Sporting a Single port 1500 CC engine. My dad was a Mopar drag racer before Vietnam, so this must have been a hard transition. 15 years later, the little bug sat unused in the driveway. I owned 2 cars already, A 62 T Bird and a 63 Lincoln continental. My dad, likely thinking of his pocketbook said you could drive my bug. He never said it was mine. Ever! We would take a trip to Mexico and get a custom red valor upholstery job done. Later (Due to theft), he bought a new 1600 Single-port Engine from GEX. I drove that thing like it was a race car.
While driving it to High school, it would be stolen 3 times and stripped 2 times. 2 Trips to Mexico for new upholstery. In 1987 I painted it myself under a tree and lowered it. My dad was mad that I had lowered it. After Bootcamp, I drove it back and forth to Ventura until I received orders to New Port, RI. I was not about to take it to RI and then Later Gulf port MS. I did not want it to rust. I bought a new truck and drove there. From time to time, I would come home on leave, pull out the bug, and get it going. I would use it while I was there. As time went on, it was just not used and parked in the barn where cats pissed. From 1992 to 2016, it sat there.
My dad died in 2016, and I knew I had to keep it in the family. I went to the barn to check on it. The seats turn to dust if you touched them, and the tires are crusty and flat. The door's hinges must be rusted in place as It is hard to pull the door open or shut it. I towed it on a Flatbed trailer back to my new home in NV. It has 8 years of Back owed registration to CA. Like $900.00 so I can get the title. It has sat there in 1 spot until today. I jacked it up in the air to get under it and sit while working on it. I sold my Manx style buggy with a turbo engine so I could fund this project. After the sale, I realized I should have taken the engine out and sold it with the subi engine I have sitting there for it. I should have stripped it down and used the 091 trans in it, too, but I got 15k, and it is used as a show car for a local business, so I am happy about that.
OK, Now for the plans.
My goal is to modernize the brake system, keep it looking stock on the outside, except for the paint and lowered stance. I am going to order a turn key CB Performance turbo EFI 2387. 14k, so there goes the buggy money.
Body-off restoration.
The Pan will get rhino lined on the top and bottom. It is still rust-free except for the rusty patina.
New everything. Wires brakes everything.
I have 3 questions to start with.
1. 325 HP on a super street trans built years ago. It was built by transpro, Called the Fail safe trans. If I could break it, it was rebuilt for free. It is still in good shape. But I have busted my share of trans in the past. Would a built 5rib 002 or 091 work with a stock bug lowered? I'm not sure how much I have to worry about stock tires hocking up. LOL. It will not be a racing bug but will use the power when needed to have some fun.
2. What is the best break system I can use, including master? All-wheel disk. Is there a pedal system that works well and looks mostly stock? I don't want to cut the body, but I am also 6'3 and need the legroom.
Also, I have an adjustable ball joint front end. I want the best ride, so lowered spindles help any? Or not.
3. Wire harness to convert over to an alternator set up. My wiring was not working well when I was driving it.
I have been away for a long time when working on bugs. Some solid feedback is appreciated.
I take daily photos of all my work. It is 30 to 50 outside, so work will be slow.
Mike.
.
