Hello, Im just about to buy a type 3 square back and have come from playing with mini's but fancy a change. So how easy are they to lower, and tighten up the handiling. Im not looking for anything to extreme, just a good solid base for er, enthusiastic driving.
And the engine, how easy are they to modify and make go faster, how big can the 1600 twin carb go realisticaly and what sort of power could I expec? Oh and like all people who want everything it has to be on a reasonable budget, dammm money!.
The car is a 69 which I think means it has irs rear end and front disks if that helps.

Many thanks

Alan

lowering -> easy, front and rear suspension height is adjustable
how big -> 94 bore x 88 stroke = 2443cc maybe 160hp (expensive), but you can increase the output of a 1600 by around 50% for about one grand.

the 69 would have IRS and front disks.

Whiteline in Sydney make Adjustable front and rear swaybars for these.

welcome to the forum dude, type 3's they kick arse.

Thanks for that, Are ther any books available that give a guide for doing the front and rear end drops? Also have type 3's got the same stud pattern as Beetles? And how much of the engine is compatible?
I know that the type 3 engine is lower that a beetle one.

simlar engine, with a different cooling fan , shroud and tinware.

yesh, hub components and rear suspension is interchangeable. Most 'core' engineering is the same. Engine block differs in detail; internally identical and interchangeable; bolts-ons (intake, cooling system etc) different in detail - mounted different in car
HTH

So could I fit a 2lt van engine?
sorry cant help but ask questions!

pretty sure the procedures for adjusting suspension are covered in most tech manuals, else search this forum, as i remember scans of relevant pages being posted.

as for 2lt van engine - the yanks do this a lot, but they have porsche 914 and vw 411 engines to play with. these are designed to be serviced (timing, dipstick and oil filler) from above rather than from the back like the bus. that’s what put me off it.

there is a fan shroud adaptor available, you need an 1800 (type 4) flywheel, a redesign of the rear engine hanger and low carb manifolds.

other than that see these links:
www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=94781
www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=98150
www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=98030


[ Edited on 1-6-2006 by bus914 ]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I'm staying on the same theme. I'm curious as to what mods you make to get a 50% increase in HP for $1,000.

On thing to keep in mind is that the standard type 3 cooling is not as efficient as type 1. If you want a reliable engine, it is best to keep the size down. I have heard 1776 suggested as a maximum, some even say 1641 is the biggest for best longevity. Maybe somebody with more experience with high HP type 3s can comment.

As far as books goes, top three for my money
1) Official Bentley Service Manual
2) How to rebuild VW Air Cooled Engines
3) How to Hot Rod VW Engines

also i think that the bus cam would be crap with type 3 gearing.

PurpleT3: http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=51429#pid480795 

Ahh thanks. Already have a 009 and extractors. So just need the carbs and rockers.

14 inch wheels greatly improve the handling but drop top speed.

Dallan, that's interesting, why 14in? with what tyres etc?

That was an old trick back in the 60s & 70s....

put 14 inch wheels on a beetle....

they go quicker but the top speed drops....

as you have lowered the final drive... sort of....

I have a set of 14" chromed wheels here....
tyres aren't any good.. I don't think....

If You only drove in the city they would be fine....

Lee

Fireball,
as a squareback owner with lowered front I can say that it is easy. Do a quick net search and you should find something on lowering the front end. Its a torsion bar setup (from memory - well, when was the last time you looked at your front end???) and all you have to do is adjust the bars by a spline or two to lower or raise the stance.
As for engine size.... well, I have heard of the cooling problem legend, but I am not sure if it is true yet....
try posting here http://www.vwtype3.org/ 
and see what comes up.
Us type 3's will take over the world..... one day ... maybe..... if only we could get rid of all these beetles and kombis .... an ghias.... aaaahhhhhh bugger it, how about we just take over the bar????

Mine already has 14" wheels, but as my post in tech talk says, they are different either offsets, or who knows what. Off to supercheap to buy a trolley yjack tomorrow to solve problem once and for all!!

What is the most normal size of aftermarket wheel put onto type 3's 15/6's?
I quite like the look with 14's and was even thinking of 14/7's though not that sure they would fit under the arches!

on a 1969 type 3 stock rims would be 15J4.5 ET46

...but cant find anyone who makes 14/7's in the style I want, either superlights or Revolution 4 spokes. So what is the widest 15" that will go under standard arches? I like a lip and used to have 6/10's revolutions on my old race mini so and think the polished lip would go well with the chrome bumpers.

I found out about my odd wheels last night, looks like beetle centers on a 14" rim. I quite like them but the rears are at least 1" narrower than the fronts which means we will have to have two different sized spares kicking around.

With type 3's its all about offset... most wide rims around are beetle offset.. which stick out further than type 3 offset, so when you have a beetle offset wheel on a type 3, its more likely to rub.

At the moment i have beetle offset 5.5x15 inch wheels on my car, with 195/65 GT radial tyres.. these rub in the back with a couple of people in the back, and rub with the wheels turned when i go over a bump... so now when i have the money i want to get some riverias or 2.0 litre fuchs that have the right type 3 offset... same width, but further into the guard so they won't rub on the outer lip like beetle ones do!

Wow... that was a long reply, but i think you get the idea.

I just avoided going the smaller rim/tyre option because i didn't want to lose my top end speed, cause i drive on the highway alot!

Oh, and i put a rear sway bar in my car.. which seemed to improve the handling a fair bit.. and i think its lowered itself with age a bit. It handles quite well i think!

Some pics:

oops.. apologies for the large pics!

"Well i've proved you wrong.

They fit perfectly... no rubbing.. no change in gearing (none noticable anyway)

Grips and handles sooo nice now "

To quote someone who knew it better

[ Edited on 8-9-2006 by ACE_76 ]

*shrug*

Well with the amount of widened rims getting around with different offsets etc.. you probably just got a better set than mine!

your car looks good jo, where did you get your eyelids for your lights from?
Would love to get a pair for my type 3 for my lovely ladys birthday

you could change to beetle axles and axle tubes (keeping type 3 brakes) they are shorter. then you can run wider off set ,no rubbing.

photo

True, but that doesn't fix the problem with the front!

Fireball... the eyelids are just Beetle items that were "persuaded" to fit... You can get them from pretty much any VW parts shop!

could try 145s up front, the ride and handling is better than 135s . but leaves a bit of a gap between the tyre and wheel arch if the car isnt lowered enough.

Ultimate plan is to use car for trackdays so thinking more allong the 165 front/185 rear on 14's
Who knows what this will end up being in the end though!

165 is the stock size. get 5.5 or 6in rims and atleast 185 on the front.

read this:
www.clubvw.org.au/Handle with care.htm

[ Edited on 16-6-2006 by bus914 ]