TheSamba.com :: View topic

Thu Mar 18, 2010 5:29 pm

Hello,
I am in the process of buying another Mexican a 1983. My plan is to restore it and use it as a daily driver.
I want to modernise it as much as possible and I am still deciding which way to go about this. Reliability is key so for engine choice I am thinking of one of the following. A 1914cc, possibly turbo’d and possibly injected. The other option is to source a new Mexican 1600i engine and maybe have that turbo’d at a later date.
A 1914cc would just fit without too much issue, I am thinking a 1600i would need a Mexican wiring loom, all ancillaries, all tinware, a new rear apron and I would need the software and lead etc.
Once I have made a decision on the engine I need to think about gearboxes. I don’t need major off the line speed but would like to be able to cruise at 80-90mph and plenty of mid range torque. If I went for the 1914 I think a 1500 gearbox would be fine, if I went for a 1600i I am not sure a standard Mexican gearbox would be OK as I know they are geared “wrong” Is it possible to have only 4th rebuilt for better cruising speed? I intend to use 5.5J stock wheels all round with 185’s

For daily driving reliability what would you choose? I am still in the planning stages at the moment but want to get it right first time. Pro’s and con’s of both? Or any other suggestions welcome.

Thanks.

Thu Mar 18, 2010 6:20 pm

Aubergine_Neil wrote: Hello,
I am in the process of buying another Mexican a 1983. My plan is to restore it and use it as a daily driver.
I want to modernise it as much as possible and I am still deciding which way to go about this. Reliability is key so for engine choice I am thinking of one of the following. A 1914cc, possibly turbo’d and possibly injected. The other option is to source a new Mexican 1600i engine and maybe have that turbo’d at a later date.
A 1914cc would just fit without too much issue, I am thinking a 1600i would need a Mexican wiring loom, all ancillaries, all tinware, a new rear apron and I would need the software and lead etc.
Once I have made a decision on the engine I need to think about gearboxes. I don’t need major off the line speed but would like to be able to cruise at 80-90mph and plenty of mid range torque. If I went for the 1914 I think a 1500 gearbox would be fine, if I went for a 1600i I am not sure a standard Mexican gearbox would be OK as I know they are geared “wrong” Is it possible to have only 4th rebuilt for better cruising speed? I intend to use 5.5J stock wheels all round with 185’s

For daily driving reliability what would you choose? I am still in the planning stages at the moment but want to get it right first time. Pro’s and con’s of both? Or any other suggestions welcome.

Thanks.

You dont have to buy a mexican...you can rent them by the day from your neighborhood Home Depot or Lowes parking lot...

Thu Mar 18, 2010 6:39 pm

Where are you gonna cruise 80 to 90 MPH or are you saying 80 to 90 Km per hour...big difference.
Oh what city state or country

Thu Mar 18, 2010 6:43 pm

Didnt see your location...

Thu Mar 18, 2010 6:46 pm

gt1953 wrote: Where are you gonna cruise 80 to 90 MPH or are you saying 80 to 90 Km per hour...big difference.
Oh what city state or country

The car will reside in the UK so has to keep up with all the other cars doing 70MPH!

Edit - Added Location.

Thu Mar 18, 2010 9:32 pm

Aubergine_Neil wrote: gt1953 wrote: Where are you gonna cruise 80 to 90 MPH or are you saying 80 to 90 Km per hour...big difference.
Oh what city state or country

The car will reside in the UK so has to keep up with all the other cars doing 70MPH!

Edit - Added Location.

Figgered you for a limey,,,yanks dont roll the "ancillary"word they just say "the extra shit"....

Thu Mar 18, 2010 10:30 pm

I know there will be a big difference between a turnkey 1914 and a longblock 1600i with all the extra shit. I am just after an idea of a reasonably quick and ultra reliable set up.
I have done a good search but not found a definitive answer, at the moment I am edging towards the 1600i but not sure if a new wiring loom would be needed and how tuneable are they? The low gearing in the box is also a concern.

As I say just in the planning stages at the moment, so what is the best reliable daily set up?

Thu Mar 18, 2010 10:46 pm

johnnypan wrote:

You dont have to buy a mexican...you can rent them by the day from your neighborhood Home Depot or Lowes parking lot...

:lol: :lol: :lol:
you're killin me John

Fri Mar 19, 2010 6:23 am

Aubergine_Neil wrote: I know there will be a big difference between a turnkey 1914 and a longblock 1600i with all the extra shit. I am just after an idea of a reasonably quick and ultra reliable set up.
I have done a good search but not found a definitive answer, at the moment I am edging towards the 1600i but not sure if a new wiring loom would be needed and how tuneable are they? The low gearing in the box is also a concern.

As I say just in the planning stages at the moment, so what is the best reliable daily set up?

Built correctly you can develop 90 dependable horsepower out of a 1776,and 120hp out of a 1914....more is capable but your talking dependability...with carbs,no turbo. That is basically twice the hp of stock... proper balancing will allow the higher rpm.As for sustained high speed driving?berg 5 speed trans... the body was designed in a wind tunnel for an optimum speed of 100 KPH...about 62 mph...stockers get a little funny above 75...so put some time and money in your suspension.

Fri Mar 19, 2010 9:50 am

Aubergine_Neil wrote: The car will reside in the UK so has to keep up with all the other cars doing 70MPH!

My 1972 Super with a 1600 dual port engine, stock carbs, and stock transmission can cruise at 70 mph. Not much faster than that, and you have to slow down on hot days.

If you want reliable and relative ease of tuning, assembly, and maintenance, go with a stock engine.

If you want to modernize it a bunch...then no offence, but I suggest you buy a different car.

Fri Mar 19, 2010 10:41 am

My car has a early transmission (65 type) and a 1600dp and I can hit 70-80 pretty easily. I really don't think you need an extreme engine for normal freeway driving.

Fri Mar 19, 2010 11:22 am

Thanks for the advice so far people.
I know what your saying about stock. My 1200 34hp will sit at 70mph all day but in all honesty its happier at about 65 as it does get a bit light at the front in a cross wind. However very long hills and it can be a pain if you don't plan ahead, so a daily will have to cope with hills a bit better.
However my stock has never missed a beat! NEVER! So that speaks volumes.

As for suspension - I just want to modernise a 1983 bug to become about a 2003 bug so I would like a mexican front beam with discs as I dont believe they widen the track like aftermarket kits do. Mabye better rotors and calipers though. If I have to lower it I will but not by much and I personally don't like the look of narrowed beams but thats another story. Rear will be left as stock height and if I go with a 1600i and I will leave the drums, if I go for the larger wngine then I will go for discs at the back too.

I have a lot more planning to do yet then. I know I could just buy a later Mexican and be done with it but I want another '83 one!

Fri Mar 19, 2010 1:33 pm

if your going with mexi-beetle i would go with 1600 FI with hydraulic lifters.

that combo would make for a very dependable daily driver. you would need the computer and wiring but you can drive and drive and drive there is a reason they went to FI and hydraulic lifters

Fri Mar 19, 2010 1:35 pm

Standard 1600 dp works fine for me. 100 kph is ok. Higher than that it's not an engine issue in my opinion, more the car itself. Top speed is 130 anyways.

Why Mexican beetle? It's basically an old standard bug. I would go for a super modern 1302 or 1303 as daily driver. The front suspensiom makes it a totally different vehicle to drive.

Transmission: 1976 or later. The gear ratio leaves you with a more comfortable RPM (approx 3000 @ 90).

my 2 cents