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Fri Sep 05, 2008 10:14 pm

hi there
I am finally building myself another baja after my parents made me sell my first one that was my first ever car and built myself (butheads) but i wanted to run a few ideas by people who know more than me so here it goes.
I'm starting with a 1970 beetle. I want to add a full roll cage, one piece front end, 5x6 or 6x6 swing arms, + 6 beam, and bergman motor with porshe fan shroud. The car will have custom electrical and dash and be rihno lined on the pan both top and bottom.
I guess my questions lie with the first things I mentioned. I have found most of this stuff online but really need someone to tell me if I am crazy, and what i should do. Im looking to build a car that I can run all day long on the dunes but also drive around town.
Any ideas please let me know!
Thanks

Sat Sep 06, 2008 4:52 am

Rhino lining the bottom of the pan seems like a waste. It is very heavy, and would chunk fairly quick if you end up driving through the bushes a lot. If your worried about protecting the bottom, have somebody make you a sectional aluminum skidplate. That way portions can be replaced if you damage it too badly.

Sat Sep 06, 2008 5:31 am

I like the idea of rhino lining the bottom. I live in Ohio with salt in the winter and will be putting a truck bed liner under mine to protect it from salt.

Sat Sep 06, 2008 6:31 am

You don't say what state your in, but in Ca. I don't think you would make it very long on the street with 6x6's. Seems that pushes the envelope for CHP's taste. Once you go that wide, it's one or the other. I do know some that have done it (and been cited) and the other only putts out to fuel. Just my opinion. As far as the porshe fan forget it, they dont cool as good as stock and money better spent elsewhere. There are several baja's here that run very well on the Dunes and are street driven without hassle. 3x3's seem to do very well and are affordable. Just depends if you want somthin you can truly use as a "car" or not. I personally put too much in my bug to sit all summer. It is nice to run the family around and such. I just dont even think about leaving in the parking lot at the movies. (first Cal-bug stolen there-rotor trick did not work!)
OH, you do say what state your in :roll:

Sat Sep 06, 2008 1:17 pm

i live in ca in the san jaquin valley, we frequent dumont and pismo and have just started glamis

Sat Sep 06, 2008 9:04 pm

also why stick with the bug fan, from what i have seen and read the porshe fan blows a lot more air and it also looks like it would spread it out better? its been a while since my last build (10 years) so im looking for solid advice and knowledge to make sure i dont have a giant pos that rolls around. im also planning on doing a few other mods that i found in neil's baja build post so if you read this neil, thank you for all your indepth coverage i plan on doing the same once i start my build.

Sat Sep 06, 2008 9:35 pm

paulrotondaro wrote: also why stick with the bug fan, from what i have seen and read the porshe fan blows a lot more air and it also looks like it would spread it out better? its been a while since my last build (10 years) so im looking for solid advice and knowledge to make sure i dont have a giant pos that rolls around. im also planning on doing a few other mods that i found in neil's baja build post so if you read this neil, thank you for all your indepth coverage i plan on doing the same once i start my build.

from what ive heard the Porsche fan shroud is built for an entirely different motor thus it does blow more air but in the wrong places. you will never need more than stock cooling can do for you. and you may want to do some research but from what ive heard bergman motors are not the best choice to spend that much money on.

Sun Sep 07, 2008 11:32 am

so what kind of motor should i use, im looking for something mild in to 2000cc range. my local builer is a POS and i want a turnkey so where should i look?

Sun Sep 07, 2008 12:25 pm

For the street and dunes a 2180 with an Engle 120 or a FK 8 style cam. I have never tried the Porsche style fan but have had no problems with the stock doghouse and full flow oil cooling. If you were to fuel inject it it would make a great off road engine. You may need removable fenders to make CHP happy. A five speed transaxle will get you a good off road gear ratio selection and a good highway cruising rpm. $,000 rpms for miles on end is loud. Theres to many good engine builders in CA for you to go out of town for an engine.

Sun Sep 07, 2008 3:01 pm

paulrotondaro wrote: so what kind of motor should i use, im looking for something mild in to 2000cc range. my local builer is a POS and i want a turnkey so where should i look?

what do you want to spend?