BeetleJuice - The Legend of the Beetle car

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Katie started on a ps mock-up of what the Beast may look like. Love the engine!

picked up another old engine and gearbox from Mum & David's

I couldn't believe it when I picked up the gearbox and the bottom fell out. The magnesium alloy had corroded from sitting on dirt for the past 10 years. Still hoping some parts are useful! The engine is a 1500N. Need to have a good look at it still, but I think the crank case will be the basis for the new 1915 rebuild.

Trying to decide if it's worth making my own checker-plate or stainless floor pans or just buy the replacements???

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

The Plan (till I think of something better)

full body off restoration
new floor pan halves
upgrade tans-axle to IRS and solid mount
uprated clutch ~ 1700 - 2700lbs - Kennedy
four wheel ventilated/cross drilled diskbrakes - Kerscher
lowered spindles
adjustable frontend (possibly balljoint, currently king & link pin)
urethane bushes throughout
lowered shocks - front only
adjustable spring plates
HD sway bar
castor shims - front end
blueprinted & balanced 1915cc engine, full flow oil system, msd ignition. (built by myself)
traction bar
full body respray - gloss black with wasabi green inserts
new interior - seats, carpet, gauges & sound system
bump steer kit
17in 5/130 Prosche pattern wheels
weld bigger/stronger chassis to transmission forks gussets

Aiming for somewhere between 140 - 160 HP

It's completely apart!

Removal of spring plates

Lindsay's spring plate tool proved to be truly invaluable just as he described on eBay!

The old engine and trans-axle aren't going to cut the mustard for the new beast, but might hold on to then build a putt around beetle.