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Dear Sir,
I have a 1978 SC, which needs an engine rebuild, so I’m thinking of upping capacity to eke out some more power. It’s an expensive move, so what are the pros and cons in your view? Is it worth it?
Alec Little
Decisions need to be made with care during an engine rebuild process. Do you keep it original? Upgrade the internals? Change the capacity? The 3.0SC engine is a lovely sweet spot in the air-cooled era and makes you want to rev it out to enjoy its full range – I’d be inclined to keep the capacity the same and retain its originality, and look at other upgrades for it such as performance exhausts. There are lots of options to upgrade that don’t have any downsides other than extra costs and loss of its authenticity. If your car is already modified then it would be a great route to explore if you want some added power and torque. However, it’s easy to get carried away. Think about what you use you car for. Is it a show piece, a casual drive out, or a Sunday morning car that gets driven hard on those cold, crisp mornings? All of these can influence the route that you’ll eventually go down. Good luck with the rebuild!