1974 Standard Beetle with original Rajay turbocharger kit

[clonebug]

The Rajay turbos were probably state of the art in that time. I was only 14 in 74 so I didn't see much for turbos and the big diesels were mostly Detroits which at that time had a SuperCharger on them.
When I was about 18 my Dad bought a turboed Tractor. It added 8 hp to a 72 hp N/A Diesel engine. It was an English Leland 272.
We worked the crap out of that tractor.......

I am interested in most any turbo setup but practicality is the most important due to not being able to justify a car that can't be driven most anytime.

I've got a quite a bit of mileage under my belt using turbos and have run a lot of different combos in the quest for more hp but reliablity has always been the most important.
A lot of improvements have been made like ignition control and intercooler technology so that gain of 50% on probably 8 lbs is realistic.

For comparison to now my 1679 put out 112 whp at 6.0 lbs of boost 3 1/2 years ago. That would equate to around 128 crank hp.

If the owner wanted a little more current drivability there are a couple things he could do......for one a CB black box would adjust his boost timing for help if detonation was a problem and it wouldn't even be noticeable.

That would be a fun little car if he wanted to make it more than a show car.......but that's just me..
It's a beautiful car and kudos to him for keeping it that way.......I just couldn't do it.
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[oprn]

That car with it's turbo kit is a perfect representation of the state of the art in street drivable turbos in the early 70's. That is exactly where it was at. In fact for a low cost, low boost daily driver there is not a lot of room to improve it. There is no doubt in my mind that that car runs and likely runs very well.

Could it be improved with today's technology? Of course it could! Starting with the ignition, I highly suspect it is running a "locked at 24*" mechanical distributor (which by the way IS the present state of the art for many today, just ask on this forum) you could gain a couple HP, a few MPG and some drivability with crank trigger. Then there is FI and an intercooler but realistically none of that was done in those days on a street conversion.

As for dependability, my Rajay ran daily in our only family car for about 5 years, in +90* to -40*F weather. Rajay still has a positive reputation in the aircraft industry so they are not junk!
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We had the stone age, the bronze age, the industrial age and now we are in the age of mass deception and mind control for corporate profit. (The mass media age)

[clonebug]

[oprn]

With all due respect Clonebug, how an owner chooses to use his car reflects nothing about it's reliability. Also the turbo itself has no idea what engine it is on... that is a pretty weak argument. I would be more than happy to own that Beetle and trust me it would get driven all over Hell's 1/2 acre and back... after I changed it to crank trigger... and maybe a 40 DCOE progressive conversion... would like to try one...

I love the fact that you actually USE your car. That has led to all the refinements you have made but remember that most of those improvements are a result of you cashing in on the developments that have happened in the 47 years SINCE that Beetle was put together so it is more than a bit unfair to make the comparison.
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We had the stone age, the bronze age, the industrial age and now we are in the age of mass deception and mind control for corporate profit. (The mass media age)

[marro843]

Hi everyone, was super cool to stumble across this discussion and the kind words about my late father's favorite child... this 74 Beetle. I am doing my best to take good care of her and keep the mileage down, but she is fun as hell to drive. Most of her pep is really noticeable in 3rd and 4th from mid rpm's up and does seem to pull around 8lbs of boost (I have never pushed past it in fear of something bad happening!)

Speaking of boost, while recently going through some of my father's files, I came across a bunch of vintage VW mags (still haven't found his old stash of National Lampoon's though) and these original Rajay Intsructions and Schematics. Figured you may be as geeked out on these as I was.

Enjoy - Mike

[Lingwendil]

Man, if you ever get a chance to scan those in for the archives here that would be a way cool set of history to document right there!
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73 super beetle thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=649622 Back on the Road!

Modify your Kadrons for SVDA http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8115884#8115884

Cast iron VJU4BR8 SVDA reference thread- https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

Need replacement filters for original Kadron aircleaners? WIX #42087 is a perfect fit, as is Napa Gold #2087!

[oprn]

Thanks for that!
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We had the stone age, the bronze age, the industrial age and now we are in the age of mass deception and mind control for corporate profit. (The mass media age)

[-Alex77-]

I really doubt that they produced 110-120hp with 8psi boost. Most likely 80-90hp with stock internals and without water injection.

For comparison Saab 99 / 900 watercooled engine had 100hp with single carb and turbocharged+fuel injected version did have 145hp with 12psi boost with knock sensor.
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Lasercut parts and CAD design

[oprn]

[clonebug]

[Jim M]

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[NJ John]

Another interesting survivor.
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1973 standard, yellow, lowered, 3” narrowed front, 1600 blo-thru turbo w/single dell 15.4@86, so far
11.41 et buggy. Long gone
Let’s go O’s! Let’s go O’s!
https://www.youtube.com/@AirSpooledGarage

[RWK]

Here is some info on them in a Clymer manual from 1973 I have, they also talk about the Schwitzer turbo set up, but it required a modified deck lid, and is a blow thru the carb format.

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73 Type 181
63 Type 113
63 Type 261- 428 071
62 Type 241-378 025 178 530

[oprn]

Nice!
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We had the stone age, the bronze age, the industrial age and now we are in the age of mass deception and mind control for corporate profit. (The mass media age)

[Bruce]

[Mug Bug]

Here's my 1969 Bug back in 1981. What a blast that Turbo kit was. Easy to install, started right up and ran great! At night the headers would glow red after a hard run on the highway.

[oprn]

It was a great way to make power at a decent price. Too bad the company did not continue to grow and offer more and better products. Ahead of its time perhaps like so many others in the past. Maybe the public was just not ready for turbos yet.
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We had the stone age, the bronze age, the industrial age and now we are in the age of mass deception and mind control for corporate profit. (The mass media age)

[clonebug]

I'm sure it would be a fun driver but as with any thing that adds power.....you still have the addiction factor and turning it up beyond it's limit will introduce problems.
I'm sure some drove great....but others probably blew the crap out of their engine.

A 20 something kid more than likely flogged the crap out of the poor thing......Us elder adults are much more responsible and can refrain from beating it to death.......
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[oprn]

Impossible to make anything idiot proof! The guy that ran his turbo Beetle past it’s limits then is the same guy that will do it today.
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We had the stone age, the bronze age, the industrial age and now we are in the age of mass deception and mind control for corporate profit. (The mass media age)

[MuzzcoVW]

While everyone's looking at the cool turbo kit... I'm looking at the mint Continental bias ply spare! I wish someone would repro those!