[31fordcoupe]

Well ladies and germs, the Chevy Luv that I have been racing is being retired (actually giving it to a good friend of mine in trade for a bunch of fabrication work - minus the drive train) and I am moving on to a new project.

I wanted to find something that was going to be ultra light and at the same time, something I could plug a large cubic inch Chevy V8 in. The plan is to strip the bug down to nothing, put a 2x3 frame (.120 wall thickness) under the unibody with a 10 point cage, back half it with a four link and a Mustang II front end.

The drivetrain will be SBC. Just to get the thing rolling I plan on building a moderately built engine at first. While the Bug is running with that motor, I will then be building a frickin nasty Little M Dart block with aluminum heads, forged internals, solid roller cam, blow through carb, etc. that will be able to withstand the huge beating the 106mm Precision will give it.

So needless to say this will be a long term project, but it is my intent to have the Bug at the track with the initial SBC build by June of 2012. I will be posting hear quite often to keep updated on the build.

I have always wanted to document a build from start to finish, and I have decided that I will do that with this Bug. I welcome any comments and suggestions from any of you as this will be a learning experience for me as well I am sure. The primary builders will be me, my good friend Scott (master welder and craftsman) and my friend Monty (my machinest).

Here are some pics of the bug when we picked it up yesterday from Tucson, AZ for $250; the Endurashine Victor Jr. intake that I picked up for $80 off eBay (that needs a good cleaning); the 106mm Precision turbo that I picked up with two different turbine housings (1.0 and 1.32) from Precision for $1495; and the 15x10 Centerlines with 295 radials that I picked up for $200.

I have read over a good chunk of V8 Super Beetles project journal and will definately use that build as a good resource guide.

I have alot of other parts for the build and will take pictures of them as we get to the point of installing them. Again, please provide comments and input as I know many of you have built rods from the ground up and this will really be only my second go around with such a project.

Cheers!

[Project89]

wow 106mm turbo sb in a beetle u sir are insane . i love it
thats going to be an insane ride going down the track.

[zbhover]

Good to see another V8 bug project!

Sounds like it will be a fun one............



Zach B

1969 Convertible V8 Beetle project: http://www.v8beetleresource.com

[31fordcoupe]

Originally Posted by Project89

wow 106mm turbo sb in a beetle u sir are insane . i love it
thats going to be an insane ride going down the track.

Yes I am hoping for insane in the very end....but somewhat safe. I love adrenaline just as much as the next guy but want to live long enough to enjoy it.

Originally Posted by zbhover

Good to see another V8 bug project!

Sounds like it will be a fun one............

Zach B

1969 Convertible V8 Beetle project: http://www.v8beetleresource.com

Thanks for the link. It is much appreciated. Looks like you put alot of time an effort into your build.

Should have more pictures up this week once the Bug gets over to my casa. Still sitting on the trailer at my friends house. Gonna start tearing into it this weekend. More pics forthcoming.

[V8Square]

Ah yes, another V8 Volkswagen affecionado(spelling?). I am doing a sbc 330 horse, 2" x 3" chassis, Mustang II front suspension, 9" Ford triangulated 4-bar rear with a 700r4 trannie. Difference is, I am putting it in a Squareback

[31fordcoupe]

Affecionado I think is a huge overstatement lol. I just the like the idea of a lil bitty light weight car and a TON of HP that I can hopefully get hooked to the asphalt.

My parents had a VW camper van that we used to go camping in all the time when I was small, but other than that, I have never owned one until now. Gonna be a huge learning curve.

Your build is going to be very similar to mine. I know even less about Squarebacks then I do regular Beetles.

[V8Square]

This build is a lotta fun. Here are some pics of mine.

[31fordcoupe]

Nice setup? What size rectangular tubibg did you use and what wall thickness is it?

[V8Square]

Tubing is 2" x 3" and I guess you would call it 1/8" wall thickness. I have plans that I sell in case you are interested. Gives you the whole details on material, how much and how to cut all of the pieces.

[31fordcoupe]

Thanks for the offer but 1) your VW body is significantly different from mine and 2) I have a guy working with me that is a fabrication guy. I think I am just going to end up using the .120" wall (1/8) 2x3.

[V8Square]

Originally Posted by 31fordcoupe

Thanks for the offer but 1) your VW body is significantly different from mine and 2) I have a guy working with me that is a fabrication guy. I think I am just going to end up using the .120" wall (1/8) 2x3.

Not a problem. Just thought I'd make the offer. As a matter of fact, the plans actually are for a Bug body. FYI

[31fordcoupe]

Well got the Bug to the house about two days ago (had been sitting at buddy's house). Start tearing out the interior today as you can see. Got the back seat out, seat belts, and misc floor lining and carpet. Should have the entire interior gutted by Sunday. Gonna leave the dash in as it has the VIN on it and need to have a VIN inspection done before I tear out the dash.

Inside of the Bug is FILTHY. I don't think its been cleaned since it rolled off the show room floor in 1972.

Goal over the next couple of days is to get this thing stripped back down to the basic body minus fenders, hood, trunk and glass.

Getting the floorboard of this unibody cleaned up is going to be a PIA. Anyone got any ideas on the best cleaner to use to get up alot of the black carpet adhesive that is shown in a couple of the pics? Would like to get as much of that crap up as I can before hitting it with a sanding wheel (so it doesn't gum up the sand paper).

More pics coming by Sunday.

[31fordcoupe]

V8Square,

I wanted to know, how did you get your photos placed into the text field of your responses instead of how my pics are showing up at the bottom of my replies as thumbnails? Be nice if I could figure that out so I can put a caption with each picture to describe what is going on in each picture. Thanks.

[Project89]

Originally Posted by 31fordcoupe

V8Square,

I wanted to know, how did you get your photos placed into the text field of your responses instead of how my pics are showing up at the bottom of my replies as thumbnails? Be nice if I could figure that out so I can put a caption with each picture to describe what is going on in each picture. Thanks.

sign up for an account at photobucket.com
when u upload pics there it will give u codes u can paste intot he forums and ur pictures will show up in the post so u can put captions on them.

u will be using the codes that say full size imgs for forums or they might be labeled [img]

[V8Square]

Originally Posted by 31fordcoupe

V8Square,

I wanted to know, how did you get your photos placed into the text field of your responses instead of how my pics are showing up at the bottom of my replies as thumbnails? Be nice if I could figure that out so I can put a caption with each picture to describe what is going on in each picture. Thanks.

I use Photobucket and use option of "Messages for Forums Full Size". Regarding your question on what to use to take mat off of original chassis. Why? You are not going to use the VW "pan" anyway,right? Unbolt the body from the pan. It is not unibody. There are 34 or 36 bolts holding body to pan. They are located around the perimiter of the pan/chassis and there are 2, one on each side in the rear , near shock towers and two in front where body bolts to pan. Use an 8mm socket to do this. Once bolts are out, you will probably need to use a wide screwdriver or wedge between the body and pan to split the two apart. There is a rubber seal between the two. It is much easier withthe engine removed. Tou will also have to disconnect the steering column fron the body. There are 2 bolts under steering column. Alonf with disconnecting wiring that runs under rear seat.