Speedwell Oval
 

New to the forum. Finishing up my 57 Ragtop that should FINALLY be complete in Feb. Lots of performance and one-off mods on the car. Excited to really begin driving it.

Also, looking forward to learning from you all. Will post more pics shortly.

Tim

nice to have you. was that the feature from Hot VW's couple issues ago?btw how do you like the front suspension? im building a 62 rag for my little girl to drive when she gets old enough. im really wanting some first hand info on those a-arms.

Ignition System
 

Hi Tim, very nice work and taste:D. Concerning you ignition system, what type is it? Next I see that you have a blow through, why use the "T" induction instead of the "Y" induction? Lastly are you carb in injection?

The reason for the many questions, my project is in the future. If I can up day the things that I have not bought, the better for me. Thanks.

Welcome! One of the best construction i have ever seen.... Please tell us about the front suspension.

More Info Please?!
 

I like what I am seeing here... High quality build.

Must know more about that front and rear suspension setup.
Looks really good man.

jmd

Hi Tim,

Welcome to the forums. Now that you've posted some details on your project, get ready for the many questions that are sure to follow.

I'm really looking forward to a handling report on that front suspension.

Sandeep

Welcome Tim!

I can see some really nice fabrication over here :eek:

And I'm also wondering about this a-arm suspension on the front. How much it cost, how well it performs, who produces it...
:)

Welcome to the GL forum. I have seen that engine before. Is Chico the builder?

Nice to see you on here Tim, I read the article in HVW thoroughly!

Yes, the front end is the big question. You and I are the only people on this forum to have them, but we are brothers from another mother, as I had mine built years ago and it is a one-off. I like the way mine works, but it's not completely done(no roll bar) and it's not for sale. I've had a lot of requests for purchase over the years, only to have to send them to Eyeball Engineering and more recently, my preference, Mendeola. I think you've got a great setup there and I'm wondering if it works as good as it looks!

Jason

Thanks......yes, it is the car that was featured in the November issue of Hot VW's and also got a very generous spread in the December issue of Ultra VW's.

I will have to admit that the man/builder behind this project is Kevin Zagar at Mendeola Signature Motors. Although, I grew up with VW's and my knowledge and talents are slowly increasing I certainly am not the expert nor will I ever pretend to be. I am a student in the "VW forum of life" and Kevin has been very patient with me through this 2 year build. I would direct all to the two articles in the mags for the background on me, Kevin and Mendeola.

The car is in final tune stage as we speak (both motor and suspension). The plan is to be done by Feb and then get the car out to El Toro to lay down some real numbers that we can share with all (youtube included). Kevin is very optimistic and if it does what he suspects it will........YOWZER:dance:

I promise I will do my best to answer any questions that come up. Won't be able to get to this thread on a daily basis but eventually will.

Check out www.mendeolamotors.com for information on the S2 Performance Chassis. They actually sell them separately: front, back or the entire S2 chassis which I opted for (along with the MD-5 Tranny). With 2 maps on the 2332 Turbo EFI at 250 - 300 hp I shouldn't have to worry about blowing up the tranny:)

Man, nice Daddy building the 62 for your daughter.....gunna be a lucky girl indeed.

Tim

I will post more pics and get the information requested shortly.
Thanks,
Tim

Wow great job.. I also read the hot Vw's over and over ;)
keep the info and pics coming...

Chris.

Redline/Weber Crank Fire EFI System w/ CB performance Hats, a T3-T4 Turbo. The "T" induction was chosen by the engine builder, Chico at CPR so not certain basis behind it:o

Good luck with your project!

Hello,

I thought I would stop by and introduce myself. I'm Kevin "Coolrydes" Zagar
and I have been in the VW seen for well over 20 years. I have been working for Mendeola Signature Motors building cars and working with Mike Mendeola to bring high quality performance VW items into production.

Tim's SPEEDWELL Oval was the first to receive our S2-T1 suspension that was original developed for our S2 Meyers Manxters. After my first test drive in one of our S2 Manxters I knew this suspension had to be offered to the VW guys. After a few changes in our cad designs we were able to fit it under anything type one based (bugs, ghias, and kit cars). When we tested our original S2 Manxter with a huge Subi 6 cylinder hanging out the back we acheived a lateral "G" force of 1.05 g's and a ride quality of a new sports car. The days of the bouncy lowered bugs are numbered.

So check it out and let me know if you have any questions about his car and or our suspension kits and complete chassis.

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/766277.jpg
http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/766273.jpg
http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/766272.jpg

Some addtional pics of the pan.......
 

http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/t...0.jpg~original

http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/t...4.jpg~original

http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/t...7.jpg~original

http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/t...6.jpg~original

http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/t...2.jpg~original

.....and some of the 5 speed MD-5 Tranny
 

http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/t...3.jpg~original

http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/t...8.jpg~original

http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/t...5.jpg~original

This is one of my favorite shots of your car ever....

http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/t...5.jpg~original[/QUOTE]

It looks like the drive shafts are not perpendicular to the box. Is the tranny so very short or does it widen the wheel base?
Whats the reason for this?

Good eye, most people do not catch that. The reason for the shaft having a slight angle to them is because the ring gear is about 2 inches larger then the standard vw ring gear. The trasaxle is moved forward to keep the mounting point on the bell housing in the same place as a stock vw unit. Hope that clears it up.
FYI: A standard 930 Porsche CV can take up to 22 degrees of angle with out harm. These in the picture have 7 degrees i beleave.

Thanks for that. I wasn't really worried about the CV's at all BTW ;)
I still run Bus CV's at about your angle (guesstimate), but my tranny is to the other side and still holding up to the torture (500Nm) I throw at them... (knock on wood)

Hey thats not a transmission..thats artwork!
Great shots and great work on the car..thanks for sharing!

