corvair swap question

crack monkey · Post by **crack monkey** » Mon Oct 13, 2003 8:21 pm

so i am getting a corvair conversion for my next project. the conversion uses both corvair motor and trans.

it is currently on a swing axle chassis. rear suspension and all the brackets are part of the kit it seems

what do i need to do to put this in an irs chassis? do i need to switch the spring plates or is it a possible that it just bolts right in?

any info on this one would be killer.

thanks

Post by **Marc** » Mon Oct 13, 2003 8:28 pm

Sounds like you'll need to put the swingaxle springplates (and probably torsion bars) into the IRS chassis - but that's very straightforward, should be a bolt-in deal if you get all of the parts.

VWGirl · Post by **VWGirl** » Tue Oct 14, 2003 4:26 am

most corvair conversions I have seen use the VW tranny with the corvair engine... I'll see if I can dig up the websites I have for these conversions tonight. I was going to do this conversion last year, but then my bug got smashed before I ever puller the Vair engine. Let me know if you need any corvair parts... I have about 10 of them for parts. The 4 carb 140hp+ engine is mine though

crack monkey · Post by **crack monkey** » Tue Oct 14, 2003 6:38 am

yeah this one actually uses the 'vair trans too. its rather odd. has a metal frame and stuff attached to it for the shocks and stuff.

its the turbo

vwgirl- that gave you the perfect opportunity to build a corvair powered volksrod.

VWGirl · Post by **VWGirl** » Tue Oct 14, 2003 9:38 am

i will have my vair powered vw one of these days... maybe bug jam weekend I will go get my motor so I can throw it in the back of my dad's truck and have him bring it up here for me... I never make it back to dade city and going down there to get an engine for my smashed car somehow just isnt so appealing to me

VWGirl · Post by **VWGirl** » Tue Oct 14, 2003 9:42 am

wait, you werent actually suggesting i got rid of my car were you???

This car can be fixed! http://vwgirl.ramva.org/images/goober/goober.html

CMD · Post by **CMD** » Tue Oct 14, 2003 4:36 pm

You'll love this set up! I've done it several times without the kit, street and drags. The Corvair trans is less breakable. It's a little heavy in the rear and extends outside the body line, but the cheap power is worth it! It makes a VW a rocket with the right parts. Corvair parts are available and relatively cheap.
CMD [email protected]
http://photo.starblvd.net/cdanner

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Oct 14, 2003 9:01 pm

cmd that green bug would be right at home at volksrods.com. what a beast!

the current plan is to put it in a rusty ghia. so it has also been pointed out to me i could just cut the bug pans out and put ghia ones in... not sure of what route i am gonna take yet

vwgirl- the opposite actually. why get rid of a car you like when you dont need to

crack monkey · Post by **crack monkey** » Wed Oct 15, 2003 8:55 pm

most of the info i have found on the subject suggests that most if not all the conversion 'kits' were for irs. so i guess i need to find out if the bug is just the older body on the chassis too.

this is gonna be a fun project for the winter.

CMD · Post by **CMD** » Thu Oct 16, 2003 1:40 am

Sounds like a fun winter project! If you can handle this; the IRS swap should be easy. There's lots of Corvair info available if you need it.
I'm listed on volksrod.com if you need help.
CMD
[email protected]
http://photo.starblvd.net/cdanner

VWGirl · Post by **VWGirl** » Thu Oct 16, 2003 5:39 am

Actually I thought I remembered there being swing axle swaps and that they were easier...

So you can use a corvair trans? Damnit now I gotta pull one of those too... does this mean I can converty for FREE???? I thought i was going to have to buy the tranny conversion kit!!! This means I can use my Hi Perf Vair engine!!!! Awesome! Can you guys get me some info on this???? Maybe I will bring my bug back from the dead sooner! Now I just gotta spend an extra weekend down in Dade City getting the Vair parts... anyone else need some?

crack monkey · Post by **crack monkey** » Thu Oct 16, 2003 7:34 am

i will get some pics of mine next weekend when i pick it up. but from what i have seen it is a bolt on affair. now it probably came with the cage with new mounts but i cant see it being too hard to copy. i remember the rear shock mounts were cut out.

i will most likely need a bunch of parts but i dont know what yet[/quote]

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Oct 22, 2003 3:34 am

Don't be seduced by the 140 hp four carb Corvair engines. The valves and seats are much larger than the 110 hp twin carb engines. It makes for real problems in reliability.

GM didn't have it together on the different expansion rates of steel and aluminum at that time, so the seats slip when the engine cools, and then smash the hell out of the head when you start up again and the valve smacks them when they are out of position. They will eat your head in a matter of seconds.

That's not a problem for the 110 hp engines, with smaller valves and seats. The rest of the 110 hp engine is exactly the same, except for the cylinder heads (and distributor, IIRC).

Your medium term goal should be to convert to EFI. Those Rochester single draft carbs were god damned awful. Fiddle with them as much as you want, but they never run right. Don't waste your time with any other carb replacement, either. Steal an EFI from a similar displacement V6, or run Megasquirt. Actually, Megasquirt is probably the best option.

Oh, and the 180 hp turbo Corvair engine is worse than useless at under 3000 rpm. This is really primative turbo technology, very slow at city driving, only useful for full throttle highway passing. Also, the fuel line routing is useless in winter for cold starts.

Stick with the 110 hp model, and you'll be happier for it. The 164 cu.in. engines were built from 1965 through 1969. They are much more common than the 140 hp or turbo engines.

Happy Corvair-ing.

VWGirl · Post by **VWGirl** » Wed Oct 22, 2003 3:58 am

my 4 cab eng is not stock... and is a bit more than 140hp... I will keep this in mind though.... maybe I will grab a 110hp engine too... we'll see how it goes when i get to it i guess... I am more concerned with the carbs than i am the engine!

Corvairguy · Post by **Corvairguy** » Wed Oct 22, 2003 6:04 am

Don't be seduced by the 140 hp four carb Corvair engines. The valves and seats are much larger than the 110 hp twin carb engines. It makes for real problems in reliability.

GM didn't have it together on the different expansion rates of steel and aluminum at that time, so the seats slip when the engine cools, and then smash the hell out of the head when you start up again and the valve smacks them when they are out of position. They will eat your head in a matter of seconds.

That's not a problem for the 110 hp engines, with smaller valves and seats. The rest of the 110 hp engine is exactly the same, except for the cylinder heads (and distributor, IIRC).

Your medium term goal should be to convert to EFI. Those Rochester single draft carbs were god damned awful. Fiddle with them as much as you want, but they never run right. Don't waste your time with any other carb replacement, either. Steal an EFI from a similar displacement V6, or run Megasquirt. Actually, Megasquirt is probably the best option.

Oh, and the 180 hp turbo Corvair engine is worse than useless at under 3000 rpm. This is really primative turbo technology, very slow at city driving, only useful for full throttle highway passing. Also, the fuel line routing is useless in winter for cold starts.

Stick with the 110 hp model, and you'll be happier for it. The 164 cu.in. the 140 engines were built from 1965 through 1969. They are much more common than the 140 hp or turbo engines.

Happy Corvair-ing.

This only occurs if you lug a 140 in a very heavy vehicle such as a Westy, I have owned 17 'vairs in the past, Corsa's, Monza's, Spyder's and never had dropped a valve seat, the stock Rochester H and HV's are not the most sophisticated carbs but will work well if you know how to rebuild them properly.

See my converted Westy here ;

www.westyman.com

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