Title: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on November 26, 2013, 06:55:00 am hey all,
i bought this project little over 1 and a half year ago and i haven't done much to it. i got it and worked a bit on the suspension adding spax shocks at the rear and raising the torsion bars a bit and i also did a check up to run it at DDD 2012. dispute the wheel hop and the apron coming lose, it actually performed really good. so i was happy. big plans were made to finish the car and i actually did some work, by family and work have taken up quite a bit of time. anyway no excuses, so i slacked on the project… ::) here is the topic of the previous owner: http://cal-look.no/lounge/index.php/topic,6858.0.html (http://cal-look.no/lounge/index.php/topic,6858.0.html) since a couple of months now i have been making plans to how and what should be done to the car, therefore a new topic to stay focused and finally get this car out of the garage and onto the streets. just yesterday it passed MOT again so i can register it again. i went to the station with Speedwell's 1300 engine i have had in my garage for over a year now and i must say that the sprint kit is a thing of beauty. it looks so different and cool, but it also performs very well. for a 1300 this engine is powerful and responsive. a pleasure to drive. i still need to fine-tune it a bit and return it to its owner as i think i have had it long enough now. i also went out to find some parts and so far i have come up with a set of real mahle 5 lug gas burners and some lightweight ercos (wide 5) with slicks. for now it sits on the same BRM's which is fine, but i'll need to figure out a plan to combine wide 5 and porsche5 wheels on one car. the gas burners will be painted black (inspiration was taken from SOB's car) i love that look. i also will be going turbo on this one, but still a long way to go. so i will hopefully be running next season, with the NA 2276 it had and build the 2276 turbo in the meantime. IRS suspension is on the list as well. but i haven't had the arms and axles yet. i may need to look for another lead as this is taking 2 months now. anyway, happiness is a hot vw, stay tuned! Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on December 09, 2013, 12:49:40 pm allright! i have send in the paperwork to get my license plate, but unfortunately it will be a big square one and not the smaller one you sometimes get. but on the bright side of things i probably could use this plate as an a wing on the car ;D
i also will separate the shell from the body in the next few months and convert it to IRS (parts for this conversion are welcome) and fit dic brakes on the front along with dropped spindles and a different beam as the one on the car is too low even set at its highest point (i think fabs wants his engine back and i think i could help me out with one) here's some pictures right before going to the MOT. [attachment=1] [attachment=2] and i did some experiments with the clocks and the outside color… Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: wolfswest on December 09, 2013, 15:23:57 pm and i did some experiments with the clocks and the outside color… [/quote] tell us more please! :) Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: vwcab on December 09, 2013, 19:34:53 pm Looking forward on this (and pics ofcourse :D ).Go for it Nicolas. ;)
Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: speedwell on December 09, 2013, 20:06:32 pm nico if you need help to remove the body frm the fllorpan let me know and i will come to help
that would be nice ti have my engine back in the 61 especially for the next freddy files , :oldsoeed theme this year and i miss my speedwell engine ;-) Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: vwcab on December 09, 2013, 20:25:24 pm nico if you need help to remove the body frm the fllorpan let me know and i will come to help Yep,same here.If you need a little help........ ;)that would be nice ti have my engine back in the 61 especially for the next freddy files , :oldsoeed theme this year and i miss my speedwell engine ;-) Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on December 26, 2013, 16:13:11 pm hmmm, i wanted to give a little x-mas present to all who watch this. :-*
[attachment=1] i'm a big fan of this color, there is one other option that i am looking into, but this works for me. Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: pancho villa on December 26, 2013, 16:25:23 pm green is good.
Ill pass on your Christmas gift. Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: richie on December 26, 2013, 16:35:36 pm hmmm, i wanted to give a little x-mas present to all who watch this. :-* [attachment=1] i'm a big fan of this color, there is one other option that i am looking into, but this works for me. Wow that is making some oil pressure :o ;) :D cheers Richie Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: lowfastbus on December 27, 2013, 15:01:55 pm Love the color, I know off a sticker that matches it very well... 8)
Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on December 28, 2013, 10:00:50 am hahaha!
well i must be spoiling all of you as this must be the second picture in 3 days. ;D the (matching ) stickers that were on the car are already long gone. i felt it was better this way. as for the oil pressure… i bought some stuff that is said to make an interesting outcome if you have a mix of fuel, electrics, exhaust gasses and a GOOD oil pressure ::) [attachment=1] [attachment=2] i will however be scratching my head a good deal as this is all new to me. watch this space to see the trails and fails!! Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: Peter on December 28, 2013, 11:05:34 am If you need help rewiring everything ,let me know :)
Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on January 02, 2014, 21:12:42 pm some confusion has risen…
i got my license plates (the new ones) and i am puzzled. it is a tea tray. it is twice as big as the one i have on the fastback. i KNOW the government is not too keen on altered engines or cars, but they DO send you and wing to mount on the car. strange, but it looks like that is sorted then as well. it's the one on the right i got and it's the one from the left bottom i wanted, the one on the left top is plain ridiculous and is wider then a beetle. [attachment=1] Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: Lids on January 03, 2014, 09:32:22 am they are huge, you must have a really old population with poor eyesight. I can't believe one is half a metre wide!
Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: speedwell on January 03, 2014, 12:25:46 pm they are huge, you must have a really old population with poor eyesight. I can't believe one is half a metre wide! no we have a government who wants more money , so they've decided that we need new plate :-\ and we need to pay again Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: Jesse Wens on January 03, 2014, 13:07:30 pm I got one a half meter wide on my fastback, I wanted the smallest one too because thats the only one that fits under the lighting fixture. They told me if the plate physicaly fits you have to get one of the two biggest. Looks ridiculous now. I did get a cool plate with BMX in there. I ride a bmx so thats nice
Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: VWGlassee on January 07, 2014, 01:11:43 am In mine opinion, the licenseplates for motorcycles are to small for a +'64 decklid :)
The big ones are not so bad... i guess :) http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm59/VWGlassee/De%2064er%20Zweed/64callook12-1.jpg Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on January 07, 2014, 20:26:40 pm In mine opinion, the licenseplates for motorcycles are to small for a +'64 decklid :) The big ones are not so bad... i guess :) http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm59/VWGlassee/De%2064er%20Zweed/64callook12-1.jpg ah, we'll see. i hate it. but i really like the more classic (3 letters, 3 numbers) plates on a beetle or even the older ones before that. like i said, i'll make it into an extendable rear wing or something. ;D Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on January 12, 2014, 13:03:33 pm i am still making progress as i picked up a set of IRS arms yesterday. i have the spring plates, but no CV's or axles. i will look into updating it to either type2 or 944, but i have no clue on prices or availability. so anyone who can help is welcome with his/hers suggestions.
next up is take up the offer of Fabian and Peter :P to come over and help out to get the chassis and body separated and the get the brackets welded in. Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: richie on January 12, 2014, 13:12:04 pm i am still making progress as i picked up a set of IRS arms yesterday. i have the spring plates, but no CV's or axles. i will look into updating it to either type2 or 944, but i have no clue on prices or availability. so anyone who can help is welcome with his/hers suggestions. next up is take up the offer of Fabian and Peter :P to come over and help out to get the chassis and body separated and the get the brackets welded in. Early steel arm 94 or 924s[ the one with porsche 5 lug hubs] is a good source for the stub axle which allows 944/type bay/t25/type cvs which are all slightly different in ball and cage, with a type 1 IRS box you can use the complete early 944 cvs and axles cheers Richie Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on January 14, 2014, 20:11:39 pm thank you. so i am on the hunt for this complete setup.
Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on January 25, 2014, 13:57:18 pm small update.
the shell is of the chassis in order to get the brackets for the IRS welded in (which i will hopefully receive next week). the IRS axles are sandblasted and i wanted to order new bearings, but the inner bearing is a C3 type bearing. which have a bit more clearance on them and are mostly used in higher rpm (above 3000) applications. the outside bearing is a 'regular one', different type of bearing though. my question is do i need the C3 type or just the regular one. or does anyone have the correct numbers/brand/type for the bearings as mine seem to be aftermarket. Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '61 hot vw! Post by: speedwell on January 26, 2014, 18:44:46 pm ;)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/t1/1653461_619794858067984_1572186044_n.jpg) (https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1/1517519_619794894734647_173558910_n.jpg) Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: Good-Old-Ragtop60 on January 26, 2014, 19:45:14 pm Looking awesome!!!! ;D
Vers harmonious car 8) Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '61 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on January 26, 2014, 20:11:46 pm ;) (https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/t1/1653461_619794858067984_1572186044_n.jpg) (https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1/1517519_619794894734647_173558910_n.jpg) i have a good running engine for that car ;D. when can i bring it over? PM me. Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on March 08, 2014, 20:24:59 pm OH BOY!
