Love my car, but not the drive.

Camo · 2012-08-18T23:53:21+00:00

Most have probably seen my car over the long build period on here and I have to say I enjoyed the build and love my car and the VW world. But I must say I am not enjoying the driving experience as I thought I would. Not in relation to the handling, steering or brakes but the short gear shifts required every time I take off at lights etc. Seems like I only go about 10 feet and then have to change to 2nd and feels like I don't really get going until I'm in 3rd gear. I know these cars were designed for a standard 1200, 1300 etc but I thought with a decent motor in there it would be better. I have to say, I am even thinking that a WRX motor and 5 speed looks very enticing at the moment. Maybe I am just use to driving modern cars and the way that they drive. Please tell me your thoughts or am I just not use to my car. Have only done about 1000kms in it in 6 months as I seem to only get it out every few weeks for a drive. Cheers, Kevin

bajachris88 The international telephone dialing code for Antarctica is 6

6,661 posts · joined Apr 2005 · 23 Aug 2012, 8:37 am

#918925

haha, if you wanna run out of gears fast, drive a dub with a 1600 3 rib type 2 box 😀

Bit funky though, don't like the tall difference between 3 and 4th gear. Almost feels like i need another gear between em' when it comes to hills (screaming motor in 3rd, to low in the rev (thus power band) in 4th.

Maybe time to change that diff to make the whole lot a bit taller (at the cost of acceleration though but it sounds like you got enough to compensate)

(ô_!_/ô) (ô_!_/ô)
69' baja: kombi box, thing spindles, irs, disc front, type 3 rear drums, 2 inch lift kit, 31x10 rears. 👍
New engine in process: 94mm p&bs, 74mm C/w chomol Crank, 35.5x39 SP heads, turbo. Wierd combo, hopeful torque monsta!

Camo Custom Title Time!

1,936 posts · joined Oct 2007 · 23 Aug 2012, 8:51 am

#918927

HappyDaze wrote:Kev, how about you give it some more time. You have been through quite a bit of 'pressure', including the work on the car......don't take it out on the poor old Beetle.😁

As I said before, enjoy it for what it is, and make gradual improvements. If it eventually turns out to be something that you do not like, sell it and try again.

And, by the way, valves don't float....at least not in kero or water, but they do bounce....if you drop them on the concrete floor.😵‍💫

Don't worry Greg, wont be selling it at all.

Kev

I thought rebuilding a VW would be cheap - Shit I was wrong, just don't let the wife know !!!!

Click here for my (slowy) modded 1961 Beetle build.

hellbugged 48's and straight cuts

5,080 posts · joined Apr 2003 · 23 Aug 2012, 12:03 pm

#918941

Kev

Serious question

How did you feel about driving the 6 speed commodore around town and not using the top 3 gears ?

Or tell us some differences you noted there between the two and how they " required" driving

Camo Custom Title Time!

1,936 posts · joined Oct 2007 · 23 Aug 2012, 5:08 pm

#918985

hellbugged wrote:Kev

Serious question

How did you feel about driving the 6 speed commodore around town and not using the top 3 gears ?

Or tell us some differences you noted there between the two and how they " required" driving

Hi Daimo,

not sure what you are getting at, but I use the first 5 gears in the HSV all the time around here in Liverpool (I drive easy). And 6th gear you don't even think of unless doing a minimum 100kmph.

As to the difference between both, if I took off at the lights normal I would be changing into 3rd in the VW and only covered about the same distance still being in 2nd gear in the Clubby.

I think if I stretched the Clubby out, I could still be in 1st where the VW would be in 3rd. Not sure if this answers what you were after or not.

It's not speed issue I am getting at, its the lack of distance covered before having to go to the next gear in normal driving (not getting up it).

Kev

I thought rebuilding a VW would be cheap - Shit I was wrong, just don't let the wife know !!!!

Click here for my (slowy) modded 1961 Beetle build.

hellbugged 48's and straight cuts

5,080 posts · joined Apr 2003 · 23 Aug 2012, 5:30 pm

#918994

So you still changing gears same amount in clubby, just further down the road

Yeah not having a go, just intrigued by it all kev

I enjoy the sensation of when each gear is pulled, so the vw suits me fine cause I can get stuck into it without doing warp speeds as you would in a modern car

vwo60 Veteran Volks Folk

2,036 posts · joined Feb 2007 · 23 Aug 2012, 6:12 pm

#919004

If the gearing is the issue change it to suit the engine power delivery.

Camo Custom Title Time!

1,936 posts · joined Oct 2007 · 23 Aug 2012, 8:15 pm

#919030

To put an end to all this, I just wanted to find out if this is just the way old VW Beetle's are.

I wont be changing anything, just have to get use to it being different to what I am use to of late.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and Daimo, I never thought you were having a go 🙂

Cheers, Kev

I thought rebuilding a VW would be cheap - Shit I was wrong, just don't let the wife know !!!!

Click here for my (slowy) modded 1961 Beetle build.

ian.mezz I never said, I could write or spell

3,913 posts · joined Sep 2004 · 23 Aug 2012, 9:03 pm

#919052

has to be checkd by speed where you are changing gears.
Not distance covered .

😂🤪😂🤪😂
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