Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
What should I do?
Page: 1, 2  Next
Forum Index -> Beetle - Oval-Window - 1953-57 Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Matt_Lewis
Samba Member


Joined: October 24, 2011
Posts: 25
Location: Savannah, Ga.
Matt_Lewis is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 6:58 am    Post subject: What should I do? Reply with quote

We have recently bought a 56 ragtop. The car is overall in very good shape and has a very solid 36hp and split case with no issues. I like the fact that I can get in and drive it around the neighborhood with the family but I wouldn't really go too much further than that due to power issues. I also like that it is "orginial" because of the 6v, 36hp, and splitcase but I think this limits its functions because I can't really do anything with it.

We are about to put carpet, recover the seats and a new headliner but before I do this I can't help but thinking I want this car to be more. I would love for this thing to be something I can jump in and goto town(30miles away all interstate), or to the beach(45 miles away mostly highway), and maybe even take it to the autocross once a month! Smile

So my question is, what should I do?

1. Leave everything the way it is, finish the interior and drive it around the neighborhood?

2. Upgrade tranny, motor, suspension, brakes then interior and drive it.

3. Upgrade pan to 68+ from donor car and then finish interior and drive it.

It does not have matching numbers on anything so I am not too concerned with that I just want this car to have dual functions. Right now the body is a 56, the pan is a 55, the motor I am not sure of but is definitely around the same time and the split case is a 57.

I appreciate all comments. I am just looking for advice on what to do and why it is the best option from people who have more experience.
Thanks
matt
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
bugguts
Banned


Joined: January 06, 2012
Posts: 263
Location: Charleston SC
bugguts is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 7:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'd go with a Berg 5 speed, 2007cc IDA motor, disc brakes, narrowed beam and detailed Fuchs Cool
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
Matt_Lewis
Samba Member


Joined: October 24, 2011
Posts: 25
Location: Savannah, Ga.
Matt_Lewis is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 7:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

bugguts wrote:
I'd go with a Berg 5 speed, 2007cc IDA motor, disc brakes, narrowed beam and detailed Fuchs Cool


So option 2 staying on same pan?

I have read that the swing axle isn't the best for ride quality and performance for things such as autocrossing.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
Matt_Lewis
Samba Member


Joined: October 24, 2011
Posts: 25
Location: Savannah, Ga.
Matt_Lewis is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 7:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here is what it looks like right now.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
sparkleplenty
Samba Member


Joined: January 09, 2008
Posts: 1110
Location: California
sparkleplenty is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 8:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Option 2....Then tuck that split case and 36 away in storage. Cool

Don't go overboard on the motor and trans...Built motors can be temperamental.
_________________
'56 European Oval Ragtop-Stock
'56 Karmann Ghia Coupe-Stock
'59 Italian Series I Li150 Lambretta-Stock


"Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime."

"Only when the tide goes out do you discover who is swimming naked."
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
sparkleplenty
Samba Member


Joined: January 09, 2008
Posts: 1110
Location: California
sparkleplenty is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 8:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

By the way, nice oval...
_________________
'56 European Oval Ragtop-Stock
'56 Karmann Ghia Coupe-Stock
'59 Italian Series I Li150 Lambretta-Stock


"Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime."

"Only when the tide goes out do you discover who is swimming naked."
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Erik G
Samba Member


Joined: October 16, 2002
Posts: 13247
Location: Tejas!
Erik G is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 8:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

how fast do you need to go? I had no problems cruising mine on the crazy Houston freeways, 36hp and a crashbox, 68mph cruising speed stock.
_________________
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Facebook Instagram Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Matt_Lewis
Samba Member


Joined: October 24, 2011
Posts: 25
Location: Savannah, Ga.
Matt_Lewis is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 8:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

So another vote for option 2 and just upgrade what I got.

Which is fine but what about performance handling? Will the swing axle be okay for possible light autocrossing?

Also, I noticed when I lowered the rear, the torsion bars were pretty rusty and I am pretty sure the outer spindles were rusted shut. Should this be something to worry about upgrading the current pan? As for rust other places there really isn't any.

Thanks!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
Matt_Lewis
Samba Member


Joined: October 24, 2011
Posts: 25
Location: Savannah, Ga.
Matt_Lewis is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 8:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Erik G wrote:
how fast do you need to go? I had no problems cruising mine on the crazy Houston freeways, 36hp and a crashbox, 68mph cruising speed stock.


Not terribly fast. I just want something safe on the highway, something I can drive wherever.

I have been 55 but I can't imagine 65+ it must have sounded like it was going to blow up? Sad
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
Erik G
Samba Member


Joined: October 16, 2002
Posts: 13247
Location: Tejas!
Erik G is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 9:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

then you have other issues. 65 is like 4000 rpm's. RPM's are what cools your motor. At that speed, you want your fan turning pretty fast.

