Forged Crankshafts (Waterboxer)

Product:GW-CRANKSHAFT
Works With:1983-1991
Manufacturer:GoWesty
Difficulty:

Requires professional-level tools, talent and experience.

$795.00 - $895.00

Proposition 65: This product may contain chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

GoWesty Forged Waterboxer Crankshafts.

Need more torque and displacement? These longer-stroke cranks are the foundation for big-bore builds with real-world drivability and off-grid reliability. Whether you're building a weekend warrior or a full-blown overland machine, GoWesty’s forged crankshafts are the bulletproof backbone your engine deserves.

Crafted specifically for the VW waterboxer platform, each crankshaft retains all critical OEM specs—journal sizing, center-to-center distances, threaded holes, keyways—ensuring a precise fit into your engine block.*

But we didn’t stop at matching specs—we matched the soul of the original. We were also careful to duplicate these two very important aspects of the original Volkswagen crankshaft design:

Forged: Just like the original VW crankshaft, ours are made in a dedicated forging die. That means superior grain structure, greater strength, and long-lasting durability under load.

Built-in “mini flywheels” design: A unique feature of the original waterboxer crankshaft, preserved in our version for authentic performance and optimal balance. For a full tech breakdown, check out our article on the evolution of VW flat-four crankshafts.

Available stroke lengths: GoWesty Forged cranks are available in two larger strokes:

  • 79.5mm: This is the stroke we use in our 2300cc engine
  • 84.5mm: This is the stroke we use in our 2450cc and 2700cc engines

    Note: The original 1900cc crankshaft has a stroke of 69mm, and the 2100cc crankshaft has a stroke of 76mm.

*Engine block, connecting rod, and camshaft modifications are necessary to accommodate the longer stroke. Professional installation required.

Forged Crankshafts (Waterboxer) Wrench Rating


Pro — Requires professional-level tools, talent and experience.




All Wrench Ratings



Plug 'n' Play — Requires no or basic hand tools and no mechanical knowledge.


Handy — Requires some hand & power tools and minimal mechanical knowledge.


DIY — Requires a full tool set and broad mechanical knowledge.


Pro — Requires professional-level tools, talent and experience.