2387cc type 1 build question

[Aussie Rob]

I am sourcing the parts for an 86x94 type 1 street engine. I have most of the parts already.
Using 5.5" rods with chevy journals,cb wedgeport heads 44x37.5 valves,  duel 44idf webers, 1 5/8 side winder exhaust, msd igniton and using 1.4:1 ratio rockers.
 My question is the cam choice of course. I have an Engle k8 in my garage which is a left over from another motor project.  I am using an aluminium case.This time i am thinking of using an Engle Fk45 or a Web 86c using 98ron pump gas.
 What would the seat of the pants drivability and performance be for both cams? Would the k8 do the job well enough with out shelling out for another cam?

[maui]

86c or bigger. I use a FK87x1.4s and it is fabs with 48IDAs and 42 vents with 1.75 headers and 3in muffler. No bog action at all.

[Ian Godfrey]

Hi (i'm in Melbourne) I put an 86b, very similar to K8, in my 2387, and wish I had gone for an 86c. With a 1 3/4 exhaust, 44inlets and 40/42 vents the 86b is very drivable, commutable even, 110 RWKw. With Berg rockers i got 14.5mm lift so check valve to piston clearance carefully.
I've ordered an 86c for the first rebuild!!  Others may have info on FK 45,46,47

[ALB]

The FK8 will give you a get in and drive anywhere, all around great power kind of motor that will do much more than just make it to the hamburger stand for cruise night. If you want to enjoy your car by driving longer distances (VW shows or ??) the FK8 will be perfect in your 2387. When everything's right it will go to 6500 with power. I think an FK44 or 45 would do the trick here as well (the lifter bores would have to be sleeved), making a fatter torque curve overall. I haven't tried any of the FK40 series cams yet, but know of someone that has an FK44 in a bigger motor with about 60,000 miles (or more) miles on it, and I'm told the car is a blast to drive.

If the car is only driven relatively short distances (the hamburger stand on cruise night, around town) and you're hitting the track several times a month then something more radical may be in order. One guy I know runs an 86C in an 88x94 and it's scary fast. Another local guy has an FK46 in an 84x94 and runs low 12's/high 11's, depending on the day, and drives the car to work across town (about 1/2 hour commute each way) on nice days. They both run IDA's, and that's the only possible problem I see here; with a motor that size can you stuff a big enough venturi in 44's to make power to 7000 rpm and beyond? That I don't know.

The more cam timing you give it the more you will be limiting the driving you can do with it. So the question is, what do you want it to do?

[Ohio Tom (DdK)]

You can drive a bigger cam on the street no problem.
The only difference I see in doing this is the loss of some low rpm torque.
This is how the story goes with any cam that adds duration.
More duration means more soggy bottom end and more HP up top.
Take your pick on driving styles.
I used to drive my FK-87 cammed 2110 on the street all the time.
Sure it was a little lazy until around 4K, but that's how I wanted it.
It's all a matter of personal preference.


I vote FK-10 for your motor..

As for the FK-44/45 cams. Yes they are harder on thelifter bores.
They will require much more spring pressure too. This leads to faster cam wear-out cycles.
It is for this reason I tend to err on the side of milder ramped cams. yes they give up some low rpm torque, but the cam/springs will last longer before wearing out.
I hate tearing down motors just to change out cams.

[neil68]

Rob,

I've used both the FK8 and 86C in my 2332 cc and didn't notice too much difference driving on the street.  Both were fairly smooth using 91 octane pump fuel (95 RON) at 9.6:1 CR and 10.5 CR respectively...the FK8 marginally smoother at low rpms.

However, the 86C got my heavy stock Beetle into the high 12's in the quarter mile, whereas I was stuck in the 13's with the FK8.  I would recommend the FK8 if racing is only a small part of your driving.  My heads were CB Ultra Mag Plus oval-ports with extra porting by K-roc, so just a bit smaller than your wedge ports...