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First: My 73 Thing is as I bought it, engine wise. I assume a stock 1600...all pieces apear stock..EXCEPT no engine serial number. No marks at all in that area but "hecho en mexico" under the dist. housing. Also on the right side of the case is "Mexico AS 41" 3(vw)M and 043 101 102A.
On the left side of the case is "Mexico AS41 22M(vw) and again 043 101 102 A". Chassis # 1832567172E. Any clues as to what the engine deal is?? I assume a rebuilt case....Mexican?

Second:I know the Thing is geared low but mine seems to be under powered compared to the Beetles I owned before. Lots of low speed torque and loud engine but not much speed until 40+- mph. According to my cheap tach I am turning about 2K at 40mph in fourth and about 3.1K at 60 mph in fourth. I have alloy wheels and new tires but they measure almost exactly the diameter of my stock(spare) wheel and stock tire...ie 24 1/2 inches diameter. I never off road...just go to the beer store and pick up my grandkids or to the mall. I hate getting on the interstate because at 65-70 the engine is running 3.6k or better. Have I a strang transmission? Do I need to change it to make my Thing a better daily driver for my uses?

Third: I put a Thing Shop dual muffler-through the bumper exhaust sytem on. Looks good.....but if I replaced it with a "bag-o-snakes-dual-quiet-pack-extractor system (JCWhitney) as I used to run on my Beetles would that help my power situation??? I mean really or would it simply be louder. I can't deal with REALLY loud exhaust at my advanced age!!!
But the dual QP would be fine IF it would help my engine breathe.
Ya'll talk to me....radioman in Irmo, SC

Bill bblide@sc.rr.com

I.m no expert but 65 mph is about tops on my stock Thing.
You can get the gear ratios for other VW trannies all over the net and compair to bellow.
I have not altered a tranny so I wont comment on posible mods.
Hope this helps some.

He is some specs from VW181 service manual

1584 ccm (86.6 cu in.) engine
SAE 46 bhp @ 4000 rpm
SAE Max torque 72 lb ft @ 2000 rpm
Max Speed 72 mph

Hill climbing ability
1st 41.5%
2nd 21.5%
3rd 12%
4th 7.2%

Dimensions and Weight
Wheelbase 94.5 in
Track, rear 54.5 in.
Rear axle unloaded 1166 lbs

Transmission Ratios
Code AV
1st 3.78(9:34)
2nd 2.06(17:35)
3rd 1.26(23:29)
4th 0.93(58:54)
Reverse 3.79(12:17x15:40)

Final drive ratios(and number of teath) 4.125(8:33)

Hope my typing was good

Bill I would check the compression and timing first to see why you don`t have power. Two likely reasons.
The dual quiet power on a dyno shows no gain in power on a stock or near stock engine. HVWs did testing in a special issue awhile back and dynoed all exhaust and changed the cam and pistons continously in the process. Finally the dual quiet did help but only after a lot of other changes.
A stock 1600cc Dual Port can be made to run very well if it is in good condition throughout. A higher ratio R&P might be better on the interstate but only if the engine is reaching peak performance.
You should have at least 110 lbs compression throughout for good performance. Maybe time for rings and valves or a big bore to up the comp and power.
Which distributor do you have? Better find out if you are getting enough advance or power will be down and temps will be up. Keep us posted. Bob Ingman

I put on a 009 and 32mm jet in pic 34 seemed to help zip a bit but did little for top end. Add home ported stock 3 angle heads to that exhaust and a used progressive or twin carbs--should help a lot without a lot of fuss or $$s.

Man with the price of gas It's hard to think about bigger and faster is better. Cost me $20 to fill the wifes little Golf today for the ride to the UP this weekend. The Suburban may never move again!

Thanks for the thoughts. I agree 65 is just fine topend for the Thing. I was just concerned about high rpms at 55-60 mph. I guess I am confused by a 94 Buick I owned that cuised at 70+ with rpm <2K. Bob, the dist is a new stock vaccum and timing appears right with proper advance. I will check compression...han't thought about that since I had no other symptoms.

radioman,

do you have stock size tires? if you run larger tires, your accelleration will suffer. i have pretty big tires - 27 x8.5 x 14 - on our stock powered thing and it is not exactly a rocket. it takes a bit of getting used to. it cruises perfectly at just over 60 mph, it'll go faster, but that speed seems ideal, just about 3200 rpm and the engine stays cool. the one nice thing about the larger tires it they lower highway rpms.

i would not change the exhaust if i were you. i dislike any thing exhaust that does not exit through the bumpers. but that is just me.

Wheels and tires are not stock...BUT are same diater as stock so should be same circumference. I think I may be overly concerned. Also, Scott I sent you an email about folding our top. watch for it. thanks