What is it about the growl from a pair of IDAs?

[Jim Ratto]

proabably, only second to real BRM's, a pair of Weber 48 IDA carbs carry more mystique and "street cred" in the Cal Look world than anything else...

What is it about the 48IDA carb that makes the hot rod VW fan gasp in awe?

Of course, the mere appearance of the carburetor commands respect. Open the decklid of any self-respecting Cal Look Bug, especially for the uninitiated, and the shock factor of seeing these giants on a VW motor is off the chart. Car guys might recognize them from Ford V8's or big Cam Am Chev motors. But even little kids know there's something not so "cute" about any 48IDA Bug motor.

The performance offered up by IDAs on the right motor, well nothing need to be said, really. Go watch a properly tuned VW with IDAs on it run through the gears. Better yet go ride in one. Unlike anything else, having a muscular VW motor come up on the cam, getting those carbs to work where they should and being slung back in the seat HARD.

But most of all, to me, it's the sound of a pair of 48IDA's being cracked wide open. By no means polite, quiet, refined or subtle....the sound of a tuned VW inhaling though a pair of 48's is demonic. A deep chested, hard-edge growl off idle, a bit of a crackle as the rpm's rise, never losing its bone rattling bass note, as the engine races to 5000rpm +, the carbs now howling, almost as loud and intense as any open exhaust, rising in pitch to a screaming cry until redline. Given the motor is running a bunch of overlap, that wide throttle opening under load, a pair of 48's will make the most evil sound you've ever heard.

[The She Bee]

after hearing jims engine race buy at 6800rpm - carbs overpowering exhaust tone;s - sends chills down my spine - and thats only 2 carbs - that sound of a heathy small block with 4 air grasping 48 IDA's is truly a sound of evil power

[Jim Ratto]

I have to say the best sounding IDA VW motors I have heard:

Dave Mason's 2165 in his black '62 sedan

Damon Leiataua's 2276 in his '57

[Black Sheep]

I remember the first time I drove a cal looker with a big motor and IDA's , put a grin a mile wide on my face and the Devil in my right foot 
After driving the car like I stole it I backed it up my drive , my wife gave me a the sort of look that turns most into ice and said , I heard you a mile away and how much is this going to cost 

[Fastbrit]

proabably, only second to real BRM's, a pair of Weber 48 IDA carbs carry more mystique and "street cred" in the Cal Look world than anything else...

NO! Dual 48 IDAs are far more significant! You can bolt wheels onto any old car and it'll just be another Bug with alloys/mags. BUT IDAs are another matter. Your car could look almost stock but open that deck lid and... well, I rest my case.

[Frank LUX]

proabably, only second to real BRM's, a pair of Weber 48 IDA carbs carry more mystique and "street cred" in the Cal Look world than anything else...

NO! Dual 48 IDAs are far more significant! You can bolt wheels onto any old car and it'll just be another Bug with alloys/mags. BUT IDAs are another matter. Your car could look almost stock but open that deck lid and... well, I rest my case.

Amen to this...Keith!!!

Frank

[Black Sheep]

Got to agree with you on that one Keith , its what's under the hood that counts . Think i've heard that some place before

[The She Bee]

CANT FORGET PETE'S DRAGON - TUNED THOSE CARBS IN ON A SATURDAY WHEN WORKING AT BUGGY HOUSE - ( MANY SATURDAT'S ) - GOT PETE IN THE CAR - I WAS DRIVING - PULLED UP TO A RED LIGHT WHEN A 69 Z28 PULLED UP NEXT TO US - WE LOOKED AT HIM  - HE LOOKED AT THE BUG AND LOL - AFTER PUTTING THE FRONT WHEELS BACK ON THE GROUND AFTER A FULL PULL IN 2nd GEAR - LOOKED BACK FOR THE Z28 - NOT THERE - PULLED UP TO THE NEXT LIGHT AND HE DID NOT EVEN COME UP TO THE CAR - WANTED NO PART OF THAT - THE Z28 DID HAVE A GOOD SOUNDING ENGINE IN IT TOO

[Sarge]

 I heard you a mile away

I get that every time I get home from a "test drive"....women!!  

