My 68 BJ/IRS 1916 EFI Twin Plug Race Car. 1st Event

bat69 · 2009-08-04T04:43:20+00:00

SNEAK PEAK! Well the build of my new race car is starting to come along now. I thought I would give you a little look. After a few false starts due to my children being in and out of hospital because of illness and some prick stealing my ute, burning it out and me having to fork out coin to buy an new one. I now have had some time and saved some MONEY to devote to the new race car. Phase one was to pull it apart. I completed this a couple of months ago. The shells has been sitting in the shed waiting to be worked on. Well the bug has got some love and now Im onto phase 2. Roll cage. I just finished assembling it and Im a little excited so I thought I would show you what it looks like.

cnfabo Custom Title Time!

1,353 posts · joined Apr 2008 · 6 Sep 2012, 9:57 pm

#921130

have you run it yet nathan...

sander288 "Bolt-on Master"

1,404 posts · joined Aug 2008 · 7 Sep 2012, 9:20 am

#921156

🙄
this is turning into another Dak to the future... when is the cars first run?

BMW R65 LS
1967 1300 Deluxe
Swing-axles FTW ❗

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

8,040 posts · joined Jan 2003 · 7 Sep 2012, 5:38 pm

#921198

sander288 wrote:🙄
this is turning into another Dak to the future... when is the cars first run?

😂😂😂

PAZZAN Wolfsburg Wizard

592 posts · joined Jan 2008 · 7 Sep 2012, 6:23 pm

#921218

slow & steady wins the race

cnfabo Custom Title Time!

1,353 posts · joined Apr 2008 · 7 Sep 2012, 6:34 pm

#921223

PAZZAN wrote:slow & steady wins the race

ha, i said this to an old boss of mine years ago and he spat it at me,lol..............

nathan ,when u race at king edward make sure you set up incar camera,please. 🙂

bat69 There is no status

791 posts · joined Apr 2005 · 7 Sep 2012, 9:10 pm

#921250

cnfabo wrote:have you run it yet nathan...

Not offically. I have tested the car and I am pretty happy with the results so far. I have had a few little issues with things but that is to be expected. I am running at a local hill climb track here in Newcastle before I debut the bug at his first real event, the state hillclimb at King Edward Park which ironically is the last event I ran the car at in 2008.

The car is now complete and has been for some months now. The car has been dynoed and I am more then impressed with the figures. Whilst the max HP is only a couple of HP more then what I had before (I did not expect a massive increase anyway), I did how ever increase my torque a fair amount and lowered my max torque nearly 600rpm lower in the rev range. I can say the increased torque is noticable when driving.

When I get some time I will post some new photos, dyno figures etc. Stayed tuned!!

White Knuckle Racing Team [/i]
"Drive it like dirt"

bat69 There is no status

791 posts · joined Apr 2005 · 7 Sep 2012, 9:11 pm

#921251

cnfabo wrote:nathan ,when u race at king edward make sure you set up incar camera,please. 🙂

I have a new vid camera which I intend on taking some footage and Greg will lend me his Go Pro so I can get some in car footage.

When I run it, record it and get some time I will post it up on here for you.

White Knuckle Racing Team [/i]
"Drive it like dirt"

bat69 There is no status

791 posts · joined Apr 2005 · 7 Sep 2012, 9:13 pm

#921252

sander288 wrote:🙄
this is turning into another Dak to the future... when is the cars first run?

Unlike Dak to the Future I have only ever had one evolution of the car. Not several. BTW it has only taken 3 & 1/2 to finish a full restoration. I think thats not to bad considering I do it in my very limited spare time. Not only have I managed to build a complete car from scratch in that time but I also managed to have 3 kids (well my wife has), renovate one house, build another and work full time.

Its first event is in a couple of weeks. I was going to post it after I ran it but I guess its out there now. I will keep you posted.

White Knuckle Racing Team [/i]
"Drive it like dirt"

cnfabo Custom Title Time!

