[dc66]

Hi,
So here is my next project!

I've had this beetle since 1991. During this time it's had various engines, 1300, 1600, and most recently a very nice 1776. This last one was running twin Webers then I made my own multi point fuel injection. However I found that I'd stopped using it, mainly because the kids found it cold and noisy. It's fuel economy was a consideration too. So.....

I've sold the 1776 to part pay for a diesel conversion. A 1.4 tdi to be precise.

Mario at MV Engineering is partly to blame as it was him that showed me one of these 3 cylinder engines and put the idea in my head! He had a beetle in the workshop so we offered up his engine into the engine bay, and it does look like it will go in. At which point I thought "bugger, now I've got no excuse, I've got to do it now!"

So the plan is to get a doner car ( looking at one later today)
Buy the flywheel /adapter plate from Mario
Fit the radiator, heater,etc
Get a taller geared gearbox built
Fabricate some hydromounts for the gearbox and rear of engine
And, well a million and one other things!

Wish me luck!

I'm expecting this to be a project to see me through to the end of next summer, but you never know, it might take less time than I think.... Maybe not!

 

[Conv D]

Sounds like a great project, I'll be looking out for it.

 

[roflhat]

I've heard of this being done but never seen a build thread for it, will be following this

 

[lamby1992]

Sounds a cool project it will be watching this one.

 

[dc66]

Well I now have a doner car ( thanks Daryl) the only problem is that it looks too good to break! Think I'll run round in it for a while
I took it for a short spin and it seems a good runner with a nice bit of "oomph " as the turbo takes effect.

I do need to sell the bay camper first to make room in the garage.

 

[RichyRich]

This sounds fun!

 

[tiddy]

Here you go mate,
The user craig allens dad has/still i think a garage in cornwall who made this conversion

http://www.nigelallenvw.co.uk/index.html

http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/showthread.php?t=820926

http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/showthread.php?t=765848

 

[dc66]

Yeah I've seen Night Allen on the Internet before
Its nice to know that someone else has successfully done this before, it inspires me.
I think the drivability will be down to the gear ratios. I don't think that just changing the diff ratio goes far enough. I want and expect more than 58 mpg.
I also don't want to cut holes in the front of my beetle, I have other ideas on that

 

[iain ambrose]

Planned to do this on my 1302S originally as I think it's a perfect match.

 

[daz_bluebug]

Glad it's gone to a good home! I look forward to seeing this thread progress!

It does have a good bit of poke!

 

[roflhat]

I like the idea of high efficiency, are you doing anything else to increase the mpg?

 

[dc66]

I like the idea of high efficiency, are you doing anything else to increase the mpg?

I make aluminium bodies for classic and vintage sports and race cars for a living, so I wouldn't rule out a few aluminium panels going on
I'm fact I've challenged myself to make some aluminium doors for it as soon as I've done the engine.
I'll also be ditching the rather heavy saab rear seat in favour of a aluminium framed custom seat. I want to see if I can give the kids a bit more leg room!

 

[wastedspark]

Cool project, I'd love to see some photos of the install

 

[dc66]

Cool project, I'd love to see some photos of the install

As and when....

 

[dc66]

Ready!

 

[tiddy]

I think that a radiator under the rear parcel shelf above the gearbox would be a good plan.

Of a custom radiator crescent fitted under the air intake grills in the engine bay with fans blasting hot air out of the grills instead of in

 

[dc66]

I think that a radiator under the rear parcel shelf above the gearbox would be a good plan.

Of a custom radiator crescent fitted under the air intake grills in the engine bay with fans blasting hot air out of the grills instead of in

I'm going for a front mounted rad with air fed from ducts behind the horn grills and from the open spare wheel well.I'll also be using aluminium pipes under the floorpan so I can always fin those if it still runs hot. My gut feeling is that I'll be fine, the diesel runs cooler than, say, a Scooby engine.

 

[Jinx]

be interested in this, derv is the only conversion id look at for my split, (waiting for the skuby!)

 

[dc66]

So I've nearly finished doing the camper ( soon to be sold off ). That means I can soon start on this conversion.
I can't decide what to start on first, radiator area or the new gearbox hydromounts fabrications.
What do you guys want to see first?

 

[tiddy]

Radiator would be the make or break for me