Updated Pan/suspension kit

[Shadowbug]

I'm Just Guaging interest in an upgraded pan/suspension replacement kit?
There has been some discussion about a bolt on Front suspension kit, and even a few people building them, But I've been thinking of building (for myself) a lotus style chassis (similar to the europa and elan) with a tubular spaceframe center tunnel, standard beetle pan halfs, Dual A-arm front and rear suspension, set up to bolt on in the place of a standard IRS pan.

This would make for a lighter (not by much though), stronger and More tunable platform for your beetle.

Since I'm planning on making one for my beetle, once th jigs are made, I could do a limited production run. Probably I would sell it with or without the pan halves in place and with or without all the bits you can buy from your local parts store (such as rack and pinion, beetle spindles etc.)

What do you think? and what price range should it be aimed at?

[Panelfantastic]

Prolly get a dozen or so right out of the gate that would swear interest, two or three -maybe- that actually could buy. How complete would it be? Shocks? Rack? Spindles F/R? Brake options?
A piece together affair with the bare mininmum custom parts and owner sourcing everything else (pan halves,spindles,rack,basically DIY) could come in around $2500-3k? A roller would be weeeellll over double, even triple, yes?

It is a great idea! What sort of timeframe?

Jeff-

[Shadowbug]

I'd build it so any brake/wheel/tire combo's you could do to an IRS pan, you could do to it.

Ya a roller would be quite a bit more. but most people would want to choose their own components I'd think.

for shipping it would be better to send it out as a pan, with the A-arms dissasembled in a separate box for shipping. use your own spindles (so you can choose your own brake options) rear carriers will be done to accept standard lenght irs shafts, and brake backing plates (you could throw your original drums on there if you wanted or 944 units)

It would be cool to build an all out performer to use the latest porsch parts, but not everyone will want that (or maybe those who will pony up for a custom chassis will)

I donno, I'm going to do it for myself after my lotus is complete, the quiestion is, will it be a one off or build a more permanent set of jigs.

[Shadowbug]

I've been thinking about also adding in bolt up points for a cage as well, If you want to go that direction.

[Panelfantastic]

Thought about pitching it worldwide? Maybe post on a couple of the euro sites? Like everything else, the shipping would probably kill it.
How much extra work is involved in making the jigs suitable for a production run? Worst case, if you only turned a few, would you re-coup?

Jeff-

[Shadowbug]

Biggest expence would be the build table, a 8'X4' slab of 1/2" steel