Type1 Case Options

hambone · Post by **hambone** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 8:40 am

In your experience, what is the best option:

1. New aluminum case
2. New magnesium case
3. used German dual-relief case, remachined

Do new cases need machining? Or do they come ready to assemble?

I read somewhere that new cases have porosity issues, not sure if this is still a problem.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewto ... minum+case

EDIT: wow aluminum cases start at $629 (empi/autolinea)....looks like I'll be using magnesium! But new or used??????

Westy78 · Post by **Westy78** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 4:54 pm

I've also heard bad things about the porosity of the new aluminum cases. They are sand cast and when things get heated up that sand ends up in your sump! I'm guessing you don't want that.

static · Post by **static** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 5:41 pm

Why not a new Mexican case?

Hippie · Post by **Hippie** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 8:49 pm

I vote for #2.

Who knows what expansion characterisics the aluminum one has. VW didn't engineer that style for aluminum.

Remachined is still old. The Magnesium gets fatigued and always cracks eventually. Maybe it's on its last year of service.

I'd look at CB Performance for a new AS41 Magnesium case.
They should be ready to assemble without machining unless you want to increase the bore and/or stroke. They sell those, too, already machined for the bigger displacements.

Link to Standard Case

Link to Clearanced Case

I see they've about doubled in price since I bought mine a little over four years ago, but it seems like everybody's cases have. I'm happy with mine.

Post by **Amskeptic** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 9:05 am

Hippie wrote: I'd look at CB Performance for a new AS41 Magnesium case.

This is the perfect decision to not cheap-out on.
This is the perfect decision upon not which to cheap-out.
Colin

Hippie · Post by **Hippie** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 1:23 pm

Amskeptic wrote: This is the perfect decision upon not which to cheap-out.
Colin

Oh yes! Such a natural flow when we take pains to avoid ending a sentence with a preposition. Thank you Hamlet.

static · Post by **static** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 1:32 pm

I am shocked, shocked I tell you, at the price of cases nowadays.

Post by **Amskeptic** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 3:32 pm

Hippie wrote:I vote for #2.
Who knows what expansion characterisics the aluminum one has. VW didn't engineer that style for aluminum.

Aluminum is the superior material in every way except for weight.
Colin

Hippie · Post by **Hippie** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 4:22 pm

Amskeptic wrote:Aluminum is the superior material in every way except for weight.
Colin

I completely agree.
But the expansion characteristics of aluminum in a T-1 case that was designed for AS41 'noids me. Unreasonable fears?

chitwnvw · Post by **chitwnvw** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 5:42 pm

static wrote:I am shocked, shocked I tell you, at the price of cases nowadays.

You should stroll down the T-4 aisles :<

karl · Post by **karl** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 9:25 pm

Have they gotten the bugs and POOR machining problems worked out on the new aluminum cases? AFAIK, they are still crap.

Post by **Amskeptic** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 8:47 am

karl wrote:Have they gotten the bugs and POOR machining problems worked out on the new aluminum cases? AFAIK, they are still crap.

I hear that you must double-check the distributor drive hole depth to the shoulder very carefully. Also, you need to check the oil pump indexing to the pick-up and output holes. And you need to do a de-flash clean-up of the interior of the case. I think we can do well with these new cases as long as we go over them very carefully.
Colin

hambone · Post by **hambone** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 10:32 am

Nothing like spending 6-700 on a part, only to have to go thru it with a fine toothed comb. Ridiculous. Well that Brazilian manifold caused me nothin but trouble so I'm not surprised. The only real benefit to new is fresh metal without fatigue. That's considerable with magnesium. Isn't there something screwy with the Brazilian oil pickup tube too? Some places recommend German replacement.
I wonder if there still are Mexican cases out there? They're usually better quality, somewhat.
Thanks guys.

Post by **Amskeptic** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 7:12 am

hambone wrote:Nothing like spending 6-700 on a part, only to have to go thru it with a fine toothed comb. Ridiculous. I wonder if there still are Mexican cases out there? They're usually better quality, somewhat.
Thanks guys.

If you can cast your own case to your own satisfaction then FINE. Otherwise be grateful that you can get a case at all.
Mom

(Mexican would be a good option. We all do have to go over everything with a fine-tooth comb. We live in a fast inattentive world now)

hambone · Post by **hambone** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 8:00 am

I hear ya Ma. But you know what I mean, soon-to-be-Bobd Bus-owner.
It's hard to see/remember the love of quality, and get offered baskets of crap. Expensive crap!

http://www.chircoestore.com/catalog/pro ... 735s3mm3h2
http://www.chircoestore.com/catalog/pro ... cts_id=678
http://www.aircooled.net/new-bin/viewpr ... 01&cartid=
Hmmm $500 I think I'm going for the Aircooled.net case...they are a respected company.

Here's one for $400, but I've never heard of the company:
http://www.larrysoffroad.com/item106109.ctlg
Is the gamble worth $100? Who knows.

Itinerant Air-Cooled

Itinerant Air-Cooled

Type1 Case Options

Type1 Case Options