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cruising speeds in \'F\' model (1967) 1300 beetle engines

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tomnseals Commited Dubber

54 posts · joined Jul 2005 ·

#477866
Hi all,

just wondering what other peoples' highway cruising speeds are in 1300 beetle engines. Our engine's been rebuilt fairly recently to original 1300 specs, but it has been converted to 12V so is not entirely original.

It seems happy anywhere from 50 - 62 mph, depending on conditions. Anyone else do the same or faster in theirs?

Cheers,
Tom

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#477867
Hi Tom,
VW always advertised that the top speed was cruising speed ... that was back in the early 60s...
the single port design stops over revving the engine...
due to restricted breathing....
Back in the old days [lol] I used to always drive flat out & My fathers beetles were always driven at 60-70 mph...
[on the open road]....
I'm only a slow driver these days...
80-90 kmh does Me....
Drives My Wife & kids crazy.... lol

Lee
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

66deluxe Custom Title Time!

1,593 posts · joined Aug 2005 ·

#477972
Ive had my F 1300 upto 130kph before, was fun but didn't do that for too long, i found 110kph ideal.
This is my Volkswagen, there are many like it, but this one is mine. Without me my Volkswagen is useless, without my Volkswagen, I am useless.

61 Karmann Ghia 2110cc type1 w Los Panchito's
66 Deluxe Beetle 2270 type 4
10 Subaru WRX Impreza

koolkarmakombi enkarmarising

2,078 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·

#477984
lol thay are sort of governed by design. A stocky is designed to go flat out all day. Loves it. When you start tweaking it all bets are off. Make it stop and corner then just drive it as hard as it will go without flogging it. There is a difference between encouraging it to give its all and floggin the guts outa it. Talk to it if you want, doof doof is for boys who drife fast carsmaate! (oooh I can feel the flames)

Some of my best drives and rides have been in low powered and fickle quirks. I own an old motorcycle as I get the same buzz as the big sports bikes however at sub licence evicting limits. It is fun to punt along having ensure brakes etc are up to the task.

The biggest thing I find is make sure its fresh oiled, tuned and running sweet and drive on!

kkk
This disclaimer does not reflect the thoughts or opinions of either myself, my company, my friends, or my dog: don't quote me on that; don't quote me on anything; this disclaimer is subject to change without notice; text is slightly enlarged to show detail; resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is unintentional and coincidental; dry clean only; do not bend, fold, or mutilate; anchovies or jalapenos added to this disclaimer upon request; your mileage may vary; no substitutions are allowed; for a limited time only while supplies last; offer void where prohibited; this disclaimer is provided "as is" without any warranties expressed or implied

koolkarmakombi enkarmarising

2,078 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·

#477986
when I say flat oot I mean up to the speed limit.

When wearing the appropriate safety accessories.

While giving appropriate traverlator signals

sheesh!
This disclaimer does not reflect the thoughts or opinions of either myself, my company, my friends, or my dog: don't quote me on that; don't quote me on anything; this disclaimer is subject to change without notice; text is slightly enlarged to show detail; resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is unintentional and coincidental; dry clean only; do not bend, fold, or mutilate; anchovies or jalapenos added to this disclaimer upon request; your mileage may vary; no substitutions are allowed; for a limited time only while supplies last; offer void where prohibited; this disclaimer is provided "as is" without any warranties expressed or implied

pod i`ve got to finish this thing one day

4,980 posts · joined Dec 2003 ·

#478062
my 1300 likes to putt along at 50mph to 60mph anything above seems to be reving the tits of it,maybe has something to do with the gear ratios👍
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tomnseals Commited Dubber

54 posts · joined Jul 2005 ·

#478214
cool - nice to know that others do the same. When we first got it (before it was rebuilt) we were encouraged by our mechanics to sit on 50 - 55mph, which might be ok in something as big as a kombi but plain boring in the little bug. On our recent trip i sat on anything up to 65mph and it seemed fine.

Nice to know that others are similarly inclined.

Cheers,
T

bond Veteran Volks Folk

2,456 posts · joined Jul 2003 ·

#478735
change the height of your rear tyres and you can do "90mph" in a 1300 easy hehehe

nick

ps. the above is not recommended 🙂

VWCOOL 23 Windows of Awesome

5,158 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·

#478946
100- 110 on the freeways is fine - if it's standard, it will be happy there
Pay your debts, CxxT

tomnseals Commited Dubber

54 posts · joined Jul 2005 ·

#479036
yup ... it's all stock, and in good nick.

... does anyone know how it'd go (at the next rebuild) with a 1600 twin port engine in it? Obviously it'd need a matching gearbox. Are they as reliable and are they quicker than a stock 1300?

T

VWCOOL 23 Windows of Awesome

5,158 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·

#479069
yes and a little bit quicker
Pay your debts, CxxT

lugnuts Custom Title Time!

1,070 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#479181
tomnseals wrote:yup ... it's all stock, and in good nick.

... does anyone know how it'd go (at the next rebuild) with a 1600 twin port engine in it? Obviously it'd need a matching gearbox. Are they as reliable and are they quicker than a stock 1300?

T
My 1300 had a big torque increase when i went to 1600 and i still had the same 1300 heads with 32x30 valves and 150psi in all cylinders,thats with a small flycut to clean up the sealing surfaces.P.S if i had to do it again ide just by new twinport heads.I just last week put on some baby webers 34 icts its like a different car now its extended the rev range quite a bit,now i need a new oil pump because of this new found acceleration 😂
Dont listen to what they say,just watch what they do.Oh yeah ive NEVER finished anything ive started.:o