WRX RA powered VW 1303 beetle cabrio with a bit of Porsche

WRX RA powered VW 1303 beetle cabrio with a bit of Porsche

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ricola

Original Poster:

469 posts

278 months

Saturday 5th March 2011
quotequote all
I've just finished building some outside stores for bikes and usual garden stuff so the new double garage can be used for what is is meant for! The garage has had all walls and floors painted, I mounted the compressor up on a wall out of the way on a steel frame I welded up and I've made a workbench. I think after this weekend I'll be about ready to get back to the bug...
Rich

Buzz word

2,028 posts

210 months

Saturday 5th March 2011
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I'm loving your build it will be good to get some updates again soon. My mate is into beetles and I mentioned this build to him. He was saying the Subaru engines are quite prone to overheating in scoobies. Do you think that aparture will flow enough air to keep it cool? I like what you did shrouding the rad though, seems a good move. Will you be doing the bug thing of propping the boot open to avoid the engine baking after stopping? Also where have you hidden the inter cooler too keep the car so smooth and get the airflow?

G-P

244 posts

180 months

Sunday 6th March 2011
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ricola said:
I've just finished building some outside stores for bikes and usual garden stuff so the new double garage can be used for what is is meant for! The garage has had all walls and floors painted, I mounted the compressor up on a wall out of the way on a steel frame I welded up and I've made a workbench. I think after this weekend I'll be about ready to get back to the bug...
Rich
I think that we need some pics of the new workshop as I am sure it will be impressive like your project.

ricola

Original Poster:

469 posts

278 months

Sunday 6th March 2011
quotequote all
The workshop/garage will develop over time but I've got it into a state I can use it now...


The bug's new home and my new workshop! Finally got a double garage... I have lost a lot of alternate storage though so I've had a bit of a clearout. All walls and floors have been painted, I've welded up a frame to mount the compressor up on the walls and made a new workbench.


Sandblasting cabinet has a new set of wheels to make best use of space.


You can see the compressor mounted up out of the way. Also, I've put up some hooks so I can hang a tarpualin down the middle to protect the car when I'm grinding etc etc


I bought a couple of 7'x4' bike stores for outside storage, the drive isn't really full double width so it's no big loss of space.


I'm pondering over whether to get a single full width roller shutter door or not as it would be fairly pricey. I'm also not sure whether I'd have to replace this wooden lintel, it's full width and 4" x 8". Can anybody advise? Could I bolt on some metal strengtheners and leave it in place?

Mangel

29 posts

247 months

Sunday 6th March 2011
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you must be the guy from Bishops who did the 356 with the wrx engine in!!!

good work with the bug!!

ricola

Original Poster:

469 posts

278 months

Sunday 6th March 2011
quotequote all
That I am, are you local, do I know you?

G-P

244 posts

180 months

Sunday 6th March 2011
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Looks like a great man room.

Google [bot]

6,682 posts

182 months

Sunday 6th March 2011
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I don't want to sidetrack this awesome thread but I'd love to see pics of this 356.

ricola

Original Poster:

469 posts

278 months

Sunday 6th March 2011
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The whole history and two engine conversions are on my site...


ricola

Original Poster:

469 posts

278 months

Saturday 19th March 2011
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Slightly sidetracked but not for long, just bought myself a more interesting daily driver!

1998 Carrera 2
Factory fitted aero kit
18" turbo twist alloys
Porsche sports exhaust
Maual 6 speed trans.







The Nur

9,168 posts

186 months

Saturday 19th March 2011
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I was thinking of this thread only yesterday as I hadn't seen it in a while. Good to see it rise to the top thumbup

ricola

Original Poster:

469 posts

278 months

Saturday 2nd April 2011
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Time to get back to the bug!
This was the whole loom out of the subaru before I started removing bits...


..and now stripped down to the bare essentials! I plan to work out placement of it all in the bug now and then get the soldering iron out to start the shortening process...


Mangel

29 posts

247 months

Sunday 3rd April 2011
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Used to live in Gaydon down the bottom of the hill on the right!!

Don't think we've ever met but seen you about!!

Like I said good work. I'm liking the daily driver as well by the way!!

njohnson

99 posts

211 months

Sunday 3rd April 2011
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Incredible thread.

Now all we need are some videos...biggrin

W4X LG

1,028 posts

191 months

Tuesday 5th April 2011
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I think the Bug and the Carrera need to swop wheels! Great work!

ricola

Original Poster:

469 posts

278 months

Tuesday 5th April 2011
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i've tried swapping the wheels but the 911 offsets are too big for the bug and would require spacers and longer studs... the bug's wheels stick out a bit too much on the back of the 911 too..

TORQ

188 posts

230 months

Wednesday 6th April 2011
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Just stumbled across this thread, absolutely loving it, amazing workmanship!

Always dreamt of doing a scooby bug. Used to have a German look type4 engine bug with 125BHP at the wheels, 911 fan etc, but the scooby engine is so much more bang for buck.


ricola

Original Poster:

469 posts

278 months

Saturday 23rd April 2011
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Subaru loom stripped to it's basics now and all sections shortened to the correct lengths. It is laid out in 5 main groups: boost pack, engine, relays, diagnostics and dash feeds. Next is to put it in the car and add a few other rear end related items. I'm waiting for a large order of wire/relays/fuseboxes etc to re-make the rest of the loom.


I thought it would be a good idea to better monitor the engine so got a couple of stack gauges, due to their reputed accuracy.


The oil pressure sender required a T piece to keep the stock pressure switch, as there isn't enough room under the alternator this short extension places them both remotely.


Time to modify the stock fuel tank for fuel injection, I was surprise to see that the stock tank incorporates a baffle across it.


The tank is shallower than the subaru one so I shortened the subaru fuel pump mounting assembly and removed the stock level sender.


I made up a baffle to hold fuel around the pump as the last thing you want is to lose fuel pressure on boost in a turbo engine! I drilled some holes through the plates to allow fuel to flow through it.


I also increased the fuel tank volume by filling in the LHD steering column recess. I left the metalwork in place so it acts like a baffled volume.


Topside done! I welded up the stock level sender hole and made up a new one for the Porsche dip tube type to match my gauges. The fuel pump section from the subaru tank was welded in to the top of the tank.


yorkieboy

1,845 posts

176 months

Saturday 23rd April 2011
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coming along nicely, Keep up the good work chap.

Bladez

78 posts

157 months

Wednesday 4th May 2011
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Very very nice.