I have a 1972 Karmann Ghia, and I am looking to get more horsepower out of it, any ideas?

Question

The car produces I think 80 horse power stock, I am considering a porsche flat 6. Over all I am looking for about 175-250 hp. Anyone have any ideas.

Answer 1

By the way that karmann ghia has more like 53hp stock. Ibeen doing aircooled vw's for like 17 years now and the best reliable hp engine upgrade you can go with in that hp range you just mentioned is going to a type 4 vw motor. Basicly the vw made porsche 914 engine. There is a guy out of cleveland GA, (jake raby) of aircooledtechnologies.com can hook you up with anything you need for your ghia. Best thing about that type 4 motor, you are sure to get 100k miles out of it without the same problems you have with type 1 motors. Check his website out and see what you think. Good luck.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
I have a 1972 Karmann Ghia, and I am looking to get more horsepower out of it, any ideas?
The car produces I think 80 horse power stock, I am considering a porsche flat 6. Over all I am looking for about 175-250 hp. Anyone have any ideas.

Answer 3

Karmann Ghia Engine Upgrade

Answer 4

Back in the 1970's quite a few VW's and Karmann Ghias were changed over to a Porsche engine. It is a lot of work, but you wind up with a real screamer.

Answer 5

For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/avUWK

Noooo question that it is one of the coolest first cars you could get if you're a VW person! As far as safety issues, the car met all the 1972 safety requirements but would never meet them today! Rust is a major problem with those old cars- If it's a "beautiful '72" as you describe- is it a restoration and was it done properly? When I did my 71 Bug, we took it off the pan and replaced all the rusted metal on the pan and body. We did our best to rust proof it and undercoat it for additional protection... "Bondo" was used in scant places. Or is the car all original and lived in a garage in the winters, was driven only on sunny and dry days, etc? These are the things you want to find out before going any further. For all you know, it looks good from a distance but the floor-pan looks like swiss cheese. Makin' it safer once you determine the car's ok? Get and keep a fire extinguisher in the car. Get 3 point seat-belts, a "Wink" mirror to increase your field of vision. Lesse.... and you may be able to have a roll bar installed to help protect you in the event of a roll over. I hope this helps! Good luck!

Answer 6

i cant remember the name of the company, but there is one out there that does 993 turbo (93-99 porsche flat 6 turbo) conversions for them.

for a cheaper solution, im sure you could prob get your hands on a 930 911 motor for relatively inexensive, and it should pack more than enough punch for such a small car.

a big note though: BE READY TO REINFORCE STUFF and put better brakes on the thing. Going fast isnt fun when you cant stop or when the chassis twists under the power. The car was made for 80hp. NOT 200+.

also, this does require extensive work. And if you can, get an 87 or 88 930 911 motor. they came with the G50 transmission, which is the transmission of god.

Answer 7

I've scene a dozen or so ghia's intamately tuned properly, and I would suggest one of two things....

1: go with the type four, and pimp the living *%@# out of it; this will make you very happy :)

2: get the nicer electrical system, a nice set of solex double carbs for it, lower it to the ground, and get an electronic fuel advance on it....

That Damn Deliguy has spoken...

Answer 8

in the 1970's quite a few VW's and Karmann Ghias were changed over to a Porsche engine.

Answer 9

You can get a higher end Bosch distributer, a weber carburetur, lighter pulleys and a scatback exhaust. You can do all that work yourself. If you want to spend a little more there are air-cooled bug engine builders that can do a "2180" kit for about a grand (I'm guessing). That's taking the engine apart, boring out the cylinders, new pistons and heads and valves. those things will really move compared to stock!

Answer 10

those was nice little cars but i would be more concerned with what it might still need in repairs , I'm sure its had lot of work done to it,if not it will need a lot of work to maintain it,they were good cars when they was new,and if this one is in good shape it may be ok,but remember you cant go to any parts store and order a part for it,its an old car keep this in mind when you buy it,and also look for rust that it may have on it if its been rusted and repaired it might be a good idea to stay away from it,they did cause a lot of problems because of rusted out frame structures on them,good luck with it.