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-   -   1.8t Mid-Engine 1960 UBRDUB (https://www.germanlook.net/forums/showthread.php?t=10369)

volkdent January 13th 2010 22:02

1.8t Mid-Engine 1960 UBRDUB
 
Hey there, my name is Jason. I'm originally from B.C., Canada, but after schooling I now live in Santa Rosa, CA

These are pics as my baby came together. All these shots are in our barn or outside my parents house. In retrospect, I should have been more thorough but this was back in '87 and I wasn't as smart as I am now:lmao:. Kind of rough but it worked. I completely stripped the pan, sandblasted, primered, sanded and painted it in my barn. Had the bodywork done by a stoner and the paint done by a place in Aldergrove. It was single stage and I have to say I think it turned out OK! The color of the pan is from a 60's British Cortina, if memory serves.

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/636695.jpg

Did I mention it was the '80's? The color was a sort of pastel green that matched one of the Maui and Sons symbols colors... I was a wanna be California surfer dude living in B.C. There was a really cool blue bug in England that was just monochrome that I thought was awesome too...

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/636696.jpg

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/636697.jpg

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/636698.jpg

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/636699.jpg


It looked like this until about 2002, when I got tired of trying to keep the aircooled motor going, I started thinking about reliable big power for a reasonable price. I started thinking about how a big powered bug would need to handle better, so I started thinking about f/r balance. Mid-engine would make that better right?I bought an old GTI for $100 and started taking measurements off of it and some pictures. I scaled them and a picture of the top of a vw pan and did some measurements and found out a VW watercooled motor would fit in the back of a bug. I didn't want to just open up massive holes in the bug, I still wanted it to be mostly bug, so making it fit without a ton of cutting was really important.

Once I knew it would fit, I ordered a 1.8t and an O2J tranny from a now-defunk place called Ron's Parts Incorporated (RPI). The guy I worked with there had actually amassed some parts to do something like this himself, so he also had a Porsche Boxter shifter linkage and was able to get me some G60 hubs and some big brakes that would be used for the rear. Then the cutting began, and the jig from the GTI fitted. This is all very complicated, but this was my first attempt at something this large, I would have done it much more directly if I did it again.

I also starting thinking that all this power would need to be controlled, so I knew the stock suspension setup wasn't going to handle it and the wishbone suspension idea was born:

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/214807.jpg

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/247046.jpg

The wishbone buildup forum is here:

Wishbone Suspension Bolt-On Kit

The 1.8t buildup forum is here:

180hp 1.8t in a Bug

And the Brake buildup is here:

Let There Be Brakes

volkdent January 14th 2010 01:17

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volkdent January 14th 2010 01:24

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volkdent January 14th 2010 02:08

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volkdent January 14th 2010 02:20

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volkdent January 14th 2010 02:31

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volkdent January 14th 2010 02:49

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volkdent January 14th 2010 02:56

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volkdent January 14th 2010 03:01

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NO_H2O January 14th 2010 09:44

Lots of nice work in that one Jason. I love the front suspension.

johnnyvee January 14th 2010 11:33

when do you sleep :D

ricola January 14th 2010 15:20

Nice summary!

Any idea how much bhp that intercooler should be good for? I'm vaguely considering sticking with air/air in the back ducted from both wings...

volkdent January 14th 2010 21:32

Thanks guys, long winded, but that's how it is. It's been going on since I was 15 and I'm 37 now, so I won't be resting anytime soon. You've see my signature, right?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ricola (Post 73397)
Nice summary!

Any idea how much bhp that intercooler should be good for? I'm vaguely considering sticking with air/air in the back ducted from both wings...

This is the link to the intercooler, says 350+ hp and I've seen it other places for that hp rating too.

Small Intercooler

BTW, would you consider making your own build thread? I know you maintain your own site updates, but it would be really awesome to have a few pics posted here and at least the update links as they come?

Jason

wrenchnride247 January 14th 2010 22:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by volkdent (Post 73400)
Thanks guys, long winded, but that's how it is. It's been going on since I was 15 and I'm 37 now, so I won't be resting anytime soon. You've see my signature, right?

That is a really long time Jason...don't feel so bad about mine now :rolleyes:
Seriously though, I have enjoyed seeing all the "out of the box" ideas you've been doing with this project. Keep it up man! :D

ricola January 15th 2010 15:19

I've got this one here (not that current really):
http://germanlook.net/forums/showthread.php?t=182

Volkszone:
http://www.volkszone.co.uk/VZi/showthread.php?t=544689

Aussieveedubber forum:
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/v....php?tid=75812

Mainly due to higher traffic and thea fact that aussie's are more into subaru conversions...

volkdent January 15th 2010 23:56

These just came today. I paid $670 shipped for them, a bunch of guys were asking over $800 without shipping or center caps for them, so I figured this was a decent deal. I'm very happy they are 55 ET for both, easy to add spacers if I need them, but I'd rather have clearance. I think I have 55s now, but I might have a set of 52s on the front, and an extra 3mm would be great. They have hardly worn Michelins on them too, but they are old, have some cracks in them, so they'll be fun for donuts and burnouts!

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/637201.jpg

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Jason

hotsauce January 20th 2010 22:13

Wow....Just wow.


That front suspension setup is the cats ass. Wouldnt mind having one for a future build.

You think something like that is possible for a bus?

volkdent January 21st 2010 01:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotsauce (Post 73587)
Wow....Just wow.


That front suspension setup is the cats ass. Wouldnt mind having one for a future build.
You think something like that is possible for a bus?

