Hi, im contemplating building a vw beetle for improved production circuit racing, I havn't purchased a car as yet as I cant make my mind up what will be the best combo as far as suspension goes, initially I thought a superbug/macpherson strut and double joint IRS would be the go but is it? the more I think about it the beam suspension in the front may be better as it must add alot of stiffness to the car.... I have never owned a beetle before only kombi vans and formula vees, the beetle is a different kettle of fish and I would atleast like purchase the right car intitially, so any advice would be appreciated and if anyone out there has raced in this class before with a vw please let me know any hurdles im likely to bump into, cheers, Ryan

There's a lot of things to think about when it comes to racing cars. Are you in it for the racing or for the car? I would probably say that a Bug isn't really the ideal car for Improved Production. Most guys these days are going for old small Japanese RWD cars and fitting turbo engines from later models. You are allowed an engine swap, as long as the replacement engine is from the same manufacturer, same number of cylinders and configuration. This means that old Corollas can run Toyota turbo engines, old Datsuns can run Nissan turbo engines, etc. With a Superbug, the only obvious engine swap that you would be allowed would be a Type 4 VW engine.

You also need to consider budget, as racing isn't cheap. The cheapest way is to buy a used car which is already set up. A workmate of mine built an Improved Production car at home and it cost him $30k. That was a Chrysler/Mitsubishi Galant with a 4G63 turbo engine (ie. Lancer Evo). From what I've seen around the place, you can easily buy a decent Improved Production race car used for less.

Oh and further to my comments on buying someone else's car being much cheaper, I just found a car for sale on this very forum. If you want a VW race car then this is an absolute bargain!

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=96672 

Thanks a heap, its aaalll about the car, has to be a vw and the car mentioned in your last post would certainly be worth consideration, I have read about this car and it is impressive...

Do ur self a favour get an l bug curved screen a lot more aero dynamic more fast with less hp garenteed, cheers Rudi 0418442953

If your thinking the L Bug root give , Matt Berry a ring on here and he'll point you towards a very nice 75 shell owned by Brad ....... sorry can't remember his surname but he was trying to sell it at the Gold Coast show yesterday .
Matts number is 0408 704 662

Although I agree with the curved screen comment - you cannot go past the V Force green machine

$10k for that just doesnt come anywhere near what you will get elsewhere

car, brakes, sump, 915 box, suspension, seat, pedals

I am trying to get to the end of my Improved Production build and would buy either of these 2 cars in a heartbeat and go racing.
You will end up in sports sedan for both of them as far as category goes but that is not the end of the world.

Turbo engines get hit with a capacity multiplier of 1.7 (in response to waveman1500) so to run under 2 litre like most beetles run you would be running an 1175cc turbo. Beetles are still competitive.

I think the green machine is out as it has probably been modified too much to fit in improved production rules, in particular the cage runs through to the struts and the fire wall has been modified. Im really interested in the curved window though, what year did the window shape change? Any thoughts on the Machperson strut vs beam suspension, I have a car available to me that has the MS set up, I just dont want to buy it and then find out its the wrong way to go, have made quite a few mistakes in the past with race cars and hoping to get this one right

Hey Marcus, where are you at with your car and what have you gone for - MS or beam and what year?

The cuurved screen bugs are the 1303 super or L bug with the MS front. They ran from late 73 to 75. L buugs are also the heaviest of all the beetles from what I understand, but the suspension is better..... its a trade off.

Allot of beam cars do very well and handle very well also....

I have gone with a 54 body on a 69 semi-auto pan ... so BJ beam front end and IRS rear.
I am about to fit the rollcage. Engine is almost finished. Body tidy up and some fuel and brake plumbing and wiring. (Doesn't sound like much )
I am only too happy to talk in person or over the phone if you want.
Send me an email.

Depens what you want. Get IRS rear though. I converted to IRS and would have been better off just buying a bj IRS but to start with. I'm a looks over function guy, so although the MS is "better" I prefer the bj and it's simplicity. Really there's shit all difference between a flat screen super and a 70+ Bj IRS bug(bit of weight and bonnet shape)

A 1975 L bug has rack and pinion steering as well.
The 1303 that was Brad's I believe is a 1975.

Hi

The 1303 Beetle that V Force had a hand in for the 10K challenge is available without motor, give Richard a call V Force.

Read about it here http://members.iinet.net.au/~clubvw1/Motor%20Magazine%2010K.htm 

Steve

PS I vote for 1303 as well, the weight penalty is there but the strut cars can tuned to handle far better than a beam bug, Col Mayman has got some serious weight out of his 1302 hill climb car.

Thanks for all the replys, just want to confirm that a 75 model has double joint IRS? If so im off to buy the original car I looked at and will be getting on with the build, might take it to the local track first just to see what it can do in road trim

Deal done, its red too so bound to be a bit faster

Cool!
Keep us informed as it progresses

Quote:

Originally posted by 68TT Deal done, its red too so bound to be a bit faster

Im located in Hobart, Baskerville is my home track (location for the ipra nationals in November), its extremely ambitious but hoping to have Herbie ready to run at that event! I do have a good bunch of mates and my dad that can help and I have a bit of spare time up my sleeve so its a slim chance but we may make it, if not will have a good car for next year. Will update a picture when I get it home, cant wait to get into it!

Best of luck! Be sure to keep us updated with pics!