Kahuna's Garage. .....65 bug build w/ EJ22

[Owl Slayer]

Wanted to start a build thread to document progress.
Found a 65 builder in solid shape

After lots of research I've decided to use a 92 ej22 motor for the build...........I'll post some more info and pictures as I'm several months into it at this point

[Owl Slayer]

I found an 150k ej22 and a converted harness so grabbed them to get the process started.......I'll freshen up the motor as need before install

[Owl Slayer]

I pulled the body and made a deal on swapping my swing axle pan for an 71 IRS pan

[Owl Slayer]

I've starting stripping down the IRS pan......it'll get new floor pans, freshen up all suspension components, 5 wide disc brakes front, thing 5 wide rear drums..... .will brace the front and build a kafer style brace for the rear......will use the IRS trans for now

Still reading and digesting as much as possible as I want the bug to handle well on the road

[Owl Slayer]

I've also picked up some xtras.......not sure if I'll use them but I have them in case.......a twin turbo setup off a subie 2.0, and a subie trans

[panel]

Nice !

[Ol'fogasaurus]

I've starting stripping down the IRS pan......it'll get new floor pans, freshen up all suspension components, 5 wide disc brakes front, thing 5 wide rear drums..... .will brace the front and build a kafer style brace for the rear......will use the IRS trans for now

Still reading and digesting as much as possible as I want the bug to handle well on the road

It looks like this is going to be a Baja.

Are you putting a cage in ? If so will it have down tubes from the rear hoop; if so the truss/kaffer bars could connect to them via. the body and you would have a stronger setup if done right.

Lee

[Owl Slayer]

I've starting stripping down the IRS pan......it'll get new floor pans, freshen up all suspension components, 5 wide disc brakes front, thing 5 wide rear drums..... .will brace the front and build a kafer style brace for the rear......will use the IRS trans for now

Still reading and digesting as much as possible as I want the bug to handle well on the road

It looks like this is going to be a Baja.

Are you putting a cage in ? If so will it have down tubes from the rear hoop; if so the truss/kaffer bars could connect to them via. the body and you would have a stronger setup if done right.

Lee

Not a baja, plan is for a cruiser that can handle the mountains I live in here in E Tennessee
I'm open to suggestions for a better set up.......just going with what I have and what I've read

[Ol'fogasaurus]

There are cruiser and then there are "CRUISERS" so it is often hard to tell just what someone is building. Like I did, I my first start in VWs was with a glass buggy with dual purpose ideas then figured out that other things could, or really should be added hence the question.

As far as pan halves go I found that there are pan halves and then there are PAN HALVES, with the material thickness being most of the difference.

The addition of "Truss/Kaffer bars" got this question asked but I still think that they should be added just for safety.

viewtopic.php?f=49&t=145975&hilit=rotisserie

This might help... or maybe not but the idea is free, the cost is not.

Keep at it and don't let the build sit too much as my black buggy is in the 30 year of it's build now .

Lee

[Owl Slayer]

There are cruiser and then there are "CRUISERS" so it is often hard to tell just what someone is building. Like I did, I my first start in VWs was with a glass buggy with dual purpose ideas then figured out that other things could, or really should be added hence the question.

As far as pan halves go I found that there are pan halves and then there are PAN HALVES, with the material thickness being most of the difference.

The addition of "Truss/Kaffer bars" got this question asked but I still think that they should be added just for safety.

viewtopic.php?f=49&t=145975&hilit=rotisserie

This might help... or maybe not but the idea is free, the cost is not.

Keep at it and don't let the build sit too much as my black buggy is in the 30 year of it's build now .

Lee

Thanks for the input......figured with the ej22 the kafer is a good idea, even better if I ever turbo it..........was thinking of buying the high end quarter pans and welding them up ( i work in the auto aftermarket mfg business so have pro welders to help)........definitely plan on a rotisserie........hoping to be on the road by spring

[Owl Slayer]

Got the brakes, axles, and trans removed from the pan today. Next weekend I'll make a rolling rotisserie for the pan and a rolling cart for the body to make moving/working on them easier. I'm going tomorrow to pickup a ej25 block so I can build a frankenmotor with it and the ej22 I've already got. Plans are coming together.

[Owl Slayer]

Picked up this EJ25 short block today to combine with my EJ22 to build a franken motor........work space is getting cluttered

[panel]

I've heard of the Frankenmotor but never really found out the how to or what to use etc. Will you document the engine build hear ?

[Owl Slayer]

I've heard of the Frankenmotor but never really found out the how to or what to use etc. Will you document the engine build hear ?

Yes I'll post it up as I go......lots to do

[Owl Slayer]

Got the rolling pan dolly and rotisserie built, it'll make it a lot easier to work on.......the whole project will be getting moved into a barn /shop soon