ANTHING is possible, you just need a brain, some time, some money, and maybe a touch of crazy.:D

Jason

Panelfantastic January 22nd 2010 18:42

The only thing that would make the bus conversion tough is the steering. The rack would be two feet behind the steering column.

Jeff-

hotsauce January 22nd 2010 20:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by volkdent (Post 73591)
ANTHING is possible, you just need a brain, some time, some money, and maybe a touch of crazy.:D

Jason

So ive got 2 out of the 4 items listed. Time, and crazy. Just no brain and no money.....:lmao::lmao:

hotsauce February 13th 2010 15:54

Any progress? im quite intrigued by this build.

volkdent February 16th 2010 00:31

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/647778.jpg

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This is the latest purchase. Its called an 02M, and it's a 6 speed tranny that came in a 20th Anniversary GTi. These things can handle 600hp, I talked to a guy back east that has been putting over 800hp through this, bone stock except for a Peloquin LSD. I didn't want to keep working with the 02A I have now, they'll break with only 200hp.

Still in the body shop otherwise.

Jason

JK Fab February 16th 2010 00:33

Nice !!

NO_H2O February 16th 2010 15:54

A 6 speed will be very nice. The picture of your trans is all too real to me right now as I am in the middle of an 01M (POS automatic) to 02A (5 speed) swap on my wife's Jetta TDI. The parts swap isn't too bad but the electrical ECU/TCU stuff is a bit of a pain.

volkdent February 16th 2010 16:56

Not fun! Well if you hear of anyone else that needs an 02A, mine will be for sale later this year probably. It's had a bolt kit and seems to be working very well, and I've put very few miles on it since I bought it as a fresh rebuild.

Jason

volkdent March 10th 2010 18:39

Little to report except that the dude that was supposed to be doing the bodywork totally flaked on me. He had the car for over 10 weeks and it looks like there's maybe 6 hours of work on it if that. On top of that he says he's got 70 hours on it, BS!!!! He's just another burn out unfortunately. I gave him the benefit of the doubt, but no go. He needs dental work really badly, and that was supposed to be the trade.

On a bright note, after just snatching back the bug on Sunday, last night another patient/bodyman called me. I've always admired his work and the timing couldn't be better, so he's coming over tonight to see what is going on, hopefully I'll be in a better place. He'll be able to come over and work on the car at home so I can help out and watch, and he's got old world work ethic. He's from the Czech Rep. and he's work on a lot of exotics, Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and even this crazy transverse V16 exotic that a guy who left Lamborghini developed in the 90s, unfortunately it never took off. Called a Cizeta v16...

Jason

JK Fab May 6th 2010 21:50

Anything new Jason on your build ? Hope all is well !

Jeff

volkdent May 11th 2010 20:22

Hey Jeff,

Nothing too big to report, still being bodyworked but it is looking amazing! I'll get some pics up tonight maybe. The wheels are already at paint, they are going to be Jazz Blue, a VW color for the 20th Anniv. Edition GTi. It's blue(duh) but it gets a pearl clear coat over it that creates a really cool deep blue color but bright still. It was a pain to track down the paint code.

The funnier story is that I actually found the color I wanted, and that color happened to be on a Dooney & Bourke purse!!! I was shopping with my wife at Macy's and I saw the color in the display case. I said "Thats IT!!!" and as I got closer I realized it was a purse. Turns out my wife loved the color too, so that took care of her mothers day present AND my shade guide, or so I thought.

Turns out the color is "too clean" according to the paint people, basically the paint color has to be manufactured from scratch and can't be mixed from other colors. Thus the new color of Jazz Blue, which gets close to the same effect, just not as deep a blue/purple that the purse color was. It too is too clean a color, but at least I can order it. Should be painted within the next week or so, I'd like to hit Bugorama with it painted.

Jason

volkdent May 11th 2010 22:24

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The last shot is the color I'm going with on the wheels. The body will be Alpine White.

Jason

JK Fab May 11th 2010 22:29

AWESOME Jason ! Thanks for the updates ! Cant wait to see the finished product !

Jeff

Humble May 11th 2010 23:33

Can't wait to see it :)

volkdent May 12th 2010 01:15

R u guys going to Bugorama?

Jason

JK Fab May 12th 2010 20:07

I will be there for sure and I am bringing my blue car this time !!

hotsauce May 12th 2010 20:36

That blue is insane.:shocked:

volkdent June 17th 2010 01:13

So Far, Sooooooo Good!
 
Finally getting her back together again, havn't worked on the front lights yet, but the rears will be fine as is for awhile. I ended up using this door seal material for fender beading. It's non-porous and fireproof, as well as being very light and white!

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/691899.jpg

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I ended up cutting a notch out of the right light, it was rusted so don't get too mad at me. It allows for a good license plate mounting point as well as a license plate light all in one. You can see the LED lights I shoved in there, they were really high end lights I got from Wal-Mart!!!

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Overall I'm really happy with how she's turning out, more pics to come.

Jason

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/691907.jpg

Luismj June 17th 2010 01:34

BAD BEETLE! Like it! :clap:

JK Fab June 17th 2010 02:04

Oh WOW !!!!!!!

That is bad ass for sure !!!!

Jim June 17th 2010 03:30

Awesome beetle!!!!!

NO_H2O June 17th 2010 04:03

That is looking very nice. Clean clean clean.

cobra June 17th 2010 08:15

Congratulations. The car looks very nice:):):)


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