Classic VW Beetle Performance?

Classic VW Beetle Performance?

I've been investigating a project car for some time and i was thinking about the older Beetles the other day and they seem like a perfect project car. Rear wheel drive, Rear engine, Lightweight and if driven on the street they get good MPG. What more could u ask for? I'm really just looking for some insight on the subject of performance beetles. Air cooled or water cooled? Engine size? Any years better then the others? (i know they r basically all the same with minor differences). Any places or websites i could find performance parts? I don't think I've ever even rode in an older beetle so any and all help will be GREATLY appreciated thank you. This car will be street driven but main focus will be on performance.

Asked by: bazooka1234 @ 2009-03-30 11:00:14

Answers ::
Not fast by any means, but lots of fun. All came air-cooled; go ask your local parts guy for a 1965 vw radiator cap, lol. You can drop in a motor off eBay for about $2k and have a beast of a car. Factory ones are 1600cc (1.6 liters or about 100 cubic inches). Go for a super beetle, very good car. Mid 70s probably best.

uh

lots of performance mods available.. everything from bolt on parts like carbs and exhaust to full tilt crate motors.. CB performance has some wild turbo stuff available but there are tons of parts companies out there ... SCAT is also a big one for parts and crate engines..

1000DollarAutos

Negative. Do not go for a super beetle like the other guy mentioned. A true VW fan does not like supers. Check out www.thesamba.com for lots of information. As far as performance stuff cb performance has some good stuff. So does www.lowbugget.com And not all beetle came with 1600cc dual port engines. Some of the newer (70's) ones came with that motor but they did make a 1400cc and 1300cc both in a single port engine. All of these work great when tuned correctly but can be kinda tough to get to that point. Good luck.

badb0y969

I have a 1973 Volkswagen Beetle. I know, they are the absolute perfect car. You forgot that parts are very very cheap and easy to get, and very fun to drive. Please don't customize it. I beg you. You will regret it, especially since stock ones are getting more valuable by the day. I am busting my ass trying to restore stock Volkswagens and turn customized ones back to stock to try to save them, and all you want to do is make them extinct. Either keep it stock or stay away from type 1 Volkswagens.

Prime

www.thesamba.com

That's all you need to know. Come on over, join up and read the forums that are available for every model range of air cooled VW.
Please read all the sticky threads in the forums before posting. Plenty of good info.

Jay S

Personally i HATE super beetles. I have a 64 myself however would much rather an older split window beetle. the lowest stock engine is a 36hp motor that will have some issues going up hills and what not, however their are folks out their turbo charging their motors as well as getting a much bigger block (2400+ ci) putting out 200+ HP. So really you decide what you want. although the more power = more price, however their still GREAT motors and get great MPG, power to weight ratio, and all my friends describe mine as a gokart on steroids.

greensystemsgo

So, why do you drive a Volkswagen? What is it that made you really want a VW?

Asked by: gregb @ 2009-03-29 20:38:43

Answers ::
I'm pretty much a VW freak. I'm only 17, but they're the only cars I've ever driven (on a regular basis). I learned to drive on a blue 2001 New Beetle 5 speed and it was so fun. When I was 5 years old, my aunt bought a 1997 VW Cabrio brand-new and took me for a ride in it and ever since then, I've wanted one (I bought one last year).
VWs are so fun to drive, they're reliable if you take care of them, and they're solid as a rock. Not that cheap Ford and Dodge crap that's put out these days.
Over the last few days, I've had to drive around an automatic 2004 Nissan Sentra. Nissans are reliable cars, but it bores me to TEARS. It's just not a VW...