in order to convert the car to IRS as i always intended, i took the shell off the pan and took the pan apart. it feels a lot like taking 1 step forward and a bunch back. But the gearbox needed to be revived anyway (i suspect worn syncros) and the front and rear need to be changed to a 5x130. the back will receive type3 brakes and the front vw dics. for now i won't be doing much, aside from getting the parts needed to get most of the conversion done. Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: Wout on March 17, 2014, 09:33:43 am Hey Nicolas
Maybee you can do a 944 conversion (IRS, 5X130 and disc brakes in the back)? good luck! gr Wout Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on March 18, 2014, 09:36:35 am i have been looking at that option, but for now i have most of the parts needed to do it with type3 brakes and vw parts. we'll see how far this can get me. ;)
Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: Wout on March 18, 2014, 13:28:19 pm Ok, good luck!!
gr Wout Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on June 28, 2014, 15:59:25 pm allright i did do some work this week, i actually had a few good hours of work on the jigs to weld in the brackets to convert it to IRS.i also had them oiled with some Owatrol, seems to be really good stuff (thanks for the tip Kalle)
[attachment=1] i have most parts for the conversion sorted, only the axles are still missing, but i will start grind asap. i also had some tires fitted to the rims i had done a month back. i opted for a wider tire up front while i was at it, i didn't feel the 135's were going to cut it, so Dunlop 175/65 replace them now. i also think they will look better on the car. the back tires are the nankang 215/70's. they will be fine to do burnouts when time comes ::) [attachment=2] [attachment=3] the only thing i am not sure about right now is if they will fit a stock front beam with dropped spindles (CB, Disc brakes) or that i need a narrowed beam? i have both here, but the chassis is still not under the car. i also will need someone to help out rebuild the swing gearbox to IRS with a quaife differential. i want to do the work myself, but there are special measuring tools needed that i don't have. Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: vwcab on January 24, 2016, 12:51:12 pm Any updates on this one Nicolas?
Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on January 24, 2016, 14:44:13 pm i wish i could say a lot, but in fact only a small bit has been done, the chassis is still not under the car.
i have put my engery in the type3 to get that one running and dailed to have at least a car that can go out this year. i have found it no use to attack two projects and have none finished. on an upside i have made a swap with Fabs for a stock width front beam, and i do have other parts to put it all together again. i am still not sure what way i am going with the gearbox as in the long run i want a turbo engine with a type2 gearbox, but i only have a core and not an actual good useable box to build in right now. i do have type1 boxes that could be made to a usable IRS box, but they need a checkup as well. even the old combo NA 2276 engine and gearbox could be an option, but that needs work too, as when i used it at DDD in 2012 the gearbox was not really happy and it seemed at the time the sycros are used up. that is in short what i am at. ::) and as much as i had my mind set on going to Cotswelds in the UK to have a cage fitted this route is becoming more and more expensive as our euro is becoming increasinly less worth compared to the UK pound. i have no contacts with builders here on the mainland to have it done, and the idea of making my own has been put on hold as i want it to be certified for events. so anyone who can help or point me a bit in the right direction n this is much appreciated. ;D Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on September 06, 2019, 07:49:24 am i wish i could say a lot, but in fact only a small bit has been done, the chassis is still not under the car. i have put my engery in the type3 to get that one running and dailed to have at least a car that can go out this year. i have found it no use to attack two projects and have none finished. on an upside i have made a swap with Fabs for a stock width front beam, and i do have other parts to put it all together again. i am still not sure what way i am going with the gearbox as in the long run i want a turbo engine with a type2 gearbox, but i only have a core and not an actual good useable box to build in right now. i do have type1 boxes that could be made to a usable IRS box, but they need a checkup as well. even the old combo NA 2276 engine and gearbox could be an option, but that needs work too, as when i used it at DDD in 2012 the gearbox was not really happy and it seemed at the time the sycros are used up. that is in short what i am at. ::) and as much as i had my mind set on going to Cotswelds in the UK to have a cage fitted this route is becoming more and more expensive as our euro is becoming increasinly less worth compared to the UK pound. i have no contacts with builders here on the mainland to have it done, and the idea of making my own has been put on hold as i want it to be certified for events. so anyone who can help or point me a bit in the right direction n this is much appreciated. ;D by the looks of it I was in a fase of the build where I didn't see much light at the end of the tunnel... Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on September 06, 2019, 08:00:03 am so fast forward a few years. ;D
a few months ago I talked to a friend on the phone who asked me about the car... I didn't even know someone even remembered it. he said I call you every week to hear about the progress. needless to say he didn't, but for me it sparked something. so I took off were I left the project dwindle and thought the best way to enjoy it is to get it back on the road and go from there. everything was bolted back together and the engine went back in in NA configuration. BUT the arms of the IRS conversion were welded in wrong. no one to blame but me. after fiddling with it for a few days it was clear it would never work. so I cut them out again and started again. this time I did have the trailing arms to see and correct if needed. again a few days/week work and after that I checked the floorpan to find repairs that were badly done or not done. I redid that as well. I even made a few mods to fix the midmount and some sort of jack stands. nothing major when I see the projects from others here on this forum. just what I can do myself and my goal is to get the damn car out for a drive. happiness is tinkering in the garage. ;D Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: Wout on May 28, 2020, 00:39:14 am And?????....
Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: Peter on May 28, 2020, 09:49:51 am X2 :)
Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on May 29, 2020, 19:05:28 pm oh oh...
::) not much has happened. well, some bits were done. the chassis was powder coated and has been back a few months now. right after I sent it out I started on my driveway and carport. so a big bummer, but I am hanging in there ;) Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: Wout on May 29, 2020, 19:49:58 pm It will come all right at the end :D.
During lockdown I also worked 99% on the garden, outdoor stuff and only 1% air-cooled ::) so I understand. Wout Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: VWGlassee on May 29, 2020, 23:39:12 pm A few months ago I talked to a friend on the phone who asked me about the car... I didn't even know someone even remembered it. he said I call you every week to hear about the progress. needless to say he didn't, but for me it sparked something. If you want we can all started calling you every week to ask how the project is going? :D I know the feeling. It took me almost 5 years to build mine... Get that driveway done so you can start on your build ;D Yannick Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on May 30, 2020, 11:41:43 am It will come all right at the end :D. During lockdown I also worked 99% on the garden, outdoor stuff and only 1% air-cooled ::) so I understand. Wout at least you got 1%!!! if putting the chassis in a different place counts I get 0,2% A few months ago I talked to a friend on the phone who asked me about the car... I didn't even know someone even remembered it. he said I call you every week to hear about the progress. needless to say he didn't, but for me it sparked something. If you want we can all started calling you every week to ask how the project is going? :D I know the feeling. It took me almost 5 years to build mine... Get that driveway done so you can start on your build ;D Yannick yes, that could work, but I it was tried and tested last year and almost worked. I just need to get it done (all of it) ;D but thanks for the thoughts, I only now found my way back to the forum because of the notification and what was/is still boiling under my skin can be put into practise in the next few weeks, months, centuries ;) ;D Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: volkskris on December 30, 2020, 20:21:18 pm Any progress Nicolas? :)
Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on January 04, 2021, 19:59:08 pm Any progress Nicolas? :) yes, but not much. I have been trying to get the fuel lines sorted. the hard lines are in the chassis and I have finally ordered a fuel pump and now I hope to get a good idea on how to run it, what connections to use and get it made. but mostly I seem to be working on others engines. which is great but not helping my own project... ;D Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on July 25, 2022, 16:25:02 pm you get a few years were at least someone asks you if there are any updates, but even after a few years it all goes silent... rightfully so.
but, here here here! I found some time to get the car a bit better together. I even took it out for a drive. the plan was to make it to EBI, but that did not happen. I found the engine overheated. I am still looking into that. the MSD coil exploded (that was a new one to me). I didn't even realize it. I thought the cable just popped... for whatever reason. maybe that is why it gets hot. maybe just install a magneto... anyway, the oil lines I got are not making me happy, as I can't get the correct angle or length to make it clear the exhaust and still fit on the bracket of the bumper. I don't want to go back to the bracket on the exhaust, so please let me know how you route your oil lines and what mods you had to make? (http://[attachment=1]) Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: Glauco on July 26, 2022, 08:29:51 am I don't want to go back to the bracket on the exhaust, so please let me know how you route your oil lines and what mods you had to make? I used AN lines but got the same problem with the S&S header so I just made a bracket that holds the lines away (but still in between) the exhaust tubes. If i get back from holiday I'll make a picture. Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on July 29, 2022, 15:37:40 pm another question I have since I am fiddling at the rear (that sounds nasty ::) ) is do I need a traction bar? I have it all solid mounted and a mid mount, but maybe I need some sort of berg cross bar for the engine... don't know if it is needed. I had massive wheel hop before, but that was a completely different setup. there isn't much from the old frame left at this point.
so far I have a stock front end (instead of a narrowed one) no height adjusters, dropped spindles, disc brakes. the rear is IRS (Richie I do listen ;D ) vw trailing arms, dual spring plates, 24mm torsion bars (for now), solid mounts, all new redone gearbox, bus axles (still no big axles, but good for now), type3 drums, midpoint and solid mounted. no trapezium or any other mounts at the moment. (http://[attachment=1]) Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: leec on July 29, 2022, 19:55:29 pm Hi Nicolas,
I still run a berg traction bar even with a full cage which ties to frame horns. Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: richie on July 30, 2022, 10:08:52 am Hey
I think i would with your car to help, with no cage its even more useful cheers Richie Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on August 13, 2022, 16:26:03 pm OK! got the torque bar and installed it yesterday late afternoon and night. they are quality, but the brackets are not easy to mount or find the ideal place for. looks like the ones on the cradle for the gearbox may need to be removed with a different header. now they are mid mid between axle and header.
