I started on my new project today and as I started to remove the engine, I noticed everything was covered in mud, sand and a combination of the two mixed with old oil/grease. It was difficult to even see the ribs in the gearbox, nuts around the axle tube retainers or the tinware screws. This was just filthy, the worst I've ever had to deal with.

My question is: How much gained horse power do I get per kilogram, of 'stuff' caked on g/box, engine, guards, suspension components and floorpan, if I remove and get clean? The reason I ask, is I removed with a scraper and old screw driver, 6.75kg of grease/oil soaked dirt from on top of the underneath my 1970 Beetle. How much more power, will I get back, with this much weight removed?
:P Ha Ha!!!!!
Regards,
Mark

I bought a 1989 gsxr 1100 with this reasoning.
even though a 750 of today has a better power to weight ratio than my bike I figured that with me, a big guy, over 110 kgs the outright acceleration was likely to be better on the 1100 as my weight would saccrafice the power to weight ratio advantage of a smaller sports bike.

So, if you are skinny, clean off the dirt and reap the benefits,{which would be minimal} but if you are a large person, it may not be worth the worry at all.

Cheers Tony

i have heard it said that every 50lbs of weight removed from a beetle equals about 1/10 of a second in the 1/4 mile.

I doesn't matter how much weight you take out. Your engine wont have more power....
6.75 kg, You'll put heaps more than that back in when you fill the tank up next anyway.

Thanks guys. I was taking the piss. I know that amount of weight wouldn't amount to much saving, when it comes to gained 'power'.
Thanks again.
Regards,
Mark:P

Shucks, you got me.

Isnt it terrible when you pretend to be stupid and noone guesses you are just pretending!

I hate it when that happens.

Herbie, I don't have to pretend, it comes naturally.:P
Mark