Super airbox in standard Beetle

[heliarc]

A while ago a person who had given up on their project gave me some parts. Spare engine, some sheet metal, bits and bobs, and an airbox with electric fan. They're from a super Beetle but the airbox does look like it could mount right in the same place as the standard job. I figured with the fan I'd get better defrost. Anybody tried this?

[Marc]

The degree of difficulty depends upon the year of the Super vent box. There are differences in the position and size of the outlets, as well as the drain tube off the bottom. If your Standard is pre`71 with a molded wiring cover-panel it probably won't fit around the bulkier box; the `71-`77 trunk liner should fit better.

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=140717

[heliarc]

It's a 71 standard that the box will hopefully go into. I believe it was a 73 super that the box came out of but I can't be sure. I haven't even tried to dry fit the box yet, it just looks like it could be a similar fit. The drain looks to be in the center but it's sort of flattened where the 71 drain is round. I suppose that's not an issue as long as I can run the hose out through the bulkhead somehow. Will this really be worth anything in the end though? My whole idea is that I'm hoping to get some better defrost and heat out of it with the fan.

[Marc]

I really like the one Chris put in my `69 (the blue car in the thread I linked to above). Can't attest to whether it'll improve the heat any - so far it hasn't been cold enough to need anything more than my heated seat
...but even just blowing cold air it helps keep the windshield clear on rainy days.

If it's been sitting around for years you should probably bench-test the motor to see if even works or if it's too noisy to live with before you tear your car up to put it in.

[heliarc]

I didn't even notice your link up there, but thanks for posting that. It's nice to see that someone has already done it. As long as the motor works ok I'll be putting it in. If it's a little noisy that isn't going to bother me. I will test it though since it's been sitting for some time and maybe tear it down to see if I can get some lube to the critical areas. I also have a great guy that services all manner of 12V motors, generators, and alternators at a reasonable rate. My main concern is the defrost though and since yours seems to work alright just blowing cold air on the windshield I think I'm going to go ahead with this. It's mainly going to be a summer car but just to keep it out of the salt. However if we get hit hard, the roads aren't plowed, and I need to get into town I know the Beetle will do it.

Thanks Marc! Once I get to this I'll post video of the swap on my build thread.