1303 Sports Bug (GSR) Intro

[beetle08]

Howdy,

i've neen a long time member of the Samba and thought I would post my latest build. It's been a while since I've done a VW. Last one was my 1500S Nutria Brown Squareback.

A little reintroduction. I cut my chops with VW's specifically Superbeetles (73 and 74) prior to purchasing a 64 Beetle and Squareback, along with a multitude of Ghias, more beetles, and more Superbeetles. I've always had a soft spot for 64s, along with special edidtion 72 and 73 Supers. I woned a 72 Marathon beetle along with several Sports Bugs. I got the Porsche bug (no pun intended) and founded a little social club called 3 Pedal Posse. Here I dove into anything aircooled 911, beginning with several SWB cars all the way to 964s and 993s. As they say life happens, and you start to remenisce. So i took on a project for a very special individual in the form of a 73 Sportsbug ala GSR. I purchased the car here about 7 years ago. It was an abonded project that had been "restored". While the paint and interior were in great shape, the mechanics and electrics needed work, along with overall fitment of panels, latches, etc.

My goal was to improve on what was there to better allow the car to perform in today's roads and traffic.

The stock motor was replaced with a well balanced 1776, with mild cam, slightly larger valves, ported heads, counterweighted crank, balanced flywheel and pulley, along with full flow, 90AMP alternator, and CSP larger diameter heater boxes and SS full flow exhaust.

I rewired the fuse panel removing a multitude of unnecessary wires and yellow crimped ends, and replaced wires and connectors per factory finish where applicable. This included new ignition pigtail, headlight wiring and relays for 80/100W H4s, LED bulbs front to back, along with correct flasher relay,home made stereo plug in harness, auxiliary USB port, and rear third brake lights.

I also installed a MK1 Golf wiper switch with intermittent function, and wiring for electric washer pump.

CB Performance four wheel disc brakes, with CSP large bore master cylinder, and TOPLINE adjustable suspension in the front. Polyurethane bushings and front and rear sway bars.

Last but not least, a freeway flyer gearbox is in the works so she's not screaming at 70mph.

It's been a while since I've had a VW project and needless to say, the quantity of NOS parts is much less than I remember. Fortunately, I had a little stash set aside.

I'll keep adding to this thread to show what's been done and share some of my findings. I hope you an joy and I look forward to reengaging with the Samba peeps.

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1973 VW 1303 GSR
1973 VW Jeans Beetle
1991 Porsche 964 Carrera 2

IG: 3pedalposse

[H2OSB]

All I can say is: freakin awesome!

I love those cars. Did you see the article in HVWs about the GSR with T4 (August2018)?

Anyway I look forward to hearing more about your car.
Kindest regards
H2OSB
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(o\_i_/o) Funny thing about pigs, they're cleaner than you and me. Well....you.

[Buggeee]

What a hooligan! Nice car to play with that's for sure.
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Big Time 1988 Vanagon Westy
Release the Krankenwagen! 1966 Sportsmobile Camper
Dr. Kompressor 72 Super Duper
61 Turkis Pile (adopted out)

[beetle08]

Thank you both! I did see the article from way back. In College I built a 74 super with a 2.4 Type 4 Motors. That thing was insane; peeled out in every gear.

This one is a little more docile.
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1973 VW 1303 GSR
1973 VW Jeans Beetle
1991 Porsche 964 Carrera 2

IG: 3pedalposse

[vamram]

Wow, beautiful!!!

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"Men are qualified for civil liberty in exact proportion to their disposition
to put moral chains upon their own appetites. -Edmund Burke

'74 Super 9/16 - present, in refurb process.
'73 Super - 6/18 - Present - Daily Driver!
'75 Super Le Grande...we hardly knew ye. Sold 2025 for peanuts.
Click to view image
Save the Supers!!

[DUNGBTL]

I’m with vamram above!

[Root_Werks]

I like it! Always liked those wheels on Bugs.
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When I set my timing, why do I flush, then take a pee?

[beetle08]

Thank you. I had some folks as about the suspension and brakes.

Suspension is TOPLINE adjustable struts up front. New control arms, urethane bushings, sway bar, ball joints, tie rods, etc. i switched it to 74 and up in case I decide to switch to a 944 set up. I may need to raise the car an inch up front; it's a little low for city driving.

The new control arms are powder coated with new balljoints installed. I would recommend you check these as one of mine popped out due to the seating surface being powdercoated. Otherwise no issue after fixing these issues.

Rear is urethane bushings, slightly lowered. Rear sway bar will be installed after new gearbox install.

I installed four weel disc brakes (CB Performance) and CSP master cylinder. FYI: he CSP unit allows for only one brake pressure switch.

The car handles fantastic and brakes are very effective and smooth.

I would love to make a set of 6.5 sport wheels for the rear since it wouldn't hurt to have a little bit more rubber in the back.
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1973 VW 1303 GSR
1973 VW Jeans Beetle
1991 Porsche 964 Carrera 2

IG: 3pedalposse

[beetle08]

I had a few folks ask about wiring for the electric washer pump. The MK1 Golf wiper switch has two extra terminals for an electric pump, however the plastic housing around the wires on the stalk switch is two wide to slip into the steering column housing, so......

You will need to carefully remove the housing (white) which holds the wires from the stalk that plug into the pigtail behind the dash from the Golf switch, and replace with the one from your Super Beetle switch. The housing snaps together depending on age, is most likely brittle and fragile. The reason for the swap is the Golf housing is to wide and won't fit inside the column housing due to the two extra wires. The two extra wires that operate the washer switch will now be out of the housing, allowing you to fit the switch assembly back into the clamshell along with the turn signal switch.

