ShopTalk Forums | Aircooled VW Tech & Restoration Help

OK Tuna, I will get a bunch of photos together and it will be fun comparing what the car and engine looked like back in the early 90's.

It must be one of the oldest T-4 convertions, and it amazes me now nice it runs. I dropped my wife off at one of the largest malls in the U.S. and passed the multi plex movies. Herbie must has just let out. People started to point, the people traffic was mad. But what amazed me was the car was idling so low and smooth it made it so easy moving about the people walking and pointing. The engine is so quiet at idle people did not hear me creeping up being them. One guy asked if it was a turbo because he never head the sound of air cooled fan when the engine is reved.

JOe

For me, the selling point was reliabity and longevity in the power range I wanted. I know the T1 can be built well and made to last, but You have to ask, "Why is reliability even a question?" If you want a high performance car in the water cooled world, the question does not exist. You just go out and by a Porsche, BMW, Corvette, whatever. When it comes to a Hipo aircooled engine, the question of reliability comes up real quick.

When I discovered the T4 on the STF years ago, the consensus was that with the T4 reliability was a given. Also I was not having to put my faith in the claims of an engine builder for his product. I found a whole community of converts who enthusiastically vouched for the sturdiness of the T4.

Also on the STF I found the means to achieve my goal for power and longevity. Not wanting to build the engine myself, I would need a good builder and also found Jake Raby, and a whole communnity to vouch for HIM as well. For a few years I watched what Jake was doing with T4 developement and was able to observe on the forums a few years of excellent customer service. My patience paid off, rewarding me with an absolutely awsome engine that seldom sees head temps over 325 deg in 100 deg weather. As for the power, that is just something you need to experience for yourself.

Ron

I first read about T4 conversions in VWT in 1990. I always liked the fact that the T4 block was naturally a Big Block with the potencial of big CC's with little or no clearancing. Finally I was able to do my own T4 conversion back in 2002. The motor has been very good to me. Aside from not having an ideal set of heads and/or exhaust, I think it's a great little combo to start off with (1911).

It was fun to do the Cali conversion (thanks Joe). I love it cause a lot of people (even in the VW crowd) walk right by it at car shows because they think it's another T1.

Down the road I hope to finish my 2600 T4 with a turbo (911 style fan shroud). Good things come to those that wait.

Thanks Eddie for the pics and text. I've got your car on the page now.

Ron and Joe, I've got pics of your engine, but I still need a picture of your car, similar to the ones I have already. Something of the front and side, or like Eddie's, of the rear and side. I just want people to see that there are people out there that are enjoying their Type 4 in their cars.

Joe, I'm getting all of the pics you've sent so far and keep them coming.

http://www.tunacan.net/t4/owners/

Guys, this is great stuff. Keep the submissions coming. What about any early Type 2s? Bill T(with the red/black deluxe T2)? Or a Type 3? Tom Notch? What about a 181? Buggies? I want them all!!

Tuna

Looks good Tom. Thanks for all your hard work.

Late,

E.

PS. Ephry...where are your pics bro?. Who else am I forgetting? Hmmm?

OK Tuna let them loose you got all except a new engine photo. Well new meaning the photo is the latest of the original engine.

Let me know were to see them.

I'll have to take some pics Tom. I thought I had some on the computor but guess not. It might be a few days, I have to wash the car first.

Ron

NextGen wrote:OK Tuna let them loose you got all except a new engine photo. Well new meaning the photo is the latest of the original engine.

Let me know were to see them.

I have an idea with all of those pics you sent. Give me sometime and I will let you know.

Tuna


UPDATE: Here's where you can see all of the pictures you sent.

http://tunacan.net/t4/owners/joe-cali74/

Tuna that is great!!! Guys you can get an idea of the transformation from 1990 to 2005. Was a 1974 Blue Auto stick I converted. First slightly custom yet won the VW Eastern Zone award at their headquarters. Later changes to early head lights, Custom Car Craft 2 1/2" wider fenders. My own Cali - Style Sliced Bumpers. Flat Tail lights, LED Driving and license plate lights.
One of a kind Stainless Steel Exhaust from the UK. Unique to this conversion -- the thermostat. Stainless steel floors. The best is the fact the engine is the same engine. Now Rusted, with a Mallory, Fuel and oil pressure gauges. My T-4 converted breather.

Hay also Joe after 15 years.

tuna wrote:
What made you decide on the Type 4? What specific trait attracted you to the Type 4? What are the general specs of your engine (nothing too detailed, just the facts)? Did you build your engine? Did anyone help you? Where did you get your T4 parts? Any shop really helpful?

Tuna

Hey Tuna....

I chose my type 4 for a couple of reasons. 2 Liter with hydraulic lifters and factory oil filter. My engine is a stock 2000cc with stock hydraulic cam, stock distributor, modified stock exhaust, and 40mm dells with CB's update kit. I built this conversion using Joe Cali's manual and the help of a good friend. I utilized "used" parts as I was doing this on a budget - and it is still running 6 years later. The pics I've e-mailed show an 050 distributor that I have since changed to a stock unit. The result was much smoother performance. This engine in my '74 ghia convertible is perfect. I've updated the brakes and added some sway bars for the extra power. Kinda makes me mad that VW didn't offer this.

And..Chris did an excellent job with his conversion- I have seen it several times.

I'll write my story later about what got me into the TIV, its really long winded-

MASSIVE TYPE IV wrote:I'll write my story later about what got me into the TIV, its really long winded-

Try to keep it reasonably short. If not, I'll have to break into another page, with "continued" on the bottom of your entry.

Tuna

MASSIVE TYPE IV wrote:And..Chris did an excellent job with his conversion- I have seen it several times.

Hey Jake....

Thanks for the compliment. See you at Toccoa?

Yeah, we'll be at Toccoa... Small set up this year, The run offs are the next weekend and I'll be gone for over a week so things will be really pushed for a few weeks..

Anoyone else? Come on, I know there are more of you out there.

Tuna