Official "Super Beetle" lowering topic

[boxer74]

I just lowered my 74 super using adjustable struts (set to second notch from top), tapered sport springs, 7/8 front sway bar, caster fix bushings, rear 3/4 sway bar. I have American Eagle (EMPI clone) 8 spoke wheels (not sure of offset) with 185/65/15's all around and it rubs badly on both front fenders.

I bought a set of 4.5x15 et41 sport wheels to better fit the car (they were original for it). Wondering about ideal tire size. Would the 185/65/15's fit now, or do I need to go narrower?
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74 Super
84 Westy

[vamram]

Hmmm...I'm no expert but won't 185 rub on turns? I have my Supers lowered, not much, just like 1.5" or so using lowering springs on stock struts and both have 165/80/15 tires. My '74 has same tire size but the rear sport rims are 5" instead of 4.5" Tire fills the wheel well nicely.

My '75 has Topline lowering struts w/165/r15 tires, sits at least an inch lower then the other two. Tires don't rub, but I'd have to look later (it's raining now and the car is outdoors) to see how many notches it's been lowered.
_________________
Eventually, "we are what we pretend to be.’”
Give peace a chance - Stop Russian-Soviet Aggression!!

'74 Super 9/16 - present, in refurb process.
'73 Super - 6/18 - Present - Daily Driver!
'75 Super Le Grande...waiting it's turn in line behind '74.
Click to view image
Save the Supers!!

[boxer74]

I'm considering the Nankang 145's in front and 165's in rear.
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74 Super
84 Westy

[vamram]

[boxer74]

A little more expensive here for me than the Nankangs.
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74 Super
84 Westy

[boxer74]

Here's a pic of my 74 super with 155/60/15's on 4.5" ET41 sport wheels on the front and 185/65/15's on 5.5" ET40 sport wheels on the rear.

The front was lowered for this pic using EMPI adjustable struts on highest setting along with CIP1 red tapered sport springs. Unfortunately the strut inserts, which I believe are oil filled are shot. When pressed in, they can't be easily pulled out. I believe this causes the car to drop way lower than 3" (which I understand is the safe max lowering amount for 74+ supers). On bumps, I found the control arm contacts the steering drop arm.

For now, while I consider other options, I went back to stock struts with the tapered springs. This setup with the small tires does still lower the front end about 2"-2.5" but has a fairly large fender gap which I'd like to eliminate.

I have ordered some KYB excel-G front strut inserts and plan to use these with the adjustable struts on the highest setting along with sport springs.

Expected lowering math as follows:

Struts at max: 2" drop
155/60/15 tires vs stock 165/80/15: 3.1" less diameter divide by 2 = 1.55" drop
Sport springs: 0.75" to 1" drop, but with gas inserts, probably 0.75"

Total drop: 2" + 1.55" + 0.75" = 4.3" drop

This exceeds the safe max of 3" which has me thinking I need to put stock size tires back on, which would have the added benefit of returning accuracy to my speedometer.

But I do like the look of these small smart car tires and they are brand new...

Wondering what the samba folks have to say about this dilemma.
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74 Super
84 Westy

[illcomm33]

My goal is probably boring to most in this thread but I am looking to use the stock steel wheels on my 74 Super with Empi adjustable struts/stock springs to lower the front/make the bug more level, fill the top/bottom gap in the rear wheelwell withOUT re-indexing the torsion bars.

I was hoping to see some photos of how this might look with different tire options?

- 74 Super: 15" x 4.5 rims

- Empi adjustable struts (set on HIGHEST setting...my understanding would be about a 2" from-now ....drop.)
- Front disc brake conversion (if that matters for the tires noted below)

Tires in consideration: (% is diameter difference from stock)

165/80/15 (stock)

175/65/15 (5.7%)

175/70/15 (2.9%)

185/65/15 (3.6%)

185/70/15 (0.7%…Discount Tire website states "fits the original wheel...")

If you have a photo of your bug with any of those tires/EMPI strut drop would you mind posting?

I found this one on a different thread. The caption read stock wheels after drop (165R15) ...it looks nice/balanced.. but not sure about the how much drop and what type of drop (springs/etc).

[boxer74]

[illcomm33]

[vamram]

[boxer74]

[vamram]

Front has the same tires on 4.5" rims. It's lowered like 1-1.5" using lowering springs I bought from CIP1.COM.
_________________
Eventually, "we are what we pretend to be.’”
Give peace a chance - Stop Russian-Soviet Aggression!!

'74 Super 9/16 - present, in refurb process.
'73 Super - 6/18 - Present - Daily Driver!
'75 Super Le Grande...waiting it's turn in line behind '74.
Click to view image
Save the Supers!!

[boxer74]

Here's a before and after shot of some slight lowering on my 74.

Before (bottom):
Tapered sport springs in stock housings with stock oil-filled inserts and 155/60/15 front tires

After (top):
Tapered sport springs in adjustable housings on top setting with bilstein B4 gas inserts and 165/65/15 front tires

The change is subtle, but I like the slightly bigger tires and the fender gaps are roughly even front and back. The front end sits approx 2.5 inches lower than stock (before I used the tapered springs at all).

The springs may settle a bit, but I need to get an alignment soon. Thoughts? Should I keep it here, or go one notch lower on the adjustable struts?

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74 Super
84 Westy

[vamram]

I'd go a notch lower...

Nice Super btw!
_________________
Eventually, "we are what we pretend to be.’”
Give peace a chance - Stop Russian-Soviet Aggression!!

'74 Super 9/16 - present, in refurb process.
'73 Super - 6/18 - Present - Daily Driver!
'75 Super Le Grande...waiting it's turn in line behind '74.
Click to view image
Save the Supers!!

[boxer74]

[vamram]

You need this - a VW factory compressor, no problem w/the compressor hooks sliding around the spring!

_________________
Eventually, "we are what we pretend to be.’”
Give peace a chance - Stop Russian-Soviet Aggression!!

'74 Super 9/16 - present, in refurb process.
'73 Super - 6/18 - Present - Daily Driver!
'75 Super Le Grande...waiting it's turn in line behind '74.
Click to view image
Save the Supers!!

[boxer74]

[vamram]

[boxer74]

[illcomm33]