:)

....and some roll bar shots
 

http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/t...2.jpg~original

http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/t...1.jpg~original

http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/t...7.jpg~original

http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/t...1.jpg~original

Really wanted to make sure when you looked directly through the quarter window not to see the roll bar.....I'm happy with how it turned out. Also, it's completely removable:D

Looks good underneath but I'm guessing the cage is just for show? The weld a couple inches up, mid pipe, on your main hoop wouldn't pass scrutiny, and the rear down bars going to the firewall shouldn't have bends in them. I just want to make sure this is a street only cage before you get too far into it :)

Other than that the work is amazing!

Actualy humble,
The cage was built to spec. I'm not sure why in the photos it looks like mild but it is actualy DOM 120 wall ....

.120 and I'm guessing 1.5" dia? Plenty strong for a beetle and it will probably be okay, but it looks like the main hoop leg was cut too short then re-welded in that first picture. Even if that's not the case it would never be approved officially because of that weld.

I'm looking at it from a racing point of view and not a street point of view so don't be offended. I've spent time with different touring car teams and have shadowed many scrutineers before building my own car. I'm fairly familiar with the FIA spec cage designs but I'm also not perfect.

As a street cage, it will certainly stiffen up the body quite a bit, and I love the fact that you can't see it through the window. I've done cage work myself and I can appreciate what a pain it can be to bend and notch tubing correctly. Are you going to tie the cage to the suspension at all?

[QUOTE=Humble;79408].120 and I'm guessing 1.5" dia? Plenty strong for a beetle and it will probably be okay, but it looks like the main hoop leg was cut too short then re-welded in that first picture. Even if that's not the case it would never be approved officially because of that weld.

What you see there is a coupler that is with in the specs. Where the cage meets the fire wall there is 1/8 plate on both sides. We are going to be racing this car in the future and will find out what the tech inspector feels.
As for tying it into the supsension, no. That is why we went to the extents that we did to make it a structal part of the body. I'f you look over the chassis you'll find it uses our factory installed suspension set up.

Oh yea, I'm not offened I just don't want to undermine the thoughts of this over the top car in anyway. Hope you understand.......

I totally understand, it's your baby and I have have one too so I know the feeling :)

BTW, I'm crazy jealous of your setup and when you guys get a super beetle front setup ready I will upgrade my own car with the mendeola gear. I'm not sure if I could modify to run a wider track (56.5" front track, 67.5" oustside is my current setup) but it would be worth looking into.

.......custom one-off pics
 

3rd brake light tucked under the rear vents


http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/t...4.jpg~original

installing the rear back up LED lights in the old bumper override holes


http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/t...7.jpg~original

continuing with the "holy" theme on the door handles:)


http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/t...7.jpg~original

Pedal assembly custom made by Pedal Works


http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/t...7.jpg~original

[QUOTE=coolrydes;79415]What Humble is saying is that for autocross or HPDEs you are fine, but if in fact you wanted to actually race this thing against other cars or do TT, the rules for most of the major sanctioning bodies state that there cannot be a bend in the bar that connects the main hoop to the rear. There also needs to be a diagonal bar that travels from the drivers head area of the main hoop to the floor area on the passenger side amongst other additional bars. We just don't want you to find out too late that you've got an under-engineered roll cage for road racing if you can catch it up front. I think she's too nice to race anyway! Hate to see something happen to such an amazing vehicle.

As far as the coupler is concerned, I'm pretty sure it's not going to fly on the main hoop, but I've got my fingers crossed on the diagonal, as I need to have some parts of mine removable to, the engine comes out through the passenger door!

Here's a link with the NASA rules:
document page 72(page number 59)

NASA Rule Book

Jason

Oh,
I stand corrected. I did not know about the bends. I did know about the diagnal bar. At anyrate is was installed to help in the event of a roll over just as added safety and a place to mount the shoulder belts. I agree shes too pretty to race, but Tim the owner can only think about how badly he's going to spank the cars in his area. I would love to see the face of the guy in his high dollar exotic when he gets blown away by a VW Beetle.... :)

I think you've pin pointed the entire reason behind this great forum :). Keep up the great work!

Mike

.....some additional pics
 

Custom fabricated fire wall


http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/t...1.jpg~original


Custom fabricated and hinged dash backing with 2 LED lights that go on when hood is opened


http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/t...0.jpg~original


Custom Amp box with 800 watts and 2 built-in fans for cooling


http://i618.photobucket.com/albums/t...3.jpg~original:)

very nice attention to detail on this car - love it keep up the good work

Thanks, man........we are having fun with it so far. Looking forward to an AWESOME 2011:)

Hi Tim,

Love the car! Would you be kind enough to measure the front track for us?
I want the mendeola front end but don't want to bother Kevin.
I think you have 17x7 Et 40 wheels from memory so a front track measurement will help me figure out how the front end will go with my 944 rear arms.

thanks mate.

Kevin here from Mendeola.
To save Tim from having to crawl under his car to get a measurement here are the track widths front and rear. Front 51 3/4 inches, with 17x7 wheels and 195/40/17 tires Rear 52 3/4 inches, with 17x8 wheels and 215/50/17 tires.

Thanks kevin, I assume that is wheel centre to wheel centre.
Also, is it a golf mk1 rack that i need?
Any pics so i can ensure i get the right one?

Yes, wheel center to wheel center

Yes that is a mk1 rack none power. You understand that we include the left hand drive ones in our kit and will credit the cost of a left hand drive rack when ordering a right hand drive unit.

I'll see if I can get some photos for you.

I know you've got custom wheels on that thing and they are beautiful, but if you ever want to go really GL I can't think of anything sexier than a set of these on Ms. Speedwell...

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/777792.jpg

Jason