What kind of fun can I have with a VW engine?

[Royk]

I have a 75 VW bus rusting out in the yard and I think it may be more work than I want to get into to get back in running condition. I'm aware they make kit cars that use VW engines, but I'm having a hard time finding much on Google. I have a shop and some welding skill. I don't want to spend as much as a new car on a kit. The engine in the bus is good and I believe it is the 1800cc version. I've seen several trikes on Google, but I prefer something with 4 wheels.



Roy

 

[fest3er]

How are you at fabrication?

• Skateboard
• Go-kart
• Snow blower
• Fountain pump for a pond
• Inboard rowboat
• Flood water removal pump
• Roto-tiller
• Motorcycle (2 or 3 wheel)
• ...

The possibilities are endless, from the absolutely absurd to the eminently practical.

 

[Dl5treez]

Go on youtube and check out the shorty bus wheelies.



They're like cartoon cars.....

 

[Royk]

I'll have to wait until I get home to check youtube, since it's blocked at work.



I'm leaning towards the go-kart idea.

 

[BrianJ]

Dunebuggy? There's gotta be some kits/plans available for those.

 

[WCPoe]

I was at a local cruise in Canton, GA this past Saturday and noticed this perfect restored early model Jeep, or so I thought. It looked a bit smaller than I remembered but on close inspection it turned out to be a VW powered "Veep". The owner had done a stellar restoration and mentioned that these "Veep" kits were only offered a few years before a lawsuit stopped the kits from beinbg manufactured. Unfortunately I didn't have a camera with me but let me tell you it was very sharp.

I searched the web and found a couple of references and the following link should give you an idea of what I saw. I just thought it was much better than the typical dune buggy kits I saw.



http://www.oldbug.com/theveep.htm







PS - Go pick up a copy of Kit Car magazine just for fun!!!!

 

[Skydiver]

If I rememebr correctly the busses have a stronger transmission than the bugs.
In 1973 my uncle who repaired VWs for a living removed the body from a bug. He shortened the frame 16 inches. Added a fresh boxer engine along with the bus transmission and built a strong steel pipe body frame. He then made a body with light steel panels welded to the pipe. Painted it yellow, fitted it with bucket seats added some fat ribbed aircraft rear tires, seat belts (which were rare in the 70s) and had tons of fun.
VW dune buggies can still be found. Some are real cheap if engine and/or transmission are needed. You have the main ingredients. GO for it. Because they will go nearly anywhere.

 

[Simplysmn]

Best site for vw stuff in the World is Thesamba.com check it out



I believe that you have what they call a type 4 set/up

 

[SMorneau]

I had a 71 bus and as I recall the engine block had a provision for mounting at the rear the bugs blocks did not have. I remember finding that out when I cracked a block and started to spray oil. If that is the case, the engine/block may be worth more than you think.

I don't know about the trannys being stronger but I remember seeing a pile of VW transaxles that had been trashed speed shifting between a couple of gears.

 

[Simplysmn]

type 4 stuff ie 1800 cc only fit's type 4 trabsaxles they are only good for bus stuff and are a dime a dozen

 

[moser11]

Best site for vw stuff in the World is Thesamba.com check it out



I believe that you have what they call a type 4 set/up

x2 on the samba...

 

[Rattler]

I agree on the buggy idea. I have had a rail buggy for years. We always ran a type1 engine( bug) and a type 2 transaxle and cv's ( bus). Complete or kit frames are available and make great fun in the woods or street.

 

[surfbeetle]

x3 on thesamba.com also there is Cal-Look.com | Classic, Vintage and California Look Beetles for Street and Track Since you've got a type 4, you may want to look up Jake Raby he is one of the best type 4 engine builders. The other thing to look up possibly is to convert the type 4 motor over to a Subaru EJ series engine. There are lots of sites with info on that. The non vw engine conversions section of Aussieveedubbers - Home - Powered by UltimaBB can be of some help for that.

Back to the type 4 motor, it is considered to be a "big block" version of the original VW type 1 motors. It was redesigned to eliminate the common issues of the bug motors, but of course has its own set of issues.

 

[DennyDay]

How about an Air Boat? The VW engine would do a good job and air cooled too!



Besides that, in Pennsylvania, there wouldn't be another one within 100 miles

 

[CCahill]

Besides a 61 bug ragtop, I also have a 61 Porsche 356... . runs fine, but in need of more power... in the process of building a Type 1, 1976CC with Webers... . I'll put that engine in the Porsche and save the OG engine for later...

 

[JohnBoy5]

make a baseball pitching machine!

 

[SOLER]

If I rememebr correctly the busses have a stronger transmission than the bugs.

Yep, That's what I've heard. I've kicked this idea around many times. Lots of sites out there that sell just about everything you need to put one together, from mild to wild.



Cruiser



Dune Buggy - VW Conversions



Just a couple of sites for you. I've got more. PM if still interested.



SOLER

 

[Skydiver]

Royk. Where'd ya GO?
If ya own a VW, it's important that you know how to maintain them. They're easy to work on. I still know of no other engine make that can be removed from a Buggy (not sedan) in less than 10 minutes. My uncle and his brother once competed for a case of beer. Note: it takes two people to carry one.
Correction on the 10 minutes: That should have said "removed and installed in 64 SECONDS".
Only using hand tools,,, Proof.
YouTube - VW Beetle Engine change Guiness world record

 

[surfbeetle]

Royk. Where'd ya GO?

If ya own a VW, it's important that you know how to maintain them. They're easy to work on. I still know of no other engine make that can be removed from a Buggy (not sedan) in less than 10 minutes. My uncle and his brother once competed for a case of beer. Note: it takes two people to carry one.

Correction on the 10 minutes: That should have said "removed and installed in 64 SECONDS".

Only using hand tools,,, Proof.

YouTube - VW Beetle Engine change Guiness world record

Notice how the motor did not have the heater tubes connected and the decklid was just set into place and latched, not actually hinged into place. I also think they probably had some sort of plug connector for the engine harness as opposed to the factory wire harness connections at the engine.



In any event, I used to pull the fast motor in a couple of hours and replace with the stock motor, get smogged and then swap back to the fast motor.

 

[Babyfat]

Pulling garden tractor



YouTube - babyfat426's Channel