Skip to content
Aussieveedubbers

The last Hellbug

7 likes
Share Share on Facebook Share on X Share on Reddit
Log in to reply

JVLRacing Custom Title Time!

1,100 posts · joined Mar 2007 ·

#660557
great work Damo😎

hellbugged 48's and straight cuts

5,080 posts · joined Apr 2003 ·

#674355
WHAT A YEAR!

well 20 000 km down the road now, and it's happy days, i still get a kick out driving the car everyday, every time it leaves the garage, at some point i hit 6500 rpm, it's just too much fun...........

it was quite a year for the little screamer............i finally had a car that would not only stop and handle, but GO too!

Bug-In in March at Oran Park, Sydney was a chance too good to miss.

the weather was terrible and the entire trip was wet.....of course, i drove there , tackling the Easter freeway and city traffic head on...........



unloaded all the spares and hit the track, whoo hoo!



the 6800rpm limiter got a work out in the slippery conditions





drove off the track, loaded it up and made it home again just 26 hours after leaving, averaging 10L/100km.

watching the other cars was great, i was keen to see if i was kidding myself about the power i was making, comparisons had me excited about what the 1776 was churning out.........however it was daily duties for a few months first



Dyno Day....... Brisbane, July

with some encouragement from Dangerous Dave, i took the last minute decision to find out a real power figure........

load up the tools and spares and out of bed early!



smooth running again........but man i was COLD🙅



5 hours later i was at Brisbane!.....biggest chore of the day was strapping on the stinger.



i was very nervous when it fired up in the hands of someone else, ready for a public embarrasment of a sad output........finally D.B put his guess at 80 HP as it rolled in......however........there was a surprise install🥷





this was on it's everyday tune,still wish i had upped the venturis to break the 100HP, but none the less i was stoked!

Volkswagen Spectacular lap dash August

i never intended to run it at Valla, i hadn't tuned it for weeks, however a fireball ending to the race car saw me scambling for another ride..........the precious cargo to remove wasn't spares or tools this time around tho😎 and i wasnt far from home, so a good and proper thrashin' was in order



some by-standers asked Luke if i was pissed that the race car was broken because of the way i was hammering my beetle..........



"drives like that all the time" was the response........well except when bub is in the car.....

Warwick weekender October

a good tune up was in order before this run......it's another 5 1/2 hour haul, up some good ranges and i would have to carry the 3 days worth of camping gear this time...........at least i had my eldest offspring for company.



it ran faultlessly again (apart from a broken clutch cable)



with very, very soft launches (2.5 Sec 60ft) it ran a best of 10.55 @ 66 mph...........

so that was the year done👍..........i've had a ball travelling around, meeting, greeting, laughing and playing with all the other VW fanatics...........happy with the screamer i cooked up for myself and it's ability to get me "there and back again" with some fun in the middle each time

my gene berg addiction hasn't quite gone yet tho, infact i think i recently suffered a major relapse🥲..........



rhino case



welded magnesium gusset and heavy side plates



welded cross shaft



3.88 super diff and SAW axles







weddle gears, + one piece main and pinion shafts



time to get serious 🥷.................

Brian Officially Full-On Dubber

263 posts · joined Jun 2007 ·

#674358
Nice box

but you have 2 3rd Gears ???

dangerous 23 Windows of Awesome

5,901 posts · joined Jan 2005 ·

#674361
Great wrap-up of a busy year for you Daimo.
Tranny should make a great car even better.
Looks like you will be able to run through the 1/8 mile in third at about 6000....sweet!

With the addition of EFI soon to come,
you have created a Volksy that is very versatile,
and the envy of those of us who only get to drive ours for short distances......and not every day!
westi wrote:That's mad Alan.

hellbugged 48's and straight cuts

5,080 posts · joined Apr 2003 ·

#674363
thanx Dave, with all the excitment of Warwick, i again forgot to send you out for a run (Col enjoyed a short burst)......i'll come for a drive up your way when i get the box in for sure........

yes, gearing MPH looks good to run the 1/8 mile in third, and 1/4 in fourth?..........that was the aim.........i guess with further development, it will still run through in third, just at higher rpm?............

