Can you track and street a Bug?

[SparksLP]

Hi gang!
I've been digging through forums, working on making my Bug "reliable" for a little over a year+. Now starting to plot the future. Would love to make my Bug a combo of a street driver but still be able to take it to a road course or autocross event and have fun. Based on my car being a 1966 with a stock transplanted 1600dp:
1: Plan is for stock beam and drop spindles, looking for tire size options (open to rim suggestions). What should the rear tire size be to still allow highway driving? And for no rubbing in front?
2: Safety: roll cage/seats/belts etc?
Engine will have to stay stock for a while, any simple tweaks that can help? Already have a better header/exhaust, alternator. Most of my theory for the build is to allow myself to participate in any number of events (SCCA autocross, vintage race style events, random track days) but still tool around town and up the highway without hating everything.
Thanks for any feedback, sorry for the long post!

[SparksLP]

Here is a set of rules for a nearby vintage race event if that helps.

[ps2375]

A good set of shocks will make it better for both. And an adjustable set will be even better. There's the Koni's and (what I bought) GAZ. They make a world of diff for Street(fronts full soft) and Auto-X(fronts set to 6,7 or 8 and rears left at 7). They have 20 adjusting detents, it doesn't take much to make the front stick better even with a hard all-season sporty tire like my Firestones.
There are 2 dealers in the US, use the east coast guy.

And tire pressures will also be a tool.

[SparksLP]

Good idea on the shocks, I'll have to check all the rules with the various clubs around me and see if adjustable ones are out or change the class rating.

[ps2375]

Funny how the rules you posted discuss everything BUT shocks.

[SparksLP]

Well, it specified "no coil overs", so that counts?

Just from that list, the main things I need to do are a roll bar/cage and safety equipment to make it "legal". I have a camber compensator already. I've read through FJCamper's race Ghia post, but there's a lot in there that either I don't have the money for or have not the tools or skill to set up.

I know Bugs are in the "H Street" category for SCCA autocross, so I'll have to check those rules as well and cross reference.

[ps2375]

No, coilovers are Shock and springs as a single unit. I've read threads debating if shock mounts are sturdy enough to handle the loads of both shock and springs.

I race scca auto-x events, but not in the street class, I don't think I've ever run a car in the stock/street class over the years, lol. Well, there was that rental car once...

[SparksLP]

Ha! We won't tell the rental car company. I assume most of the people on here who track or Auto-x their Bugs don't use them for road use? I know from reading around that a Bug set up for one racing discipline would be worse at another.

So since I'm a newbie to any form of racing (not counting video games), does it make sense to start with safety equipment and suspension and tires and start with basic Auto-x to learn how my car handles?

[ONEBADBUG]

Last I heard, and just be safe, a swing axle needs a positive droop stop. The easiest way to do that is to drill and tap a hole in the perch and put an allen bolt in there.

[ps2375]

That sounds like a good plan. Auto-X gives you a good feel for how the car will handle in transitions and under hard braking.

Adjustable shocks allow a good compromise between street and "race", along with adjusting tire pressures. I don't generally run the same tire pressures for auto-x and regular street driving. I could, as the adjustable shocks make those pressures almost live-able on the street, almost.

And I'll tell you that I know nothing about handling in a swing axle car.

[SparksLP]

Last I heard, and just be safe, a swing axle needs a positive droop stop. The easiest way to do that is to drill and tap a hole in the perch and put an allen bolt in there.

Droop stop? I don't think I've heard that term before, does that go by a different name?


Anyone on here have a good tire brand and size recommendation? Plan is drop spindles and an equivalent drop in the rear. Car has 15x5.5" GT-5s on it. Was thinking maybe a 185/60r15, don't want anything too short that I couldn't do highway driving with.

[ps2375]

I run a 205/65-15 rear and 185/65-15 front.

A window mounted Go-Pro of a run. Auto-X run

[SparksLP]

For reference, tried to install drop spindles with the current tires (185/65r15 all the way around). Stock beam, drum brakes. Obviously the tires rub, or I would just use these, haha

[ps2375]

Yup, I had the same issue with drop disk brake spindles. Took them off. It needs about an inch more clearance, and I won't narrow the beam, so some wider fiberglass fenders will be needed. Ans I'd like to get some wider wheels in a 16" size for it front and rear. But, they'll need to be custom as I want to keep the 4X130 bolt pattern to be able to use the current wheels for most street driving.

[SparksLP]

I see a lot of people using different wheels and tires for the track, makes sense but out of the budget right now.
Would it make sense to replace the wheels I have for stock steel style, or something with a different offset?