Turbo VW Bug Build
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
here are a couple pics of the actual car build up for those asking:
Th basic frame, hell of a time getting this square with no flat spot:
Hand designed and fabed four link, later changed panhard bar length:
Basic chassis complete along with the baby 283 it had:
Body lowered on on, all that's left of the original bug, ready for the cage
Cage done:
fenders widened ~3 inches, still has the old flame job on it, ready for black!
Last but not least, we can't forget the gas tank!!
[QUOTE=v8bug;10451008]All of the tuning will be done myself. So what kind of advance numbers should I be running under boost? Right now I have it at about 18deg advance at anything over 2-3psi boost, that too much? any help in the timing department would be great!!
My friends and I run LQ4's and 5.3l motors on megasquirt with boost and usually ramp the timing down to 15 -16 deg right after the map goes over 100KPA (or 1 bar). This way you are running more timing intially and won't get into trouble with the boost sfterwards. We have a MP T70 set at 8 PSI with this setup on a stock 5.3l w/pump gas. You can go up to about 14-16PSI w/ meth and pump gas but you have to watch the knock close. G
My friends and I run LQ4's and 5.3l motors on megasquirt with boost and usually ramp the timing down to 15 -16 deg right after the map goes over 100KPA (or 1 bar). This way you are running more timing intially and won't get into trouble with the boost sfterwards. We have a MP T70 set at 8 PSI with this setup on a stock 5.3l w/pump gas. You can go up to about 14-16PSI w/ meth and pump gas but you have to watch the knock close. G
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!! I love that keg in the trunk 
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
[QUOTE=jfg455;10462886] Sounds good, I'll keep the timing down around 16 deg.
While building the car I went through alot of ideas for the gas tank. I was looking at fuel cells, but the only shape that would fit back there was about 6 gal. Since I knew this was a pure street car, tech inspections did not matter to me so I started looking into building my own tank. Thats when I realized a cylinder shape would fit perfect back there, thus the keg. When picking the keg I was going to buy a new style keg, but after searching on ebay I found this authentic Queen city brewing keg from the 60's I believe. Not to mention I think the old keg looks alot cooler than the rectangular profile kegs of today.
I had to cut a notch out of the side to fit over the frame rail, but that allowed me to fill the keg with fuel foam. It has two .5" pipe fittings built in a sump over the original keg bung hole for feed lines. Has a vertical sending unit, return, vent and filler neck, all stainless . It holds about 13.5 gallons give or take
All of the tuning will be done myself. So what kind of advance numbers should I be running under boost? Right now I have it at about 18deg advance at anything over 2-3psi boost, that too much? any help in the timing department would be great!!
My friends and I run LQ4's and 5.3l motors on megasquirt with boost and usually ramp the timing down to 15 -16 deg right after the map goes over 100KPA (or 1 bar). This way you are running more timing intially and won't get into trouble with the boost sfterwards. We have a MP T70 set at 8 PSI with this setup on a stock 5.3l w/pump gas. You can go up to about 14-16PSI w/ meth and pump gas but you have to watch the knock close. G
My friends and I run LQ4's and 5.3l motors on megasquirt with boost and usually ramp the timing down to 15 -16 deg right after the map goes over 100KPA (or 1 bar). This way you are running more timing intially and won't get into trouble with the boost sfterwards. We have a MP T70 set at 8 PSI with this setup on a stock 5.3l w/pump gas. You can go up to about 14-16PSI w/ meth and pump gas but you have to watch the knock close. G
While building the car I went through alot of ideas for the gas tank. I was looking at fuel cells, but the only shape that would fit back there was about 6 gal. Since I knew this was a pure street car, tech inspections did not matter to me so I started looking into building my own tank. Thats when I realized a cylinder shape would fit perfect back there, thus the keg. When picking the keg I was going to buy a new style keg, but after searching on ebay I found this authentic Queen city brewing keg from the 60's I believe. Not to mention I think the old keg looks alot cooler than the rectangular profile kegs of today.
I had to cut a notch out of the side to fit over the frame rail, but that allowed me to fill the keg with fuel foam. It has two .5" pipe fittings built in a sump over the original keg bung hole for feed lines. Has a vertical sending unit, return, vent and filler neck, all stainless . It holds about 13.5 gallons give or take
LOL, this keeps getting better.
This is definitely one of my favorite builds on the forum. You need to link this over in the conversions section also (if you haven't) they'll dig it too.
This is definitely one of my favorite builds on the forum. You need to link this over in the conversions section also (if you haven't) they'll dig it too.
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Rhode Island
hey bro' been here for a while..have an LS1 pick up running some good numbers but the real love is these stupid things...though not an LS1 here's mine...always thought of the real small block in one of these and the fact you chose a "Fat chick" (super beetle) is the bomb and very brave!!...
freakin love it!!!!!!!!!!
freakin love it!!!!!!!!!!
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I found this project a while back. I'm building a 1954 beetle on a chassis I'm building. Mine is a bit different in approach because I'm using an Audi A4 5 speed Transaxle with the engine in the back seat. I recently change my engine choice from a 1.8L 16V VW to a 4.8L or 5.3L V8. Kennedy Engineering makes the adapter and flywheel to bolt it all up.
Your build really got my attention because I will be using a similar engine (non turbo) with a Mega Squirt ECU. When the time comes I will be asking a lot of questions. I hope you don't mind.
Here's a picture of it with the 1.8L. I'm modifying the frame now for the V8
Your build really got my attention because I will be using a similar engine (non turbo) with a Mega Squirt ECU. When the time comes I will be asking a lot of questions. I hope you don't mind.
Here's a picture of it with the 1.8L. I'm modifying the frame now for the V8
Last edited by Paul_J; Apr 24, 2009 at 10:43 AM.