Front end feels really sloppy
alright I want dirty details and pics of your Subaru powered bug! I have been wanting to do that combo for some time now
Haha, this is very off topic although it does relate to the great feeling of replacing suspension stuff to get it feeling right again...
It's only the EJ20 2ltr but still puts out a respectable 140 HP and aprox. 300 ft/lbs torque. Not to bad for a 1450 lbs car that started life with a supposed 44 horespower!
The nice thing about the EJ20 is that you can slap turbo's on, yes turbo'S, and no cutting required. It's a bolt in with the adapter plate and flywheel set also available at Kennedy I believe. Although given access I'd throw a EJ25 (2.5ltr) in without hesitation, it may only be 30hp more or so but they can be supercharged etc. more easily.
Also put in regular Super Beetle discs up front, all polyurathane bushings in the rear and put in a lowered (adjustable) front beam and dropped spindels, the combination of which allows for the stance/handling I want, 8" front drop 3" rear. Just the lowered beam will drop the front end aprox 6 inches but results in basicly no suspension travel even with shortened shocks. The rear I lowered 1 inner and 1 outer spline. It handles like a gocart now :)
Have a cup brace in the back that runs from rear shock to rear shock and then from each shock to the rear suspension fork. Rear end is now rock solid.
I have a set from EMPI that are sold for buggys to basically wrap around the gearbox and fork in the back to rigidify the gearbox and stop it from twisting, heavy duty trans mounts, 210mm clutch pack and a flywheel/adapter plate from DST in Germany.
Did all the wiring myself, splicing the Suby engine harness for the ECU into the Beetles power supply/ignition etc. Have yet to fab the exhaust properly and do the cooling lines.
Modified the oil pan for more clearance in the rear and shortened the pick up tube, also added baffles for cornering.
I'm mounting my radiator up front and running tubing under the car. 2 dual fans will cool the 3 core diesel radiator from a Renault van (any decent diesel rad will do that fits).
Got a bunch of gauges etc. to put in but at the end of the day in terms of performance we are talkin aprox. 0-60 in around 5 seconds if not faster, and a top speed of about 130 to 140 Mph with the short ratio gear box.
The Suby engines love RPM's, so once the trans goes I'll build that up then!
I'll get you some pics. For now there's this very crude short video of the first start at the beginning of the summer, was just a test as there was no coolant/cooling system and it's on cold idle startup and ECU's memory is wiped of course as well as the wiring... Man I'm laggin'! That thing should be done by now lol. Don't mind the messy shop, it's my buddy's, let's just say we have different views on shop cleanliness!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaggOZfvqlU
I plan to build her back to the look of a 60-62 with old style headlights, already have the rear "W" style decklid etc. also a full sliding roof off a 92-96 Mazda 121 will go on, it's full electric roof the full width and length of the bug. Big plans not enough time! Then there's the Dart too.
It's an awesome swap, a buddy did a simpler version with the EA82 1.8ltr Suby engine with a central weber IDF 44mm carb, ran pretty well here's a vid or two of that:
He was only pushin' 100 horse :) and I'll be at 140, with this weight that's a big difference.
Here's takin' it easy, 100MPH at the top of 3rd:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkCUkKuQDBc
Little compilation, my Beetle build will be a lot more interesting I should think :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8N2ogoI81Y
I digress, gotta get this thing done as a winter car (also plan on installing real heat, lol) so I can get the Dart in for the winter and start rebuilding the suspension etc.
Sorry if this is rather OFF TOPIC and long, I just love cars!