TheSamba.com :: View topic

Mon May 26, 2008 10:15 pm

Has any one ran something like this for their bus?

Tue May 27, 2008 7:38 pm

That's an interesting Kafer bar... Where did you find it? I just made mine out of square chanel tube.

Tue May 27, 2008 10:11 pm

Olymale wrote: That's an interesting Kafer bar... Where did you find it? I just made mine out of square chanel tube.

I just picked a pic of it off the web. I'm not running one yet. I just wondered if anyone has.

Do you have any pix of your set up?

Tue May 27, 2008 10:38 pm

What is it and what is its purpose? I have not seen this before and have no idea what it is.

Tue May 27, 2008 11:05 pm

I seem to recall volksworld doing an article about a "traction bar" install in a split bus. Basically they fabbed one out of square tube and rigid mounted it to the body.

Tue May 27, 2008 11:16 pm

At this weekend's Sacramento Bugorama I saw one of the guys from baddog racing pull a 1/4 mile in 14.55 with a reduction gear bus and a huge engine. I think they could tell you about kafer bars on busses. Baddog racing is associated with Greg's VW Service in Elk Grove, CA.

Tue May 27, 2008 11:32 pm

The whole idea is to add another mount or a brace if you will to the rear of the engine (toward the back of the bus) to keep the engine / trans combo from twisting under load and launching the bus from a dead stop. The idea is if you can keep it where it should be, all the torque that would normally be trying to twist the mounts off of the frame will be applied to the wheels, making it launch faster. It's a good idea for people who like to do clutch dumps or who have huge engines in buses and like to do burnouts. Of course, it would be a really good idea to upgrade everything esle while you're there...

Wed May 28, 2008 6:40 am

That type of traction brace won't fit a bus, as the upper shock mounts are completely different. A brace of that type would require some major fabricating for sure. I've ran 15.03 @ 85mph 1/4 mile in my 58 Panel. As fun as it is to have a fast bus, they really aren't suited to hauling ass. You can scare yourself pretty quickly in one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2MOVmKdhX4

Wed May 28, 2008 7:10 am

I installed a slightly modified Berg Bug rubber mounted mid trans mount. Made a night and day difference in tightening up the front of the trans. I plan to use a Type III rear engine mount in the rear to support the motor. You could use a Ghia type traction bar also, but the Type III mount will be more cool.

Wed May 28, 2008 10:31 am

jbbugs wrote: That type of traction brace won't fit a bus, as the upper shock mounts are completely different. Great vid for sure! I'm into the mid 16's right now. I see why they don't fit due to the shock mounts.

I guess I'll fab my own to suite. I'd go with the square tube rear mount(drag bar) one but it's busy back there onder the tin with all my turbo stuff etc.

Mon Sep 08, 2008 10:52 pm

glad i found this thread, i was thinking of the same thing

Thu Aug 25, 2011 8:18 am

Had some questions about mounting this to my bus.

Should I weld this bracket right to the outer rail of the bus or weld this bracket to a plate then weld it to the bus or weld the bracket to the plate then bolt it to the bus?

Thu Aug 25, 2011 10:14 am

maybe get ahold of Tom Gotta. he runs in 12's with no turbo or blower. his is a barn door bus normally asperated. maybe he will let out secrets for running sub 13's????

Sat Apr 21, 2012 4:03 pm

Here's the latest on my kafer bar build....

Sun Apr 22, 2012 1:53 pm

I take it that you are not running RGB?

Sat Jun 16, 2012 4:00 pm

AlteWagen wrote: I take it that you are not running RGB? Nope.

Sat Jun 16, 2012 5:04 pm

solid mounts and a mid mount is enough, the cradle is your extra support