V8 Super Beetle Project

[V8 Super Beetle]

Got some work done.

I decided to just clean up the engine compartment by adding panels to hide the strut tower mounts and gas tank rail. It didn't quite turn out how I wanted, but I'm pleased with the results.

I was aiming for a look like this.




I made patterns, again, cut out the sheet metal and went to install them. Oh, I also made a wiper compartment cover.




Everything fit well, but I could not for the life of me get the 18 gauge steel I had to bend smoothly. So I just boxed the top off instead. I think it came out pretty decent. The pics aren't great, but I think it'll look decent once It's got some hugger orange or black down.








I've also been taking care of buttoning up little things like bolting in the gas tank and hooking up the kickdown cable.



I bought a kickdown cable months ago and it didn't line up with the vortec intake bolt pattern (has 8 instead of 12). So I had to cut and bend this one to make it work right. Works like a champ now.

I also think I have my alternator situation figured out. I'm going to have to make an insert in the sheetmetal panel I just made, but I think it'll work. I'm basically just going to turn it upside down on the alternator mount I have now.

More soon.

[Mock1racer]

That's lookin good Matt. Looks like the sheetmetal is galvanized,right? I like the turnbuckle on the alt. You're moving along pretty good, not much more to do.

[V8 Super Beetle]

Thanks! Yeah, the sheet metal is galvanized. That's all I could find in 18 gauge which I used for the trans tunnel. I'm using the left over 4x8 sheet for stuff like this. It's good too cause it wont rust like black steel.

The next largest project, other than wiring, paint and assembly, is creating the back floor which will be easy. Then I'll be done fabricating. Other than that it's a bunch of small things, like the alternator clearance, hood clearance (got a carb scoop on the way to solve that), mounting seats, etc.

[Mock1racer]

I'm using 16 ga galvanized for mine. Some one told me there is a special primer to use on galv to get the paint to stick. I guess it would be like an etch primer like you put on aluminum.
Right! as long as the rust don't come back! I'm gonna do my firewall out of the 1/4" aluminum, so I have to get the etch for that if i paint it. I though about not painting it when I dis assemble for the last time. Just do a brush finish and leave it.

[V8 Super Beetle]

The owner of the steel company I bought the galvanized stuff from said, "All you need to do to prepare it for paint is to wipe it down with vinegar". I'm going to give that a try and see how it works. I'm sure etching primer will work like a champ.

[Mock1racer]

Ha! Yeah and vinegar is cheaper than primer!

[notchman]

Matt,

Who did the notches in the front apron? I'm thinking about doing the same thing with my notch, but I am dreading the amount of work it will take to do it by hand.

[V8 Super Beetle]

Are you referring to the louvered front clip? If so, that's how they come stock.

[Mock1racer]

This?

[notchman]

Yes those. I never noticed them behind the bumpers before. They're not stock on all bugs are they?

The notch has two circular vents in the front but not near enough for a v8 radiator. I want to close the two circles and create the louvered slots across the panel just above.

[V8 Super Beetle]

They come on super beetles which is why you possibly haven't seen them before.

What if you bought a new super beetle front apron, but out the louvers and graft it into your square front clip?

[notchman]

Apr 13, 2010 13:48:31 GMT -5 V8 Super Beetle said:

They come on super beetles which is why you possibly haven't seen them before.

What if you bought a new super beetle front apron, but out the louvers and graft it into your square front clip?

That could be an option. I have tossed around the idea of using the air intake from another vehicle and grafting it in.

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

[V8 Super Beetle]

If it's not one thing, it's another. I thought to myself last night, "I've never tried the front '99 17"x 9.5" vette wheels on the bug, only the '88 16"x 8.5" wheels." Sure enough they were rubbing the tie rods. I have 2" aluminum spacers now on all four wheels. I would need to go to 2.5" to make the front wheels work which means I would need to get 4 new spacers to keep the front and rear stance equal. Not only that, I would have to pony up $200 to get new 2.5 spacers.

So I have a couple options.

1. Get the 2.5" spacers.

2. Get different wheels. The cost between tires and spacers, and after I sell the wheels, will be about the same.


I'm thinking about selling the vette wheels I have now and I'm thinking about buying these wheels. They're the Summit knock-offs of the Weld wheels. I've been getting more into the drag racing look lately and I really like how these look.

www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-531-5461PS/

www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-531-5161PS/


I did a mock up of how they would look on my car with the color scheme I want to go with. Here's what I came up with.




Another reason I'm leaning towards these is the fact I'll completely be getting rid of the 2"-2.5" spacers and the tires are $100 compared to $200 ea.

What do you guys think?

[Mock1racer]

That's a pretty bad @$$ look!
Getting rid of the spacers is good, don't you have to have longer studs or are they bolted to the current hub? Either way I'm sure it will be safer. Just don't trust those spacers/adapters.
How many other wheels have you "shopped" in?

[V8 Super Beetle]

Thanks! These are the spacers I have on there now, but they're 2" instead of the 2.5". They're cast aluminum with studs in them.

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/5-X-4-3-4-CHEVY-S10-CAMARO-CORVETTE-2-5-WHEEL-SPACER-5L_W0QQitemZ110468816641QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item19b8745f01#ht_1651wt_1011

Agree, it'll be safer. I've looked into the Weld wheels that those above are a knock off of. I'm trying to keep the cost low, but I also want to get something I'll really like.