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Tue Jan 31, 2012 12:17 pm

Had this bug a couple of years now and thought I would post my project. Has a pretty new 1915cc motor from importmotor.com... here's the link.

http://importmotor.com/Store/ProductDetail.asp?Pro...alerId=108

It's originally from Arizona, so it's pretty solid... more than any other original bug in NH probably. I bought the car as-is, not running. The owner couldn't start the thing, just would crank over and over. 5 minutes after I closed the deal, waiting for the tow truck, I look at the engine and notice a wire hanging near the coil. Hook it up and the bug fires up!!! I guess my gamble worked out as I nocked $2000 off the asking price.

These pics are how I got the car... Had Empi HPMX 40 carbs, but they had issues. Probably needed a rebuild, so I brought the bug to a shop in Lawrence, MA who are supposed to specialize in bugs. They pretty much fixed every little thing on the car except the carbs which is why I brought the car in. It died on me twice on the highway picking it up from the garage on 2 separate occasions... not a safe felling! Especially after paying them $700! Ended up getting kicked out of the shop, but didn't pay the last invoice from them. Now I'm on my own I guess?

Read up and took matters into my own hands. Decided to try a single Weber 44, baja style. Found a used setup on ebay and rebuilt it. Ran good for about 3 weeks, but never got the performance or reliability I was looking for.

Went back to dual 40's, but this time bought a new kit from Redline. Decided to go all out... new fuel lines, electric fuel pump, pressure regulator, kill switch. As I'm installing the new intakes, I realize the studs are too short and have to replace those. Even with longer studs I had to grind down some of the intake just to get a socket around the brass nut (not too impressed with the Redline intake castings). Here's a pic of the setup almost all installed. Much cleaner!!!

As I'm adjusting the carb links, I notice one is seized out of the box. I try to free it with 2 wrenches, SNAP!!! The end snaps off. Contact Redline, they send me a new one overnight... the next week, because it was such a PITA to contact them.

In the meantime, refinished the trunk, completely rebuilt the front end... new bushings, idler, damper, steering universal, balljoints, tie rods and steering box. Installed a smaller diameter steering wheel (watchout for the wiper controls... tried to bend it out of the way and it snapped off, oops) and a new Sony CD player with 6x9's, probably install a 12" sub later.

Meanwhile the car was put in winter storage for lack of a garage. So waiting for spring at this point, but still more to think about. The style.[/img]

Tue Jan 31, 2012 12:59 pm

Here's as she sits now... aftermarket chrome wheels, not sure of the make or model. Any input? Lowered in the front with lowering struts, probably lowered one notch in the rear, but not sure. Pacesetter Monza exhaust, which I hear is really restrictive.

First was thinking Cali style... mocked it up in Photoshop and realized it is not the look for a SB...

Thinking more performace oriented now. German style with small wheels, not too into the big wheel look. Thinking of some Axis Oldskool like this bug...

Here's my bug with the wheels I have, but Photoshop'd a little lower...

Looking into 15x7 et38 for the front and 15x8 et0 in the rear. I picked up some wider fiberglass rear fenders. Not sure how much wider though, so I'll have to mount them and measure. I think they are 3" wider which would make the 8" wide et0 wheels tuck nicely. I also like these XXR wheels.

I bought a disc kit and drums drilled 5x100 from a samba member, so it opens up a bunch of wheel options for me. I think I'm going to drill them dual pattern 4x100 as well. Alot of 15" are only in 4x100. If the offset in the front is too high, I'll have to use Topline Maxx struts. Had to make a chart to visualize it...

Tue Jan 31, 2012 1:44 pm

i personaly like cal look on late models. As for the engine, did the PO install that turnkey and then couldnt get it running? Or did you replace the one he couldnt get going with the turnkey? Overall looks like a great car.

Tue Jan 31, 2012 1:45 pm

You should be able to find some 15s in 5x100 easy enough, it's fairly common pattern now.

Your fresh air box cover plate is also missing.
without that the trunk is gonna fill up with water whenever it rains.

