Power/Reliability

[volkdent]

Originally Posted by MX67

Why if I may ask?

Besides more dense air, head temps seem to be an issue with ACVWs so cooling the charge down helps with longevity as well, from what I've understood. Most high HP mods are really designed for someone who is regularily under the decklid anyway. The trouble is that these motors and trannys were never designed to handle high HP driving, so it doesn't really matter, for the long haul they still aren't as reliable as a modern motor. I didn't read the article, but my guess is that the HVWs motor would be used in a drag racer or a dunebuggy, when your junks sticking up all over the place it's usually not a daily driver.

This is where people start saying "my friend Bill's got 60k out of this setup" and blah blah blah, but the long and short of it is if you look at the guys who run high HP AND DRIVE high Hp, their motors are quite expensive and may still require increase maintainence. The parts guys love to show you what they sell. They can't guarantee that it'll last. That's why the ACVW aftermarket is still going, people having to keep buying more stuff! It's a snowball effect really.

I'd REALLY like to have a thread dedicated to the honest stories of breakdown. I've read hundreds over the years, but I think it would be nice to see them all in one spot.

OK, now I'm just tired and grouchy, I should stop. If you can live with a "quick" car, you may be just fine, but if you want a "fast" car that is realiable, you're looking at big, big $. I'm talking over $10K, and that's just getting into the minimum motor, brakes, and suspension, unless you happen to have all these things already stored up for some reason.

My personal story. I had a 1776 built. Forged this, shuffle pinned that, oversized this, HD that, high flow blah. I check all the boxes. Then it didn't rev high enough because the rocker clips fly off. Enter solid rocker shaft. Then this happens, then that happens. Before I got divorced, my ex added up the reciepts. $16k. On a 1776 NA bug lowered and with a decent sound system. That's with a really nice bug to start with. These are little money pits. Fun, awesome little money pits. If you really want something that handles, looks good, goes fast straight and around corners, it's going to cost, that the bottom line. OK, lets hear how I'm wrong!