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Post by justjoe on Mar 16, 2010 20:22:17 GMT -5
One question Ive been meaning to ask here is what do all of you think of a different power source. Ive seen a corvair setup , including built trans, for sale around here and subaru engines Ive seen in thesamba. Is the VW engine enough for the GT. Just browsing your opinions since Ive never drove one.
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Post by jspbtown on Mar 17, 2010 8:14:17 GMT -5
Well I guess it depends on what you want to do. The GT I built had a 2 liter Type 1 engine and it moved it out pretty well. It wasn't a race car thats for sure. Unless you go custom frame, you are going to be using a suspension design from 50+ years ago. It will have limitations. Overpowering the car, based on a VW chassis, won't get you anywhere.
I don't know about fitment issues for the Corvair or Subaru. For the Subaru you will also need to design and implement a sufficient cooling system. Take a good look under the GT now and try to envision a properly designed cooling system.
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Post by smyrnaguy on Mar 17, 2010 8:32:31 GMT -5
I had a Corvair Monza engine in a Kellison GT40 years ago. It was insanely fast and terrifying. It was almost impossible to keep the front wheels on the ground. I removed the engine and transmission and stuck them in a Beetle and put the Beetle engine and trans in the GT40. The GT40 handled and drove much better with the stocker. The Beetle on the other hand would lift the front wheels at any speed in any gear. You should see the look on a driver's face as you pass them on an interstate at 75mph on 2 wheels throwing sparks from the dragging muffler tips. There really is no substitute for hp but too much coupled with too little weight makes a car like a bottle rocket... its gonna go but you don't know where.
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Post by justjoe on Mar 17, 2010 8:55:47 GMT -5
Im not really a lead foot at all. Every now and again I fell the gravity pulling the foot down. I guess it would be a better decision to build it with VW first and then decide. Thanks again for the input, dont think I want a bottle rocket.
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Post by mj on Mar 18, 2010 19:21:06 GMT -5
The Corvair engine is dated. A properly built T1 or T2 Volkwagen engine can put a Corvair into the dumpster.
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Post by centralvalleygter on Mar 18, 2010 20:08:42 GMT -5
I agree with mj. The VW engine has some idiosyncrasies (adjust those valves every 2000 miles!), but they are amaziningly versatile and enduring. You can get just about every part in the engine as an aftermarket part cheaper than the original parts were new (some of those parts are even better quality, other parts - not so much). You can keep it close to the stock 50hp or build it up to 300-400hp. HOWEVER, going much over 180hp and you definitely get diminishing returns in terms of dependability (read things break alot - more in terms of the transaxle, etc., rather than the engine). But, according to what I've read you can get vette-like performance out of a Bradley (12 sec 1/4 mile) with that 150-180 hp.
The versatility and parts availability on the VW engine are pretty hard to beat.
Regards,
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Post by mj on Apr 1, 2010 10:31:39 GMT -5
My T1 engine put out 160HP at the crank. I had to add good torque braces to overcome wheel hop. I'd love to have an entirely different frame to properly handle a Subaru engine.
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Post by superdave008 on Apr 7, 2010 18:11:51 GMT -5
I had a turbocharged 180hp corvair that I did extensive engine work on. I was able to get about 240hp out of it ...the problem was the steering got really light at 100mph+ almost like the car was floating. Only did that a couple of times . The Bradley is so light that kind of horsepower would lift the car without a big spoiler in front. Look up (Motor Miester) for powerful engines out of California .I'm seriously considering one of there Porsche motors . from mild to wild. they have a great site . Hope this helps
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Post by justjoe on Apr 7, 2010 22:48:13 GMT -5
Im leaning towards the corvair, only because theres one close for a good price complete with the built trans. Trying to get the power for the same money is the problem. I know I do not want to put any money into a 1200 6v...
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