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Hello! New Member, Dilemma for new project w/ 62 KG

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 2:08 pm
by Legallyfast
Hello Everyone,
Been doing searches for the past few months on Google, and this site seems to always be in my search results. Figured, it was full of like minded people, so maybe I should just join.

I have a 62 KG, which I bought from my dad a few years ago. I live in a Hi-desert of CA, so for me to go somewhere like the drag strip or the beach, I have to drive (or tow). I blew up the 1641 my dad built, and my baby has been sitting in the garage waiting. I just unbolted the body from the pan, and I am wanting to make the car nice, and fast. The question I am having is how will I do it? I have considered a few things.

To note something, my left knee sucks. I know more horsepower comes with stiffer clutches, or expensive double clutches. So as I have been brain storming, I decided to dream big and crazy, but I know I will eventually zoom back down to reality, and my wallet :cry: .

1. Do a V8 conversion, mid-engine, with a Ford (I like Ford), supercharged with a automatic transaxle.
Pros - Lots of HP, supercharger whine, unique. Cons - Expensive, lots of fabricating, could ruin the car.
2. Do a Subaru turbo conversion, Transmission from Level 10, mid-engine.
Pros - Good HP, Readily available, less weight in car, still unique. Cons - Expensive, lots of fabricating, could ruin the car.
3. Subaru rear engine swap, Bus or Mendeola Trans.
Pros - Uses existing design, good HP. Cons - Still have to plumb for radiator, still have to cut car a bit.
4. VW turbo 2275 FI, Bus or Mendeola Trans.
Pros - Stays VW, still can make good power Cons - Reliability is not as good, still expensive.

I ultimately want to be able to drive my car on the street. I would like to go drag race from time to time. I don't want to break down, but I have AAA, so not a worry as much now. I am going to take a while to build, because money is tighter for me. I will be doing much of my own fabricating, because I just want to. It may not be as pretty, but fun. I have car experience. I can do electrical.

If I do VW, I will buy the parts and build it myself. I will build my own turbo system. Looking at Megasquirt, but there is almost too much info it seems. I am definitely not a purist. I love gear whine and racing. Would love to build at least and 11 sec ride. It is not a DD, but I want to be able to drive it when I want.

Thanks for reading through my thoughts.

Mike

Re: Hello! New Member, Dilemma for new project w/ 62 KG

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 9:09 pm
by FJCamper
Hi Mike,

To get some fun out of your Ghia, start reasonably with a good strong street engine, and don't try expensive engine swaps, A stage 2 clutch won't affect your knee.

The important thing is simplicity and reliability, or you'll end up broke and disgusted.

Very serious here, I'd start with a 1600cc engine, dual 40mm Kadron (Solex) carbs, front wheel disk brakes, and 5.5" wheels on 60 series 185x15 radials. Mount a 19mm front sway bar and a rear camber compensator, and buy decent shocks, Bilsteins being available and excellent.

You can always build up and modify from there, once you have learned how to drive that Ghia. They are made to handle. You'll have more fun at a sports car autocross (slalom) than at a drag race, where you as the driver are more of the winning package.

Here's an on-car video of us taking down a 250 hp V6 Mazda Bug. He had 100 hp on us, but too much rear weight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yswUBOqW3Ls

(if the video starts anywhere but the fir second of the beginning, please just scroll it back to the start.

FJC

Re: Hello! New Member, Dilemma for new project w/ 62 KG

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 9:36 pm
by Legallyfast
FJCamper wrote: Fri Mar 03, 2017 9:09 pm Hi Mike,

To get some fun out of your Ghia, start reasonably with a good strong street engine, and don't try expensive engine swaps, A stage 2 clutch won't affect your knee.

The important thing is simplicity and reliability, or you'll end up broke and disgusted.

Very serious here, I'd start with a 1600cc engine, dual 40mm Kadron (Solex) carbs, front wheel disk brakes, and 5.5" wheels on 60 series 185x15 radials. Mount a 19mm front sway bar and a rear camber compensator, and buy decent shocks, Bilsteins being available and excellent.

You can always build up and modify from there, once you have learned how to drive that Ghia. They are made to handle. You'll have more fun at a sports car autocross (slalom) than at a drag race, where you as the driver are more of the winning package.

Here's an on-car video of us taking down a 250 hp V6 Mazda Bug. He had 100 hp on us, but too much rear weight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yswUBOqW3Ls

(if the video starts anywhere but the fir second of the beginning, please just scroll it back to the start.

FJC
TYVM FJC. I watched your video earlier today, and I was very impressed. I can tell you, this has crossed my mind. I have some things currently:

dual 40mm Kadron (Solex) carbs - HAVE, actually bought before motor died
front wheel disk brakes - HAVE Ron Lummus kit
NEED - 1600cc engine, 5.5" wheels on 60 series 185x15 radials, Mount a 19mm front sway bar and a rear camber compensator, and Bilsteins being available and excellent.

I also need a new steering box. Would be willing to give it a shot. We have quite a few auto cross and time trials in the area. Everything else is stock on the ghia suspension wise in the the ghia for now right?

