TheSamba.com :: View topic - Ray Vallero stroker build for my '63 ragtop bug

Fri Jun 14, 2013 10:40 pm

JustBuggy wrote:

BTW, will you be running Hugo down to the California Bug Bash in Antioch on June 23?
http://www.californiabugbash.com/

Nope, I don't think so. I will, however, be driving Hugo on an all day 150 mile or so cruise the day before on the 22nd called Dubs Around The Lake up to Lake Tahoe. :)

Sat Jun 15, 2013 9:00 pm

First run off the trailer... err, no, that's right, I didn't bring it in a trailer. :P I drove it 100 miles to the raceway and back. Had a great time!

Sat Jun 15, 2013 11:49 pm

Congratulations! Great effort, and you've got to be happy with the engine. :D

Now, you've just gotta work on that reaction time...

Sun Jun 16, 2013 3:48 am

Way to go Dawn! At what rpm's were you shifting at?

Sun Jun 16, 2013 12:51 pm

ALB wrote: Way to go Dawn! At what rpm's were you shifting at?

I don't have a tach. But Ray said it is designed to not redline until over 8-8500rpm, so I know that it's safe. I shifted right at the point when it feels like it was about to fall over the power band. Pulled HARD straight through. Really an E-Ticket for sure. The only weak spot is my close ratio third and tall fourth. Which is my favorite and the gearing I've had for 35 years, but not ideal for the top end at the track.

My boyfriend got me an Autometer with a shift light and a helmet (required under 14 seconds). He's a keeper. :D

Thu Jun 20, 2013 6:06 pm

Oh, I see. . . . . theres a boyfriend. Lucky man! I just want to say this has been an AWESOME read! Lucky you to work close to greatness. The story, the car, the woman, great thread! My wifey is getting her first bug tomorrow, I am pumped. Finally someone to hang in the shop with me!

Your car is sweet and suits you perfectly, Many safe happy miles to you!

Thu Jun 20, 2013 9:32 pm

BUGGUTZ wrote: Oh, I see. . . . . theres a boyfriend. Lucky man! I just want to say this has been an AWESOME read! Lucky you to work close to greatness. The story, the car, the woman, great thread! My wifey is getting her first bug tomorrow, I am pumped. Finally someone to hang in the shop with me!

Your car is sweet and suits you perfectly, Many safe happy miles to you!

Thank you!!

Here's a video of a mid 14's pass at Bugorama 71 a few weeks ago. Was easy on the launch and shifting very early. Got the rpms up a bit to get the 14.06 on the timeslip above. Kept the GoPro on for the cruise back on the return road to the pits.

FYI, we'll be at NASA race again on June 29 at Sacto Raceway. Bring what you go and join us! It's bracket racing, doesn't matter how fast you are. I'm enjoying the practice. Or just come spectate.

Future plan is to put in a loaner race tranny and slicks for some passes in September at NASA or BOR 72. Just out of curiosity. Heh, heh.

Tue Aug 13, 2013 1:42 pm

Nice seeing this engine on the Treffen 15 (Specialty Foreign Auto/Humbugs stop)Makes a statement bringing it on the Treffen and good advertising with the Vallero's sticker on the fan shroud . Glad you two are enjoying it !

Sun Sep 29, 2013 5:02 pm

Downtown Brown wrote: Nice seeing this engine on the Treffen 15 (Specialty Foreign Auto/Humbugs stop)Makes a statement bringing it on the Treffen and good advertising with the Vallero's sticker on the fan shroud . Glad you two are enjoying it !

Thank you, it was great meeting you! I love your IDA air filters, we are going to consider that... Also, love your avatar. Rotties filled my life for nearly 20 years. Raven couldn't fit in the front seat though, so he took a backseat to my bulldog.

I have started a new build thread on the old motor that was in my car. Ray Vallero is rebuilding it after building it the first time 30 years ago. The teardown on this one will be as interesting as the rebuild!

