LN Engineering 2563 Kit Options

[JimVG]

Has anyone here built a 914 Type 4 using the LN Engineering 2563-190 kit?

[VaccaRabite]

IMO - I would not consider the the 2.5 kit engine for several reasons.

1) The 2270 is a well proven engine kit and will outlast the 2563-190 while making about as much power. If you want to build an engine bigger then a 2056, the 2270 is where I would go kit wise. It got the most development from Jake back in the day and there was a LONG time where even he said he preferred it over the 2.5. Look up Jakes beetle the Bluebonic Plague. He drove it across the nation with a 2270, data logged the entire trip, and used that data to make the 2270 an even better engine. IIRC, this car and engine also got air conditioning and a host of other upgrades over the years. I don't know what the kit options are for the 2270 these days, but they used to come in 150ish and 200ish hp versions. If you want a kit engine, I'd look there.

2) 2.5 engines are known for snapping cranks and performing spectacular RUDs (Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly). Too much torque. Too much heat. Too thin components.

3) There are other options if building it yourself is not the goal. I am running a 2.3i (2258) from PMB Performance that makes about 150ish HP. It come ready to install WITH fuel injection. You open the crate and install the engine. No sourcing carbs. No sourcing fuel injection. No tuning (unless you want to). The cost of the "2.3i" from PMB is not that much more expensive then the kit engine. They do require a core engine, and you will wait for several months to a year for your engine to get delivered - but that's likely the same amount of time it would take you to build it yourself. Eric and the crew at PMB are also in constant development for this engine. I got engine #2 from this program. They are in the process of making them even better and taking a mindset of longevity over peak HP. And you get PMB customer service - which is second to none IMO.

Good luck!
Zach