Stiffening chassis on a type I

hydra · 2005-07-03T14:51:42+00:00

I did a search both on here an on google, and didn't find much of use... I'd like to know how to stiffen an early Beetle chassis enough to cope with 320bhp. First off, and I know a lot of you won't like this at all, a roll cage is OUT OF THE QUESTION - period. I know that Kafer cup braces are used on the rear frame horns, and that there's some sort of "chassis stiffener" that mounts between the torsion bar housing and the bulkhead, but I couldn't find any info about it. I also figured that the convertible pan reinforcements might prove to be useful as well... Any other suggestions or ideas?

mactaylor Custom Title Time!

1,005 posts · joined Aug 2007 · 8 Mar 2008, 7:42 am

#635847

just thinking that the roof section where the hoodlining goes could be closed up and stitched this wold help with the twist on a hard launch

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VWCOOL 23 Windows of Awesome

5,158 posts · joined Jun 2003 · 8 Mar 2008, 8:19 am

#635854

DUB74L wrote:ive seen a few hack job convertables done the same way
i cant see how theyd be a problem with rego

By the book, because they are a 'major change' to the OE body of the original car they may raise an eyebrow at engineering/rego time

Don't get me wrong, I think it is a great idea, just pointing out the 'officialdom'

Pay your debts, CxxT

1303Steve Scirocco Rare

8,650 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 8 Mar 2008, 9:04 am

#635860

Hi

I'm doing some work on the the top of the B pillar as well as the in the roof area, just putting a small 45 corner in the B pillar to aid stiffening. Maybe I should start another post under body stiffening?

I sold my old 1302 because it had developed some small cracks and I was getting a groaning sound going over driveways etc. after very high mileage and hard use, the guy that bought it was aware of the cracks.

I've since discovered the source groaning sound, it was the ends on hood lining bows, my trimmer didint fit new ones, so when the body moved slightly they groaned.

With the 1303 I'm building now I'm determined to make it a strong as possible so that it will last me a long time.

Steve