Lowering a bug

Hello everyone,
I have a 72 s beetle(one of those 15 mill editions).What is the maximum i can lower it at the front and rear to get the best handling setup.At the moment its like its on stilts! I have read some shocks can raise the height and i think its the case with mine.Anyone got any measurements?

There are many ways to lower a super beetle, try doing a search as this topic has been dicussed before. Also try the www.superbeetlesonly.com web forum. basically it all comes down to what you want from your car.........

and importanatly - what wheels you want to run

also read here

http://www.clubvw.org.au/struts.htm

A 1302 3 bolter (1972) can go lower than a 1303 2 bolter

Thanks for the replies,
I'm sticking with the 15 inch rims..I'll look at the sites you guys recommended.I know if you go too low it won't handle as good.Thanks again.:thumb

Hijack, sorry...
Do super bugs handle much better than beam bugs??
Never been in a super bug before..

I got a set of these:




Lowered the front 4" and it handles much better and still has a decent ride quality. I can highly recommend them if you don't mind spending some $$$, www.beetleracing.com

Looks like this when done:



Even though my car is a 73 curved screen model it still has the same suspension as your 72. I've yet to lower my rear but they are IRS so you can lower them like any late beetle.

Hope this helps some.

How much do a set of those type of strut replacements cost?
And where do you get them from?

There are a few places that do similar things. I got mine from V-Force in Sydney. www.beetleracing.com is their web address. They are about a grand, which sounds expensive, but the quality is excellent and you get springs and inserts with it.

How much do a set of those type of strut replacements cost?

Yeah - just under the grand. remenber this is for inserts and springs. It is the equivelent of a narrowed, lowered beam with raised shock towers and new shocks. The travel is the same as stock and you have the option of different springs. Edge and I are both running 135lbs springs. I know one of the race bugs is running 270 and the handling is brilliant


And where do you get them from?
V Force. Yes others do them but you wont get the options they offer. Springs inserts etc. Edgeworks also got the camper offsets which gives much greater selection of camber you can use

Do super bugs handle much better than beam bugs??
Does IRS work better than spring?? - much better. Yes they are not as agricultural tough as a K&L beam but the handling and ride is superior. and more adjustable.
cal Look - beam - straight line
GL - struts - curves and handling


Never been in a super bug before..
Treat yourself to a ride in a well sorted

Thanks Ege Works.That setup you have is the way to go!

Beetle426 wrote:I'm sticking with the 15 inch rims..

\
If you are sticking with stock width rims you can save yourself some $$$ as you dont need to change springs.
I went narrow springs as i have the samewheels as edgeworks and to run 195's up front they would scrape otherwise.

Richard (V Force ) will build the struts you need. Just choose wisely as if you spend the $$$ on lowering with stock springs you will need to spend again IF you change your mind and go with anything wider than stock at the front

Thanks Bizarre,
Thanks for that, i wouldn't have known.

[Edited on 15-5-2005 by Beetle426]

i run 195/60 15 on custom 6inch rims. I ind i get a little rubbing on the inner lip of the guard but thats about it. I run std width springs but with 35mm lower. I think 195 is probably the wideest you can fit without wider guards or narrow springs.

One thing to also notice is the tire brand. as 195 tires refers to the widest part of the tire (ie not at the tread face) i used to run falken st115 and found they used to rub, but i know run bridgestone GIII and find that the tread face and shoulder is narrow and won't rub, and they are both 196/60r15.

Speak to Terry at Customoffroad in Brisbane... he sorted me out...... did a great job.