Guide me, fellow AirHeads, I’m in search of power and handling!

[Dan.S]

So, got an excellent 74 Super that I daily, bought it 4 years ago with 68k original miles. It was all original besides some paint around early 80s. But, just put a disk conversion on the front and a larger clutch cylinder for safety on the daily.

What I’m looking for, is to personalize it, up the power and make it handle like it belongs on a track, some paint down the road.

Say there is a budget of $20k. What would you say....?

[Xevin]

Go for it

http://aircooledtechnology.com/
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Keep on Busin'

[RailBoy]

Talk with these guys, there some of the best handling parts distributors in the business... RB

http://toplineparts.com/
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[quote="smitty24"]"HELP, I ported my own heads and now have fire coming out my ass" .[/quote]

[54bug]

Hi,
Hoping your research is going well. Thinking of your quest, and the results of my Beetle. I was really excited to build a faster, better bug. The result is all of that, but I didn't think of some of the compromises made in the planning. After you start, it may take a long time to complete.

My thoughts:
Handling: Sway bars, torque bars, better shocks, lower profile tires made the car handle great. The ride is very firm, amazing hook up under throttle, and great corning! To do this right you should rebuild the suspension, make sure the wheels and tires fit under the fenders. The completed car will have a very firm highway ride, unlike the stock ride. It's a lot of fun, but the new Golf is a better solution when driving home.

Power: Building power having a great transmission and shift are fun. Building and tuning an engine,intake/exhaust is some work and money. The better clutch/Pressure plate, Upgraded transmission/Differential, torque bar, and new trans mounts allow the car to connect with the road. Many of these changes increase road noise. Some of this can be fixed with insulation, but the my car is much louder on the highway.

Braking: Upgrade brakes where ever you can, make sure you can stop! I replaced what I didn't upgrade. Stop is more important than Go!

Stereo: Think carefully on your stereo investment. Mine sounds great, and looks impressive at the show. On the highway it has to be very loud with the road noise. One of the compromises.

Setup/Repair: Once you've changed the engine, trans, suspension, wiring, brakes, the maintenance becomes a challenge. Finding a shop that can do an alignment is difficult, finding a shop that will help with tuning is a challenge. Honing your skills to make it run right can be frustrating.

The finished product: I love my bug. My wife thinks it cute and fun, but doesn't like ride more than 30 miles in it. She will not drive it, she couldn't bear to risk damaging a car that took years to complete. Think of who will ride in it, and enjoy it, and how to keep them safe.

It's a great challenge. Drive your bug on the highway and visualize the car skipping along the bumps and seams. Listen to the road noise and contemplate what it might sound like. Imagine changes the seats and dash for the gauges. Could you fix, and rethink the changes to make it work well?
Think like an engineer and a car owner.

Have Fun, Scott[/list]

[Dan.S]

[Dan.S]

[img]https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=190857681684593&l=ed47c67b01[/img]


This is a look I'm going for... with performance to match.

I have a thing for orange cars...

Here is the link to some of my recent cars...

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.15386400...909737205b

[Dan.S]

cant post pics for some reason...

[54bug]

Hey Railboy

Sounds like you are well on your way on your bug. PM if you want to exchange ideas. I'm living in MD in the DC Burbs... My bug is on the road if you want to see how my combinations work.

An installed part tells no lies.

Scott

[Mid Engine Bug]

Sell yours and buy mine. Problem solved. Haha. It is for sale btw...

Edit - got picture working

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1970 Bug Shell - the rest of it, well see for yourself...

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=679467

[Xevin]

This is going to be good. Looking forward to the build. Here’s another good link

https://www.performanceworkshop.net/

And Hoffman Automotive. With more links.

http://hamheads.com/links.php
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Keep on Busin'

[Brian]

Read up through this thread, it has gotten watered down with random shit but has a lot of good points.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=401807
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Wash your hands

'69 Bug
'68 Baja Truck
'71 Bug
'68 Camper

Only losers litter

[Maddel]

[RailBoy]

54Bug, yea, I am way into mine now, been set up for a few years now...

Mine is running all Topline Items, Suspension items plus brake items. Why, wanted bolt together items, plug and play per say. And yes, there are alternative ways to do a German Looker is what there refered as, but they can get way complimcated/require machining, like brakes from 944 I think.

Thing is with the Bolt On Items, Topline takes out the guess work. Also, if you are looking into Type 4 Power, let Topline know, they can give you pointers for the type 4 engine set-up has a little more weight to it, so they will give you pointers on how to "balance" the car out.

So, if you like, look into google images, German Lookers. You will see all kinds of set-ups world wide. I simply call mine a Retro German Looker. And yes, my car is Factory Black, so makes it more apppealing to me for a budget build type 1 power plant. Running a 2180. But yes, disk F&R from Topline as well. Plus rear sway bar, and total front end package.

Thing is with Topline, think his name is Jon, he is open to phone calls to give pointers, very nice gentelman to talk with. Oh, and to let you know, I am running Porsche Boxster Wheels F & R so running the Porsche Lug Pattern Topline drilled the studs for on the disk, so yes, total plug and play.

Hope you find this info relevent, yea, a type 4 power plant would be nice, and with your pocket book, bet you will have a very nice German Looker, also, you can look into widened fenders when looking into wheels and tire packages, Topline can help you out here as well.. Hope you have fun.. RB
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[quote="smitty24"]"HELP, I ported my own heads and now have fire coming out my ass" .[/quote]

[mikec4193]

[mark tucker]

that orange one the madd ell posted looks sweet!!!!

[RailBoy]

Wonder if the Orange one is all Glam with a Type 4 Engine?

See, it does appear very nice, but there could be Topline under it, which is one of Three Companies that sell this stuff around the world for Supers. Then there is custom machining. This can be for Brakes or anything. But back to the Three Big Companies.. Topline here in the U.S., then one in Europe, then one in Australia. Do know a guy who has two companie ones, then also doing the machining rout, and all he said was it is a project for sure..

Type 4 engines are nice if you can swing it, that is for sure. Lots of nice parts and man hours on the whole car overall from this distance anyway...RB
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[quote="smitty24"]"HELP, I ported my own heads and now have fire coming out my ass" .[/quote]

[Dan.S]

Wow, thanks for all the replies and info!

[Dan.S]

[Maddel]

[Dan.S]

So far, I like this:

Mendeola front and rear A arm suspension setups:

$3300
$2400

https://www.coolrydescustoms.com/s-2-front-suspension.html

Corbeau seats:

$1200

http://www.lowbugget.com/o_mile_long_blocks3l.html

Under the Deck LowBugget Turbo 2332 Engine and Pro Street Plus transmission

$8500
$1589

Porsche Dyno Wheels: If I can find them

And then there are the miscelaneous pieces and finishing after...

Roughly $17k right here... room to grow, finish, and tie everything togeather with my budget of low $20k. What do you think?