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=571652

Tue Oct 01, 2013 2:51 am

I have a question - what transmission do you use and where is your usual shift point on the quartermile?

Tue Oct 01, 2013 11:28 am

1961bluebug wrote: I have a question - what transmission do you use and where is your usual shift point on the quartermile?

I have an old 412 r&p, close ratio 3rd (1.48) and tall 4th (.089). It was best for my style of daily driving for the 30 years I've used the car. I've always used that gear set. But lousy for racing now with this motor!!

I just got a tach for the first time at the last race a few weeks ago. I had no idea where I was at, I'd shift by feel. It turns out I'm shifting at around 7300, varies per gear, lower on 1st and 2nd, higher on 3rd. It doesn't redline till probably 9K. But I experimented and lowered the shift point to 6500 and only lost a very small amount on the ET. I will be dialing this in better in future races, but it will all change with a new tranny. Which will be a 3.88, with a 1:1 4th. :)

Fri Mar 20, 2015 8:40 pm

Hi everyone! I'm finally starting a new build thread and doing the new transmission for Hugo with this motor. :D

Stay tuned this weekend...

Sat Mar 21, 2015 2:45 am

Sounds great. Sorry might have missed something, but did you take the fan belt off for the run?

Sat Mar 21, 2015 10:42 am

deadkombi wrote: Sounds great. Sorry might have missed something, but did you take the fan belt off for the run?

Yes, I always take the fan belt off at the track. If I didn't, it would overspeed the alternator. Also, I actually threw a fan out of round by overspinning it at the track before I started removing the belt.

I drive it to the staging lanes, take the belt off there, make my pass, then kill the engine a the stripe and coast to the return road and put it back on.

Sat Mar 21, 2015 1:59 pm

Do you have a stock fan belt pully system, so you unscrew the nut and split the pully to remove / install the belt? Or do you have some sort of quick-disconnect setup?

Sat Mar 21, 2015 2:28 pm

Fun isn't it? :D You will get those reaction times down with practice. You looked very confident behind that wheel. Great luck in the future!

Sat Mar 21, 2015 4:04 pm

Dr OnHolliday wrote: Do you have a stock fan belt pully system, so you unscrew the nut and split the pully to remove / install the belt? Or do you have some sort of quick-disconnect setup?

Get a 2nd very cheap China belt to use. At the track install the belt with 4 extra shims in the pulley so the belt will be loose. You can safely drive around the pits observing the 10 MPH pit speed limit without worrying about throwing the belt. When you get to the staging lanes with the engine off roll the belt over the pulley and your ready to race. When you cross the finish line turn off the engine and cost to the exit and pull off the track onto the return road, then roll the belt on the pulley. Carefully observing the track 10 MPH pit speed limit drive back to your pit area, the loose belt will not fly off. When you are finished racing put another good belt on shimmed correctly and drive home.

Sat Mar 21, 2015 4:34 pm

Think she said at one point that she never had a tack and now she does.. What she found out was her shift points were hitting were around 7,600 RPMs when doing her runs.... Nuts...lol RB

Tue Mar 24, 2015 9:08 am

Here's the new Tranny build thread:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7602210

Tue Mar 24, 2015 9:11 am

vwracerdave wrote:

Get a 2nd very cheap China belt to use. At the track install the belt with 4 extra shims in the pulley so the belt will be loose. You can safely drive around the pits observing the 10 MPH pit speed limit without worrying about throwing the belt. When you get to the staging lanes with the engine off roll the belt over the pulley and your ready to race. When you cross the finish line turn off the engine and cost to the exit and pull off the track onto the return road, then roll the belt on the pulley. Carefully observing the track 10 MPH pit speed limit drive back to your pit area, the loose belt will not fly off. When you are finished racing put another good belt on shimmed correctly and drive home.

Exactly what I do. I did get an "adjustable belt" that was even easier to get on and off than with a screwdriver for the last runs of the year. I'll get the pics and post it up when I get a chance...