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Some questions

I recently picked up another Beetle to add to the stable; this time, a beautiful '65. Here's the plan: I want to make it into a great German Looker. Here are the questions:

1) what is the largest tire/wheel combo that I can run without rubbing the fenders? I can get the front beam narrowed, no problem. The entire car will be lowered 2" all around.

2) are there kit-car manufacturers that make full-size tube-frame chassis for their cars? I was thinking of dropping the 65's body on to a tube-frame, for strength and updated equipment (4-wheel disc brakes, stainless plumbing, IRS, etc)

3) What would be involved in adding an actual automatic trans to a Beetle engine? Not the auto-stick fiasco but a full automatic. I want to surprise a friend of mine who lost the use of his left leg; he is still a huge Beetle fan, though. AND, would the auto trans be able to handle engine HP of around 130-150?

4) What is the best soundproofing material available now? I'm in the process of putting a stealth stereo system together in my '66 and I want to block out as much engine and road noise as possible. Also, how about wiring?

5) I would like to hide the door hinges so the side profile would be really clean. Has any- one done this to their Beetles or if not, how difficult would this be to accomplsh?

6) About Type IV engines. I know that Raby's is the pace to go for the engine and trans- axle; they are all about the Type IVs! Can anyone recommend a shop that can install the engine and trans? Also, what about Scat's Split-Port heads? Would those be recommended for the Type IV? Also, Extrude Hone? Would this help as well?

7) I would REALLY like to have air conditioning and decent heating systems in my Beetles. I haven't heard good things about Barney's and I.C.E., the two places that offer those systems. Does anyone have any ideas or recommendations about how to get these systems into a Beetle, and be happy with them?

8) I am kicking around the idea of having a center console that goes all the way to the back seat, and up even with the parcel tray. Something that would look like one piece, padded and upholstered in material to match the rest of the interior. The problem is that my building/mechanical skills are lacking severly. Does anyone have any suggestions on where I could go and have this done? Possibly even have a center armrest come out in the back with the console around it.

9) Last question, for now!!! About the Type IV again. Can you use electronic fuel injection with a Type IV engine, like what is offered by CB Performance? I just want to have a very strong, very powerful, efficient engine for my Beetle.

That's it, everybody. Let me thank you all in advance for your help and direction. Like I've said before and I'll continue to say, Beetle people are the best people.

PS What happened to Car Custom, the shop? How about Chris Addington, the guy who pretty much specialized in custom Ghias, and built the one Ghia, Rodbuster, with the billet aluminum frame? Price tag: $300K

OK, now that's it! Thanks again and I hope you all have great Thankgivings and holiday seasons.

Reply to
Jeff Kleier
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Wow! The majority of your questions, I can't answer. But, when you get that project '65 done, you better show it off in a website or something. As for the automatic tranny question, didn't the Type III line have a full automatic available? Maybe you can find one from a donor Type III.

Geoffe Elias '74 Super Beetle

Reply to
geoffers

..............The frame horns on a type 1 are too close together for an auto tranny from a type 3 or bus. But since he can't do the work himself and wants a welded tube chassis, he should probably just go to a custom fab shop and put down a $10k deposit and then be prepared to come up with at least another $10k when they're further along in a few months(?). And that doesn't even take into account the money for a Raby engine. If the original poster has deep enough pockets, anything is possible. There are cars like the Corvette, 911 & BMW M3 that probably are better suited for what he wants. A three year old M3 would probably cost less than what he'd pay for a custom built bug on a tubular chassis with a Raby engine.

Reply to
Tim Rogers

Sealed-cell aircraft padding. It's available in 1/4" and 1" thicknesses. (You can double-layer 1/4" to make 1/2", etc..) Great material. Far more effective than the lead-like thin stuff. I used it in my hand-built car and it's awesome.

Anyone can install the Type IV. No big deal. And Raby has an airconditioning setup, too. Just ask him.

Reply to
jjs

On Fri, 19 Nov 2004 06:45:09 -0500, "Tim Rogers" scribbled this interesting note:

Probably? Sometimes you misspeak, Tim. That is a certainty. To build the car specified, with all the "non-stock" modifications, would probably be somewhere above thirty thousand dollars, possibly much, much higher depending on the quality of the craftsmanship that goes into building the silly thing.

A car like that is no longer a Beetle, it merely looks like one since it has the body on it. You know, how a VW Golf also looks kind of like a Beetle from some angles...oh, wait, that's called a New Beetle, isn't it!

-- John Willis (Remove the Primes before e-mailing me)

Reply to
John Willis

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seen these at Vw shows here on the left coast, look pretty good...

Reply to
vwluvrs

The 3rd question is for a friend of mine, nothing to do with my modification questions at all.

Yes, I feel it would still be considered a Beetle. I've built full restorations, full customs and almost everything in between. I was just wanting the penultimate incarnation of the Beetle. I love the look of German-Look Beetles, aka Kafer Cup cars. That is one thing I haven't tried at all.

I don't think it would be that difficult to either recess or hide the door hinges; just wanting it smooth down the sides of the car.

The goal would be having the look of a classic Beetle with modern running gear. That's it.

And no, I don't consider New Beetles to be Beetles at all. Watercooled front engine? I don't think so!

Once again, thanks for your help everyone. After this is completed (probably by May), I will have pictures available.

Reply to
Jeff Kleier

On Fri, 19 Nov 2004 12:10:43 -0600, Jeff snipped-for-privacy@webtv.net (Jeff Kleier) scribbled this interesting note:

We all look forward to seeing the photos!

-- John Willis (Remove the Primes before e-mailing me)

Reply to
John Willis

From: "Tim Rogers" snipped-for-privacy@stny.rr.com>..............The frame horns on a type 1 are too close together for an auto

Wrong again timmy the type 3 and type 1 frame horns are both 30 cm apart and Jeff I have a full auto tranny from a type 3 if your looking.

Mario Vintage Werks restorations We know Volkswagens

Reply to
Kafertoys

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