Why did you pick the Type 4 conversion?

tuna · Post by **tuna** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 2:44 pm

slowtwitch,

That sounds great!! Once you get the engine running and installed into your car, grab a photo of the engine and a photo of the car, then either post them or email them to me. You can post your text or email me also. Either way, I will get them and post them.

On to other news,

I just posted Chris Stanford's 2.0 powered '74 KG vert on the page. So make sure you stop in and check it out. I've sent Chris an email asking him to send me a pic of the car, as the ones he sent didn't include one of the whole car.

So, to all, keep the entries coming. We've got a few Bugs, a few KGs, and a few 912s, what about you splitty Bus guys or the Type 3 people? Thing people? Fiberglass buggy guys? Replica and kit car builders? Speak up and let the rest know about your Type 4 conversion and why you did it. I know you are out there.....

Tuna

NextGen · Post by **NextGen** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 7:46 pm

OK let's thank Tuna for spending his time in making this post "The T-4 Shrine". It is really nice to have a place to show off our work. Showing other the Ultimate aircooled road cars . Once you drive a T-4 converted car you know what I am talking about. T-4 in a bug is the ultimate engine.
Seriously, Tuna did a great job and it is a bit of work getting all those photos we are sending and setting up the links.

Thanks,
Joe

tuna · Post by **tuna** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 7:54 pm

Thanks Joe. I really hope that this page will enable someone who's considering the Type 4 conversion to actually do it. That's why I want everyone who has a running Type 4 conversion to submit their photos and story.

http://www.tunacan.net/t4/owners/

Tuna

Plastermaster · Post by **Plastermaster** » Sun Aug 14, 2005 8:08 pm

Yes, Well done Tuna! The page looks great, and being able to close up on the pics is nice too. Now it's up to us to make it grow. BTW My ghia is a 73.

Ron

crocteau · Post by **crocteau** » Sun Aug 21, 2005 7:49 am

Nice work, Tuna; thanks for providing this! Hope to have an addition for you as I get my '71 Ghia together with RAT power over the next few months.

purplemyth · Post by **purplemyth** » Wed Aug 24, 2005 8:44 am

Can I say THANK YOU!?
we are starting a type 4 in to a bug project, a freind told me to look here...have the new site bookmarked for reference later.(the next 2 weeks)
Again thanks!
Carlene

krems · Post by **krems** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 4:13 pm

havent converted yet...in fact, i've pretty much just recieved my bug (72' 1302S w/ 1641cc Type 1)that im working on/restoring and have been doing a LOT of research in the meantime. I am now convinced that this is the best and most economical way to go as far as aircooled engines go.

however im a 19y-o university student....kinda on a budget

NextGen · Post by **NextGen** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 6:29 pm

Krems, wait till you get the money or the parts and do a T-4.. Even if you go small you will be very happy. The fact that once you build a T-4 you don't worry that the money you saved is going to go up in smoke and oil at anytime. Before any T-1 guys go nuts about what I just said, botton line T-4 is much, much more reliable then a T-1 and not that much more to build. Especially if you can get your hands on a running engine.
Joe

krems · Post by **krems** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 7:55 am

i know..., im already on my way to saving up for a 2.0L bus engine. i should be looking to start the conversion (with fuel injection of course) by around christmas or so

BajaT4 · Post by **BajaT4** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 7:23 pm

Well, ok here's my 2 cents.

Owner: Tom B, Upstate NY
Car: 1968 Baja
Engine: 2270 cc, DTM

I'll go out on a limb here and say that my Type 4 conversion is quite possibly the oldest in existence in the same vehicle. I purchased my first Bug when I was 15 and started working on it from money I earned on a paper route. Bought it for $80 from a guy up the street, typical central NY beater with rotted out floors and rockers. By the time I was 16, I had welded in new floors and rockers, threw a Baja kit on it and had it street legal. I drove it for 3 months over the summer of 1986 until the single port 1500 couldn't keep oil in its sump. I swapped that engine out for a 1600 dual port that I had to loosen up with a sledge hammer. My buddy picked up a 914 and I was immediately intrigued with the thought of a type 4 motor (a simple conversion for a Baja). Off to a local junkyard where I found a low mileage 412. $100 later, the engine was mine. Ordered up a cheap Weber progressive carb and threw the whole mess together and got instant power! (Ooops, through open heater boxes with no muffler... hee, hee, hee). Fixed that with a 4 into 1 bobtail style exhaust that I welded together in shop class out of 1-1/4" to 2" conduit. That was 1987. Fast forward through college, a career (still with the same type 4 Baja) and I stumble across STF and Jake Raby. First came the 2270 build with balancing and other great help from Jake, then the DTM which is by far the best investment made. Nearly 20 years worth of living with the type 4 in my Bug and I'm still learning. My goal of 20 years ago was to build a Bug for all terrain that had power and reliability, I'd say I've achieved that! Thanks to everyone at STF for your input!

tuna · Post by **tuna** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 7:31 am

BajaT4, thanks for the entry. Do you have a pic of the front-ish of the car? Something like the others? I also need your name, area where you live, and the year of the Baja. I'll get the preliminary data up this morning.

Tuna

BajaT4 · Post by **BajaT4** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 8:17 am

I've got a decent 3/4 view from the front that I can send you later. I've updated my information in the original post. Thanks Tuna!

BTW, what is the link to where these will all be posted?

tuna · Post by **tuna** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 9:32 am

Ok, the page is updated with the additions to Bajat4's submission:

http://www.tunacan.net/t4/owners/

Tom, I'll be looking forward to getting that front 3/4 photo. Just post it here or email me with it.

To everyone else, if you've done the Type 4 conversion and haven't submitted your entry, why not? Common, what about you Type 3 guys?

Tuna

benito26 · Post by **benito26** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 11:35 pm

hi Tuna and all, have been reading the forum on and off for a few months, great stuff. my name is benito, live in sydney OZ & sort of fell into the type4 fenomenon by bying a complete 70irs write off from a salvage yard with front left hand damage in the process of being fixed. engine is 1800ap case balanced stock crank, ported polished heads, 94mm pistons, Sharpbuilt/Cali conversion, 48 idfs rejetted, custom exhaust, 009/accufire,etc. job nicely done by previous owner. mainly bought it for
engine and box but since it was a ground up build, will do the whole car.
anyway, will send tuna some photos of engine bay soon, just having trouble locating a complete front left wheel repair panel - no fuel flap to do the repair. cheers all

Dalton · Post by **Dalton** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 12:14 pm

Well i'm in the process of converting and it's been fun. I have found myself removing more stuff than actually adding on at this point. I still dont know whether or not my Transaxle on my 69 Porsche 912 works, but as soon as I pop my T4 in I'll know. I'm still working out a few things here and there, but you know how that goes. I cant wait till I hear my engine do that internal combustion thing that it does. It's been great. And wow BajaT4 that car is an amazing piece.