Aluminum work pics

[Cope]

Doing some aluminum work for a buddy. This is the mid engine VW bug I built a few years ago. His test engine finally let go after a few years of hard abuse. He sent me a picture of the car and engine all blown apart in his little San fransisco garage.

I told him, looks like its time to do the aluminum fire wall, so here we are.
As rough as the car is, it is my favorite car I've built and I built a few.

It is a crazy mix of very high end parts and his crazy attitude of just make it work.

The center panel still needs beadrolling. The next one i will make goes from the should bar to the center of the X brace and will have VW or Subi rolled into it.

It will be a lot of work to get this car past tech but it will at some point. I don't ever charge the guy and he doesn't have a lot of time so its just a slow process. I firmly believe it will all be time well spent when its all done. This thing hurts people's feelings on HW1, HWY17, HWY9, at atuocross tracks and stoplights.

Its powered by a a Subaru STI engine and six speed manual trans. Four wheel disks and adjustable coil overs on all corners. Under the front "hood?" Is a NO2 tank dumping
on average a 110 shot.
Some days when the owner is feeling frisky its a lot more.....

Lets just say I don't pass up the opportunity to go for a ride in it ever..

and the car has a back. It is removed right now. The engine and trans slide out as one on a plate and the back half of the body is held on with Dzus 1/4 turn fasteners.

Enjoy and Happy Holidays.

 

[Cope]

Here is what he brought me the first day. He said I want all this, in there and I want it mid engine. "Just turn it all around." He said.. .

 

[Dartfreak75]

Geez i bet that is fun!! Sounds a bit dangerous too I hope he has one hell of a harness. Lol

 

[mbaird]

Looks cool! Never considered a Subaru engine in a VW. I Always think Porsche ....the Suby is less money and maintains the sound.

 

[Cope]

Looks cool! Never considered a Subaru engine in a VW. I Always think Porsche ....the Suby is less money and maintains the sound.

Yeah lots of folks do it. An adapter plate is used to attach the Subi engine to a VW transaxle. This is not as ideal as it sounds tho. First a VW transaxle was built to handle about 100 HP. Second is you are now hanging a heavy engine off the back of the car.

While this leads to much wheels up action, it is not safe beacuse you cant turn when the wheels are in the air.

Geez i bet that is fun!! Sounds a bit dangerous too I hope he has one hell of a harness. Lol

The car has a 12 point roll cage and 5 point harness.

That is not to say this car is safe tho... one time he showed up in the car and was very proud that he had gotten it running. I was looking it over and see that his intercooler had PVC fittings on it!
I said what the hell is that?? He replied " well you know those large AN fittings are expensive".

I said, "you know what else is expensive? The ambulance ride you gonna take when that fitting lets go, spraying 210 degree water all over you and the engine. Now you are covered inboiling water the car is full of steam and you are traveling at over 100 MPH... How's that gonna end???"


What Im doing now is building a fire wall to separate the engine and driver. Plus the amount of heat and noise in the car is terrible....

 

[oldkimmer]

Awesome Brian, keep us updated. Kim

 

[Sublime one]

As a fellow thermo molecular fusion specialist I just love Copes builds. Crazy skill set and creativity every time! You go man go!

 

[Dartfreak75]

As a fellow thermo molecular fusion specialist I just love Copes builds. Crazy skill set and creativity every time! You go man go!

I am far from a thermo molecular fusion "specialist" im most definitely a beginner but love learning and love improvements! I have become fascinated with fabrication. I absolutely love it. I love making things from raw materials. And learning to weld has really stepped up my game. There is so much more I want to learn and try from tube bending and welding to tig welding and plama cutting etc. I love copes projects he does fantastic work i wish he wasn't 3000 miles away id love to spend a weekend with him i bet there is a ton I could learn from him.

 

[Cope]

Thanks guys!

I do enjoy it.

If you ever need, I have helped a few members over the phone and via PM. Dont hesitate to send me a message. Im glad to help if I can.

I appreciate all the kind words. Everything I do has me in it so its nice when people enjoy it.

Thanks again and Happy Holidays!