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Matt_Lewis Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2011 Posts: 25 Location: Savannah, Ga.
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Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 6:58 am Post subject: What should I do? |
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We have recently bought a 56 ragtop. The car is overall in very good shape and has a very solid 36hp and split case with no issues. I like the fact that I can get in and drive it around the neighborhood with the family but I wouldn't really go too much further than that due to power issues. I also like that it is "orginial" because of the 6v, 36hp, and splitcase but I think this limits its functions because I can't really do anything with it.
We are about to put carpet, recover the seats and a new headliner but before I do this I can't help but thinking I want this car to be more. I would love for this thing to be something I can jump in and goto town(30miles away all interstate), or to the beach(45 miles away mostly highway), and maybe even take it to the autocross once a month!
So my question is, what should I do?
1. Leave everything the way it is, finish the interior and drive it around the neighborhood?
2. Upgrade tranny, motor, suspension, brakes then interior and drive it.
3. Upgrade pan to 68+ from donor car and then finish interior and drive it.
It does not have matching numbers on anything so I am not too concerned with that I just want this car to have dual functions. Right now the body is a 56, the pan is a 55, the motor I am not sure of but is definitely around the same time and the split case is a 57.
I appreciate all comments. I am just looking for advice on what to do and why it is the best option from people who have more experience.
Thanks
matt |
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bugguts Banned
Joined: January 06, 2012 Posts: 263 Location: Charleston SC
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Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 7:11 am Post subject: |
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I'd go with a Berg 5 speed, 2007cc IDA motor, disc brakes, narrowed beam and detailed Fuchs |
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Matt_Lewis Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2011 Posts: 25 Location: Savannah, Ga.
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Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 7:16 am Post subject: |
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bugguts wrote: |
I'd go with a Berg 5 speed, 2007cc IDA motor, disc brakes, narrowed beam and detailed Fuchs |
So option 2 staying on same pan?
I have read that the swing axle isn't the best for ride quality and performance for things such as autocrossing. |
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Matt_Lewis Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2011 Posts: 25 Location: Savannah, Ga.
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Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 7:22 am Post subject: |
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Here is what it looks like right now.
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sparkleplenty Samba Member
Joined: January 09, 2008 Posts: 1110 Location: California
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Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 8:07 am Post subject: |
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Option 2....Then tuck that split case and 36 away in storage.
Don't go overboard on the motor and trans...Built motors can be temperamental. _________________ '56 European Oval Ragtop-Stock
'56 Karmann Ghia Coupe-Stock
'59 Italian Series I Li150 Lambretta-Stock
"Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime."
"Only when the tide goes out do you discover who is swimming naked." |
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sparkleplenty Samba Member
Joined: January 09, 2008 Posts: 1110 Location: California
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Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 8:09 am Post subject: |
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By the way, nice oval... _________________ '56 European Oval Ragtop-Stock
'56 Karmann Ghia Coupe-Stock
'59 Italian Series I Li150 Lambretta-Stock
"Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime."
"Only when the tide goes out do you discover who is swimming naked." |
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Erik G Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2002 Posts: 13280 Location: Tejas!
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Matt_Lewis Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2011 Posts: 25 Location: Savannah, Ga.
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Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 8:54 am Post subject: |
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So another vote for option 2 and just upgrade what I got.
Which is fine but what about performance handling? Will the swing axle be okay for possible light autocrossing?
Also, I noticed when I lowered the rear, the torsion bars were pretty rusty and I am pretty sure the outer spindles were rusted shut. Should this be something to worry about upgrading the current pan? As for rust other places there really isn't any.
Thanks! |
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Matt_Lewis Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2011 Posts: 25 Location: Savannah, Ga.
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Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 8:58 am Post subject: |
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Erik G wrote: |
how fast do you need to go? I had no problems cruising mine on the crazy Houston freeways, 36hp and a crashbox, 68mph cruising speed stock. |
Not terribly fast. I just want something safe on the highway, something I can drive wherever.
I have been 55 but I can't imagine 65+ it must have sounded like it was going to blow up? |
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Erik G Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2002 Posts: 13280 Location: Tejas!
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Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 9:33 am Post subject: |
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then you have other issues. 65 is like 4000 rpm's. RPM's are what cools your motor. At that speed, you want your fan turning pretty fast.
