re. While I'm at it...

[Ben Swann]

[In the near future my Coupe GT with the 2.3 NG engine will be due for
timin=
g belt and water pump changes. So, while I'm at it I thought it might be a
=
good time for new hydraulic lifters (to reduce ticking). Does this make
goo=
d sense? Also is there anything else that should be done at the same time
w=
hile I'm at it? I was thinking of installing a new cam. But does it really
=
make much difference in the NG? Is it worth it? Any experience with the
BLA=
USport cams? Any other things that should be done at this point? Oh, the
ca=
r will be around 120,000 miles at the time...

Dave
1987 Coupe GT Special Build
1998 VW Passat GLS (For Sale)]

I'm a big "while I'm at it" fan.  BTDT on the NG motor which is soon to go
into the '85 4000Q.

You can port & polish and match manifolds, add 270 Cam and heavy duty valve
springs, and do valve seals.  Gain around 15HP.  Yes a lot of work for the
gain.  I dont know if I'd do it again, but perhaps that is because I now
have 2 extra turbos to play with.  It seemed worth it at the time, as I
would be gaining 15HP without any engine work, and around  another 15 with
modifications for about a 25% increase in power.  Oh, I guess I need
tomention the Stebro exhaust coupled with 4kq manifold helps improve these
numbers, and  sounds great even with current motor.

If you just want a refresh, don't spend too much on P&P,  but cleanup
casting irregularities, and match the manifolds.  The cam and springs will
be nice + seals, since if you are like me, you dont want to do this again.
 Of course the P&P requires pulling the head.  You can do just the seals,
springs, cam & lifters without pulling the head.

I am going through some of the same effort with my MC1 refresh, and am even
doing the bottom end and clutch.  This is because I definately don't want
to pull the MC engine again - far more work than the NA.

I don't know about Blau cam, but if I recall they had a nice package
consisting of 270 grind and springs, all for around $300.  If tru, then
that's not bad, as after all was said and done, that is about what mine
came to, and I had to find a solid lifter cam, and I waited a long time for
ELGIN.

I have many more details to add, but some writeup on all of this:
http://www.homestead.com/ben_swann/myaudi.html

see stuff on Project GTQ and info on finding correct cam grind.

Hope this helps you make a decision.  It is ironic, I have probably spent
more time and money working on stuff that isn't even in the car yet than I
actually have on the car.  Same for the '87 TQAvant.

Ben