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Getting closer
HappyDaze - July 31st, 2009 at 09:52 AM

The L Bug is coming along nicely, with electrics and engine tuning (dyno?) the main things left to do, along with some "aerodynamics".

As my knowledge of "modern" beetles is limited, I was hoping that someone out there could help with some starting points for suspension set-up? Wheels are 16x7.0 front, 17x8.5 rear on slicks.Before you ask why these sizes, I can get good used tyres from my son for FREE! What would be handy would be things such as :-
Spring rates
Roll bar size
Toe, F & R
Camber, F & R
Tyre pressures, and any other helpful info.

Hope to have the car track- ready in about 6 weeks!!!!!

Cheers, Greg


Jak Rizzo - August 2nd, 2009 at 12:18 AM

Hi Greg
I have a superbug but should be similar.
I run 200lb springs on the front, 26mm front sway bar with adjustable castor. Rear sway bay is a 19mm non adjustable type. Rear torsion bars are 28mm.
-1d toe in on the front, 0d toe on the rear, 2.5d neg camber all round. Tyre pressures with soft compound R-spec tyres are 31psi all round, 205/50r16 on a 6.5 inch rim. Car is 1020kg .
This is about as aggressive a suspension tune that I can go for a daily driver that I can take on the track, taking into consideration tyre wear, road comfort etc.

CT & I never had much luck with wider wheels on the rear, we found that the same size all round worked best for us.

If your car is track only u will probably find u can go with more aggresive settings.
Rudy would be the best to speak to as he's L-bug is very sorted. He's more than happy to share information
regards
Jak


HappyDaze - August 2nd, 2009 at 08:34 AM

Thank you Jak.

That is exactly the sort of info I was after. It is strictly a track car so, as you say, I won't need to compromise for road use. Tyre pressures seem high - is that hot or cold? As I said before, the race tyres (S/H) will cost me nothing, that's the reason for the rim sizes. I will know more about power output after dyno testing, but being 2.3 litre, turbo, it should be up there! Much appreciated.

Cheers, Greg


Jak Rizzo - August 2nd, 2009 at 03:47 PM

That tyre pressure is hot I think, CT will be able to correct me, he's done a fair bit of testing on my car & his own with the pyro.

I forgot to mention that I run 3.3d castor on the front, makes it feel lovely on the track, but at first I found the steering heavy on the street, especially when reverse parking but soon got used to it.

regards
Jak


Sides - August 5th, 2009 at 08:19 AM

Yikes Jak - I hope they're the hot pressures !!! :starhit:

Varies a bit with brand, compound etc. but most track tyres seem to work best at 30-32 psi hot. But yeah, they need A LOT of air compared to the pressures you'd have for normal street stuff. Slicks could be a bit different again, so start there and experiment is probably the go... what sort of pressures does your son run them at ???

Also are there any pics around of your car Greg ???


HappyDaze - August 5th, 2009 at 03:33 PM

The ' boys ' run their slicks (Michelin) at around 28-29 hot - that's on a 750 kg Lotus Elise. Maybe I should start at 30, and see what happens! Having just recovered from the drama of posting pics of my old race Beetles, I need a bit of time, then I'll try again.

Cheers, Greg


HappyDaze - August 15th, 2009 at 05:19 PM

Just got the L back from Anton's (Race Electrics), and after a bit more work, I hope to have it ready for Marulan track day on Wednesday!!!!!!!!
It will be in a very 'raw' state, but hopefully, good enough for a 'shakedown' run. Can't wait!

Cheers, Greg