Modern Suspension on an AirCooled...

[AKG1600]

Hi Volks;

I am curious to find out if any members are running a modern suspension set up on their ACVWs and how much better the handling is than the stock set up if at all.

Something in the realm of:
-Twin wishbone coilover suspension with rack and pinion steering(bolts on).
-Framehead kit bolts on to the front of your chassis, replacing the beam. 
-Complete to the spindles and rack and pinion steering. 
-Adjustable for height, stiffness, camber, caster and toe. 
-Stock spindles so that all current brake upgrades can still be used. 
Rear coilover conversion with uniball plates to replace the stock spring plates and enable the torsion bars to be removed. 
-Bolt in the coilover units, setting the ride height. 
-Uniball trailing arm and coilovers. 

Thanks.

[Loopy]

Subscribed....

Front suspension conversions is available (http://www.a-arm.com/ ) but sit down before you read the cost of it

[AKG1600]

LOL! I've seen the pricing. Red9 Design in the UK seem to offer the best price of all the ones I've seen.

However, what I'm asking is whether any of the ACVWSA forum members have gone down this route and whether the handling improved (or not) and by how much?
I've seen a few postings on other forums regarding these suspension offerings but very little in the way of actual feedback from users as to how they perform. I'm curious is all. Particularly if any ACVWSA members have gone this route and what their experience has been.

[flatfourfan]

Unless you're racing the car and want to be able to adjust everything, why even bother?

Chat with Mr racer in here who races his bug in the historic series as he's gonna be your best bet on the info......Louis I think his name is.....

[AKG1600]

Unless you're racing the car and want to be able to adjust everything, why even bother?

Chat with Mr racer in here who races his bug in the historic series as he's gonna be your best bet on the info......Louis I think his name is.....

Thanks. I'll look him up.

[Tony Z]

4agedub

[flatfourfan]

my bad.............forgot his handle for a sec there

[Tony Z]

adjustable suspensions are like carburetors
No matter how good it is setup, it wont be long before some monkey with a spanner feels the need to adjust it.

[AKG1600]

adjustable suspensions are like carburetors
No matter how good it is setup, it wont be long before some monkey with a spanner feels the need to adjust it.

Trust me... I'm not that monkey...

[riaanj]

Here you go, get yourself one of these - http://www.mendeolasuspension.com/s-2-f ... nsion.html - a bit expensive at $3295.00ea

[AKG1600]

Here you go, get yourself one of these - http://www.mendeolasuspension.com/s-2-f ... nsion.html - a bit expensive at $3295.00ea

Red9 Design ( http://www.red9design.co.uk/ ) would probably win the dual for my pocket if it came down to it. Their complete front and rear setup is £1,800.00 all in. I'm no racer so I think Mendeola would be wasted on me if one puts into perspective what I want to use the car for.
The Mendeola kit is mad trick. Too trick for me.

[Qkickslvr]

Utter pornography!!!!

[flatfourfan]

So with the Subaru conversion and the suspension, you're into your car for what?...........R150 000 plus?

[riaanj]

Very trick yes, and if you're gonna go Subaru & Mendeola, then you will with no doubt have many more trick parts on the car so I don't think the R150K is unrealistic..

[AKG1600]

These are what the sums seem to indicate (not quite as much), but with a bit of planning and some financial jiggery pokery, it could be done for less. I've now got a handle on costs, I just have to figure out how I'm going to do it without running into a spot of bother.
I'm sure I've said much of this before in another thread but it's worth recapping just so there can be a perspective on how this project has evolved since a year ago when it began.

When I embarked on this project, my requirements were simple. I wanted a Karmann Ghia. Period...
When everything was just a mere notion, I believed that I'd be happy to run the standard motor because I rationalised it was simple enough to maintain and, from what I knew then, light on fuel. I'd seen Beetles around still in use, parts appeared plentiful and reasonably priced enough. So from that perspective I thought my needs would be met.
In truth; I knew nothing apart from the inescapable fact that it was an old car and, as such, the coachwork would need to be restored because I didn't want to drive a piece of .
I wanted a stylish, classic daily driver that would be a reliable car. Again, I reiterate, I knew nothing...

After much reading and many conversations with various brethren on this and other fora, I realised that a Ghia with a 1600, 50hp motor wasn't going to cut it.
I've been used to driving more modern jam jars and 50hp would frustrate me. I want to enjoy this car so bad that it needs to meet certain preconceived expectations I have. My previous classic car, an '89 E30 BMW 325i which I had had rebuilt, had poke.

So my goals have shifted to be more inline with my expectations and desires. They've expanded to wanting a classic that can properly fulfill my needs comprehensively.
-Reliable, economical(enough), easy to work on with longevity.
-Good power from low rpm.
-An engine that can push me (with passenger/s) up a steep hill with ease.
-Be able to keep up with and comfortably accelerate passed traffic.
-Handle as good as a modern car.

My journey has brought me to this nexus. This is what I'm thinking and until I've done it, it's not set in stone. Which ever way I go, money will need to be spent.
What I thought would be a six month project, is now turning into something longer term. So as long as it's going to take a spell, I figure I might as well take the same time to do it properly.

In truth I never thought I'd own a Karmann Ghia, and now that I do, it only makes sense(to me) that I get the best experience out of it.
Kind of like Tony Z and his "Angrrr Project" but without the 'hands on' approach to project building most members have.