running around watching the tacho i think the little screamer will make good use of the box. I see being able to chug along at low rpm, short shift and drop rpm straight back to max tourque..........or get on the throttle and choose anything from a 5000rpm to 6500 rpm change, to provide whichever sensation i'm after........providing the best of both worlds for the windy, undulating back county roads and daily highway entry's and 110km/h cruising.......not to mention circuit and drag racing😂........can't wait

do you think 27mm torsions will be overkill?..........it looks very saggy in some of hotrodmatt's photos, ride comfort is never an issue

very glad i chose the box before the EFI with the $$ free fall, spewin i didn't grab a quaiffe whilst it was up..............those berg throttle bodies + injectors are currently providing some VERY smooth power on Lukes dual cab.........i've had a few go's at haltech E8's on ebay already, sometime in 2009 EFI will happen

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 ·

#674372
Great read Daimo, for a great job well done.
The daily driver that keeps on going and surprising all.......gotta love it!

Looks like 09 will continue to surprise!

: )
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

LIFE IN THE LOW LANE All people have the right to stupidity but some abuse the pr

2,534 posts · joined Mar 2007 ·

#674404
As always impressive Daimo!! car will be awesome with box plus addition of EFI. Dyno day 2009 to see how much over the 100HP mark your car will be.
ACCEPT THAT SOME DAYS YOU ARE THE PIDGEON AND SOME DAYS YOU ARE THE STATUE

Alder Outlaws VW Racing - check it out on fb!!

mactaylor Custom Title Time!

1,005 posts · joined Aug 2007 ·

#674431
very nice montage daimo! great car, nice spread of ratios should be good for goin up hills aswell.
EVERLAST CONCRETE TANKS
1800 552 123

pete wood 23 Windows of Awesome

6,828 posts · joined Jan 2004 ·

#674438
do you think 27mm torsions will be overkill?..........it looks very saggy in some of hotrodmatt's photos, ride comfort is never an issue
I think so. I'd go the next size down. Mr Hoszl recommends them for suabru powered circuit cars. Your butt should be light with the 1776 on board.
"stoopid is stronger than axles"
http://drivingnotpolishing.blogspot.com.au/

Dasdubber DAS Resto Haus

5,746 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#674507
Nice wrap up Daimo, it is always great to catch up at events (often albeit briefly!), your dedication to making your combo work is highly admirable, along wtih your dedication to travelling much further than most to support such events! Well done mate.
Al 👍
www.dasrestoparts.com.au

JVLRacing Custom Title Time!

1,100 posts · joined Mar 2007 ·

#674653
So this is the box your raving on about mmmm🙅




NAH! only joking m8 great to hear....hurry up and get it in! iam only 20mins away take me for a ride😂

hellbugged 48's and straight cuts

5,080 posts · joined Apr 2003 ·

#678911
BERG 5 SPEED




stripped off the axle tubes to have a look at those SAW axles and check around a bit.......man I dig those chunky "rhino" ribs🥷





didn't get very far before i started thinking "WHY" was i pulling this apart after the reliability i'd had for the last 12 months.....
🥲


way beyond the point of return a couple of hours later.......chasing those chrome axle tubes of the old box



new mount had to go in.......



the front plate is used to line up the gearbox in correct position..........the factory rubber front is not used, but smaller berg supllied rubbers are

RUBBERS MISSING FROM THIS PICTURE!!!! DOH ❗



.....with rubber mounts installed❗🤓




i'd been warned that the body needed "dimpling" and the torson housing clearanced...........but a "CRATER" would have been a more adequate description!......



took a few trials before the sledge hammer and grinder made enough room.......🤪



just enough.............





once the box was lined up, Mr Weld paid a visit to tack in the mid mount.....



Kafer bars went in great and front gearbox mount was removed from the body, as having spent half the day under there, a plan was hatched to do a custom mount set up there........



my old faithful axle tubes were then installed on the box along with berg "axle retaining plate strengtheners", held on with big nuts and washers..........



all dressed up and ready to go.........



not enough hours in the day 😬

dangerous 23 Windows of Awesome

5,901 posts · joined Jan 2005 ·

#678925
Pretty Spiffy there Daimo!
westi wrote:That's mad Alan.

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 ·

#678946
Woo Hoo !!!!

Do I know Mr weld ?
That stance looks quite familiar.

Great build pics as usual mate.
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

063bug

0 posts · joined Feb 2005 ·

#678949
.... taking the time to take photos can be a real pain but for the readers of this thread makes for a really good read.... keep up the good work on both fronts, the car and the thread 👍

vw4life Learner Dubber

5 posts · joined Nov 2008 ·

#678975
few nuts and bolts there👍

hellbugged 48's and straight cuts

5,080 posts · joined Apr 2003 ·

#680117
yeah Pete, took a few more tricks to finish it off.......

new seals and spacers......



