Hi Guys, I've got a old J and S buggy currently fitted with a 1500 ( or maybe 1600?)single port, disc front and swing axle.

The voices in my head reckon I need more power. Prob a wrx sti motor. Front cuts look to be pretty good value.
Obviously I'll need a conversion kit- radiator, bellhousing fans, fuel pump , sump . Anything else?

Do I need a Kombi gearbox? Is there a particular one to get? Clutch , flywheel starter?
What to look out for?

aftermarket ECU. oh and patience, time and $$$$

Lbug box will do for your car, lots of guys are using them and they seem to survive. I'd only go kombi if you are using it offroad with big tyres.

Do a search..there are heaps of threads outlining what is needed.

How much is the buggy registered as weighing...or is in off road? The sti motor would be crazy in a j & S buggy. It has to weigh 860kg in nsw for the 2.0 wrx motor.
Matt

Matt, as I understand it, the original car that the pan came from had to weigh 860kg from the factory. Anyway, by the time he puts the STi motor and everything needed in it will weigh close to that anyway.

yeah but it goes by ORIGINAL tare weight doesnt it?

not including modifications .etc.


Anthony

Spoke with the engineer about this today.
He's really not keen on the wrx swap. Maybe a 2.2 ( but then i still need a ugly big radiator up front...
Is a kombi 2 litre too heavy?

Think I'll just get it on the road with the 1500/1600 and consider my engine choice after I've driven it.

Not necessarily the original weight...im not exactly sure the specifics, although our cars require weigh bridge cert for engineering..mine was 910kg, however my seats are stupidly heavy.the cars fall in categories of weights thus a 180sx can have a 4.0 lexus in it, our minimum is 860 and max capacity is approx 2.5 na or 2.0t.
you car can be engineered, just jave to speak to right guy.

Matt

You can hide that radiator..its not that difficult especially if you have superbug.
Matt

Hi

If the engineer gives you grief, talk to another, some are very conservitive. What state are you in? The stock weight calculation per cc is 2.5 x stock weight for a turbo car and 3 x for NA in NSW, Im not sure how they work this out for beach buggies. I saw a QLD buggy at Valla a few years ago and I hardly noticed the radiator, it was the fan turning on that made me notice it.

Steve

Hey Steve, how is the toy coming along???

Does anyone know the original weights for the various model beetles? To put in a 2litre turbo engine I need to give the engineer some evidence that the original unmodified weight of the beetle when new was 800kg or more (using the *2.5 rule).
My Pan is a 67, but also wondering on a semi auto and an early 70's pan say...

As for a clutch, a Kennedy stage 2 pressure plate should be the go.. Stay away from brass button puck clutches if you want to drive it on the road, I've learnt my lesson by going this slightly cheaper option and destroying it within a year, the kennedy feels so much better.

Hi

I forgot about the subject, get the latest pan you before 1972, 1500 auto would be good to get your starting weight up.

Steve