TheSamba.com :: View topic - My little go-go Class 11

Mon Mar 19, 2012 8:57 pm

I used the inner liner to a fire hose and attached it with nut and bolt to the engine seal to fill in the gap made by the 3" body lift. I then attached the fire hose to the tin with nut and bolt as well. This should allow me to change spark plugs without interference.
I need to do the same to the seal at the firewall. I may also use an adhesive in between the bolts holding the 2 rubbers together to help prevent hot air from bypassing.

Thu Mar 22, 2012 10:58 am

awesome build, loving the paint job...mine will be rattle canned though...extreme budget build and such. im going to be going with the same exhaust, hopefully...looking great...im going with SP heads on an AH block with single port manifold and 30pict3 if i remember right. i have to use an external oil cooler that will be mounted right above the rear window...great build though.

Fri Mar 23, 2012 9:39 pm

I found my carb was giving me fits. A local guy had 2 new Brosol 30/31 carbs that were still in the box. I picked one up. Although its never been used, I bet it was 15+ years old.

I mounted the carb and it ran much better. I advanced the timing a few degrees as well. I also installed the rubber seal/fire hose at the front of the engine. I have a tapping noise still that sure sounds like it is coming from the right side. I'll check the valves in the morning.

Sun Apr 01, 2012 10:12 pm

I like the power this engine has. My gearing and tire size works out well and I'm averaging 23.5 MPG. The new carb works great and I quieted the valve train for the most part. I put deck lid stand offs on today. That seems to make a big difference in the engine compartment heat level. I don't have my CHT gauge set up yet, but the heat seems less when I touch items in the compartment.

I had taken the bug to the Bug-a-rama last weekend and spoke to a lot of people. Some had seen it online and thought it was cool. I had the only bedlinered bug there! Go figure...

I stiffened the front beam by moving the adjuster. It leveled it out. The new alternator's bearing is already making noise. I'll change it in the future. Good thing the Chinese alternator has a lifetime warranty.

Thu Apr 05, 2012 7:16 pm

I decided to list it for sale to see if I get any bites. I may get a bus or Thing later.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1287932

Sun Apr 08, 2012 8:38 pm

Don't get me wrong, I really like it. I'm torn if I'll sell it. They would have to want it more than I want to sell it...hint, hint.

Mon Apr 09, 2012 8:19 am

biblethumpncop wrote: Don't get me wrong, I really like it. I'm torn if I'll sell it. They would have to want it more than I want to sell it...hint, hint.

i thought the same thing but after building the second one with the knowledge i learned from the first at half the price and a quarter of the time and making the changes that you say "if i ever did it again" then it would worth it.

do let anybody low ball you. you have a nice car at i think is too low a price. (it runs too)

Tue Apr 10, 2012 9:19 pm

biblethumpncop wrote: I used the inner liner to a fire hose and attached it with nut and bolt to the engine seal to fill in the gap made by the 3" body lift. I then attached the fire hose to the tin with nut and bolt as well. This should allow me to change spark plugs without interference.
I need to do the same to the seal at the firewall. I may also use an adhesive in between the bolts holding the 2 rubbers together to help prevent hot air from bypassing.

I'm a noob here and I'm looking ag getting a baja similar to yours. I was wondering the purpose of the firehose in the engine compartment. I understand that a 3" gap was created by the lift kit but I'm not sure why you did the hose? Was it to keep debris out of the engine compartment? Heat issues? Just wondering.

Tue Apr 10, 2012 9:37 pm

I tried to seal it to minimize debris and heat. I ended up putting decklid standoffs on it to get more air flow into the engine compartment as well.

Fri Apr 13, 2012 11:29 pm

I pulled the ad tonight. This bug is too much fun and the local guys are great to hang out with, like we did tonight. I mounted 215/75r15 tires on it that are less aggressive. I like the size better, but prefer the General Grabbers in looks.

Fri Apr 20, 2012 3:51 pm

I've not done much to the bug lately, but took it for a spin today. Sounds like the rear brakes are chirping. I am still not satisfied in the tire department.

When I built the bug, I put 225/70r15 on the 4" wide VW sport rims. I couldn't go too big because I had the little 1385cc engine. Although I have IRS and it was geared with 4.37 r/p, the little engine couldn't move the bug in 4th gear because 4th was .82. So, I bought new 205/75r15. That helped some, but as you know, I eventually sold that little engine and have a fresh 1600 SP now. That reallg made a difference. I went from the 205/75r15 Grabbers to 215/75r15 less aggressive tires a friend gave me. No rubbing, but I want to go bigger!

So, now I am in this quantry... what size? My steering stops were adjusted early on because of contact with the 225/70r15's. I have a 3" body lift AND adjusters in the front. But, my rim is only 4" wide. The 7.00x15 look cool but might be pretty rough on all 4 corners. A 235/75r15 is an option, but seems wide for my rim. The 225's seemed to bulge pretty good when they were mounted.

Fri Apr 20, 2012 8:49 pm

The 7x15's all the way around are awesome. They make some noise, pretty stiff, and the knobbies will steer the car for you.

When i went off roading i hit a railrad spike and had to replace the tire, my buddy had some 215/75's offroad tires they didnt have a real aggressive tread. But the driving was so much nicer with those in the front. I loved the combo of 7x15 in the rear and the 215/75 in the front:

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Fri Apr 20, 2012 9:08 pm

I have a lead on white spoke wheels with BFG AT 235/75r15's mounted. I got the okay from momma, so I may pick them up and paint them gloss black. Then I would sell my sport wheels and 215's. To be determined.

Fri Apr 20, 2012 11:11 pm

I also found some Buckshot brand 7.00x15" tires, two for $20 total. Can't beat that price. I will try the buckshots first.

Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:26 am

Just got home from Fredricsburg(?) Texas VW SHow. Spent 2 and a half days getting there and 4 days at the show. Camped out in a park with about 400 other VW folks of all types. On Sunday I judged 403 cars for
Best in Show
Best Engine
Best interior
Best Paint
Best Display

Less than 10 BAJA's. Nice cars but diff from our stuff here in AZ. No roll
cages or skid plates on any of them. One real nice one from Mexico that had huge ground clearance. Did not seem to have anything special to get the clearance that I could see, never did figure out how it was done.

John

John

Sun May 06, 2012 4:03 pm

I have my eyes peeled for a new project. A happy teen and his Dad drove away with my bug a half hour ago.

Sun May 06, 2012 4:32 pm

Kinda hate to see them go, but cant wait to start the next one kinda thing! Hope it was good all around.

Sun May 06, 2012 6:57 pm

:shock: so you did sell it!?!

Dang, all of the 11 style cars are for sale right now :(

good luck with the new project!

Sun Dec 06, 2015 8:01 pm

I saw the pictures are gone for some reason from this old thread. But I wanted the pictures attached, so here they are:

Sun Dec 06, 2015 8:28 pm

Your images may have been moved or some other issue. Posting them all in the Samba gallery and then editing the links in the posts to link them to the gallery will ensure they stay linked to the thread.