2.0 vs 1800 question

[MrJD]

First, my bias: I'm a toyota guy. For years people have been pulling 22r heads and using 20r heads to make power.... we have also pulled 7afe heads and put on 4age heads to make power. SO this business of head swapping comes somewhat naturally to me.

Ahem:

The general consensus that I find from people is that the 1800 is a more performance oriented engine. The 2.0 was introduced to still make useable power(though less than the 1. with all of the added smog equipment associated with the intake choking the engine. In response to this, I have read that people will pull the head from the 2.0 and wholesale replace it with the head and carb set up from a 1.8 to gain performance.

Will this simple hybrid engine make more useable around town power than a straight 1.8 (insert random "no replacement for displacement" comment). Also, if I were to mildly modify the engines presented, which would make the most reliable power from your perspective: Fresh head, hot but streetable cams, maybe a mild port and polish, header/exhaust, good carb or dual weber set up.

1.8, 2.0, or 2.0 hybrid with 1.8 head. How would the engines behave? (stock shortblock)

[BEEK]

yes, a 2000 with a 1800 head and a 1800 intake manifold and a 1800 carburetor will make more power than a 2000 as it comes. you do not have to change the head though, the difference is very minor in combustion chamber size and the 2.0 head has better flow areas around the intake valves (less shrouded), i do not have any flow bench data to back this up, but looking at the combustion chamber tells the story.

[So Cal Mark]

if you're going to build an engine, use all of the 2L parts and get pistons with the cr that you desire

[vandor]

An 1800 will never have the torque of the 2000 - and torque is what accelerates the car. Do as Mark says

[opus10583]

Hi,

If you want torque get a turbo. If you want song do the 1756 (or earlier).

...Looking to turn the Lampredi four into a small block Cheby is a fool's quest.

YMMV,
Mark

[djape1977]

poor man's way is to just bolt on 1800 head on 2 liter block. gain is noticeable and instant. said that, guys who claim that it ain't the way to do things right are right

[131]

The 1800 is a sweeter revving motor, but the torque of the 2 litre is seductive. The 2 litre is basically a stroked 1800 anyway, so horses for courses.

[MrJD]

So then, what I am getting here is that the 2.0 is actually the better engine for every day driving.. it was simply choked to death by smog equipment, bad carb set up, and lower compression pistons... thus causing it to be very weak. And further, you are saying the head design of the 2.0 is better for a performance engine? I have to assume the 2.0 when properly tuned (and with an appropriate carb set up) would also provide a nice song?

[focodave]

The 2L is an under-squared engine, meaning that the stroke is larger than the bore. That equates to torque.
Couple that with higher-compression pistons, and you have a torque-monster.
Torque is what you are going to feel in the seat of your pants and when climbing hills.
Horsepower is great but in these cars, you are probably going to be more pleased with modifications that produce more torque over horsepower.
2L, FI, stock 2L head, with high-compression pistons is the way to go IMHO.
Yes, that's what I have and I love it !!!
You'll get gobs of torque and pick up some extra horsepower as well.

[djape1977]

just bring it up to euro-spec 112bhp for carbed or 122bhp for injected version and you'll be more than happy with results

[narfire]

Modifications to increase HP and torque is directly proportional to the thickness of one's wallet...
What year car are you dealing with? Was it a FI or carb'd car?
I helped a fellow with his 79 a few years back and we took all the pollution crap off, swapped to a single plane intake with a 34 DMSA carb, and he noticed a big difference from stock...different car he said.
Chris

[ga.spyder]

Put a f.i. setup on there..instant horsepower and plenty of torque.

[Charles101]

Should I consider the 2L for my 71 spider?

[azruss]

I put a 2L carb in my 70 with no issues. I currently have a 80 FI with a flat hood. Had to do some small mods to the center beam on the hood as there was slight rubbing on the belt cover.

[vandor]

Should I consider the 2L for my 71 spider?

It's a personal taste thing. I have one in my '71. I had the 1608 for the first two years, then I swapped in the rebuilt 2 liter engine from my wrecked Spider. The 2000 has a lot more performance and gets about the same mileage. I have thought of converting it FI like my '70 was, but have not had the time to do it in the last 8 years...