Re: Hello! New Member, Dilemma for new project w/ 62 KG

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 9:47 pm
by Legallyfast
BTW, as I was watching, I started thinking, "this looks like a lemons race", then I checked and saw it is. Very nice. I always wanted to try that lol... Maybe when my wife is done with her corolla I will consider it.

Re: Hello! New Member, Dilemma for new project w/ 62 KG

Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2017 9:10 am
by FJCamper
Hi Mike,

We run the Blitzwagen in LeMons, and our Ghia in Historic Sportscar Racing.

The Blitzwagen, which obviously has plenty of power, has a 2.2 dry-sump engine, DRD heads, and 44mm Kads. The Ghia is a 1600, period correct, show and go car. Here's a one minute clip taken from our front bumper at Road Atlanta, as we overtake two BRE 510 Datsuns.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tng5ReSc2wY

The reason I do not advocate rear disk brakes for you is too many of the swing axle rear kits have a pesky shimming problem that lets the rear pads get "knocked back" from the rotors and every few turns, you suddenly have no brakes until you pump fast. If you keep your drums, you keep your handbrake, and a good set of front wheel disks will stop you just fine.

FJC

Re: Hello! New Member, Dilemma for new project w/ 62 KG

Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2017 9:07 pm
by Legallyfast
Was considering switching to IRS

Re: Hello! New Member, Dilemma for new project w/ 62 KG

Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2017 12:01 am
by FJCamper
No shimming problem on IRS rear disks, but there is lots of work and cost to do it.

A good IRS will outhandle a good swing axle but swing axles are more fun.

We ran a 1965 swing axle in the 2000 mile 7-day Carrera Panamericana in Mexico and finished 3rd in class. We also had four wheel disks, and converted back to rear drums after making it home. Soft brake pedals on mountain roads are scary.

FJC

Re: Hello! New Member, Dilemma for new project w/ 62 KG

Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2017 9:17 am
by Legallyfast
I would agree with that. I have been talking with Ron Lummus for many different things, IRS Conversion is one of them.

Can you guide me on a few questions then FJ?
- What wheels to use with VW 5 lug?
- Should I lower the car, or keep it stock height?

I almost have the body off. I love the turns, and love to go fast. I used to have a Saleen, and I did the most car track stuff ever, but I would always get my butt handed to me by a Miata or super set-up V8, but the Miata's were king. I have heard many times the ghia will handle, but when I got it from my dad I wondered how he stayed alive (it was pretty wore out). So I have been trying to get it back to a safe working manner, while upgrading while I go. I have gone a bit overboard on parts, but I wanted to build a nice, fast car.

I know racing is expensive, but would love to be able to do some things in the ghia, even if it is just track days. Autocross and time trial stuff was the biggest car stuff I did competitively, not including drag racing. I did a whole season of motorcycle road racing at Chuckwalla. I have to say the motorcycle racing made me faster in a car, but I have not been on a car track yet since then, but I can tell.

FJ, you have helped clarify so many different questions in my head. I go back and forth a bit. I thing I will get a 1600 for the moment, then build my turbo 2 liter on the side. In the meantime, I can set the car up for road racing and tune from there.


Thank you,
Mike

Re: Hello! New Member, Dilemma for new project w/ 62 KG

Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 5:31 am
by Legallyfast
BTW FJ, been reading a lot of your information. I have to say thank you for your wealth of knowledge. I am not done with your chassis read yet, but I dove into it quite well. It is very informative. Thank you

Re: Hello! New Member, Dilemma for new project w/ 62 KG

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2017 7:09 pm
by 56SemaRag
Legallyfast wrote: Fri Mar 03, 2017 2:08 pm
3. Subaru rear engine swap, Bus or Mendeola Trans.
Pros - Uses existing design, good HP. Cons - Still have to plumb for radiator, still have to cut car a bit.
This is the route I would take, unless you stay air cooled the body will get trimmed.Air cooled engines beyond 200HP start to loose reliability as the power goes up. The only way to offset it is by laying down $$$. We push stock Suby internals close to 400HP w/o sacrificing reliability. You have plenty of room for a Suby in the Ghia. A SubaruGears kit will net you a 5 speed well under the cost of a Mendy. My plans are to keep mine as stock looking on the outside but have AWD in the Ghia. By measurements it seems completely attainable. Welcome! and good luck on whatever path you take.

Re: Hello! New Member, Dilemma for new project w/ 62 KG

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2017 8:10 pm
by Ol'fogasaurus
FJ, whether he builds a stocker or modified would it help to list what case serial numbers to stay away from and which might take/deliver more ponies for his outlay.

Re: Hello! New Member, Dilemma for new project w/ 62 KG

Posted: Sat Mar 11, 2017 4:55 pm
by Legallyfast
Ol'fogasaurus wrote: Thu Mar 09, 2017 8:10 pm FJ, whether he builds a stocker or modified would it help to list what case serial numbers to stay away from and which might take/deliver more ponies for his outlay.
What is a good Subaru engine source? As I have been looking at my shell and pan, now that they are separated, I am leaning more towards the Subaru swap. Looking at IRS conversion maybe this week. I found some suspension sources, but want to do the IRS first.