I'm very divided about a conversion but over the next 12 months will consider all options.

Being an auto I want low down torque. I want good economy as I run two company diesels, a Tiguan and a Hyundai i30 the latter 50 mpg the former 38mpg, the trike 22mpg!!!

Ideally a Polo 3 cylinder diesel not in Oz yet would be ideal, less weight than a 4 cylinder and economical. But am realising that a 4 cylinder all alloy petrol engine is best. Prefer slant engine. But the radiator needs to go under the passenger seat area.

Still thinking.

If you want to save fuel, buy a motor bike,

no offense, but that is one of the weirdest things I've ever seen. I'm with Mr Mezz

I gave up motorcycles. The trike serves us better, tows a goos sized camper trailer, is suitable for someone in old age (I'm middle aged) and in my view is safer. It takes corners faster than any motorcycle I've seen or ridden. But that isnt the discussion.

I dont give up on a project easily. I'll keep going until I find a suitable transplant or mod that will give me about 35 mpg or more. The roof was my design for example and is a one off. How many people would invest a fair bit of the hard earned on a gamble? Had a few VeeDubs in the past, 65 beetle, type 3 fastie and type 3 S/W. All manuals, this my first auto.

The fiancee has arthuritis in her neck which causes issues with wind pressure. among several other reasons eg comfort as to why I modded this Panther.

Anyway you have given me an idea. See I like the idea of compact engines and having a rear weight bias on the vW trike is an issue. As we know the 1916 weighs about 105kgms so dont really want to go heavier.

I am seeking info about twin cylinder motorcycle engines. A Victory for example 1730cc has about 144nm torque at 2500 rpm and max power 90hp at 4500 rpm. Air cooled!! oil cooled also, so could get larger radiator for the oil cooled to make sure it doesnt get hot. The Victory bike weighs 370kgm, the trike 570 kgm dry. Or maybe a water cooled Kwaka 1700? The Victory bike gets 38mpg the trike maybe 30 with that donk???

Anyhow it isnt really a VEE DUB mod but thought it might interest you guys. I can tell you there have been many bikers that are scraping their foot pegs taking corners and I'm yelling for them to let me pass. On the straight its a different matter.

or I could go the Pobjoy option??



check out the chick- girls like trikes and tatts!!!!!

I built for a client a 2165cc torque monster. It out accelerates his mates heavily worked Harley powered trike and pulls his camper trailer all over the country. He is very fuel conscience(sp) and gets better than 10liters/100km with normal driving. Overtaking a semi is now done in a flash even with the camper on the back, reaching 150 before the semi's bull bar !!! I am presently building a 2442 also for an auto trike that will have even better performance and also with beautifull driveability at all rpm.
These aren't cheap motors, but performance and longevety is possible. Mind you I think your rear structure will kill any topend performance and knock around the fuel economy in a big way.

Thanks Matberry.

My roof design catered a lot towards air flow. The rear window is vacant and there are slots where air can escape. The perspex fairings were also painstakingly designed thru trial and error to achieve a satisfactory outcome. BUt it does have a little windsock effect of course.

But my fast days are all but over (owned lotus powered cars, sports cars etc). I'm a cruiser now. Want relaxed torquey engine that doesnt go thru much oil.

Seems either of those engine sizes would do the job. Willl keep my eye on your developments.

Tweety , your heading in to wasting your time

The issue you have is the auto gear box and its the final ratio of the type 3 transmision. You will not find another ratio to replace it. You could change wheel size but that will not help you at all.

That was my trike powered by a JDM EJ20 quad cam subaru and type 3 auto. I have now sold it and no longer have any thing to do with these machines

Thanks Seagull.

Yes I am familiar ith your ex machine - have seen it on various sites. I did change rear tyres from 296/50 to 275/60...lowering the revs at 100kph about 200 rpm. It did make some difference but not significantly. And i am aware that you cant change the final drive.

But given that auto is my only desire there is little else I can do. Reversing an auto box final drive in another set up like Subaru hasnt been done to my knowledge.

The issue here now, having had all advice on this thread, is whether an alternative engine be it a lightweight diesel, V twin Kawasaki or other will give me the increase in power I desire and secondly be more economical to a significant degree. Bearing in mind I am stuck with 3,100 rpm at 100kph. I am personally hopeful I can achieve the two objectives- its just I want to get it right.

On this gallery web site there are conversions done to beetles.

http://www.gerrelt.nl/other-conversions.html 

The SAAB v4 (SAAB 95) also seen in the US Ford Taurus is a compact engine with low down torque and fits snuggly in the beetle engine bay and weighs a low 110 kgms. Chromed up would look ok.

The Polo 1.4 3 cylinder diesel turbo seen all over Europe does the same.

A V-twin would have the sound, easy buying at a wrecker, adapter plates for Harley has been achieved in the past so at least we know it has been done, and water cooled engine should not be a problem. Would be very light too.Would also look the best.


Thanks for your reply and experience seagull. I'm not going to give up just yet.

If and when I do then I'll head for a Subaru 5 speed manual with reverse diff or stick with what I have correctly sorted.

Its an odd feeling at the pump filling my i30 diesel for $70 after 950kms and spending the same filling the trike after 350kms

If you go 5 speed, you would be best to get a 3.9 final drive ratio as this would suit your application. I was thinking you could keep with the vw motor to keep it light on the tail end. You may wish to look at a fuel injection kit for the Vw donk.

In saying this manuals are a pain and take the leasure away from these machines, compact front wheel drive may be worth looking into

Hear you Seagull, interesting you suggest the FWD set up. The Panther has a unique monocoque chassis, the alloy fuel tank is its box strength. My i30 diesel front end in this trike would be one hell of a quick car. It is superb as it is in the car body.

And I agree also with your feelings about manual spoiling a trike. Nah, I'll stick with the auto, a lazy cruiser it is.

It is increasingly obvious that keeping what I have and getting a damn nice upgrade with the suggestions to date is the way to go.

I just havent ruled anything out yet.

Thanks to everyone.

Now we're talking!!

Will watch with interest.

You funny,
just spend the money on petrol that you would be spending on the conversion and drive the thing, you should get about 50,000Ks
as it defeats the purpose of trying to save money if you have to spend a shit load to do it.

You need to look at the weight, that red thing could lift the wheel at 120ks & I weigh 105kgs. Aask Todd to make a better suited Vw crown wheel and pinon for the VW auto in its stock form.

Love all the options here. thanks again.

if I keep with the VW donk and have a 4 or 5 speed Subaru box I will need an adapter plate (about $500)

My question to the knowledgable- Will the VW engine suffer cooling issues by it being lowered say 700-900 rpm at 100kph? if not what about when towing say a 450kgms van?