one question I have is, do you tighten the bars outward or inward? or the long one one direction and the shorter ones another? I still don't know what they do, except that they keep the shock horns in place. maybe the frame horns as well. push or pull? or neither? ::) ;D oh and I took the trailing arms off to reset the torsion bars (yet again) but better now, when everything is loose anyway. I found it too low. and after looking at a 100 pictures of cars... I still don't see what is 100% right... Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: richie on August 15, 2022, 07:29:29 am I pre load them slightly with push force.
Torsion bar "height" setting is mostly personal preference for looks I think. Ideally it should be as low as possible keeping wheel camber around zero and have plenty of shock movement still but normally that's not possible to achieve it all >:( [this is with thicker torsion bars so no pre load] Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on August 16, 2022, 10:39:20 am I pre load them slightly with push force. Torsion bar "height" setting is mostly personal preference for looks I think. Ideally it should be as low as possible keeping wheel camber around zero and have plenty of shock movement still but normally that's not possible to achieve it all >:( [this is with thicker torsion bars so no pre load] I am halfway there then. I like the looks ::) and it sat a bit too much once I rode it before, so I set it 3/4" higher now so when it settles it will be ok. the stops were getting close to the rubbers. so it must be better also. it's IRS now! so camber issues are far less 8) it's still a lot of fiddling to get it all right. it also has Porsche torsion bars and they need preload due to the weight of the engine and still a smaller diameter. they are also the longest type, so again, for now they will be one, until I know what I really need and change accordingly. Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on September 08, 2022, 14:28:33 pm not a big update, but I am doing the suspension again.
I will do the steering tube again. nothing major, just a check over and trim the left and right movement with the stop screws. I removed the line lock to have a simple braking system for the first time. I now will fit it back in again. I was thinking about adding a adjustment valve to change the front rear bias, but I don't know for sure... I am looking at the torque bar as one side has a scrubbed the axle. I am also fitting a new sensor as I never really knew what the gauges read. so I did check the oil temp sensor in boiling water and that is accurate. so now I am fitting that and see what we get. before it was a VDO sensor with an autometer gauge. I read that they are not compatible. I am not doing bodywork yet it seems... oh well. does anyone run 10/90 shocks on the street. I got a pair and want to fit them, but I don't know what too expect really... or is this strip only? Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on January 17, 2024, 17:53:10 pm yes! and no...
I got it running right before the SPA 2023 Bug show meeting, but another gremlin threw a spanner in the works and this time it was the gearbox. it kept popping out of 4th gear every other 500m. so not that good. I did drive it for a couple of km. so the good things that happened are not too bad: 1. I fitted the torque bar in a respectable manner in the end. it fits, doesn't hit anything and I can almost take the j tube off without removing both arms. so it fits and works. 2. the gearbox shifts ok and sits square now. apart from the popping 4th. it fits and works. I did get it back this week and should be good to go and not come out any time soon. so now I am on another challenge... I want to see if I can fit an EFI system on the 2276... it just never ends... or I keep slacking and I don't push through with anything on this car. ::) ;D I will make a topic in the technical section about my EFI questions. please feel free to guide me through that adventure. thanks!!! 3. oh... I think I can work out how the car will/can look. I did have help from my daughter on that part. but for now it looks like it always did Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on May 19, 2024, 15:50:38 pm the car was out last weekend. I finally took it to the track (with a tower) to see what it does.
it ended up with mixed feelings in the end. I did a 14,41 run. I had to calm down a lot. the biggest problem was/is/will be the driver. so the calmer I got the better I had control of the car and the better it performed. it's a starting point from where there is so much to improve. I redid quite a bit over the last months. I fitted 29mm torsion bars, fitted two gearboxes. ran the engine that had been sitting for 15 years a week before the event for the first time. and then 2 days prior. so driving was n to an option. I still have wheel hop, so that will need work. the tyres don't help as they are the same as 12 years ago and where not that good then. Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: Peter on May 22, 2024, 12:24:07 pm traction bar will help for the wheelhop ;)
for me it did anyway Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: Glauco on May 22, 2024, 20:09:33 pm Hopefully you can get the car to hook right. Good luck!
Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on July 05, 2024, 20:34:52 pm traction bar will help for the wheelhop ;) for me it did anyway yes it does! a vast improvement. I believe this made the biggest difference. after that I also swapped the header, the muffler and I fitted 48 IDA's. I like that! they seem to discharge fuel quite easily into the engine ;D I went to EBI10 (on a trailer) because I drove the car basically 1 time after Clastres in May. I managed to fit the 10/90 shocks and swapped the rear shocks for some KYB gas shocks. the front and rear was adjusted again. all this on late night shifts and a day of work with a friend. all this to do a good run and a bad run at EBI and ending it with a engine that made sure it didn't act happy. I believe after checking the ignition that the battery is slowly dying and doesn't stay charged engough to feed the MSD. I hope to sort a bit more out, fit a second seat and DRIVE! happiness is DRIVING a hot vw. ;) Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: Wünderwolff on July 07, 2024, 20:02:50 pm It was good seeing the car in the flesh after so many years. It’s still an incredibly cool car even if I say so myself. Looks even cooler now with some of the modifications you’ve done.
Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: wolfswest on July 08, 2024, 21:01:42 pm It was good seeing the car in the flesh after so many years. It’s still an incredibly cool car even if I say so myself. Looks even cooler now with some of the modifications you’ve done. I feel the love. ;) ;D Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: speedwell on July 10, 2024, 13:06:42 pm ;)
Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: richie on July 10, 2024, 18:18:44 pm Fabian you did a good job with the pictures to make it look fast ;D
cheers Richie Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on July 23, 2024, 20:41:53 pm first off, thank you Tim for the comment. I appreciate it very much. this car has grown on me lately. it has been a bit of a fight for the last ten years, but since getting it more attention in the last two years, I think we are bounding ;D
too bad he was at the wrong side to catch the one wheel burn out... ::) so I did 2 runs. 1st was OK. a lot of wheelspin still, but no hop, due to the traction bar that I tabbed up. the tyre pressure was too high. second run was a total mess. I bogged in the burn out and during the run it ran badly. so that was it for me that weekend. I wanted to drive it Saturday evening to the chalet with my friends and it acted up again. so bad we towed it to the site. so my weekend of racing was done. and I couldn't quite figure out what happened or why. in the next weeks I got to work on and off on the car, with one day of really digging into it with a friend. so three weeks later, I found out the coil from the MSD failed and that caused the bogging. than I installed a regular 009 with a blue coil, to have one cylinder not firing. that in the end was due to a bad sparkplug wire. So at this point I will drive the car. for a streetcar it sure does not lives up to it's name and is trailered a lot more than it is driven. and driving it would at least give me some sense of knowing what it does (heating up, gears, brakes,...) all simple things, but in changing so much and trying to make things better it is usefull to actually see progress. hence driving. ;) in a few weeks it will be Spa and I hope to bring it there in better shape and hopefully do some runs. slow, yes. improving, yes-er. having fun, yest! Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: richie on July 23, 2024, 20:48:53 pm having fun, yest! That's the most important thing, and so many people lose sight of that while trying to impress others !!! good to see you are enjoying it 8) cheers Richie Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: speedwell on July 26, 2024, 08:24:00 am Fabian you did a good job with the pictures to make it look fast ;D ;D ;Dcheers Richie Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on March 01, 2025, 17:41:06 pm update for the 2025 season.
after doing 3 events in 2024 (Clastres in May, EBI in July and Spa in august) I took the engine out and fitted a 1776 I build to go on the dyno. but that went OK and now I am back with the 2276. the changes and hopefully improvements that I made are fewer as I 'feel' a lot changed and for the better since my first outing in May 2024. At Spa I still had a lot of wheelsman and something that I noticed in a video from EBI re-occurred, I do a burnout with one wheel... always the same wheel... so something is up. also the box had a super diff, that isn't a upgrade to control the bias in traction. that has been tackled with redoing the gearbox again, with a Quaife and longer gears. 3,88 RP 3,78 1st 2,06 2nd 1,58 3rd and a 1,04 4th. On a first spin around the block I think it is a better gearing for this car. and hopefully with a better result on the track as well. another thing that could be changed is the wheels and tyres. I acquired a set of Mahle space savers over the years (thanks Lee Croft) and fitted a set of MH slicks. ;D so this may be a big step as well. I never had anything with slicks. ;D I also made a kit for an external oil cooler. this one fits over on the torsion bar and will replace the one I had above the gearbox. I am going to test it, as I have made several and I am going to sell the kit. what also is on the agenda is a roll bar or roll cage. but that is not done or advancing much. again this post doen't really work without pictures, but there will be in the future. things don't look too different. a lot of it is all under the bonnet and a work in progress. but my aim is to better the 14,41 by something in the 13 second bracket, with a 13,80 being the best the car ever ran. see you soon. Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: j-f on March 01, 2025, 20:50:44 pm Good news 8)
looking forward to see your progress buddy :) Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on March 02, 2025, 13:10:44 pm (http://[attachment=1])
the engine (http://[attachment=2]) the car (http://[attachment=3]) this actually could make more sense ;D Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: Glauco on March 03, 2025, 10:01:59 am I always had a soft spot for this car and his history. I hope it will make it into the 13's and lower real soon! Inspiring enough for me to want my own beetle to play with! ;D
Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on May 03, 2025, 16:57:00 pm here is an update on the progress of my car for this year.