Tue Jan 31, 2012 2:18 pm

The PO had it running... it was installed by a shop in AZ. He wasn't mechanically inclined though and had it sitting for about 6 months.

I have the fresh airbox cover on now, it was off to be painted. Still leaks a little though, I need to seal it better. As for the wheels, it seems like most wheels I want only come in 5x100 at the 16" size... we'll see. 16's really wouldn't be bad, a little heavier though.

Tue Jan 31, 2012 2:21 pm

if you got some 5 x 100mm wheels would you drill need to drill new drums to use them or coule you get wheel adapters? Sorry for hijacking

Tue Jan 31, 2012 2:51 pm

The discs and drums I bought are already custom drilled 5x100. Should be arriving this friday. I hear adapters are not the best approach.

Sun Feb 12, 2012 5:47 pm

Yup I rocked these XXR 513 for about a year as Drifting in 15'' tires were cheaper than 17's, also wanted that HELLAFLUSH LOOK. You will definitely need to get the maxx struts or make your own coilovers. As for the balljoint stub you are going to need to clearance about a quarter of an inch to clear the rim. I had 205/50's on all fours under stock fenders after rolling the fenders had no problem with turning. 195's for the front would of been a better choice. Here's a couple of pics I have before I sold them :cry:
And yes they are HOT BERRY PINK :shock:

Sun Feb 12, 2012 7:21 pm

HELLAFLUSH!!! NICE!!!

Looks like I might do an 15x7 et15 up front to tuck the front in a bit, then the 15x8 et0 in the rear... maybe even a 15x9??? I still can't believe I found your pic... wish I found it earlier, would've saved me a lot of brainwork. So you just ground the balljoint down and re-threaded?

THANKS!!!

Sun Feb 12, 2012 8:21 pm

Some new parts for my GL...

Phat Boy & Header to replace the Pacesetter

5x100 Disc & Drum Kit with master cylinder

Couple of dash pieces I was missing... Cover Those Wires!!!

Mon Feb 13, 2012 12:49 am

tchach11 wrote: HELLAFLUSH!!! NICE!!!

Looks like I might do an 15x7 et15 up front to tuck the front in a bit, then the 15x8 et0 in the rear... maybe even a 15x9??? I still can't believe I found your pic... wish I found it earlier, would've saved me a lot of brainwork. So you just ground the balljoint down and re-threaded?

THANKS!!!

15x7 with et0 would be nice because 15x8 et 0 in the front stuck out about an inch and a half. but checkout this 1303 with 10'' fuchs in the rear under stock fenders. looks awesome
http://germanlook.net/forums/showthread.php?t=10393&page=4

Mon Feb 13, 2012 1:06 pm

Where did you get those wire covers?

Mon Feb 13, 2012 2:40 pm

Samba classifieds... I've also seen them on ebay from time to time. Look for people parting out bugs, ask if they have them still.

Mon Mar 05, 2012 3:01 pm

Just got my wheels in... staggered XXR 513's in 15x7 and 15x8. Like EMPI 8 spokes on steroids!!!

Wed Apr 25, 2012 10:57 pm

Sick!! they are going to look awesome!! :D

Thu Apr 26, 2012 7:39 am

okay your got my attention, hurry and get them on there!!!

Thu Apr 26, 2012 8:37 am

How much did those wheels cost if ya dont mind my asking :D

Thu Apr 26, 2012 9:02 am

Love those wheels.

Thu Apr 26, 2012 11:00 am

Wow I can't wait to see what it looks like with those rims on. I love the look you're going for and you have the perfect stance. I can't wait to get my super lowered.

Sun Apr 29, 2012 5:35 pm

They spark my interest as well. The set ran me about $400 shipped... but they're backordered big time,so i'm lucky i found them. Working on redrilling the brake drums at 4x114 right now. I just cnc'd a drill pattern to bolt onto the drums.

Pulled her out of storage, hooked up my remaining carb link that snapped on me last fall, only to find she won't turn over. My starter was starting to fail me last summer. Gives me an excuse to go higher torque.