Personally, I would make sure everything is tip top, and get it back to original running condition before I spent any bread on a big motor. You should have no problem getting to and holding 65mph for long periods of time with a 36 and a crashbox. I've had big motors, small motors, and in-between. get up and go is an issue with a smaller motor, but once it's going it should be fine. A big motor just gets up and goes faster.
Don't get me wrong, a freeway flyer trans and a 1600 or bigger would be fine especially for a non-stock car. But there is something wrong if you are maxed at 55 _________________ Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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bugguts Banned
Joined: January 06, 2012 Posts: 263 Location: Charleston SC
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Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:32 am Post subject: |
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I've run 80mph+ in my swingaxle VW with no problems. The car is a basket case, so your options are limitless... |
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Bart Dunn Samba Consiglieri
Joined: May 09, 2004 Posts: 2354 Location: Sea level (Mid Atlantic)
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Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:49 am Post subject: |
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How are you measuring speed? An antique speedo can be pretty inaccurate. Mine on my '58 is off by about 12-15 mph at highway speeds. _________________ Not enough car seats fit into my:
'58 Beetle convertible
'58 Beetle sedan |
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Erik G Samba Member
Joined: October 16, 2002 Posts: 13280 Location: Tejas!
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Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 11:24 am Post subject: |
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and small front tires makes it worse
Mine - GPS verified 70+max but cruising nicely at 65. 165's are slightly taller than stock. Roof racks and open rag tops may make it a little slower, but just a little _________________ Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery! |
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sunroof Samba Member
Joined: October 06, 2006 Posts: 1774 Location: Winnipeg
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Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:24 pm Post subject: |
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Sell the beetle to someone who will love it for what it is and go buy a Honda.
Don |
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AlanInMass54 Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2003 Posts: 1070 Location: Massachusetts
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Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:32 pm Post subject: |
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Or sell it and buy a later model that already has the features you want? |
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Schwing Samba Member
Joined: May 10, 2009 Posts: 2506 Location: Centreville, MD
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Matt_Lewis Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2011 Posts: 25 Location: Savannah, Ga.
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Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 1:00 pm Post subject: |
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@Bart Dunn & @Erik G
I am measuring speed with a GPS. You are right with those wheels the speedo says like 5-10 more than actual.
@sunroof
I have had the hondas but I like vws and I would love to beat all the hondas with the vw!
@AlanInMass54
I like the oval ragtop and my wife would kill me if I sold it. I guess I am just trying to kill 2 birds with 1 stone...cruiser for her and daily/fun car for me!
@Schwing
Thats always an option...I still have the smoothies too! |
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AlteWagen Troll
Joined: February 23, 2007 Posts: 8503 Location: PNW
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Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 2:07 pm Post subject: |
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My vote is for #2
Like mentioned above keep the stock engine/trans/beam and store it for the future.
Safe and economical
1776 or 1915 engine or thick wall 92s for 1835
69mm counterweight crank
engle 110 cam
1 1/2 merged header
Timms stage 1 or CB 044 heads
40 IDF/HPMX carbs with 30mm vents
4.12 ring and pinion trans with stock gearing/brakes/short axles
rear sway bar with limiting straps
Fresh front beam with disk brakes/HD sway bar
If getting wider rims/tires for the front you might consider a 2 inch narrowed beam for clearance
I would estimate the above to be around $10K or less if you hunt and do most of the work yourself.
It would be a fun/safe/non tempermental cruiser that would be fine on the street or track. |
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Matt_Lewis Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2011 Posts: 25 Location: Savannah, Ga.
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Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 2:29 pm Post subject: |
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derluftwagen wrote: |
My vote is for #2
Like mentioned above keep the stock engine/trans/beam and store it for the future.
Safe and economical
1776 or 1915 engine or thick wall 92s for 1835
69mm counterweight crank
engle 110 cam
1 1/2 merged header
Timms stage 1 or CB 044 heads
40 IDF/HPMX carbs with 30mm vents
4.12 ring and pinion trans with stock gearing/brakes/short axles
rear sway bar with limiting straps
Fresh front beam with disk brakes/HD sway bar
If getting wider rims/tires for the front you might consider a 2 inch narrowed beam for clearance
I would estimate the above to be around $10K or less if you hunt and do most of the work yourself.
It would be a fun/safe/non tempermental cruiser that would be fine on the street or track. |
Awesome! This is the type stuff I was looking for, even an estimated cost! |
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55reasons Samba Swamp Cooler
Joined: December 31, 2003 Posts: 942
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Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 3:06 pm Post subject: |
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#2 |
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