TheSamba.com :: View topic

Fri Aug 29, 2008 6:18 am

Winter will be here in Michigan before we know it. I was thinking about doing alot of work on the buggy this winter.
1. I want to rebuild the motor/up the power.
2. I was thinking about changing my swing axle to an IRS. I've done some research on here and was thinking. Would it be better to weld in the swing arm pivots, or cut the torsion off the pan and weld in my spare irs torsion. What would you guys do?????

Fri Aug 29, 2008 7:40 am

BOTH!! :D

On the IRS conversion, I would suggest welding on the brackets, if your chassis is already square. If the chassis is out of square and/or out of a level plane, then you could straighten out the chassis when changing the rear torsion housing.

Either way, take pictures for us and keep us posted.

Fri Aug 29, 2008 8:17 am

Will do. That leads me to another question. I was told by Don and Don sport vehicles ( Those in Michigan will know who this is) that I have a early swing axle. I had to buy irs torsion caps and take them apart and remove the spacers to get them to work. torsion runs through the caps. Will I run into any issues using the trailing arms ans plates off the IRS?

Fri Aug 29, 2008 4:11 pm

Or you can just shorten the spring plates to fit the IRS arms. This way you can still use the shorter torsion bars, and not have to worry about a larger diameter tire rubbing on the torsion cap, that extends out approx. 4" greater than the Swing Axel type.

Mon Sep 01, 2008 9:33 pm

I converted my 65 pan to IRS in my recent rebuild, I used the weld in mounts and shortened my spring plates to retain my short torsion bars. Everything worked out great, and the change is highly recomened. Now I have a new case on the engine stand to do something about the more power thing.

Tue Sep 02, 2008 5:33 am

Thanks guys. Looks like I know what I am doing this winter. When progress starts I post some pics. :lol:

Tue Sep 02, 2008 9:25 am

Here is the pic of Manxcraigs swingirs.

Very cool.
John

Wed Sep 03, 2008 5:57 am

My torsion caps have a hole in them so the torsion can come through. Will this be an issue?

Wed Sep 03, 2008 4:32 pm

dunebuggydrifter wrote: My torsion caps have a hole in them so the torsion can come through. Will this be an issue?

Early Beetles ('50's) and all IRS Beetles have the "long" bars. (really 3 lenghts). Using the short bars with the IRS is the modification we are discusing. The long bars are fine (will ride better too), but limit your overall rear tire height. Most buggy guys like the looks of the short bars/ flat caps better.