1,353 posts · joined Apr 2008 · 7 Sep 2012, 11:22 pm

#921262

good luck and cant wait to see some footage...

sander288 "Bolt-on Master"

1,404 posts · joined Aug 2008 · 8 Sep 2012, 9:46 am

#921282

cnfabo wrote:good luck and cant wait to see some footage...

x2

BMW R65 LS
1967 1300 Deluxe
Swing-axles FTW ❗

bat69 There is no status

791 posts · joined Apr 2005 · 8 Sep 2012, 7:30 pm

#921336

Back from a wheel alignment and bit of testing today. Ready for my first event in the coming weeks. Having re dynoed the car yesterday after a couple of minor but important changes I manged to screw a few more rear wheel HP out of it which was very encouraging (man I love this new thing called electronic fuel injection...lol). With the new top end parts recently arriving, Greg will deliver them to me next week and with these changes I will be looking at the 140 to 150 rwhp mark (fingers crossed). I am really exicting about running this car. With the way it has been put together with a fair amount of time going into attention to detail, cage, suspension, weight reduction etc, the way it stops and handles so far has made me more then happy (The few years of hard work putting it together appear to have paid off). Having practiced a few standing starts and launches today btwn the 5000 & 7000rpm mark and reviewing the data logging afterwards. I am encouraged with its take off capabilities. When I can figure out how to down load my new camera I will up load some new pics.

Has anyone guessed.. IM EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!

White Knuckle Racing Team [/i]
"Drive it like dirt"

colin Fahrvergnugen

984 posts · joined Mar 2007 · 11 Sep 2012, 8:13 pm

#921746

bat69 wrote:
sander288 wrote:🙄
this is turning into another Dak to the future... when is the cars first run?
Unlike Dak to the Future I have only ever had one evolution of the car. Not several. BTW it has only taken 3 & 1/2 to finish a full restoration. I think thats not to bad considering I do it in my very limited spare time. Not only have I managed to build a complete car from scratch in that time but I also managed to have 3 kids (well my wife has), renovate one house, build another and work full time.

Its first event is in a couple of weeks. I was going to post it after I ran it but I guess its out there now. I will keep you posted.

Well said Nathan.
I two have a wife , two kids, and a fat mortgage to service.
I think you,ve done a great job totally rebuilding your racer.
Who cares how long the build takes. It,s not about how long it takes, but the end result. 👍

Cheers Col

PAZZAN Wolfsburg Wizard

592 posts · joined Jan 2008 · 11 Sep 2012, 8:56 pm

#921760

thats great hp should be really competitive in improved production car class I would of love to have that sort of hp when I was racing but found 130hp was a good compromise for a motor that had to do 8 rounds of a championship and last ,good luck keen to see go👍👍👍

cnfabo Custom Title Time!

1,353 posts · joined Apr 2008 · 11 Sep 2012, 11:02 pm

#921775

fook yeah,im excited too...that's big ponies....have fun nathan..your old mans not racing with you anymore??

bat69 There is no status

791 posts · joined Apr 2005 · 12 Sep 2012, 7:33 pm

#921897

colin wrote:Well said Nathan.
I two have a wife , two kids, and a fat mortgage to service.
I think you,ve done a great job totally rebuilding your racer.
Who cares how long the build takes. It,s not about how long it takes, but the end result. 👍

Cheers Col

Thanks for the kind words Col. To be honest, for me it was all about the process of getting there. BTW when are we going to see you and your new combo on the track? I am very excited at racing next year with the likes of you, heath, GT, Greg and the like.

White Knuckle Racing Team [/i]
"Drive it like dirt"

colin Fahrvergnugen

984 posts · joined Mar 2007 · 12 Sep 2012, 7:51 pm

#921900

bat69 wrote:
colin wrote:Well said Nathan.
I two have a wife , two kids, and a fat mortgage to service.
I think you,ve done a great job totally rebuilding your racer.
Who cares how long the build takes. It,s not about how long it takes, but the end result. 👍

Cheers Col
Thanks for the kind words Col. To be honest, for me it was all about the process of getting there. BTW when are we going to see you and your new combo on the track? I am very excited at racing next year with the likes of you, heath, GT, Greg and the like.

I,m planning on driving down to Keiths this weekend to pick up the longblock.
Then in early October i have booked a dude to make a new header and muffler for me.
Then hopefully of to the dyno, because Tamworth Sporting Car Club have a club day in early November. I would like to have a casual club day event to get a feel for the new engine and how it performs and differs from my old combo.
I am also keen to have us all racing next year in the State Hillclimb Series, what a great site to see 4 or 5 tough Beetles at one event.

Cheers Col

bat69 There is no status

791 posts · joined Apr 2005 · 12 Sep 2012, 7:54 pm

#921902

PAZZAN wrote:thats great hp should be really competitive in improved production car class I would of love to have that sort of hp when I was racing but found 130hp was a good compromise for a motor that had to do 8 rounds of a championship and last ,good luck keen to see go👍👍👍

Thanks Paul. I have done a heap of research, including talking to people like yourself who have done it before. The advice I got I took on board and hopefully came up with a combo that will be reliable and competitive. Your car was a competitive car on the circuit so I have used a few ideas from your car on mine. Even with its current power and a weight about 50kg lighter then your old car Im hoping it will make a good package.

