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Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2016 6:54 pm
by johanmarais
They do help .... thanks
Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2016 7:43 pm
by johanmarais
Might be a silly question but is the type 4 floor pan the same as the Beetle?
Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2016 7:58 pm
by Pine
johanmarais wrote:Might be a silly question but is the type 4 floor pan the same as the Beetle?
A type 4 has a monocoque chassis (like a Jetta), not a loose floor pan

Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2016 8:05 pm
by johanmarais
Ok, that makes sense.
Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2016 8:42 pm
by johanmarais
Guy, I'm still "deurmekaar"
I'm browsing the classified site but can't seem to get anything.
Is there a way to identify the 1302 or 1303 just by looking at photos, or is it more a case of go and look for myself?
Also, is the VW Beetle 1600 SP the 1302 or 1303?
Thought I'll share my trike Subaru dyno with you
Here is the youtube link
https://youtu.be/Vc7zjFdKmzE
Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2016 9:00 pm
by Tony Z
the 1600SP is not a 1302 or 1303
you are probably not finding anything because there isnt anything to be found. In all honesty, I dont think that there are more than 30 in SA.
You can tell the difference from a normal one by the slightly different bonnet, different rear fenders (if they havent been replaced) and the easiest is the 4 stud wheels, not the big PCD 5 stud that is normal.
You will have an easier time taking the semi-trailing arms off a Porsche than finding a 1302 or 1303.
Or you could import.
Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2016 9:05 pm
by Merlin
johanmarais wrote:Guy, I'm still "deurmekaar"
I'm browsing the classified site but can't seem to get anything.
Is there a way to identify the 1302 or 1303 just by looking at photos, or is it more a case of go and look for myself?
Also, is the VW Beetle 1600 SP the 1302 or 1303?
Thought I'll share my trike Subaru dyno with you
Here is the youtube link
https://youtu.be/Vc7zjFdKmzE
If you'd prefer a ready-built bug, you could always make me a very healthy offer on my IRSed '67...

Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2016 9:08 pm
by johanmarais
Thanks Tony Z
Sjoe, just about 30 off them, no wonder I can't find any.
I've been looking at the Porsche trailing arms, the 944 was mentioned but they two are hard to find.
Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2016 9:10 pm
by johanmarais
If you'd prefer a ready-built bug, you could always make me a very healthy offer on my IRSed '67...

It's the "healthy offer" that worries me

Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2016 9:41 pm
by Tony Z
the US aftermarket has trailing arms
http://www.cbperformance.com/ProductDet ... tCode=4495
at a guess, this set will cost you around 8k incl delivery to your door
You wont get a Porsche set for much less
Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2016 10:04 pm
by johanmarais
Thanks, I'll look into the aftermarket has trailing arms
Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2016 8:10 pm
by beetlefocus
johanmarais wrote:Thanks for all the info(s)
I'm playing around with the idea of a Subaru swap with Subaru gearbox.
I've done an EJ25 swap onto a Beetle box before on a trike and I'm in the planning stages of a new build and would like a Subaru swap with gearbox swap into a Beetle.
I also would love to go this route, however I fear the cost of conversion.
http://www.subarugears.com/Pricing/Pricing.html
That pricing is excluding buying a subaru gearbox.
Anyone know of a cheaper 5 speed alternative?
Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2016 8:25 pm
by johanmarais
A cheaper option surely will be welcome.
I've heard about a Audi gearbox swap and then turning the gearbox upside down.
Can't remember if this was on a bus or Beetle
Not too sure how its done.
Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2016 9:21 pm
by retrovan
beetlefocus wrote:johanmarais wrote:.........................Anyone know of a cheaper 5 speed alternative?
Really no need to go to 5th gear, as most 5th gears are the same ratios as normal 4th gear.
More Gears give you an option of reducing the engine size, so you can run in the power band, thats why trucks have anything up to 50 gears.
If you want highway speed, make sure the engine is at full power, and fit a longer 4th gear into the box, (contact Bugger)
And fit bigger tyres to the back.
My fastback runs at 140 with ease, and my Fugly Bus runs at 120 all the way to Cape Town.
Have fun
Herman
Re: vw beetle IRS rear suspension
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2016 6:44 am
by Tony Z
5th gear in a bug would be handy to close the gap between 2nd and third. But as Herman says, if you have the power, you dont need the gears.
There isnt an easy conversion that I have ever heard of.