Elizabeth R

I dont drive a volkswagen , but I do enjoy their interiors and their great fuel mileage! Espically the 60mpg tdi!

darklide634

I love the way they look; i love the way they drive; i love the way they handle; i love the value; i love the torquey engines; i love the amazing interiors; i love the audi-like quality inside and out; i love the little things like how the turn signals have the quick lane change feature; i love how they are not as common as toyotas/hondas; i love how the car connects to you and doesn't just feel like an appliance that gets you from A to B... i love my VW

k-dawg

For me, driving my VW GTI is the same feeling I get paddling on a swift,pristine river in my kayak. The GTI & kayak inspire with their agility,speed,uniqueness & fun factor. It seems that both were designed expressly for my delight. It's the rare kind of car that can cheer you up from a bad mood. Yes, wicked fun to drive and can transport both our kayaks and bikes [with room to spare for my wife's gear, too].
So, for sheer spark and verve, for performance utility and value, whats not to like? Sure, VWs are fuel efficient,unique, and easy-on-the-wallet, etc. but I drive mine for PASSION.....

fenton

i dont really like the new ones that much. all people do is TRY to make them look cool and fast and load. to me its a waste of money. for the people that keep them to factory specs i say good for you.

no, i like the old Volkswagens a hell of a lot. im a bug fanatic of all air-cooled VW's. they look and perform spectacularly.

Air-Cooled

I drive one because I'm married to a VW fanatic. We own 2 old Beetles and a 62 Double cab. Those are just the street legal ones, we also have our own personal junk yard. He rebuilds trannys as a side job. I guess he got that from his Dad who owned them back in the day. We had a new Beetle once but it was junk.

Angel70

How do you turn a vw beetle into an automatic and if there is a certain part then what would that be?

I have a 71 vw beetle.
Not too fond of driving a stick.
I have a 71 vw beetle.
Im not too into the whole stickshift thing.
Along with my question...How much would converting it approximately be?

Asked by: Jaimie =] @ 2009-03-30 18:07:04

Answers ::
They make or made an auto-stick for the older bugs. Could be tricky to find one. Just have to google until you find what you're looking for.

Rob

You will need the transmission and the shifting mechanism (including the console). Switch it over.
It might be cheaper, or at least easier to try to find a bug with the automatic.

Old Man Dirt

Sorry but it's not possible to convert it. (At least at reasonable cost). Even if you could you would destroy the cars historic value.

That far back I don't think an auto was even an option.

If you can't handle the stick the sell the car, there are plenty of enthusiasts who will buy it then get yourself something with an auto.

Ian M

Ian M

You'll need a flywheel, pedal cluster and the autostick tranny. You're going to have a very hard time finding parts to keep an autostick running as there is little or no aftermarket support.

I've never heard of anyone wanting to go that direction, only a swap TO manual.

Don't do it. You can find an intact autostick bug cheap enough without butchering your current one.

Jay S

well your in luck VW did have an auto-stick tranny. its not a full manual though, keep that in mind before you do the swap. you still need to move the shift lever from L to 1 to 2. you do this however without depressing a clutch pedal. there is a torque converter and a vacuum control servo clutch that engages when the shifter is moving between the gears. there is a fair amount ot work and several key parts that need to ba swapped with auto-stick parts.

1. the transmission- obviously. now they are out there but they are very hard to find. and individual parts for the tranny are even harder.

2. the shift rod linkage in the tunnel will need to be replaced because the nose cone on a manual tranny is a bit shorter than that of the auto tranny. remove this through the front of the car. you need to remove that circle plate on the front skirt behind the bumper and then another metal plate behind the skirt. undo the bolts and the shifter and pull it out.

3. the shifter assembly itself will need replacing with an auto-stick one. they are different and it will not work.

4. the pedal cluster is different as well.(no clutch pedal). these can be easier to find than other parts. that will just bolt right up.

5. little stuff like finding a torqe converter and pressure plate for an auto-stick will be hard.

most of the parts are hard to find though unless you find a cheap parts car and you know all the parts are there and properly working.

good luck. best wishes for you and your Beetle.

Air-Cooled

how do I raise my lowered VW?

I have a 72 that was lowered by using a 66 front end. I'm riding on just the air pressure of my tires and can't play a CD! it's bump and gross.. help!

Asked by: OohSoozeQ @ 2009-03-30 20:01:58

Answers ::
get larger springs

frenchrevan

sounds like you should get a suspention upgrade...

Domgod

take it to a mechanic dude

Cheer_up_son

First of all, unless your frame head was changed to a king pin suspension up front you cant have a 66 front beam. I believe (correct me if im wrong) 67 was the first year of the ball joint beam.
Here's what you can do
Get a used beam that rides right. kind of a lot of work but easy work. 4 bolts to disconnect the the beam, two break lines, and the steering shaft.

