dub shop seems to have some pretty nice setups which aren’t too costly.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)
Fuel injection (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) over carbs, but I wouldn't spend the money to swap cams. I'd do as Jim suggests and build an FI system for the motor you have. You've noted that your motor isn't a stock 1.7 anymore, so the 1.7 FI system isn't going to function properly without some tweaking. Cam swap + FI tuning is probably going to cost as much or more as just building an FI system to match what you have. Instead of ending up with a non-original lower hp solution, why not embrace that its not stock and build an FI system to match the motor you already have?

I also think the color is great by the way.