TheSamba.com :: View topic - Race Bus / Fast Bus / Sleeper Bus **Info & Idea Thread

Mon May 19, 2014 10:22 pm

I think nikke911 is the weight loss loser winner!
I have been bugging him to show more shots of his cage, I am planning something very much like it, toe bar, knee bar ect...

Harold, I think a build thread on The Samba would be excellent, 930 engine, 911 front rack, your d.c keeps getting faster and more refined (maybe not so much the 930 engine-more punk than refined) :twisted:

Tue May 20, 2014 12:00 am

gumbajv wrote: For the guys who used a 911 steering rack, what did you use for tie rods?

I used the Turbo Rods.

Quote: Turbo tie rods improve feedback and steering precision by replacing the rubber tie rod bushings with ball socket ends. Originally equipped on the 911 turbo, they can be installed on the normal 911/912.

We offer turbo tie rods in standard length for '69-'89 911 series cars, and a special extra-long version for '65-'68 911/912. The '65-'68 cars have a narrow steering rack which causes inadequate tie rod thread engagement without our extra long turbo tie rods.

I think you can also use them from another modern car. (much cheaper)

I also found this option, that looks very handy for my bagged bus: (Rod extender)

Tue May 20, 2014 12:10 pm

Quote: I also found this option, that looks very handy for my bagged bus: (Rod extender)

That is actually a kit which is used when the spindle is raised on 911:s. Many different kits available from Rebel Racing or Elephant..
Takes the load of the rod and relocates the steering shaft to reduce bump-steer.

Mon Jun 02, 2014 11:29 am

Airbus, great set up. Looks like you did the full 911 front suspension.

It looked like the turbo tie rods would work so I ordered a set. Should be here by the end of the week. Also waiting for some other stuff. Should have the front end done by early next week.

I did some more adjustments with the Koni double adjustable front shocks and improved the ride. Was on the bouncy side. I softened the compression and stiffened the rebound. I'll stay with this set up.

I decided to part out the 3.2, intake, exhaust, long block etc. I'm also selling the custom muffler. Can't do much on the 3.0 turbo motor until I sell the 3.2 stuff.

I'm still debating about flairing the rear fenders to accept either 10x15's or 11x15 Fuchs w/270 tires. I have a pair of 9x15's w/215's and 11x15's w/270's.

Fri Jun 27, 2014 4:07 am

gumbajv wrote: Airbus, great set up. Looks like you did the full 911 front suspension.

It looked like the turbo tie rods would work so I ordered a set. Should be here by the end of the week. Also waiting for some other stuff. Should have the front end done by early next week.

I did some more adjustments with the Koni double adjustable front shocks and improved the ride. Was on the bouncy side. I softened the compression and stiffened the rebound. I'll stay with this set up.

I decided to part out the 3.2, intake, exhaust, long block etc. I'm also selling the custom muffler. Can't do much on the 3.0 turbo motor until I sell the 3.2 stuff.

I'm still debating about flairing the rear fenders to accept either 10x15's or 11x15 Fuchs w/270 tires. I have a pair of 9x15's w/215's and 11x15's w/270's.

Ha sorry it's just a internet picture to explain about the rod extenders.. I wish it was mine 8)

I will post recent pics of my front setup asap..

Sun Jun 29, 2014 11:23 am

One of the best threads ever on Samba .. a number of you have awesome fabrication skills. (gumbajv .. I may have some of the 915 stuff you need. I've been slowly liquidating since retirement.)

I've watched Kenny Porter at the track. While his van isn't as high tech as what you guys are doing, man that van hauls ass .. the ultimate crowd pleaser.

Mon Jun 30, 2014 9:02 am

Here's a link to steering conversion page:
http://there.dino.com/harold/nbus.php?page=steering

Stephen: The turbo motor wasn't in as good a shape as I thought (what's new).
I don't see the bus up and running until sometime in Sept.

Mon Jun 30, 2014 2:41 pm

From the 81 Bug-In (OC raceway):

Tue Jul 01, 2014 10:08 pm

I remember seeing that bus wheelie down the track at OCIR. I've been waiting for someone to post a picture of it. Thanks Shoyrtt!

Wed Jul 02, 2014 1:03 pm

Fish wrote: I remember seeing that bus wheelie down the track at OCIR. I've been waiting for someone to post a picture of it. Thanks Shoyrtt!

I remember seeing it also in the early 80's. Very cool to see it wheelie! 8)

Dave Kawell's site has a great article about the bus with all of it's history:
http://www.kawellracing.com/racebus.html

Wed Jul 02, 2014 1:20 pm

Within the next few years, the fastest thing on the road will be electric. We are seeing the transition right now. . .the next generation of batteries will just speed things along.

Just my opinion, of course. Don't believe me just spend a few minutes on Youtube and see for yourself.

Wed Jul 02, 2014 1:44 pm

Shoyrtt wrote: Fish wrote: I remember seeing that bus wheelie down the track at OCIR. I've been waiting for someone to post a picture of it. Thanks Shoyrtt!

I remember seeing it also in the early 80's. Very cool to see it wheelie! 8)

Dave Kawell's site has a great article about the bus with all of it's history:
http://www.kawellracing.com/racebus.html
Thank you for the link!

Fri Jul 18, 2014 6:59 am

external brake booster

Front

Rear

Steeringrack + airride + 944 brakes

Drives/brake perfect..

Have build a small supercharger on the 1600

8)

Sat Jul 26, 2014 9:15 pm

Very slick supercharger!

Sun Aug 03, 2014 5:51 am

Is there a swaybar for a 4in narrowed bus beam?

Has anyone tried an aftermarket 3/4in type1 swaybar on a bus narrowed beam?
I do not want to buy one have it shipped and not work.

Sun Aug 03, 2014 6:50 am

What's that supercharger off of?

Sun Oct 05, 2014 6:12 pm

The turbo motor is moving very slowly, parts still out being machined. Displacement got bumped up to 3.3, SC cams for better low end torque, ported heads, match ported injector blocks and cis intake. Also picked up a set of used headers w/heat. Turbo will be a Garrett GT35 for quick spool up.
Meanwhile I made a new dash and gauges.

Tue Oct 07, 2014 7:47 am

brettsvw wrote: Is there a swaybar for a 4in narrowed bus beam?

Has anyone tried an aftermarket 3/4in type1 swaybar on a bus narrowed beam?
I do not want to buy one have it shipped and not work.

Vintage Autohaus makes narrowed sway bar for bays. I don't know if they make them for split buses, but I would imagine they might. Worth giving them a call.
Don't bother with their "shop online" link. I don't think they ever got that going. Pity.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1...start=4020

http://www.vintageautohaus.com/

Tue Oct 07, 2014 3:30 pm

is that a buggy rack and pinion? i was gonna use that when i was building mine until i found out that it is 1 turn lock to lock! ive already said it but again i used a chevy cavalier,sunbird rack from a 1988,89,90. it has the inner tie rods attached to the center of the rack ....the same place that the stock bus steering was at. and the pinion comes out to the driver side so the steering shaft form the bevel box to the rack is almost a strait shot. even that porsche rack is not center load and the bump steer will increase...that is just a fact..it might work but it wont work right. just trying to pass the info along. i search alot to figure that out

Thu Nov 13, 2014 1:52 pm

Turbo your bus they said, it'll be fun they said :twisted: