V8 Super Beetle Project

[454bug]

This is another front apron that I might consider if I go with a hood with no opening in it. It might bring in more air than the factory Super Beetle louvers we have...

[454bug]

and build something like this to control the airflow across the front of the radiator...

[V8 Super Beetle]

I'm thinking of building something similar myself and to maybe even have it come down a few inches lower than the front clip to scoop up some extra air flow.



This is the closest thing I could find with a clip like the one you posted.

Just a heads up Ray, there's a tropical storm heading towards Houston and might pickup to a category 1 hurricane by the time it hits land. So we might have to arrange some other way to get the radiator to my location.

[V8 Super Beetle]

I got the block 98% broke down this weekend. After I hone the cylinders and clean the deck it'll be off to the machine shop to get hot tanked, new freeze plugs and cam bearings installed. I plan to install the main and rod bearings my self so I'll have the crank check out too.



I also found out that the current cam that was in the block is a Comp Cams 270H which is too much of lift for my stock vortec heads. Either a new cam or valve springs are in order.

[454bug]

I haven't seen this beetle before... That bug has a big block without the cutout in the hood... That is exactly what I am contemplating...

Yeah, most of my employees that work offshore are being evacuated right now... My training in Houston was postponed this morning so I won't be coming to Houston this week. As soon as they re-schedule the training and we get the dates I will contact you again.

[V8 Super Beetle]

It seems like it has worked for a handful of people, only using the louvers or expanding the louvers with a front clip.

Sounds good to me! Thanks!

[V8 Super Beetle]

Here's an example of a tunnel that comes down below the clip. I would make it flat black though and be set back an inch or two front the clip.

[V8 Super Beetle]

I've ordered some new cam bearings, brass freeze plug kit and a 3 stone hone tool. Come this weekend I'm going to clean up the decks and hone the cylinders. Then I'm going to take the motor to have it hot tanked and have them install the cam bearings and plugs as well.

[Mock1racer]

V8 superbeetle , make sure you have the block and the heads magnafluxed , It's a dye penatrant that checks for cracks that you can't see with the naked eye. Just a precaution that I do to my blocks b-4 I build one. I didn't do it once and blew the motor on first start up!

[V8 Super Beetle]

Thanks for the advice! The heads are NIB so I'm thinking only the block needs it.

[V8 Super Beetle]

The thing about having more time than money is you have to much time to think about things. Good or bad? You tell me.

Well, I've decided to switch gears with the direction I'm going with my motor. After shopping around for parts for the 283 (pistons, rings, bearings, etc.) I've found it's more expensive to build than a 350 and the over bored size of .060 is hard to get parts for. It will take a month for pistons and rings to ship from where ever.

So I've decided to just go ahead and build a 350 cause parts are less expensive, readily available, and it'll make for a more powerful motor. I found a guy whom is going to swap his complete 350 block for my 283. It's a Gen I so all the parts I have now will bolt right up.

I think what really made my mind up for me was seeing a 350 build known as F-BIRDS'88s 400 hp 350 build which is a dyno proven build for inexpensive. I have the heads and intake for starters. Here's the specs for the 400 hp 350 build.

.......................'FBird-88's 400 HP Motor as built..........................

350 ci SBC short block with flat top pistons
10:1 CR
906/062/060 GM vortec heads
Lunati 73943 valves springs minus the inner damper
Stock OEM vortec retainers, seals locks and rocker arms
Isky #201278 camshaft 278-278 .450" .450" lift 234-234@.050" 106° LSA
Edelbrock Performer RPM Manifold and 750cfm 4bbl carb
HEI ignition, plugs gapped.050
1-5/8" headers 2.5" dual exhaust.

[Mock1racer]

Depending on the bore size you could downsize your carb and go with a regular performer intake . I use that same intake /carb combo on my drag car, my engine is bored .060 over and I had to go with a MSD ignition, 6AL box, distributer , coil, the works. I also got a set of autolite racing plugs that are gapped .045. If you dump too much fuel, you'll foul out the plugs , or you'll end up with gas in your oil! Everything else looks good for 400 hp. I looked at building a 327 but it was cheaper to do a 350, and besides, if you drive that thing across the country you can stop ANYWHERE and get parts for it!!

[V8 Super Beetle]

Yeah, there's no lack of GM 350 parts that's for sure.

I did come up with mixed listings causes that build is posted more than once on hotrodders dot com. Another listing lists a 600 cfm carb and an weiland intake. But I agree. I pulled up a cfm calculator and the results state a 350 ci motor would pull 607.6 cfm at 6000 rpm. That's at 100% efficiency. I believe a 350 with this setup, it's peak power is around 5,500 rpm and starts losing power and torque at higher rpm.

So a 600 cfm carb would work well, right?

[Mock1racer]

From my understanding you want to go thenext size up. If the engine pulls 607.6 a 600 would'nt breathe enough air to mix, a 650 would get enough air to mix and all you have to do adjust your mixing valves in the carb bowls, make sense? It's not gonna be too much for that build, it will make that puppy humm.

[V8 Super Beetle]

Makes sense to me, thanks!