TheSamba.com :: View topic - Volksarama "Bonneville Bus" becoming reality.

Sat Nov 24, 2007 7:43 pm

Cool can't wait to see it good luck Wish I was closer . Nice to see some sponsers helping out :)

Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:46 pm

Here's the newest supporters.

Bugpack - http://www.bugpack.com/ - No stranger to anybody in the VW community. Rick, at Bugpack, has offered up a set of their chromoly H beam race rods, a set of their race lifters, and a set of their straight cut cam gears. I think they put out some high quality products and am proud to have them on board. Thanks Rick.

Dynamat - http://www.dynamat.com/ - Dynamat is considered by most to be the industry leader in sound and heat absorbing materials. Go to their site to see all the uses for their products. Thanks Ben.

Go to http://volksarama.com/BonnevilleBuildup1.html to see what we still need if you want to get involved.

Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:04 pm

So are we gonna see pics? Or is this gonna be a thread about your sponsors?? I mean give there name and what part they gave you, but I don't need there mission statement. :idea:

Wed Nov 28, 2007 12:43 am

Alright, I'll post a couple pics. So far I've been busy gathering parts. The stuff I have been working on are not very interesting. Basically I've just been stripping all the paint, rust, interior headliner and glue. I wanna get it cleaned up for when it starts going to the shops to get work done. Not very interesting but necessary.

And my other assistant taking care of the engine bay

Thu Nov 29, 2007 4:36 pm

I will be drawing some more concept details. Just hold on to your panties.

Mon Dec 03, 2007 3:00 pm

Imagine this flyin down the salt.

Mon Dec 03, 2007 3:05 pm

why no chopped top?

Mon Dec 03, 2007 4:07 pm

Yeah, It would look much better

Mon Dec 03, 2007 5:42 pm

Cause if this thing ever rolls over, I need as much room for the roll cage above my head. The wells have been raised and I'm 6'3". No chop at this time . Maybe later.

Thu Dec 06, 2007 11:37 am

boxrod wrote: Cause if this thing ever rolls over, I need as much room for the roll cage above my head. The wells have been raised and I'm 6'3". No chop at this time . Maybe later.

I'll vouch for that. My bus is shopped 5 inches and I'm 6ft. There is no way I could drive it with a helmet on my noggin ... well ok, I mean I could but it would suc friggin huge. A roll bar would be useless and it would likely fail tech at the flats.

Thu Dec 06, 2007 7:36 pm

i think the rendition looks bad-ass. the red lexan windows add a nice touch.

Thu Dec 06, 2007 7:54 pm

boxrod wrote: Cause if this thing ever rolls over, I need as much room for the roll cage above my head. The wells have been raised and I'm 6'3". No chop at this time . Maybe later.

Sounds like a good reason to me. This bus has the potential to be really badass. What kind of engine will be in it, and which class are you planning to run it in at the flats?

Fri Dec 07, 2007 12:48 am

The engine is going to be a 2332 draw through turbo motor. Most of the long block parts have been donated and I'm just waiting for them to start showing up. I don't think I'm gonna be building it to a specific class. You can go out and run for "time only". I just want to be the fastest bus ever. I think the fastest bus ever was the Kawell roadster bus back in the late 80s. The top speed in the quarter was like 120mph. So going 130mph is the first goal. After that, we'll see how stabil it is and start going a little faster each time. We're definitely not gonna set any records in a specitic class. It's gonna look bitchin going 130 out on the salt flats though.

Sat Dec 08, 2007 7:52 am

i just thought about that slowly, 130mph in a bus! :shock: :shock: :shock:

Sat Dec 08, 2007 9:16 am

boxrod wrote: The engine is going to be a 2332 draw through turbo motor. Most of the long block parts have been donated and I'm just waiting for them to start showing up. I don't think I'm gonna be building it to a specific class. You can go out and run for "time only". I just want to be the fastest bus ever. I think the fastest bus ever was the Kawell roadster bus back in the late 80s. The top speed in the quarter was like 120mph. So going 130mph is the first goal. After that, we'll see how stabil it is and start going a little faster each time. We're definitely not gonna set any records in a specitic class. It's gonna look bitchin going 130 out on the salt flats though.

Trust me, it's always wise to look at the class rules BEFORE you build the race car. I've learned that the hard way. You should maybe take a look at the classes, to see if your vision for this bus might fit into one of them. It would suck to make some modifications now that you will regret later because it bumps you out of a class that you have the potential to set records in.

Tue Dec 11, 2007 9:01 am

We are going to follow the rules of the salt organizations. But it will be a
"time" run only, which is a class in its own.

Tue Dec 11, 2007 10:37 am

Clark Kustoms wrote: We are going to follow the rules of the salt organizations. But it will be a
"time" run only, which is a class in its own.

Oh, I was hoping you guys were setting out to break some records. Well, have fun.

Sat Dec 22, 2007 1:57 am

Vee Dub Parts Unlimited - http://www.vwparts.net/ - The folks over at V.D.P.U. decided they wanted in the project. Greg offered up a set of their 94mm long cylinders and a set of high quality Wiseco pistons. What an awsome contribution!!! If you've never been to their website, check it out. It's very well organized and easy to find what you need. Thanks guys.

I also did some stuff on the bus this week. I finished installing the Moon discs. These are the Zdus fastener style and look bitchen. Alot more work than the hub cap style but good for high speed.
I took an old Moon disc and made it into an installtion jig.

That way I could mark where the tabs were to be welded in.

Then welded them on. They need to be placed at exactly the right spot and at the right depth and angle to fit right.

The rear wheels will be spaced out farther out to get the right look.

[img]http://volksarama.smugmug.com/photos/234773784-XL.jpg

Thu Jan 17, 2008 7:42 pm

Updates can be followed at http://www.volksarama.com/BonnevilleBuilduppage1.html

Vee Dub Parts Unlimited - http://www.vwparts.net/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=VWP - The guys over there felt like they wanted in, so they contributed a super nice set of 94mm long jaycee cylinders and a set of 94mm Wiesco pistons !!! With the big stroke, long rod, low compression, and turbo pressures the high quality set of plugs and jugs will work awsome. Thanks VDPU.

I also got the bus over to George and Kevin over at The Wagen. These guys specialize is panel replacement, slam jobs, complete restorations and general repair. They will do all the rest of the sheetmetal replacement and customizing.
Front sheetmetal R&R was first. Kevin removed the old buckets from the old skin and installed them in the new front skin from E.I.S.. He also shaved the front turn signal holes. Nice job KEV.

They also started shaving the dash and made a small tunnel from the drag link. Next they are going to convert the BIG back window to a small one and shave off the fresh air vent and overhang.

And off topic. I got a new design in stock now. Notch-O-Grande is a south-of-the-border themed Type 3 shirt with a little Day of the Dead mixed in. Available in red, black, and white and sizes from smal to 5X !!!Check it out at www.volksarama.com

Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:45 pm

dang even if you dont set any records or go 130 or w/e your still gonna have a badass bus