Mild 1914 WBX Turbo now 2.1 with NOS

[Bratjie]

Just thought it fitting to stop posting on my old 1600 Turbo thread,

As mentioned in that post switching over to a WBX Turbo just because?..............................................................
I have one lying around and because I can

First things first though, to all the oke's going to hammer me for going watercooled ( that includes you Vader!) I can take critisism but don't expect any resonses. Just doing what comes naturally teaching my sons a few life lessons and keeping them on the right track ( the VW way that is )

Anyway, she will be built to run a/cooled, w/cooled, Turbo or non Turbo, for what it's worth she's still my vafourite car and wont go for a ball of . The 1600 aircooled engine is now reserved for my Ghia build later this year. The following are just some random pic's and the build process will follow.

22.jpg

This was Drift's Ghia " AKA Baked Bean" also featured in
S & S mag some time ago which is the donor of the engine built by Peter Chadwick some time ago,

pg3_small.jpg

pg4_small.jpg

This is the patient,

Beetle1.jpg

This is being replaced,

1600 Turbo engine.jpg

With this

WBX Turbo1.jpg

I'll be starting to build the radiator cradle later this afternoon, but now I first I have to go get dressed as my second grandchild is on the way!!!!

Later!

[YvaneS]

Good luck with the build, keep us posted on the progress!

[Tony Z]

that bug of yours looks good!

[Bratjie]

Thanks guys, will definately keep u posted
Tony, your bug looks like it flies man! Good job..... 185hp eh? I'm aiming for at least 160 - 180, should be achieveble, just a little concerned about the tranny, starting to grate quick shifting into 3rd gear.will have to see Bugger about that.
I know what 100 horses feels like but what does 185 feel like in the bug?

[Tony Z]

100hp is fun
180 takes a lot more concentration but its more fun! For me, the best part is the sound. I am not used to the acceleration yet, but it always makes me giggle like a little girl.

As for the gearbox, a stock box wont hold. I'll guarantee you that. Bugger built my box for me to my spec. Probably one of the highest spec boxes he has built so far. But I got good prices on everything and not paying for shipping all helped. just remember, its cheaper to build it right once than to get it wrong twice.
And get ready to struggle with your clutch. you need a stronger pressure plate for sure, but with that comes a heavy pedal. But if you get it too heavy and it doesnt slip enough, then you start breaking the gbox again.
And not to mention gearbox bracing to stop it moving - this adds interior noise but there is nothing you can do about it.
It all helps, but it also all makes the car more of an effort to drive.

[Bratjie]

Thx for the heads up Tony, just arrived back from the hospital and now proud grandfather of a healthy boy,
Back to bussines, I got the engine with a clutch & press plate, will see how long that lasts, not keen on wheelspinning and will rather granny shift but u know what its like when the laaities take u on at the robots heh-heh..
Will post for g/box braces soon, also planning to refit the rear engine hanger bracket with proper mounts.
Had a quick couple of beers on the new born boy so will see if any radiator cradles wwill be built tonight.
So till tomorrow then.

[Tony Z]

Thx for the heads up Tony, just arrived back from the hospital and now proud grandfather of a healthy boy,

Awesome!!! Congratulations.

[Riekert]

Congratulations!

[Bugger]

Yip Congrats man

[69bug]

Congrats!
Cant wait to follow the build!

[Bratjie]

Progress going a lot slower than expected but we're getting there slowly, busy with water pipes, not sure where all the smaller water hoses on the engine goes but I'll figure that out once I mock fit the engine, exhaust will be modified to either run Turbo on or off without changing complete exhaust, learnt that one the hard way with the 1600 Turbo , bigger charge cooler radiator fitted with large water reservoir , front spoiler to be modified to include a nice scoop to direct airflow and stainless cowl over radiator to keep air flow from entering the hood area,

[Bratjie]

Need to do wiring for rad fan with relay, all gauges to be replaced and low water level light to be added, have to figure out how plumb in expansion bottle, anybody with suggestions of water piping layout on the engine itself? I guessed the top pipe of the thermostat housing is inlet? Not sure where it leads from there, also where to put the expansion bottle and pipes, any help please?

[Bratjie]

Some fun, old man trying to be funny

Old man tryin to be gansta.JPG

Wife doesn't think he's funny, gatvol of the oldman always in the garage, better make up for it soon !!!!

Mom watching patiently.JPG

[Bratjie]

Time for a short update, we have been driving the WBX for some time now to check for any defects before going turbo and she goes reasonably well considering the cr is 7.3:1 ( to allow for the turbo fitment later ) as opposed to the normal cr of 8.6:1. Very few glitches sorted out by trial and error like getting the right combination aux fan switch and new radiator fan fitted behind the radiator instead of the crappy VS fan that was on the front of the radiator that could hardly blow a breeze, now fitted a BMW fan and it sucks man I mean literally flowing lots of air. built some ram scoops to force air through the radiator and so far so good.

Someone on the forum asked for some pics on the radiator install and so I will commence, started mocking up some piping and made a cradle for the radiator to fit in, no easy task for an amateur welder
Cutting and fitting next,

[Bratjie]

Didn't want to cut into the front valance and bonnet like others so I decided that a grille into the front scoop would be something different,

This didn't appeal to me much

Flame front falance cutouts.jpg

Finding the right grille and fitting,

Grille search.jpg

Fitting the radiator

Radiator cutout2.JPG

Radiator fit.jpg

Getting the grille in place next