| [ Total Views: 3241 | Total Replies: 67 | Thread Id: 98434 ] |
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 Camo
A.k.a.: Kev
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| posted on August 19th, 2012 at 09:53 AM |
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Love my car, but not the drive.
Most have probably seen my car over the long build period on here and I have to say I enjoyed the build and love my car and the VW world.
But I must say I am not enjoying the driving experience as I thought I would. Not in relation to the handling, steering or brakes but the short gear
shifts required every time I take off at lights etc.
Seems like I only go about 10 feet and then have to change to 2nd and feels like I don't really get going until I'm in 3rd gear. I know these cars
were designed for a standard 1200, 1300 etc but I thought with a decent motor in there it would be better.
I have to say, I am even thinking that a WRX motor and 5 speed looks very enticing at the moment. Maybe I am just use to driving modern cars and the
way that they drive.
Please tell me your thoughts or am I just not use to my car. Have only done about 1000kms in it in 6 months as I seem to only get it out every few
weeks for a drive.
Cheers, Kevin
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LUFTMEISTER
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| posted on August 19th, 2012 at 09:57 AM |
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Your getting old. Time for a '70s auto Jetta i'm afraid 
Customer service is not dead in Australia.
Always after HAZET & MATRA & VW factory tools
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XXX-1.8T
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| posted on August 19th, 2012 at 10:02 AM |
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What gear box are you running now?
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rose
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| posted on August 19th, 2012 at 10:03 AM |
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kevin kevin kevin kevin just give it to me I would love to drive it
[img][/img]
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VDU.88A
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| posted on August 19th, 2012 at 10:13 AM |
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Should try driving a truck with 18 speeds in 10 metres you would be in atleast 3rd gear 
Maybe try a differnt diff ratio in the box
Treat the vw as a toy it is never gonna feel like a modern car.
I enjoyed reading the build thread car looks good.
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Joel
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| posted on August 19th, 2012 at 10:14 AM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by Camo
I know these cars were designed for a standard 1200, 1300 etc but I thought with a decent motor in there it would be better.
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It's the decent motor that's not so much the problem but the cause.
Its just not having to work to get the car up to speed like a stock engine does so it's spinning through the gears in no time
A bit like a Kenworth Prime mover without a trailer attached could take off in 400th gear and still beat all the lead foot soccer mums and P platers
off the mark.
I often take off in 2nd gear with mine for the same reason.
Just needs some slightly taller gearing or play with your tyre size.
what size is on the back currently?
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HappyDaze
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| posted on August 19th, 2012 at 10:18 AM |
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Maybe you're expecting too much from the Beetle, Kev.......after all, it's basically a 50-year-old car. Having traveled many miles in vintage
[1920s] cars, some with 2-wheel brakes, I've learned to 'program' the old brain - please, no 'what brain?' comments - to look at every car as a
different animal.
Enjoy the Beetle for what it is, and gradually improve it over the years....but don't ask it to be a modern car. There are people who would happily
give a very important part of their anatomy for that car, Kev.
I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!
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ian.mezz
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| posted on August 19th, 2012 at 10:39 AM |
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this is like dayshavoo to me I hear this all the time. Some people have never driven a beetle before and spend heaps of money on them and than it
doesn't drive like they imagined it would drive like.
The funny thing is a lot of them that ask about performance are trike people.
Just get out and drive it, maybe try and get out of town abit away from all the traffic lights and 60K zones.
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Joel
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| posted on August 19th, 2012 at 11:09 AM |
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Have you done much highway cruising in it yet?
most people not real familar with VWs feel like they are ringing it's neck soon as they try to cruise over 90km/h.
They think it will self destruct soon as they exceed 3000rpm when really they cruise all day happily at flat bicky (well a stocker not flat bicky on a
hot motor )
I was almost struggling to keep up to my mate in his stock 1500 which has almost 200,000miles on it coming back from Valla.
I clocked him at 85mph on the GPS several times when he was overtaking
lucky it was a quiet sunday arvo
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68AutoBug
A.k.a.: Lee Noonan
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| posted on August 19th, 2012 at 11:39 AM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by Camo
Most have probably seen my car over the long build period on here and I have to say I enjoyed the build and love my car and the VW world.
But I must say I am not enjoying the driving experience as I thought I would. Not in relation to the handling, steering or brakes but the short gear
shifts required every time I take off at lights etc.
Seems like I only go about 10 feet and then have to change to 2nd and feels like I don't really get going until I'm in 3rd gear. I know these cars
were designed for a standard 1200, 1300 etc but I thought with a decent motor in there it would be better.
I have to say, I am even thinking that a WRX motor and 5 speed looks very enticing at the moment. Maybe I am just use to driving modern cars and the
way that they drive.
Please tell me your thoughts or am I just not use to my car. Have only done about 1000kms in it in 6 months as I seem to only get it out every few
weeks for a drive.
