Turnkey Engine Needed for 73 Super Beetle

« **on:** September 06, 2007, 05:36:49 AM »

I am looking for a new/rebuilt slightly built (maybe 80-90 hp) turnkey engine for my 73 Super Beetle. This car will be a show & go car so the engine should look as good as it runs. Although I want a little pep, I need the engine to be durable because it will be driven often. If you have such a critter or know someone who does please contact me at jge@chartertn.net or call Glenn @ 706-217-7412.

Thanks,
Glenn

Ret.Bugtech · « **Reply #1 on:** September 06, 2007, 09:03:43 AM »

Glenn, I can take care of the engine for you. Considering that you would be driving this often, I would highly recomend that you keep it stock. There are a few things you can do to enhance performance without sacrificing durability, but don't forget that you are starting with a 60hp engine and want to add 1/3 more HP. I have been building these engines for 40+ years, modifieds and stock and the more "junk" you add, the more hassle you get into much less the expence. Some people can get away with it, most don't. I found out it was a lot more fun to drive my car rather than having to work on the thing just to get to the parts store to buy more "junk".
I love to lift the deck lid and look at a properly done engine with the correct colors and the right equiment it was born with.
If I can help you out you can call me at 423-894-3374 or come to the cruise in Friday night at the Sonic on East Brainerd Rd or our club meeting at the China Moon in Eastgate Mall on Brainerd Rd here in Chatt. on the 3rd Monday night every month. We can discuss this eye to eye without me having to compose a essay here.

Bugnut · « **Reply #2 on:** September 06, 2007, 11:10:35 AM »

Considering your problem mentioned in the other post about not being able to work on it yourself,I'd listen to the Godfather on this one. Souped up bug motors require alot of attention to keep on the road. Ask me how I know. :lol:
I mild stroker with a single carb might get ya there with less problem but all strokers cost a bit more to build. Again David would be the guy to talk to but stock will always get you home.

Zen · « **Reply #3 on:** September 06, 2007, 11:03:13 PM »

I recommend stock too . . . in fact, I will take it step further. I'd drop back from a 1600 dual port (stock for a '73) to a 1600 single port. You will loose a little top end speed, but a single port is much more durable and has better low end torque.

I push a 73 bay window bus (at least 1 and half times heavier than your Super Beetle) around with a bone stock 1600 single port engine. It's a little sluggish on take off and slows a little on hills, but I go where ever I want to and, except for one time, always get back. Back in June I drove it to FunFest in Effingham, IL. In previous years I've driven it to Florida Bug Blast near Tampa. Between trips like that, I drive it work every day.

I've never tried it, but I've been told by someone who should know, that adding a set of ratio rocker to a stock single port engine will really "wake it up." That might be a good option if you want a little more pep, but want to keep it dependable. Talk it over with Ret.Bugtech . . . he knows his stuff!

Ret.Bugtech · « **Reply #4 on:** September 07, 2007, 09:42:22 AM »

Zen , Here's some food for thought. Back in 1983 my business pardner's wife was driving a bone stock '69 Bug in excellent shape with about 70,000 miles showing. Betsy griped about how slow the car was going up the VW killer grade on I-75 right outside Ooltewah(?) going north. She would hit the bottom at 75mph ,drag over the top at 55-60 mph. Pretty much normal. We desided to see if we could make it do better without building a monster engine and not spend big money. Rick desided to rebuild the engine just for the heck of it. Then we started talking about camshafts. Scat at one time made a mild street cam for use in basic stock engines called a C-25. I don't recall the specs. So in went this cam/lifters, everthing else left stock even the exhaust system. Betsy could hit the grade at 75mph and top the grade at about 65-70 mph. We then wondered about hi-lift rocker arms. On went a set of 1:25 rockers. Betsy could hit the grade at 75mph and top out at 75-77 mph. Not bad for not a lot of money above the normal rebuild price. This car would run as fast as a duel port with a bunch more bottom end torque and on top of that the car got a little more fuel mileage.
This is why the Allison will get a very close twin to this engine. Long live single ports unless you just have to have a "big bucks monster" engine to work on all the time. :lol: :lol:

squirrel · « **Reply #5 on:** September 09, 2007, 10:30:11 PM »

Beautiful, happy to read this info guys. Mine is a 70 Btl. single port, in which it will remain. Is thier a "sticky" or could you elaborate some on any "small?" or cheap mods that can be done to a single port. When I search all is for the 2ports. Thanks folks

Ret.Bugtech · « **Reply #6 on:** September 10, 2007, 09:35:29 AM »

One thing I have been hearing about is the "serpintine belt" conversion.
Its not just a fix for gen/alt belt slippage. But due to the pully's being heavy'er it appears that they take a lot of vibration out of the engine.
I'm a beliver of the fact that engines with gen. seem to be a smoother running engine due to the weight of the gen. asorbing vibrations from the out of balance fan and other things. You have to remember that the fan is turning about 1-1/2 times the RPM that the crankshaft is. It seemed that I have replaced a lot of fans on engines that had alts. This is why they sell a lot of welded and balance fans I guess. Alts are very light in weight.
I don't see that the belt conversion would enhance engine performance but a smooth runing engine always seems to run better. I'm considering that set up for my Allison Buggy.
I belive Scott Swafford is running the conversion and told someone that his engine ran a lot smoother. I haven't talk to him but will or he might jump on here and let us know.

Bugnut · « **Reply #7 on:** September 10, 2007, 10:28:39 AM »

I didnt run the serpintine system on mine and I kept the generator too. I listen some times.
I did get a CB performance equalizer pulley(same as a Berg pulley just cheaper) The weight di smooth out the little vibrations alot. Seems reasonable that with the heavier pulley an alternator is a possible upgrade,I just have to many good generators to kill first. :lol: I have a buddy runnin the serpintine system with an alt , It works well with less belt wear than most but is exspensive. I believe bmd makes em there are others as well but if its a cheap one it's junk. You truly get what you pay for on them. Hope that helps.

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Turnkey Engine Needed for 73 Super Beetle

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Turnkey Engine Needed for 73 Super Beetle

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Turnkey Engine Needed for 73 Super Beetle

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Turnkey Engine Needed for 73 Super Beetle

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Turnkey Engine Needed for 73 Super Beetle

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Turnkey Engine Needed for 73 Super Beetle

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Turnkey Engine Needed for 73 Super Beetle

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Turnkey Engine Needed for 73 Super Beetle

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