White Knuckle Racing Team [/i]
"Drive it like dirt"

bat69 There is no status

791 posts · joined Apr 2005 · 12 Sep 2012, 7:59 pm

#921905

cnfabo wrote:fook yeah,im excited too...that's big ponies....have fun nathan..your old mans not racing with you anymore??

Not as often as he use to. He will have a drive every now and then at the events he likes. He has had a few health issues over the last couple of years which prevented him from driving. He might not drive at every event I go to but he still comes to the track to annoy the $hit out of me ...lol.

White Knuckle Racing Team [/i]
"Drive it like dirt"

westi what the

1,610 posts · joined Aug 2005 · 13 Sep 2012, 9:00 am

#921967

Congrates.
Always feels good to get to the end.it looks great.
No go and show the others how it's done.

down sharon.

bat69 There is no status

791 posts · joined Apr 2005 · 16 Sep 2012, 4:15 pm

#922342

After almost 4 years I took the Beetle to the race track for is maiden run. 35 Cars were entered for a Newcastle Area Motor Sport round hillclimb. I competed in the Type 3 (Imp Pro) class, as to did 5 others. I am very happy with the way the car preformed and handled. It is a hell of a lot different then the old car in the way it handles and stops. It ran with out a hitch all event. The only problem I had was lack of rear end grip. This prob had something to do with the 6 year old tyres I pulled out from behind the shed. My current tyres unfortunately are locked aware in Greg's shed and he is sick at home with a bad stomach bug.

Anyway I manged to set the same fastest time I set in my old car (33.3) despite being on old tyres which I think are harder then the bricks for my new house. Driving the car a little conserative (which is unlike me) I scored 1st in class and I think 10th outright. Need less to say I am very happy. There is a fair amount of time left in the car after I become more familiar with it. Next event is King Edward Park Newcastle on the Oct long weekend.

White Knuckle Racing Team [/i]
"Drive it like dirt"

sander288 "Bolt-on Master"

1,404 posts · joined Aug 2008 · 16 Sep 2012, 6:29 pm

#922344

Great work; awesome result matching your old times on first run out!!!

BMW R65 LS
1967 1300 Deluxe
Swing-axles FTW ❗

colin Fahrvergnugen

984 posts · joined Mar 2007 · 16 Sep 2012, 6:55 pm

#922348

Good job Nathan.

Make sure you go over the car and give it a good spanner check after todays action.

Cheers Col

Gracey Wolfsburg Wizard

511 posts · joined Feb 2003 · 16 Sep 2012, 7:03 pm

#922352

Great result!!

cnfabo Custom Title Time!

1,353 posts · joined Apr 2008 · 17 Sep 2012, 12:44 am

#922394

wow shows you how good your new combo is and you also have not raced for that whole time..good work..what changes did you make to the suspension and brakes...

fabo

Sides Veteran Volks Folk

2,220 posts · joined May 2007 · 17 Sep 2012, 11:11 am

#922414

Mad props to ya Nathan - excellent work buddy !!!

👍

VWDCQ vice pres & web dude - vwdcqinc.org.au
Join a car club - get car peeps

My toys
'70 Hillclimb Bug 'Jezebel' w/- Haltech EFI - http://bit.ly/VwTNtQ
'60 KG Coupe - resto kinda started
01 New Beetle - gf's car, but I turn the spanners

bat69 There is no status

791 posts · joined Apr 2005 · 17 Sep 2012, 7:28 pm

#922468

Thanks for the encouragement guys. It was rather pleasing to drive/race the car for the first time and to have it perform well straight out of the box was even more exciting. What made it all worth it was when I had a few of the 'old' blokes from the MG car club come up and comment on the presentation of the car. To please those old farts is not an easy task and for them to comment on the cars presentation just topped it all off.

cnfabo wrote:wow shows you how good your new combo is and you also have not raced for that whole time..good work..what changes did you make to the suspension and brakes...

fabo

The brakes are all the same (except rebuilt/replaced) - T3 front and nissan rears, standard master. The suspension was upgraded to bilsteins shocks which were also modified. I now have suspension travel which is something I never had before. The suspension was pretty much copied from Greg's car (Paul Zanellos old car).

White Knuckle Racing Team [/i]
"Drive it like dirt"