Finding the right Beetle

539 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by VWteknik, Feb 9, 2002

VWteknik

Discussion Starter · Feb 7, 2002

I usually post in the watercooled forums because that's what I drive, but lately I've been wanting to get a Beetle as a second car. They'll always be my favorite Volkswagen and they're really what got me started as a VW entusiast. I'd like to build one that would be great for the street and very reliable, but I also want to be able to hold my own against the resident Hondas etc. I'm thinking mid to low 15's in the quarter would be great. I want a '64 or older. It'll be mostly stock appearing, but with BRM's, a few other small things and maybe a roof rack. Same with the interior--I'll keep you guys posted.
But enough rambling (for this post

)
I guess my question is, what is the best way to get the performance I'm after, not at the sacrifice of reliability or streetability? I'm also trying to keep costs to a minimum....(we'll see how long that lasts!)
*also, how much power can the stock trannie handle? Should I go IRS or no? THANKS!!!

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late_apex

· #2 · Feb 7, 2002

Re: Finding the right Beetle (VWteknik)

I would go with an 1835cc with a nice cam in it. This is going to be your most reliable street motor as #3 still has plenty of metal left behind it. You can get quite a bit of power out of them, I'm gonna say between 140-160 hp. That is enough to embarass hondas and mustangs. Run a mild dual carb setup also. I would run a set of 44's or 45's with a merged header. That would also better the 15 sec 1/4 times you are looking for. IT should get you into low to mid 14's maybe even 13's with the right tuning on the carbs and some BVH's.

[Modified by late_apex, 11:55 PM 2-7-2002]

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81GTIpickup

· #3 · Feb 8, 2002

Re: Finding the right Beetle (late_apex)

I thought 92mm pistons had the thinnest cylinder walls ad should be avioded especially for street use is this true?

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VWteknik

Discussion Starter · #4 · Feb 8, 2002

Re: Finding the right Beetle (late_apex)

quote:[HR][/HR]I would go with an 1835cc with a nice cam in it. This is going to be your most reliable street motor as #3 still has plenty of metal left behind it. You can get quite a bit of power out of them, I'm gonna say between 140-160 hp. That is enough to embarass hondas and mustangs. Run a mild dual carb setup also. I would run a set of 44's or 45's with a merged header. That would also better the 15 sec 1/4 times you are looking for. IT should get you into low to mid 14's maybe even 13's with the right tuning on the carbs and some BVH's.[HR][/HR]

Thanks a lot. This is about the size of engine I was thinking of also. What size crank and pistons do I use to get this displacement? I basically build this starting from a 1600, correct? Bare with me, I'm new to building aircooled engines...Thanks a lot! Now back to my hot VW's magazine....

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Mikes72sb

· #5 · Feb 8, 2002

Re: Finding the right Beetle (VWteknik)

I'd steer clear of th 92mm P&C. Thin walls and prone to overheating. I personally am going to buid a 1915 (94mm bore, 69mm stroke). 69 stroke is stock stroke. Put some nice heads and a killer cam in it and you're set. The crank you should use for either 1776 (90.5x69), 1835 (92x69), or 1915 (94x69) is a forged counterweighted crank, 8-dowelled to a lightened flywheel. Nice, smooth rev's. Run a pair of Weber 44's on a 1915 with a webcam 109 grind and some good heads and a header and you'll have a rocket on your hands. Check out http://www.aircooled.net John has an article on building the right engine for your needs. Very helpful. As far as HP that the stock tranny can handle, I dont know.

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VWteknik

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 9, 2002

Re: Finding the right Beetle (Mikes72sb)

Thanks, Mikes. I'll definately check it out http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

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