Tips on how to build a v8 beetle bug vw

 My quest to build a v8 bug. In my latest project, I have decided to build a v8 front engined beetle in my endeavour to come up with a sleeper street car with a stroker motor. The vw beetle has always been a potent 10 and 11 second car at the Santa Pod raceway as well as numerous drag strip racing meets throughout the world and some have managed to crack the 9 second quarter mile. Now when you compare that to the times associated with the super cars of today that can be purchased off the showroom floor, your jaw drops at the comparison. How can a beetle beat a porsche or corvette down a quarter mile. The answer is simple.

You either find a way to wedge a dirty blown v8 or a turbo nitroused aircooled vw engine into the beetle. Simple enough to say it, but how is this done.

So, where do we start. The aim of this article is going to be to give you some visual possibilities of existing builds going on at present and the places where you can find more information. As I commence my build, I will be trying to update this article with as much information as possible to help you along. If you just enjoy reading, please feel free to leave your comments at the end.

You will need to have a basic plan in your mind or better still on paper to help give you some direction to build your V8 beetle. This is some of the information I have managed to compile so far.

I have decided that I want to build a front engined beetle instead of the rear engined beetle modification, as I want the appearance to remain standard with the shell so that it can be street legal and be used as a cruiser rather than a drag strip car. For road worthy purposes, I thought this would be a better way to go albeit there is probably going to be much more work. This is a picture of what I am aiming for so that I know what my goal is.

The Shell will be a beetle, we know this much. As it turns out though, the super beetle with the curved winscreen actually came standard with ball joint assembly on the front suspension which may save time and money down the line. It appears that the wheel base is slightly longer which might also gave us those extra few inches for the big V8 we intend to sandwich into the engine bay.

So I have decided to source a 1973 and upwards super beetle to use for the shell even though we are going to trim away much of the interior sheet metal. The king and link pin suspension of the older beetles is not a problem if you already have one as we are going to source a suitable chassis anyway which has mounting for numerous suspension components.

Ok, now some of us are not that mechanically inclined or have suitable access to the correct jigs and tools in order to build our own chassis. So we have two options here.

Option 1: Use the drawing below to come up with a suitable chassis platform that we can alter and add components and tabs to as we go along. The benefits ar ebeing able to custom fabricate according to the components and engine/drivetrain you have chosen. The disadvantages is doing all the research and measuring to create the correct configuration and measurements for the existing shell and also your chosen components.

Option 2: Buy a used chassis for a van/truck or car that comes standard with a v8 engine/drivetrain and suspension components. We must not worry to much about it fitting correctly to the shell of our donor beetle as we are going to have to modify the chassis length anyway. Remember the beetle was not built to have a v8 engine.

There are also a set of chassis plans available from Rorty designs, but I have decided to build a front engined v8 and not a rear engined v8. You can build what ever you like.Thats why its custom.

The rear engine bay for the beetle is where I have decided to put the fuel tank and the radiator with fan and fan housing.

 Choosing the V8 Bettle Engine and Drive train

My choice was pretty simple in that I found that the manufacturer with multiple V8 designs and adequate availability of spares was the trusty old Ford V8. Now of course there are V6 and straight six alternatives, but I want a V8. You may find that close to you are Bmw, Chevrolet,Cadillac,Jeep and even a few other makes of vehicle that can be used due to their popularity. The Ford chassis was the most logical for me due to the number of trucks and SUV's in the boneyards and scrap yards where I live. I made quite a few phone calls, but eventually found a guy who had the chassis, suspension and wheels for a reasonable price.Great a rolling chassis.

The engine and gearbox were a little more complex as I wanted to mkae sure that there weren't any cracks in the head and block and so decided to source an engine and gerabox from a used engine and spares company for a reasonable price. It comes with engine mounting which can easily be modified if not for the same chassis. The rear axle was lookinging abit dodgy on the chassis, but will go for a overhaul at the propshaft and axle company and to see if they need to change the axle gear ration coming form a truck chassis.

I found this drawing showing a Chevy S10 chassis and the layout of the components and most importantly a strengthener in the form of a 10 point roll cage. For cosmetic reasons, I wont be using a 10 point roll cage, but have decided to rather build support into the shell so that it can be removed in one piece when needed.

Here is a list of the kind of tools that one may expect to use during the build.Some you can easily hire from a tool hire company, but a home workshop is every guys dream. My wife often finds me go missing at the store and the first place she looks is the tools and diy section.One can never have enough tools.Thats what I say.

130 Amp Mig Welder

Welding Mask

Welding Gloves

Welding Hammer and Brush

Spanner Set

Ratchet Set and Extensions

Power Bar

Torque Wrench

Fibre Glass Matting, Resin and Hardener

Body Filler and Sandpaper

Decent Handcleaner

Allen Key set - ratchet type

Screwdriver Set

Spline key set - ratchet type

Various sheet metal, round bar, square bar etc for chassis and body work

Continuity tester for electrics

Measuring : Tape, set square, vernia gauge etc.

Spare Bolts and Nuts - M10 and M12 -different lengths

Cutting discs and sanding discs for Grinder

Small Angle Grinder

Power tools definitely help as well as air tools if you can

Bench mounted Vice

Bench mounted Grinder and Brush

Trolley Jack - 1 Tonne

Engine Jack/Lift - 3 Tonne

Jack Stands- 4 to 6 - bricks also work

Spray Gun and Compressor

Mechanics Bed for under body work

Piston Holder Clamp - changing oil rings

Oil tray

and any thing that you may need to build a home workshop like work benches etc.

You can check out the store link above for more performance motor spares thwat you may find need changing during your engine and chassis build.

I Have added some vw performance books that you may like that can be delivered to your door if you are stuck for time to find some near you. See below.

I know the vw purists will be upset, but I still believe that the Cal Look culture has kept the vintage beetle alive well and good for over 50 years. I would love to hear if anyone is planning any other project builds form home even if its a 29 Ford or 41 Willys Coupe or even a track T kit car.

Enjoying keeping hotrodding alive in my neighborhood.