Skip to content
Aussieveedubbers

Classic Beetle Factory Injection

0 likes
Share Share on Facebook Share on X Share on Reddit

bnicho Wolfsburg Wizard

436 posts · joined Feb 2009 ·

#765102
Hi,

Does anyone have any experiences with the injection system factory-fitted to late classic Beetles?

Was this a USA only thing?

Is it mechanical or a proper multi-point EFi with an ECU?

What are the advantages and disadvantages? Fuel Economy, Power, Emissions?

It is reliable and easy to service and get spares for?

Is it worthwhile collecting the parts and converting a normal Beetle? 🤪

Cheers,
Brett.
Brett Nicholson
Melbourne, Victoria
1974 VW Superbug L - Olive 😎
1971 Morris Mini Moke - Mopoke
1966 Austin Mini - Audrey
1965 Morris Mini Traveller - Trixie
2007 Land Rover Freelander 2
2009 Nissan Pathfinder

ryana89 Officially Full-On Dubber

315 posts · joined Sep 2009 ·

#765246
Hi I recall Joel threw a fact up about them
Joel wrote:
jsheppard64 wrote:How come mexican are faster? Fig 1
is it a fuel injected or something?
i think thats another fudged figure
yeah theyre digifant EFI but they make less HP than a carbed 1600
although theyre not loaded down with many options lol

In this thread
http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=81513
2.0slow 92 MK2

Made in Germany, Assembled in Africa, 'Migrated' to Australia

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#765255
i think those mexi bugs run lower CR to handle the shitty fuels they have there

Brett theres abug around here thats a jap import that has the old L-jet setup like US bugs had
its electronic multipoint
was mainly an emmissions thing in the US, powers no better
most of them have been converted to carb now cos the parts are getting hard to find and most mechanics just dont understand the system, so my yank mates tell me anyway

bnicho Wolfsburg Wizard

436 posts · joined Feb 2009 ·

#765277
Thanks.

Sounds similar to the last classic Minis - injected, but done more for emissions and smoothness. Carb Minis have more power.

I figured it was the same for Beetles, but I couldn't find any info.

I didn't know Mexican Beetles had injection or Japanese spec. I thought maybe it was just a North American thing.

Cheers,
Brett.
Brett Nicholson
Melbourne, Victoria
1974 VW Superbug L - Olive 😎
1971 Morris Mini Moke - Mopoke
1966 Austin Mini - Audrey
1965 Morris Mini Traveller - Trixie
2007 Land Rover Freelander 2
2009 Nissan Pathfinder

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 ·

#765283
I think they later efi engines are down in power because they were chasing emissions and had very small exhaust valves. I used a factory setup with aftermarket ecu (haltech), on a warm 1776 engle 100 cam and mild heads 40 x 35.5, set of merged headers, hideaway muffler. Was a real nice combo.
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#765337
i think it was only the last few years of jap bugs that were EFI,

mexi bugs had the digifant setup but pretty sure thats only on the 90s onwards ones

i've always wanted to do like matt said, a mild engine like a 1776 with stock efi and build a megasquirt setup for it
a compromise of driveability, power and economy without being hidiously expensive

fuel injecting vw engines just too much work and costly, the main reason i went subaru

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#765358
the old system at the top is Bosch L-jetronic and the newer system is bosch Digifant, which is just a rehash of L-jet
love to get my hands on some

bnicho Wolfsburg Wizard

436 posts · joined Feb 2009 ·

#765370
Thanks for the pics and very useful info.

L-Jetronic was used on Golfs and other German cars too. Does that mean that the only rare parts are the beetle-specific ones?

For example are replacement injectors, sensors and throttle bodies commonly available?

I'm only tossing around idead at the moment, no Beetle to try it on yet. A mild engine with factory EFI and an aftermarket ECU is roughly what I had in mind.

I can understand the Subaru approach, but I'd prefer to keep it air-cooled and mostly VW parts. I'm a bit traditional like that. 🙂
Brett Nicholson
Melbourne, Victoria
1974 VW Superbug L - Olive 😎
1971 Morris Mini Moke - Mopoke
1966 Austin Mini - Audrey
1965 Morris Mini Traveller - Trixie
2007 Land Rover Freelander 2
2009 Nissan Pathfinder

squizy Thinking about another dub...maybe

4,082 posts · joined Dec 2002 ·

#765375
I've heard some people have used Camira ECU's on their pollution control engines when the original packs it in.

My FI 1600 in the Cabriolet ran great. Had heaps of torque and a really different exhaust note because of the emissions canister. It apparently runs even better after VWCOOL bought it. Where are ya mate to comment on this post?

1303Steve Scirocco Rare

8,650 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#765503
Hi

A friend has a 1978/9 microbus, he fitted all the stock injection runners and plenum from an earlier Kombi but used a Autronic SMC after market ecu.

This way he can use after market sensors, pumps etc and tune the ecu to suit.

There is guy selling Mexican EFI stuff on shoptalkforums.com, by the time you buy all the bits you will be up around $3000, then you need to build a motor as well.

Steve

bnicho Wolfsburg Wizard

436 posts · joined Feb 2009 ·

#765527
Interesting links.

But $3000 - ouch!

I don't suppose there is anyone importing new or low km used Mexican/Brazillian EFI engines with all the hardware attached? 😀

I rememeber we could get new Brazillian 1600 long motors in the early 90.
Brett Nicholson
Melbourne, Victoria
1974 VW Superbug L - Olive 😎
1971 Morris Mini Moke - Mopoke
1966 Austin Mini - Audrey
1965 Morris Mini Traveller - Trixie
2007 Land Rover Freelander 2
2009 Nissan Pathfinder

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#765528
when i built my injection system the hard ware nearly cost $2000.00
then you have to purchase a ECU which can be up to $2500.00

it aint cheap but a good excerise
I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 ·

#765531
Brett, you can still buy the mexican factory crate motors
they're alot more than $3000 these days, and there only long blocks