The two extra wires that operate the washer pump (a ground, and positive will be wired per the diagram below. You will need to insulate the connections.

Any standard 12V relay will work. CIP1 has Bosch ones that are great.

I use a standard early 911/924/94 VDO washer pump as shown below. Please note, installation is temporary as I will be making a bracket the holds the pump.

In addition you will rework the plumbing as you will no longer have water lines running to the switch. Instead you will have a water line from the holding tank to the pump and from the pump to a check valve and than from the check valve to the nozzle. The check valves keeps things flowing in the right direction. Make sure you remove the hose from the top of your water tank that runs to the spare, you will need to leave the nipple open so air can get in as your fluid runs low.

Check Valve: 914.628.215.00
Washer Pump: 928.628.074.01 or 823.955.651

And....walla! Electric windshield washer.

You will need to do some hunting to find an MK1 Golf switch, as they are in short supply.
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1973 VW 1303 GSR
1973 VW Jeans Beetle
1991 Porsche 964 Carrera 2

IG: 3pedalposse

[cletus_zuber]

Pro tip: Replace your valve with a bottle cap for venting.

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1972 1302
HPMX 40's & 019

[Rome]

You have a very attractive and interesting project with your SportsBug. There's a man in Long Island NY named Robert who has a "sister" car, and he had a "medium heat" 1776 cc engine built by a local VW engine pro from the '70's. He mentioned that he installed Scirocco front MacPherson struts; I don't know the benefit of those compared to original Super struts other than possibly a bit more stiffness due to carrying the weight of the drivetrain.

Isn't your Super transaxle already a "freeway flier" with its 3.88:1 final drive ratio? And "screaming" at 70 mph? I have a stock 1600 in my '77 standard Beetle with the original 3.88:1 trans; my fave highway speed is sustained 75 mph (when ambient speed limit is 65) which I've held for hours many years ago, driving through PA and Ohio a few times to get to the Detroit area for a large VW meet. My Porsche 914 tach would show in the high 3000's and the car did not feel strained at all.

[beetle08]

Thank you. The gearbox is not original to the car, and even with a 3.88:1 I would still want a slightly taller 4th.

The Golf/Scirocco front strut insert is what is used for the Top Line adjustable style kits since it it slightly shorter and a little bit firmer.
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1973 VW 1303 GSR
1973 VW Jeans Beetle
1991 Porsche 964 Carrera 2

IG: 3pedalposse

[beetle08]

I decided to make my own front speaker kick panels. The ABS ones commonly found tend to stick out to much, so with some creative wood working, glue, and carpet I made some shallower units that give you a little bit more foot space.

I covered them with matching carpet and am pretty happy with the results.

For the rear, I didn't want the speakers to hinder the ability for the rear seat to fold down or for the rear storage area to be compromised. So I manufactured a speaker tray that was similar to those found in early 911s, essentially fitting all the way back to the edge of the rear screen:

Again, matching carpet was used to cover it. Having the tray all the way back there also allows for installation of a third brake light, should you choose to install it.

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1973 VW 1303 GSR
1973 VW Jeans Beetle
1991 Porsche 964 Carrera 2

IG: 3pedalposse

[beetle08]

As my high school science teacher use to say, some's good....more's better. Sheila has a new room mate:

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1973 VW 1303 GSR
1973 VW Jeans Beetle
1991 Porsche 964 Carrera 2

IG: 3pedalposse

[Rome]

Hey- that's a sharp one! Looks like a very low-mileage museum car or "time capsule" original from a collector. Did you import it from Europe, or somehow find it "locally"? I think the Jeans Beetle special edition was similar to the "Love Bug" '74 Standard Beetle edition for the US market, though with different colors. Equipment was somewhat stripped down. The Jeans Beetle has a "basic" engine though. Does it also have a doghouse fan shroud despite the non-vented engine lid? Will you keep that original engine, or also upgrade?

Are you satisfied with the performance of your GSR- the engine and the transmission ratios?

[beetle08]

Thank you for the kind comments. The Jeans beetle did receive a restoration in Belgium, although the drivetrain was left untouched as it is in excellent shape and has just over 50K KM on it. I am not aware of any other Jeans beetles in the states at this time. I found the car in Ireland. The Jeans for 73 (first year, all made in Belgium, and for UK, and European market) were made in Belgium. It is essentially a standard beetle (110)- swing axle, 1.2 40hp no dash pad, no full headliner, no fresh air box, and minimal carpet. However, it is 12V, does have the sport rims, along with a passenger mirror and rear fog light. I believe it's a doghouse cooler but I'll have to check. My plan is to keep it is as is and use it as a running around town car. It's not the best suitable option for highway driving.

The Love Bugs were dressed beetles which had all the regular amenities for USA cars of the time (1600cc, IRS, full interior, fresh air box, etc.). From the research i've done, standard beetles (110) were not sold in the USA, although they did pop up in Canada.

I am very satisfied with the GSR drivetrain as the car belongs to my daughter. Currently I have dual 34mm webers which are small for the.1835 but offer the right amount of power and economy given her driving use. Later on, I will upgrade to dual 40mm webers.
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1973 VW 1303 GSR
1973 VW Jeans Beetle
1991 Porsche 964 Carrera 2

IG: 3pedalposse