road hawk trike troubles

[reno69694]

just bought a 1999 roadhawk trike, 1800 motor is in it,not enough power for some reason,what would i have to change on it to put a porsche 911 motor in it,supposedly it should bolt right up,and what year porsche motor would i look for,,ps it is an automatic

[Loner]

I don't think you're gonna get to what you want with Porsche. The 911's andf 914's don't bolt directly to VW trannies as I recall. I remember we used to switch out for the motors from the older 356 model Porsches. Problem is you only get name - not any more HP (VW might be 63 BHP, 356 motor rated 58 BHP). And anything that says Porsche is expensive.

I recommend at finding a Subaru 1.8, 2.2, or 2.5L motor from the early to mid 90's (from Legacy cars). I am currently installing a 2.2L motor on my VW trike using a Kennedy Engineering Products adapter kit. Subaru motor is virtually dead on the same dimensions as the VW motor, only adds about 55 more pounds in weight and other than adding a small rediator in the front (or a small pair of radiators with electric fans such as salvaged of a Goldwing) will bolt together nicely. The icing is VW = 63 BHP stock, Subaru 2.2L stock = 136 BHP. Quite a performance difference still using a factory stock engine, and parts are easy to find and affordable.

[trikertroy]

Im a career VW and motorcycle tech and a lifelong volksrodder and VW modifier.

The automatic can suck a lot of useable power out of your not that small for a VW motor. But automatic trike are way more valuable the a stick shift one these days.

Your engine can be punched up to 1915cc and 120hp fairly easy keeping the stock crank and going for the biggest jugs possible.

A 911 engine is MUCH to heavy for your trike and not really practical for non mechanics.

I truely love the type 4 engine..Its the big block VW engine that came in the 914 and vans. Lots of low end torque and can be modified for big horsepower and can be very useable stock. They are heavier the the beetle engine you have now and that will effect you front end weight,,, which is pretty light already.

Id suggest looking around your local area for any VWs and their owners.. Eventually you will stumble on someone knowlegable and will have way too many bugs laying all over the place..THEY are the people you need to talk to.

There are lots of reasons for your lack of power.. Valve adjustment,, intake manifold leaks,,poor timeing...etc.

Too bad you arnt in the Tampa area... Id set it to rights.

[reno69694]

keres a good one it just got delivered from okeechobee today