Cheers, Kevin
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Hi Kev
Well I've been driving My 68 beetle since 2005 and thought it was driving OK... was really good on bendy roads etc..
but I have just changed front ends and steering box and did the brakes up and a few other things even though they were all done in the restoration.
and now My steering is Perfect.... Brakes are better..
and it just feels much better than it was...
You may need a higher diff ratio... or even a custom ratio??
plus custom gears... which are available these days..
With the engine you may have gone a bit too far for a normal driver and not a drag or race car..
with all the power You have changed the car that needed those gears to keep mobile
I have been tempted to put twin carbies and twin port heads on My engine but it can go up hills at 100++ KMH
with single port single carburetor...
but after a 60KMH run just now, I'm happy the way it goes..
but I only have two pedals in My autostick beetle and can start off in any gear..lol.. and Im not in Sydney... lol
You would probably be happy with the times from Drag racing your beetle at Warwick next month Kev..
cheers
LEE
- [size=4]Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY--- [/size]
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t_tuffnut
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| posted on August 19th, 2012 at 04:21 PM |
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I have to admit that recently I have been thinking a 5 speed would be a nice change and make my bug a bit nicer to drive, but then it wouldn't be the
same.
Most of my driving is in the 60km areas to and from work and pootling around the coast and the standard ratios are fine for this. There is also
something nice about blasting around and making a heap of noise at low speeds, over taking ricers and deafening them in the process. It makes it more
of an occasion to drive it, even if i'm just popping down to the shops. I get out, half deaf but buzzing. James May goes on about it how a car at
its' limits is more fun that a car going faster without breaking a sweat and I agree.
My Magna is quicker, quieter and sits nicer on the road, but it is pretty dull.
I reckon a long drive down a country or coast road is what you need. Just a long stretch to open it up an let it sing. Meet up with a convoy and make
a day of it. I'd suggest the ridge way on the Central coast - it's a favourite of mine with narrow winding roads, a hair pin or two, mountainous
drops and lush greenery and serenity to disturb.
A few of us coasties went on a trip from the Gosford off ramp on the F3 up to Patonga last year and it was pretty cool.
Any other suggestions for great country driving roads?
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rose
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| posted on August 19th, 2012 at 06:02 PM |
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nice country drive
from Somersby is Peats Ridge Road and goes into George Downs Dr up to the Vinyards at the Hunter Valley and there's a nice place to stop for lunch on
the way heaps of motor bikes stop there.
I hate driving my bug in Sydney no fun at all.
[img][/img]
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vwo60
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| posted on August 19th, 2012 at 06:31 PM |
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depending on your engine you could concider raising the gearing, i have a 2276 in my ghia and i will be putting a 3.88 diff with close ratio 3rd and
4th, this will raise 1st and 2nd and bring 3rd and 4th closer but still have a good fan speed at highway speeds, my car could use the higher 1st and
2nd but the way it is at the moment it is very quick of the line.
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 matberry
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| posted on August 19th, 2012 at 06:46 PM |
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I love driving my bug, but I have country roads and see a decent amount of 80 and 100 zones. It runs a 3.88 cw/p and .89 top with 650mm tall tyres.
Certainly the gear ratios and tyre choice make a huge difference when talking drivability with a bigger than stock engine.
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE
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tar76
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| posted on August 19th, 2012 at 06:51 PM |
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If your driving a modern car most of the time and you get in your bug there will be a big difference. I have a falcon work car with all the mod
consand drive it 5-6 days a week and when i jump in my dubs have to tell myself not to compare
"Obey your Dreams"!
62 Std beetle.
65 11 wnd Split "The Cross".
6? coming very soon!!!!
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vwo60
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| posted on August 19th, 2012 at 07:51 PM |
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Give me my vw's over any modern car, just had it bought home with a corrola hire car. driving my old cars is a experence, not wraped up inside a
airconditioned cabin with no feel or a good engine noises, i do not have a problem keeping up with anybody, particually a standard 1500
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waveman1500
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| posted on August 19th, 2012 at 08:30 PM |
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Drive a standard one for a day, and then you will find out how quick yours is!
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Paulc1964au
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| posted on August 19th, 2012 at 08:32 PM |
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Kev,
We should get together soon and you can drive rosie which is pretty stock and see if there is a big difference. Remember though you are running 18
inch wheels when it was designed for 13 or 14 inch wheels??????
Your the mechanic not me so maybe im talking crap lol
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Camo
A.k.a.: Kev
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| posted on August 19th, 2012 at 08:47 PM |
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Hi all,
thanks for the replies and I laughed at many of them. As I said, I love driving the car and it sits nice and flat around corners. I think someone
said about it would be good for racing, but it seems slow to me until I get into 3rd and use the torque of the stroker to pull away.
It is a torquey (spelling) motor and pulls nicely in 3rd or 4th without any problems, if not to low in the rev range. But getting up to 3rd is where I
feel the problem is.