EA carriers cleaned up and re-installed



discs....



axle nuts KNOCKED❗ up nice and tight



calipers back on



getting there




"middle" clutch tube braket added (this is in behind the passengers seat)




gear coupling bushes checked ok (later type)..........shify rod was also removed and front bush also renewed. all this would need to be spot on to make sure all gears would be available.........as the button on the gear stick now locks out reverse and the fifth gear



new bowden tube and clutch cable. axle boots moved up after installing the box



new "late" style thrust bearing lubed up.........



which ment the "cone" required for running early thrust bearings needed to be removed from the pressure plate



and also changed the wire clips to the shorter style ones......



a couple of oil leaks were fixed on the motor, THEN we were ready to go ahead again........



fingers crossed........



lots going on under there now.......



all good again.........

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 ·

#680120
😍😍😍😍😍
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

hellbugged 48's and straight cuts

5,080 posts · joined Apr 2003 ·

#680121
yeah Matt, Mr weld is one of your ol mates...........

cruising through town........dropping what 500rpm each change out of the roundabout.........kinda like driving a motorbike now. blurp, blurp out of each corner and your off



60% throttle and not too many rpm to get up the hill on the highway..........this is up to 100km/h



again, just tickling (never mind the slow start in first, i was busy getting my knee wedged to hold the thing straight🤪)




acceleration is great, "slingshot" effect in each gear as each change puts it progressively more on power.......forth gear arrives then dissapears very quick........pulls the big top gear at 100km/h fine, even putting out of 80 zones at 2000 rpm is no problem in fifth

get some better footage when i have a passenger next as it's kinda hard to stay on the road and shoot vids at the same time.

left the oil cooler where it was for the moment (no Craigy bars yet🙅) so to get acurate figures on temp differences.........too early to call on fuel economy....

...but for sure the car is much, much quicker with the close ratios❗😎🥷🤘

luvin it

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 ·

#680125
Sounds like those ratios are juuuuust right.

Beautiful job as always.👍
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

dangerous 23 Windows of Awesome

5,901 posts · joined Jan 2005 ·

#680135
Good work Daimo,
love the vids.
westi wrote:That's mad Alan.

vassy66T1 Wow ... are U reading this?

2,120 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·

#680137
Very sweett!!
Would be the most "kitted out" daily driver I have seen ... Well done on the combination i.e. engine gearbox ❗
That's how the beetle should have been sold standard 😵‍💫

Craig Torrens 6 times Australian, 7 times State Hillclimb Class Champion

8,040 posts · joined Jan 2003 ·

#680165
should get "Mr Weld" to weld in some IRS adaptors😁


hellbugged 48's and straight cuts

5,080 posts · joined Apr 2003 ·

#680172
pete wood wrote:smooth, now how about some skids eh? 🤘
skids when i install kafer bars (move cooler)........ordered some new tyres today, so soon Pete, just for you👍

setting up for full throttle vids this arvo

irs is for girls Craig, where's your sense of adventure? 😂........

Craig Torrens 6 times Australian, 7 times State Hillclimb Class Champion

8,040 posts · joined Jan 2003 ·

#680185
Ragtop is a swinger.........they are fun in the wet when you flat change from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd !!hehehe


pete wood 23 Windows of Awesome

6,828 posts · joined Jan 2004 ·

#680245
hellbugged wrote:
pete wood wrote:smooth, now how about some skids eh? 🤘
skids when i install kafer bars (move cooler)........ordered some new tyres today, so soon Pete, just for you👍

setting up for full throttle vids this arvo

irs is for girls Craig, where's your sense of adventure? 😂........
Old tyres make for the best skids. 😉

btw, looks like I'll be buying some pink skirts to wear whilst buggy driving. 😂

I think you get away with the IRS coz you are not using a lot of travel...and the LSD will help too. 🤓
"stoopid is stronger than axles"
http://drivingnotpolishing.blogspot.com.au/

hellbugged 48's and straight cuts

5,080 posts · joined Apr 2003 ·

#680251
no, standard height and bump stops since the engine went in........whitelines & konis mate!

JVLRacing Custom Title Time!

1,100 posts · joined Mar 2007 ·

#680258
hellbugged wrote:no, standard height and bump stops since the engine went in........whitelines & konis mate!
take me for a ride🤘