Canadian '68 Street/Strip Beetle

[Cheesepanzer]

Very cool build.  Thanks for sharing your story and updates.

Just curious, have you considered replacing the Berg traction bar with a Torque bar set up?
 

[neil68]

Yes, I have considered a torque bar. However, for now I want to keep the stock Z-Bar and other suspension components stock. That might change some day.

[neil68]

The price is 3995sek for the Raptor Power Jet Kit. Like t11964 said, the kit comes with different jet sizes, hoses and banjo to connect direct to the carburetor fuel bowl, just remove the standard fuel bowl plug and install the banjo. No extra fuel pressure I needed. The Power jet draws fuel from the bowl at very high air speeds at WOT, so it like an extra stage put on top of the standard main system. The standard main system now works more like a midrange system.

There is a little info on JPMs Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/Johannes-Persson-Motorsport-AB-178561615658940/?fref=ts

Received my Raptor Power Jet kit
The kit comes with three sets of jets, as expected.  They are 80, 100 & 120 sizes.  Can anyone provide a good starting point?  I have a large engine and intake (eg. 44 mm venturies), so I'm thinking either 100 or 120 jets to start.  Then I'll reduce the main jets from 185 to 160.

Thanks!

[neil68]

Installed the JPM Raptor power jet kits on the IDAs.  Had to slightly file some clearance on one corner of the stock jet screens and Jaycee air deflectors, and also swap one of the CB Performance linkage bolts.  Does anyone have any ballpark jetting recommendations?  It sounds like there are lots of these kits in circulation, as mine are from the second batch.  However, I haven't seen any information on them.  I'm going to start by reducing my 185 main jet to 160.

[neil68]

Decided to rebuild the 2332 cc after 10+ years of racing.  Picked up an EMPI Auto Linea aluminum case, and will use a new set of Mahle 94 mm cylinders (to replace the old slip-in 94's).  Also new this year will be the Wasp muffler and JPM camshaft:



One of JPM's new grinds #10009:



Tight clearances for the cam lobes and crankshaft counterweights, but it all fits:



Everything test fitted.  Berg 3.5-litre sump would not bolt on, so both the case and sump required clearancing:



New M&H street-strip rear tires and Continental 145/65's on the front.

[neil68]

Finally decided to ditch my old CB crossbar linkage and Latest Rage breather tower, as they were both getting old and causing problems.  Decided to go with the Vintage Speed bell crank linkage and VS breather tower:

[55ragtop]

With no racing at mission this year are you coming out for the great Canadian Neil? I really dig your motor program....have you ran the raptor vents yet?

Josh

[neil68]

I'm not coming to GCVWS this year, as I kind of lost enthusiasm when the drag racing was dropped   Will race locally tomorrow and then head down to Idaho Falls for the solar eclipse instead.  Hope you have good weather!

I'm running the Raptor vents & stacks, but not the Power Jets.  I can't get the Power Jets to work smoothly at the track and I can't find anyone who has ever run them, as far as I can tell in my internet searches (one guy in Sweden on Instagram is all I've found).  I'll try to get on the Dynojet some day and play with the Power Jets.

[neil68]

Decided to tinker some more this winter, starting with upgrading the intake.  Picked up some EMPI 51 mm carbs on sale and swapped the Raptor venturies, stacks and power jets over.  All parts fit the same as on the Weber IDA, so that was nice.  I had to slightly port the top of the manifolds, as they measured 50.3 mm.  Due to the cold weather and snow, I haven't been able to make the trip to the Dynojet, so that may have to wait until spring.

[181]

Hello Neil, how do you find the difference between two Raptor Cams you have used in the past? I´m thinking of waking up my 181 after 4 years of retirement and upgrading my engine with JPM parts a bit in your fashion.

Thanks,

Jan

[neil68]

My ET was faster with the first Raptor cam (274 degrees) than the newest one (282 degrees).  That might be because my Beetle is heavy:  930 kg with driver at last check.

However, having said that, I've been unable to get on the Dynojet to properly tune this setup, due to our long, cold winter.  I'm going to experiment a bit more before deciding which camshaft is better.

[Stephen schmidt]

Hopefully we'll see you at this years GCVW show now that drag racing is back

[neil68]

If work allows, I might be there!

[Stephen schmidt]

If work allows, I might be there!

AWESOME!

[181]

Hello Neil! Any updates and news? 

[neil68]

Hello Neil! Any updates and news?  

I’ve decided to go back to my first Raptor camshaft #06908 (274 degrees).  The Beetle is slower with the #10009 cam (282 degrees), probably because the car is too heavy and not enough CR (I don’t want to flycut the MS230 heads any further).