Although I have 18" wheels, they are the same rolling diameter as the original factory tyres or very close too for legality reasons. Issue could be
my final diff ratio as it is 4.125 crown wheel and pinion, 3.7778 first gear, 2.0588 second, a closer ratio coarse tooth 1.3182 third and 0.889 fourth
gear.
Maybe I am just getting old, but yes I agree about jumping out of a modern car would play a big part in me think the way I do about the VW.
Yes Joel, been out on the freeway and it is a good cruiser sitting on about 3000rpm at 100kmph. And I love just squeezing the pedal and passing
others.
Tuffnut, when I mentioned a 5 speed I was meaning a Subaru 5 speed for the modern drive feel.
I also wonder if it was efi turbo, it would be quieter and smoother to drive ??? But I guess that doesn't change ratios. But if I build a turbo
motor I think it would be smaller and a higher revving engine 
Cheers, Kev
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Camo
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| posted on August 19th, 2012 at 08:49 PM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by Paulc1964au
Kev,
We should get together soon and you can drive rosie which is pretty stock and see if there is a big difference. Remember though you are running 18
inch wheels when it was designed for 13 or 14 inch wheels??????
Your the mechanic not me so maybe im talking crap lol
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Yes you are correct. You are talking crap
You have to remember, bigger wheel, smaller tyre wall = Same diameter as original (in my case anyway).
Kev
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Paulc1964au
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| posted on August 19th, 2012 at 08:53 PM |
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what can i say lol
As you know i have a Golf R and love it but i do love driving my beetle as well just gotta get some confidence to drive it again after my recent
breakdown
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AUSSIE_MICK
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| posted on August 19th, 2012 at 09:00 PM |
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With the white furry hat Paul
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vwo60
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| posted on August 19th, 2012 at 09:05 PM |
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A turbo motor would require a total rethink of the gear ratio's,, a big engine with a turbo, geared nice and high in the lower gears so there is no
lag.
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Paulc1964au
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| posted on August 19th, 2012 at 09:14 PM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by AUSSIE_MICK
With the white furry hat Paul
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Nah probably my blue cap
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Camo
A.k.a.: Kev
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| posted on August 19th, 2012 at 09:53 PM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by Paulc1964au
| Quote: | Originally
posted by AUSSIE_MICK
With the white furry hat Paul
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Nah probably my blue cap
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Oh, the one you got made for the gay mardi gras
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AUSSIE_MICK
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| posted on August 19th, 2012 at 10:02 PM |
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WTF is it with that hat!
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Paulc1964au
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| posted on August 19th, 2012 at 10:15 PM |
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lol ets not focus on my hat lets focus on kev's issues and we know he
has lots
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Craig Torrens
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| posted on August 19th, 2012 at 10:39 PM |
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I drive an EVO X.......but I still enjoy driving all my beetles 
just rev it more you old pussy
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vlad01
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| posted on August 19th, 2012 at 10:44 PM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by Camo
Most have probably seen my car over the long build period on here and I have to say I enjoyed the build and love my car and the VW world.
But I must say I am not enjoying the driving experience as I thought I would. Not in relation to the handling, steering or brakes but the short gear
shifts required every time I take off at lights etc.
Seems like I only go about 10 feet and then have to change to 2nd and feels like I don't really get going until I'm in 3rd gear. I know these cars
were designed for a standard 1200, 1300 etc but I thought with a decent motor in there it would be better.
I have to say, I am even thinking that a WRX motor and 5 speed looks very enticing at the moment. Maybe I am just use to driving modern cars and the
way that they drive.
Please tell me your thoughts or am I just not use to my car. Have only done about 1000kms in it in 6 months as I seem to only get it out every few
weeks for a drive.
Cheers, Kevin
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I build a sort of a sprint car which was VW based back when I was 16-17. same thing happen, loved the build but was impractical to drive due to a lot
of reason including the gears. it used a 6v SA setup from a bug of unknown year powered by a 70 1600 twin carb type 3 engine. It accelerated so fast
due to the ridiculously low weight ( about 350~400kg) that the gears were stupid, I would be in 1st for less than a sec before hitting over 6k rpm (
must of been some high ratio diff and gears) and reaching over 50mph in 5 or so sec, already 4th gear and was reving higher than usual.
In the end I drove its only a handful of times before I sold it.
I totally agree, torque engine with taller gears make for a nice drive, the vw is geared down quite a LOT by today's standards
I like being able to practically idle along at 1k rpm doing 30ks in 3rd and giving it a little throttle pushing it nice and easy to 100km only getting
up to 3k rpm and skipping 4th going straight to 5th cruse at 1900rpm.
I love the concept of the speedo going up twice as fast and the tacho.
Its soooo nice! I want to achieve similar results in my notch basing on the suby platform, maybe a suby 6
maybe thats what you need to suit your needs?
71 notchback,
Past owner of, 70 NB, 73 SB and 72 FB TLE |
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robb
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| posted on August 19th, 2012 at 11:13 PM |
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but isn't that why we all drive and love da vw because they are different
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