I went to a race in Germany that was actually close by (2h drive) and although I did just two runs before my coil failed I learned a bit. 1. I improved my PB with a 13.61 to a previous 13.85. that isn't great or good by any means. 2. that brings me to the main lesson. I need to build a lot more confidence in the car and stop overthinking it. the main problem is on this side of the steering wheel... some more work to be done. and some more runs will add too that. I have figured out that I actually did event last year. only two crap runs at EBI and some 1/8 uphill runs at Spa and not even 50km on the road. 5 km of road since the gearbox was fitted. I am not making excuses, just honestly posting that I am on a learning curve and driving in a straight line can be scary. ;D I did however build a cage. in between jobs and on evenings I started bending some steel tubing (that I bought a while back to give it a try). I think CrMo would have worked easier and would make it lighter. but on a first attempt I went with steel. [attachment=2] Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on May 25, 2025, 09:48:23 am an update on the race weekend at Clastres last weekend.
This may seem as a pittyful post and a cry for attention and compassion. But this is not Facebook, so it isn't. just a real view of how the weekend went from my point of view. We arrived Friday and did tech inspection. the cage and improvements (belts, springs on the carbs,...) were met with a thumbs up from the inspector. My new bike helmet (certified but not good for autosport) and my overall I bought last year, was OK up to 12.00 but could be improved. He advices a Hans for better neck support. I will be looking into this, but suggestion and leads are appreciated. Saturday I ran for the first time on slicks. I was really nervous and expected 13-14 seconds of looking at a blue sky. that didn't happen. I barely did a burnout. the guy next to the track even came out to make me do it again. I did. I tried? the first run was scary. I tried to feather it a bit. In my mind I have been on boats that are more stable. the car danced a bit. of course everyone who saw the run say it all looked pretty straight and basically good. after talking to Stephan Speelman of the Muppet Racer he said I shouldn't feather it on slicks. he summed it up as slicks=putting your foot in it! so more stress. in my head I went from yoga to herbal tea and sandalwood candles in the car all the way to a good well aimed lobotomy to cut out the nerves. the best option in the end was to calm down, take a deep breath and do it step by step and go for it. Which I did and that resulted in better and better times. I even, for a few minutes thought I had run my first 12 :o I raced against Lena Kunold and although I didn't win, I think I held my ground. After the run a little oil dripped on her exhaust and when getting of the track I stopped just to let her know. At that moment she got a message that she had ran her first 11 (big congratulations), which she improved over the weekend. So that got me thinking that I wasn't THAT far behind... I could have run my first 12? it ended up being a 13,16... but still my best run, a better feeling about the car. good times are on the way (pun intended)! So then something upset my zen state again and it was the car not starting. I had this before at Marl. and I diagnosed it as a bad coil then. but now again. strangely the car would start again sometimes, also without a clear indication. So I opted to look at it and try to see what the problem was. I tried to make the mad distributor run on a coil only without the box. as the box seemed suspect. In the end and a couple of hours later. I lend a 009 (with a type4 clamp wedged between two washers) and a msd coil. that ran good. checked and reset my timing and tried a last run of the day. it was getting late and last run calls were made. only with one misshift from 2nd to 3rd on a run against the muppet Racer. But confident that I could race and the car working, albeit without 2step. 13,49 to end the day was Ok. Sunday we had the plan to do as much runs as possible up to 12 -13 hours as we needed to get back in time. the first run was around 9:45 against a 10 second Honda Civic. Righfully assuming I wasn't a match for him, I concentrated on my own run and everything felt good and pretty comfortable (but still a heartbeat of 10000), but good. Confident to make a few more passes like this. It turned out to be the 12.79 run. ;D the weekend was good. now I didn't need to do anything, just enjoy it and learn, learn, learn. seat time. the races were delayed by a few oil downs and around noon we got to make another pass. So I got in the box and did a burn out. that is what I thought I did anyway. in fact I didn't. add to that that I didn't know if I was or not, I kept my foot in it... to long, way too long,... the engine stalled and I couldn't start. I was pushed back out and I pushed the car back to the pits with some help. the smell was not good, the feeling even worse. Now one week later the engine is out to get a idea of the