My 356... What do I do now?!!

A Subaru 2.2L is an easy switch if you don't need to live with an aircooled engine.

Here are a couple of good sites for parts/accessories.

http://www.sierramadrecollection.com/store/cart.php?m=product_list&c=40

 

https://klasse356.secure.gearh...ems.asp?Category=EXL

 

Good Luck!!

Dan

Unfortunately, these cars are rarely "standard".

 

You'll need to measure your wheel studs' diameter to find out what size, and you'll need another lugnut to determine the seat style. Typical stud sizes are 12mm and 14mm. But there's 3 seat styles that would depend on your wheels. Ball seats are rounded on the wheel end, cone seat are cone shaped (angled) on the wheel end, mag style are flat against the wheel.

 

Engine Sizes: http://www.chirco.com/tech_articles/?p=163

Yours is a 90.05mm bore with a stock 69mm stroke. Common sizes go up to 94mm bore and 84mm stroke.

 

By pull a switch, do you mean a mechanical choke? Beetles normally have electric chokes.

 

You can go up to a 2332cc pretty easily. The trans life is more a matter of how you drive. Go easy on it and even a stock tranny will last. Dropping the clutch and burnouts in the street will kill one even with a 1600cc. Generally, if you have a late model single side cover trans like in a superbeetle, you don't need any extra strengthening parts for a street car. If you don't, get similar upgrades like Rancho's Prostreet trans' have. But if you really want to push hard, a built bus box is a relatively simple swap.

 

Those $25/pr lenses are probably plastic. Originals are glass and won't melt from the heat of the lights.

Plastic lenses won't melt if you use the correct wattage bulbs.  Glass lenses, if you can find them, will cost you hundreds of dollars, so forget them and get the $25 plastic lenses from Sierra Madre.

Troy

Who made the kit for your replica?  Suspect CMC as they were the largest manufacturer before 1993.  They used 18 wheeler truck clearance lights for the front turn signals.  (I use AH/TR LUCAS lights at $34 each - high quality chrome and glass lenses - clear or amber). A late super beetle pan was not popular since the front suspension used struts and not the normal VW H beam.  CMC made a conversion kit to replace the front struts.  The conversion kit is shown in the CMC build manual at the Library tab (you have to be a contributor to now see the manuals though).  Post pictures of interior, dash and the engine grill and we'll try to tell you who produced the kit.

Re: - To start my car I have to "pull a switch" or it won't start. What is that all about? Is that standard?

 

What switch? Does the switch do anything else?

 

This is a real shot from left field...but it is possible the previous owner added a switch to the ignition circuit to serve as an anti-theft device. And "hid it in plain view" as just another dash switch.

 

A friend did something similar, attaching a small toggle switch to the gear shift lever, hidden by the boot.

I don't have a switch on the dash but I have a toggle switch underneath it near the steering column.  I don't use it very often but when I do, I forget about half the time that the ignition has been disconnected and crank the starter several times, getting increasingly worried all the while, until I remember that I need to flick the switch back. 

 

 

It's possible that it's a fuel pump switch.  With the engine off and key in run, turn it on and listen for the electric fuel pump.

So with car running turn switch off.  If car runs on for a bit - it powers an electric fuel pump.  If it immediately cuts off then it's power to the coil. If nothing happens then it provides power to the starter.  

 

I had '59 AH Bugeye Sprite with a pull button connected with a cable to the starter solenoid -  pull to engage the starter. 

I will get some pics posted tomorrow. 

Thanks for ALL your help!!! 

You guys are awwsome.. 

Todd

What about www.theSamba.com.

       

          Also, check out www.Fibersteel.com for parts that might work for you.

 

Or....try the replica manufacturers such as Beck, etc.

Off topic sorry, but I lurked on NSXprime.com and the Caterham boards for a few years.  I just couldn't get myself to spend the money on a car that needed expensive parts and upkeep while not working.  I had the same handle on those.  Do you still roll the NSX?  That is one of the best cars ever manufactured IMO.

I had the Speedster at a local car show a few weekends back.

 

One guy had 2(!) NSXs there.

 

. longer have the nsx. was my dream car....but WOW the amount of money you could spend on that car!!!!.

still....THE BAREST car I have ever owned!!

so

rry...BADEST CAR  I have ever owned!