'71 Super Beetle Autocross Build

[ChadH]

Yet another "Why I haven't made any progress" post.

Spent last week with the Mini Cooper in the shop..it needed a new turbo. So, traded it in on a new BRZ and broke it in the next evening at autocross.



How does this relate to my build? Now I have the Super back in the garage, where it belongs, and no longer need to fight with the Mini.

Also, I'm in process of transferring all my photos from Photobucket to Smugmug, and re-linking everything. I had signed up for the low-end plan on Photobucket just before their $400 extortion fiasco. My cheap plan with third party links is good until the end of the year, but I don't want this thread to go into the trash-heap of builds with dead links.

[ChadH]

Back to work - sorta. I have two other VW's (a '73 Thing and a '64 Beetle) with engines I built several years ago. Both cars have been sitting unused, and offer lots of goods for the Autocross Engine.

The Thing had a 1776, built on an aluminum case and 34mm ICT's. I want to tear this down for the aluminum case. It also has good fitting tin, with all the small bits that are often overlooked. Re-using the tin will be important to maximizing cooling. Most of the other parts will be used for another build (maybe to put back into the '64.)





The '64 has a 2110, with IDF 40's, and a ton of goodies. I didn't get the engine all the way out this weekend.







I'll have lots of cleanup to do for all the stuff I strip from both engines. I'll be asking for advice on the autocross engine build after I clean up and assess what I already have.

[Jadewombat]

Yeah, I've had a heap of distractions, too. Still managing to progress a little here and there which is better than no progress. I bet the BRZ feels like a completely different animal to the Cooper...and so will the bug of course.

[ChadH]

Yeah, I've had a heap of distractions, too. Still managing to progress a little here and there which is better than no progress. I bet the BRZ feels like a completely different animal to the Cooper...and so will the bug of course.

Yup. Life -n- stuff getting in the way of important car projects.

The BRZ is fun, and handles damn near perfect in stock form. I feel like a "clone" driving it though, since there's so many that show up to autocross. I still want the Beetle done, so I can completely abuse it, and not have to worry about driving it the next day. It'll also be a valid reason to run an open stinger.

[petew]

I still want the Beetle done, so I can completely abuse it, and not have to worry about driving it the next day. It'll also be a valid reason to run an open stinger.

Until you put the turbo on.

[ChadH]

Not "Handling", but this is my build thread so...

Rebuilding my 40mm IDF's. These sat in the 'Vegas heat, with bad gas for approximately 10-years. They were/are nasty with sludge and some surface rust on the steel parts.

I spent a lot of time with PB blaster, a little heat, carb cleaner, brushes and 3M pads I got the left side looking pretty good (inside and out) The right side is now in the can soaking.