Engine swap question

[michael...smith]

Ok so this is probably going to be a different question for most.

I put this question in the general section because it is more of a genera question because i really dont know which engine would work for this application or if not will work. I guess it depends on a lot of unknowns.

I have a 73 beetle that I am currently restoring and am looking into engine choices. I'm blown away by the cost of these engines. Honestly 3k+ for a 1600 crate 50 hp engine. ridiculous.

So...on to the question...Has anyone here or does anyone here know of someone that has bolted one of these mini truck engines into a beetle? Size doesn't seem to be an issue as long as the engine geometry is correct. Weight seems to be pretty close to the weight of a VW 1600. And the power will be a lot better with some engines. And finally the fuel efficiency for a modern designed engine will be better than that of the flat 4. Reliability I'm thinking will be better too.

If i can mate the beetle with one of these mini truck engines I can see my beetle being a pretty good road trip car.

Any help on this will e greatly appreciated.

[Jim Nelson]

I don't know about complete engines but parts for these little trucks are way high if you can't find a way to cross reference to a domestic vehicle.I'll bet that 3K will look pretty good once you go to sniffing around these little trucks.
Just a guess. Good luck.