Personally, I would make sure everything is tip top, and get it back to original running condition before I spent any bread on a big motor. You should have no problem getting to and holding 65mph for long periods of time with a 36 and a crashbox. I've had big motors, small motors, and in-between. get up and go is an issue with a smaller motor, but once it's going it should be fine. A big motor just gets up and goes faster.

Don't get me wrong, a freeway flyer trans and a 1600 or bigger would be fine especially for a non-stock car. But there is something wrong if you are maxed at 55
_________________
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Facebook Instagram Gallery Classifieds Feedback
bugguts
Banned


Joined: January 06, 2012
Posts: 263
Location: Charleston SC
bugguts is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've run 80mph+ in my swingaxle VW with no problems. The car is a basket case, so your options are limitless...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
Bart Dunn
Samba Consiglieri


Joined: May 09, 2004
Posts: 2354
Location: Sea level (Mid Atlantic)
Bart Dunn is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

How are you measuring speed? An antique speedo can be pretty inaccurate. Mine on my '58 is off by about 12-15 mph at highway speeds.
_________________
Not enough car seats fit into my:
'58 Beetle convertible
'58 Beetle sedan
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Erik G
Samba Member


Joined: October 16, 2002
Posts: 13247
Location: Tejas!
Erik G is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 11:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

and small front tires makes it worse

Mine - GPS verified 70+max but cruising nicely at 65. 165's are slightly taller than stock. Roof racks and open rag tops may make it a little slower, but just a little
_________________
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Facebook Instagram Gallery Classifieds Feedback
sunroof
Samba Member


Joined: October 06, 2006
Posts: 1747
Location: Winnipeg
sunroof is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sell the beetle to someone who will love it for what it is and go buy a Honda.

Don
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
AlanInMass54
Samba Member


Joined: August 29, 2003
Posts: 1065
Location: Massachusetts
AlanInMass54 is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Or sell it and buy a later model that already has the features you want?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Schwing
Samba Member


Joined: May 10, 2009
Posts: 2506
Location: Centreville, MD
Schwing is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My vote is for #1. Drive it. Sell those rims, put on some smoothies, and use the profit to tidy up the interior while you drive the snot out of it.

Be different go stock Smile
_________________
Shadetree Westy
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=657279&highlight=

Single Cab - BBXXVII Long Distance Winner
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Facebook Instagram Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Matt_Lewis
Samba Member


Joined: October 24, 2011
Posts: 25
Location: Savannah, Ga.
Matt_Lewis is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 1:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

@Bart Dunn & @Erik G
I am measuring speed with a GPS. You are right with those wheels the speedo says like 5-10 more than actual.

@sunroof
I have had the hondas but I like vws and I would love to beat all the hondas with the vw!

@AlanInMass54
I like the oval ragtop and my wife would kill me if I sold it. I guess I am just trying to kill 2 birds with 1 stone...cruiser for her and daily/fun car for me!

@Schwing
Thats always an option...I still have the smoothies too! Smile
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
AlteWagen
Troll


Joined: February 23, 2007
Posts: 8498
Location: PNW
AlteWagen is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 2:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My vote is for #2

Like mentioned above keep the stock engine/trans/beam and store it for the future.

Safe and economical

1776 or 1915 engine or thick wall 92s for 1835
69mm counterweight crank
engle 110 cam
1 1/2 merged header
Timms stage 1 or CB 044 heads
40 IDF/HPMX carbs with 30mm vents

4.12 ring and pinion trans with stock gearing/brakes/short axles
rear sway bar with limiting straps

Fresh front beam with disk brakes/HD sway bar
If getting wider rims/tires for the front you might consider a 2 inch narrowed beam for clearance

I would estimate the above to be around $10K or less if you hunt and do most of the work yourself.

It would be a fun/safe/non tempermental cruiser that would be fine on the street or track.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Facebook Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Matt_Lewis
Samba Member


Joined: October 24, 2011
Posts: 25
Location: Savannah, Ga.
Matt_Lewis is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 2:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

derluftwagen wrote:
My vote is for #2

Like mentioned above keep the stock engine/trans/beam and store it for the future.

Safe and economical

1776 or 1915 engine or thick wall 92s for 1835
69mm counterweight crank
engle 110 cam
1 1/2 merged header
Timms stage 1 or CB 044 heads
40 IDF/HPMX carbs with 30mm vents

4.12 ring and pinion trans with stock gearing/brakes/short axles
rear sway bar with limiting straps

Fresh front beam with disk brakes/HD sway bar
If getting wider rims/tires for the front you might consider a 2 inch narrowed beam for clearance

I would estimate the above to be around $10K or less if you hunt and do most of the work yourself.

It would be a fun/safe/non tempermental cruiser that would be fine on the street or track.


Awesome! This is the type stuff I was looking for, even an estimated cost! Very Happy
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
55reasons
Samba Swamp Cooler


Joined: December 31, 2003
Posts: 942

55reasons is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 3:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

#2
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Beetle - Oval-Window - 1953-57 All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page: 1, 2  Next
Page 1 of 2

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.