How much HP do is really need for a Non Race bug and be happy

[mark tucker]

[nextgen]

I live 35 miles north of Manhattan along the Hudson River. 26 miles to cross over the George Washington Bridge into Manhattan. The Manhattan side was no problem, mostly gridlock, so a lot of clutch use. As for keeping up with traffic no problem, ha.

But the 26 to the bridge had some hills a few miles long and with my 230 lb car pool buddy and my 155 lb, our goals was to keep the engine speed up the hills at least 60 mph..
My bugs were 1600 and 1700. Lucky if 60 hp. Had to put the pedal to the metal way before the hill and left lane was a gamble. Big difference when driving alone. So I agree 100hp would have been perfect.

Car may have had larger engines but now car handle better have more HP from smaller engines and driving at 80 feels like 65 back then. So I feel it is a lot worse now in low HP bug in the left lane.
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[esde]

"How much HP do is really need for a Non Race bug and be happy"

No idea what it takes for other people to be happy
But to be safe, living in the middle of a major east coast metropolis, I've found you need around 100hp to drive a beetle safely in traffic. Much less and you risk getting run over, cause you can't get out of the way or merge safely when traffic is congested and hustling.
I used to know some people that daily drove stock cars in the city, but they've all pretty much given up.
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modok wrote:
Bent cranks are silent but gather no moss. I mean, ah, something like that.

[nextgen]

Hmm I did use the word problem. Not a problem, just not good with words, maybe I should use Happy Faces!!!!!

javascript:emoticon('')
_________________
email: [email protected]
The TYPE IV UPRIGHT CONVERSION MANUAL
BEETLE MAGNETIC DEFLECTOR SHIELDS
LETS TALK DUBS https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=joe+cali+ghia https://letstalkdubs.libsyn.com/ep-200-joe-cali-ty...qI3xJTCzjs

[67rustavenger]

[nextgen]

I agree, my rusty engine was built in the early 90's it was a rolling experiment,

Have built many others but just to get running and have fun and get me to work was goal . Actually the rusty 914 engine uses the coil only as trigger for firing my Jacobs bug pac inside the car. IF one of the electrical engineers I work with did not tell me, you better put that inside the car, it puts out very high voltage you don't want it to get wet.

I would have crammed it into the engine compartment. Hey Clean is a Art,
I guess Cramming a bunch of stuff in a small space is an art too!!!

I have a DTM I have been thinking of using. The problem with a T-4 in a bug, it gives you no reason to take out the engine it just keeps running.
_________________
email: [email protected]
The TYPE IV UPRIGHT CONVERSION MANUAL
BEETLE MAGNETIC DEFLECTOR SHIELDS
LETS TALK DUBS https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=joe+cali+ghia https://letstalkdubs.libsyn.com/ep-200-joe-cali-ty...qI3xJTCzjs

[Lingwendil]

[nextgen]

I needed that photo of the old engine, talk about simple, nice.

We talk about adding electronics, getting rid of the distributor, adding fuel injection etc.


Don't get me wrong I like hp and technology but it is nice to remember were we came from.
_________________
email: [email protected]
The TYPE IV UPRIGHT CONVERSION MANUAL
BEETLE MAGNETIC DEFLECTOR SHIELDS
LETS TALK DUBS https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=joe+cali+ghia https://letstalkdubs.libsyn.com/ep-200-joe-cali-ty...qI3xJTCzjs

[sled]

[oprn]

Deleted.

[fabricator john]

holly multi page thread hijack,,,,, every question in the automotive industry answered ,,, accept ,,,,,,,,,,,, aim for 100 to 125 hp and you will be very happy in a car that came with 40-53hp double to triple the stock hp in anything minibike,bulldozer,mack truck, p.o.s. astro van and it will be a hoot to drive period,!!! im thinkin a nice painless 1914 with nice (not nuts) heads outta do it fabricator john

[66brm]

[Glenn]

[67rustavenger]

[mark tucker]

I was thinking about the title to this thread... then it dawned on me.... some people are happy with their 25 or 36 hp cars....so it's all a matter of perspective and taste.

[modok]

I have almost no oversteer, snap or otherwise in my 1960
You just have to get the tires and shocks and springs right, which isn't that hard....but very few bother.
Looks like 90% instead choose tires and wheels based on appearance, and springs and shocks based on ride quality. That fits the theme too.
VW had it right to begin with, for the tires of the time, but through the 60's kept tweaking the suspension to get better ride quality...... and it wasn't worth it IMO. A light car can't have the kind of ride as a heavy beast.....and I think you just have to accept it and deal somehow.....and we all seem to like light cars! I do too. Passengers seem to think the ride quality is fine?? I guess maybe it is.

[helowrench]

[oprn]

[oprn]

[Alstrup]

Its a VERY relative question. Over time I have had customers that got scared with me showing what a simple 70 hp std plus engine could do in a nice 69 beetle with souped up suspension. I have also had customers that didnt even get a raised pulse when we were going sideways with 70 +mph in a 220 hp super beetle.
Personally I like an engine around 2litre and 130-140 hp for daily driving (in a beetle) I'm also a sucker for my 180 hp 2260 type 4. Great engine in a well balanced beetle.
T