[V8 Super Beetle]

Originally Posted by GMCTRUCKS

I love the way the bug is coming out it's going to be well worth it once it's done and I personally get to see it when he takes it to Bay town race track. I was also thinking that maybe some seats from an older 88 or so RX7 will fit good since there small and there is plenty around junk yards here in Houston. I have a friend on mine that has a old school 327 on a engine stand sitting in his back yard it hurts me knowing that it's back there it's wrapped in plastic but it's going to go bad might think of buying it for the BUG. I also found this place that sprays bed liners cheap im going to post it for you maybe can do the underside, floor and so on with it tell the guy that you will mention his company when you display it at up coming car shows he might do the work for FREE.
http://houston.craigslist.org/pts/1023715180.html
Be good! RJ

PS-My son might have a good hook up on the seats PM when you get there. Also did you know that the rearends on some RX7 are posi again my son knows about that as well he might have one. I'm just wanting to help a home town build so that we can get it going.

Hey RJ, thanks! If I didn't have an engine already I would've buy it up. Honestly though, I'm going to run the 355 I'm rebuilding for a few years and then up grade the motor to a 385 stroker. Cool, thanks for the leads. Although, I'll more than like do all the spraying myself cause I want to learn how to and to cut costs some. Hopefully I'll have the project running by May or June and take it to the track.

[marnell79]

Heres some Pictures, i got the rear shortened and its looking good.

[V8 Super Beetle]

Originally Posted by marnell79

Heres some Pictures, i got the rear shortened and its looking good.

Wow! You're really moving along. It looks really good. I wish I could've made that much progress so quickly on the frame. Looks like it was so much easier going with the regular cab short bed chassis.

Looks like a little more will have to come of the front of the frame? I had to cut my shackle mount point down at and angle so they'll go under the body, but I also did a body drop so it's level with the bottom of the frame.

Keep me posted. Hey, post your ride at v8bugs.com cause I'm sure the guys there will be interested to see your build. Lot's of other cool V8 bugs being built.

Keep up the good work!!!

[V8 Super Beetle]

Now one of the fun parts is coming up, cutting away the sheet metal so the body will drop down on the frame. It's easiest to cut the body so it sits on top of the frame. If you want it to sit lower you'll have to completely remove the luggage shelf in the back and you'll have to cut away part of the heater channels up front. There's another guy on the V8bug forum whom is using a s10 frame and mount his body flush with the top of the frame.

[marnell79]

I have started Cutting the heater channel out in the front i would like to to sit low.

[marnell79]

Just about right, the body has to go back another 1.

[V8 Super Beetle]

Looking good! Yeah, looks like it need to come back just a touch. What are your plans for wheels and the rear fenders?

[marnell79]

Thanks, I know it needs to move back a inch is about right. I am using a 1997 for explore 8.8 rear end and am hopefully can run a rim with enough offset so i don't have to widen the fenders.

[V8 Super Beetle]

Originally Posted by marnell79

Thanks, I know it needs to move back a inch is about right. I am using a 1997 for explore 8.8 rear end and am hopefully can run a rim with enough offset so i don't have to widen the fenders.

Chances are you'll have to widen the fenders or buy widened fenders unless you don't mind the wheels sticking out 2-3 inches. If you use the S10 rear you could probably get them to fit under the stock fender with wheels that have all offset.

Thing about the explorer rear is it's 6" wider than the s-10 rear. I have the stock S10 rear and added 2" spacers to fit corvette wheels and all the offset is pretty much backspace. If you know what I mean. I had to widen my fenders 3" so you'll probably have to widen them about 4". The explorer rear has an offset yoke so you could take the axle out of another explorer rear, cut the longer side down to match the short side.

[marnell79]

Wow, Thanks That trick on the explore rear end sounds good. I Was thinking of just widening the rear fenders to make up for it i though it would look cool running some really wide rear fenders.

[V8 Super Beetle]

Yeah, no problem! Widen fenders do look cool. Naturally the front a beetle is wider than the rear so when you widen the rear fenders it balances out the look. If you go wider than 3" you'll need to widen the front fender 1" to balance the look out IMO.

[marnell79]

Engine fits, tight

[V8 Super Beetle]

You need to slow down, you're making me look bad, LOL!

Looking good! What's your next move? Driveshaft, firewall and flooring?

[marnell79]

Well its slow at work and i have had a lot of time lately to work on it. I need to make the motor mounts, It looks like it will be easy to adapt the stock ones. I will need to box the center cross member I had to cut out a piece to make the engine sit lower. Then finish the rear cross member. Then comes the body mounts, floor and fire wall. I think I am going to box the frame to and I think i can say goodbye to the back seat after putting in the engine the front seats will be back to far for a rear seat. Its raining here so that's enough for today

[V8 Super Beetle]

Well cool man, sounds like a plan. You'll have better weight distribution with the engine further back, which I'm sure you know. Keep me posted on your build.