Get new leaf springs in your own beam. but you would have to do the above plus pull apart the beam.

This might work and would be REALLY easy. Get those coil over
shocks for like $80 and put those on the front.
Good Luck
ps have you checked for beam adjusters?

Fo-Ville

Depending on how its answered either get raised spindles (stock maybe). If not then do what other dude said about ball joints.

greensystemsgo

whats wrong with my (mk,3) 97/98 vw golf gti?

the car engine cuts out when breaking to a stop ant it keeps idleing up and down below 1000rpm ive ajusted it to (tick over) a bit better but when the engine warms up and it picks up to around 2000rpm. Also the rev limiter kicks in a bit to early at 5000rpm. can anyone help me please

Asked by: Chris G @ 2009-03-30 13:08:12

Answers ::
It sounds like your throttle body either needs basic settings and a clean or it needs to be replaced, it could also be a possible fault eith an engine speed sensor

scarbouro

try to change your fuel filter sometimes those can cause weird problems like that.

James B

Guessing here, but I'd say fuel filter or Air Flow Meter

hot sausage

Post your question of the following web site

www.vwaudiforum.co.uk

They are very helpful and will solve your problem for you quickly.

PHIL B

First thing I'd do is clean you Idle air control valve with carburettor cleaner,then check for vacuum leaks in all the little (6mm) hoses,then check the throttle position sensor (t,p,s).code reading it wouldn't hurt either.

blackcloud

Help me name my new VW Beetle?

I need your help naming my new VW Beetle. I need to give it an identity. The color is platinum grey. My daughter has been calling it Fritz, but it is not sticking. And my sister thinks that girl names are just out of the question, as a grey cars just aren't feminine enough. Other names that we have been throwing around include Vin, and Gandolf. Please give me a suggestion. Thanks in advance for your help.

Asked by: Chad @ 2009-03-31 09:15:18

Answers ::
The old stand by Hubie.Just put a 67 on the doors.

nighttime_ran

So grey isn't feminine enough? Not even for the most feminine car that you can buy today?

If you give it a man's name everyone will think your car is a lesbian.

Matt Pearce

call it sammy or billy :)

ziggy

Please dont call it hubie like the other person suggested. And not the 67 either. If they are think of "HERBIE" that number would be a 53!

badb0y969

i have a 67 vw bug and it wont keep idled?

it will start but wont stay idled it shut off as soon as i take my foot off the gas.its got gas goin to the fuel pump, its got gas from the pump to the carb.im stock ineed help

Asked by: jp @ 2009-03-29 20:56:03

[Best Answer]Had the same fault on a Karmen Ghia,it wasn't the carb,or ignition timing,plugs etc etc it was a rubber diaphragm in the inlet manifold which had split,thus allowing too much air to be drawn into the carb,thus weakening the mixture to such an extent it wouldn't idle....

By : Freddy2 @ 1238395779

Answers ::
sounds like you have some clogged jets in the carburetor, try starting it, then open the hood, pull off the air cleaner, rev the motor up to about 3000 rpm and put your hand over the carburetor intake untill it almost dies then take your hand off to keep it running.
do this 2 or 3 times may help but what you need is a rebuild kit and an hour or two


what this method does is when you choke the carb, it sucks a high amount of fuel through the carb and alot of the time will clean out the jets to an extent. but it is a temporary fix

big daddy Z

Try adjusting the idle screw on the carb. You also might want to check the fuel filter, it could have a clog in it.

A man apart

Sounds to me like your idle jet in your carb might be clogged. Take the carb off unscrew all the jets, the jets are the flat head screws in your carb, and spray Carb cleaner threw the jets them self and the holes you took them out of.

To get more detailed answer of this question and any others you might have, go to www.thesamba.com and sign up for the forum, lot's of good people there who know there stuff.

Kyle F

Had the same fault on a Karmen Ghia,it wasn't the carb,or ignition timing,plugs etc etc it was a rubber diaphragm in the inlet manifold which had split,thus allowing too much air to be drawn into the carb,thus weakening the mixture to such an extent it wouldn't idle....

Freddy2