damage done. I didn't take my foot of the clutch fast enough and the clutch slipped. so that got really hot. the bad news is that I did it too long and ended up seizing the trust bearing as well... a big bummer on what could have been a really really nice weekend. this is a steep learning curve, and will continue to be. but that is OK. Now my main focus is how to get that 38mm scat gland nut loose and disassemble the engine. check the crank. hopefully save the case and crank. rebuild it with a new flywheel if necessary , balancing,... I am learning the hard way, but you know what they say, happiness is a 12 second pass!! ;) Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: j-f on May 25, 2025, 21:19:10 pm Whow, congrats for that 12, and bummer for the engine damage :-[
Let me know if I can give you a hand. Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on May 26, 2025, 06:05:30 am Whow, congrats for that 12, and bummer for the engine damage :-[ Let me know if I can give you a hand. thank you! after this weekend. and contemplating about it some more. I came up with 2 options. 1. rebuild this engine. which would be the best option as it is a street engine and the car is ready to be driven more often on the street. 2. with a set of heads I have a 1914cc... a little bit more farfetched but maybe a nice small drag engine. I need to get my head together a bit more and maybe next week have an idea that is clearer. Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: richie on May 26, 2025, 07:27:04 am Congrats on the 12 ;D 8)
So no rev limiter or shift light at all once you go to the 009? sounds like maybe you need someone watching you in burnout so you now wheels are spinning if you don't feel that in car? hopefully damage is not to bad, am sure you know a machinist that can fix it ;) cheers Richie Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on May 26, 2025, 15:51:42 pm Congrats on the 12 ;D 8) So no rev limiter or shift light at all once you go to the 009? sounds like maybe you need someone watching you in burnout so you now wheels are spinning if you don't feel that in car? hopefully damage is not to bad, am sure you know a machinist that can fix it ;) cheers Richie the shift light works with the 009. the limiter doesn't. the MSD box controls the limiter. I had a good feel on who to shift at that point and with the shift light right in my line of vision, I just shifted when it came on. as for the burnout. a rookie mistake. I needed someone watching and to cut it as soon as the tyres were not turning. that would have saved a lot in the end. but ifs and buts... as for me. I felt the car engage on letting the clutch go and the car seemed to push forward. but after that, the car feels 'lose' as it spins. the feeling I had was no different. except it was different... yes I also know a machinist who could fix it. But I only know vegetarians so no way I am loosening that scat gland nut. although it smells like a BBQ, no one came to the rescue... ;D and thanks. onwards and downwards Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: richie on May 26, 2025, 16:10:39 pm So shift light comes on during burnout? then you release throttle pedal some to control rpm, well that is how I do it :) You have a torque meister tool? I welded a cut down 38mm socket to mine so i can do both sizes :)
Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: j-f on May 27, 2025, 19:57:14 pm although it smells like a BBQ, no one came to the rescue... ;D You only mention that now? I was not far from you this afternoon ;D Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: BossHogg76 on May 27, 2025, 20:23:37 pm Loved reading your post, and congrats in getting to the 12's everything you wrote about is me everytime i try a run at the strip. I always seem to be faffing about then i usually look up just in time to see the tree turn green.
Hope your engine damage isn't to bad. Title: Re: Happiness is definitely a '66 hot vw! Post by: nicolas on May 29, 2025, 19:28:39 pm So shift light comes on during burnout? then you release throttle pedal some to control rpm, well that is how I do it :) You have a torque meister tool? I welded a cut down 38mm socket to mine so i can do both sizes :) I have one. and I am going to do that. I am just waiting for the spare 38mm socket to turn up. I honestly didn't do the burnout at first how you described it. I was on the limiter. pure excitement. but if released it a little bit afterwards in later burnouts to 'feather it'. after all the excitement and thoughts and ideas, I think the best option is to open everything up. see what is broken, fix that and rebuild it. Loved reading your post, and congrats in getting to the 12's everything you wrote about is me everytime i try a run at the strip. I always seem to be faffing about then i usually look up just in time to see the tree turn green. Hope your engine damage isn't to bad. thank you. I try to tell the story form an honest and personal point of view as it really is a steep learning curve. but that is all the excitement and fun of it. step by step. have fun! |