[Jim Ratto]

CANT FORGET PETE'S DRAGON - TUNED THOSE CARBS IN ON A SATURDAY WHEN WORKING AT BUGGY HOUSE - ( MANY SATURDAT'S ) - GOT PETE IN THE CAR - I WAS DRIVING - PULLED UP TO A RED LIGHT WHEN A 69 Z28 PULLED UP NEXT TO US - WE LOOKED AT HIM  - HE LOOKED AT THE BUG AND LOL - AFTER PUTTING THE FRONT WHEELS BACK ON THE GROUND AFTER A FULL PULL IN 2nd GEAR - LOOKED BACK FOR THE Z28 - NOT THERE - PULLED UP TO THE NEXT LIGHT AND HE DID NOT EVEN COME UP TO THE CAR - WANTED NO PART OF THAT - THE Z28 DID HAVE A GOOD SOUNDING ENGINE IN IT TOO

Tony you have some of the best stories, wish I coulda been there.

[The She Bee]

AS DO YOU - THAT WAS A FUN TIME AT THE OL BUTT HOLE - PETES DRAGON DID BARK - COMES BACK TO THE 48'S AGAIN - SIMPLE BUT DRAMATIC. JIM YOU WERE THERE IN SPRIT.  - US OLD FARTS THAT HAVE BEEN AROUND DO HAVE SOME GOOD STORIES

[lawrence]

What about the sound that is produced when a 48 motor is ready to be driven after a cold start?? Get in, fire it up, let it idle for a few minutes...ahhh the barrels are all resonating evenly, LETS ROLL.

[deano]

I find that the more overlap the cam has, the more compression (of course), the louder the IDAs. Also, EFI dual throttle bodies are too quiet for my ears.

Which one of us hasn't made the sound of a big cc VW with IDAs in the shower?

[Zach Gomulka]

IDA's make me horny.











Did I say that out loud???   

[Peter]

hi guys,
i ll be using efi,
but want a that bark as well
what is it that the IDAs make louder ?
what do you think?

[Peter]

BTW Jim, your story gave me the chills

[Cheesepanzer]

I can recall attending Bug-In's at the famed OCIR and how a few race cars shared a unique engine sound.  Nearly all the race cars ran IDA's, but a few would sound different - meaner - angrier - better.  When these cars made a pass you could clearly hear the howl of the IDA's over the loud exhaust stinger.  Simply awesome.

[Sarge]

To make sure your getting the full "bark" out of your IDA's, make sure your getting full throttle.  I drove around "handicapped" a few months before discovering my problem...the change in sound was amazing.

[louisb]

I drove around "handicapped" a few months before discovering my problem

This would be like shooting fish in a barrel. 

--louis

[Sarge]

I drove around "handicapped" a few months before discovering my problem

This would be like shooting fish in a barrel. 

--louis

Hi Louis 

[Fasterbrit]

Ever since owning a 59 Bug with a JMR 2276 on IDAs, I have wanted to build my own motor with a pair of Italy's finest. I have secretly been stashing old school parts on my top shelf for 'that rainy day'. Trouble is, where I live it rains every other day

One day I will roll a Bug with a beautiful induction roar After I have built my Turbo Oval, of course Mr Sanchez

[Black Sheep]

You ought to keep those 46's to see if they produce the same effect 

[luftkafer]

I remember back in 1999 I was part of the "Return to the Fatherland" tour. The cars were off loaded in England and we had an appointment the next day at Stanford Hall (?).
Of course there were several Brits welcoming us. Ivan from VolksWorld fame was there with his white 63 Ragtop. A buddy of his grabbed the keys and I asked for a ride. We took off down the road and he let into the gas pedal. At first I thought someone was shooting a machine gun at us!!! But it was the sound of the two 48!!! Damn!!! I have to get me a pair of those! I was hooked, period
Erich

[nicolas]

48's are overrated!!!!


they dont fit under the decklid of a type3.

now 48 DELLS that is what you need





  sorry guys had to do this.

[The Ideaman]

Dells sound like there is a bird under the decklid at idle. Chirp,chirp.

[Diederick/DVK]

What is it about the 48IDA carb that makes the hot rod VW fan gasp in awe?

I have no idea, but now that i'm stepping up to IDAs i'm hoping to find out!! 

[louisb]

48's are overrated!!!!


they dont fit under the decklid of a type3.

now 48 DELLS that is what you need





  sorry guys had to do this.

Convert it to T1 style and ditch the decklid. 

--louis

[Diederick/DVK]

seems like this guy didn't see any problems.

n.b. such an awesome IMHO 

[javabug]

Those are just glued to the engine cover.  Probably ICTs under the lid.   

[Sarge]

Those are just glued to the engine cover.

Thanks for ruining it for us...next thing you know, there won't be a Santa Claus...SHHEEEESHH