Rear Engined New Beetle

[Drag0nhart]

This will be my first post at newbeetle.org.

I have been a fan of the aircooled type1's for some time now and over the years have owned many.

Now it is time for me to take on a new project....and hopefully somewhat unique. The prices for the first prodcution new beetles have been dropping quite a bit now so this is now feasable...i can get a 1999 model for around $2000...which is cheaper than a rusted out classic beetle.

What I am considering is transplanting an engine into the rear of a new beetle.

I'm not proposing trying to put a n aircooled engine in it as I want a bit more power and less maintenance...but what I would like to do is to take engine transmission/trans-axle out of a donor front wheel drive car, modify it so that the spindles no longer steer and drop that into the back of the new beetle.

Any thoughts on this?...I have seen this done with an aircooled engine but I am unable to find the link/picture again.

any suggestions on engines..I'm looking fr an older engine combo so I can avoid the computers...there are no emissions requirements where I live.

The car would be completely gutted an rewired as well.

[DZLBUG]

Sounds like a cool project with the time, money and skills. Its going to be a ton of work though.

If you go for it, I'd go for a M-TDI. More info can be found in the conversions section of the forums at Fred's TDI Page. TDIClub.com. VW TDI Enthusiast Community

Good luck and keep us updated as you go along.

[Drag0nhart]

Yeah..for the past while i have been looking for an older classic beetle to restore again...but i have been leaning more and more towards this new type of project.

I would also like to remove as much plastic from the interior of the car as I can as well...make a sort of new retro beetle.

What would be even cooler is if I could replace the plastic fenders with older classic beetle steel fenders....that way I could also have real running boards as well...not sure how it would look..I would have to do a computer model for that one.

The least I would do is replace taillights, front signals and headlights to make them look more classic...also remove the side mirrors and replace them with antique style round mirrors.

[ngroh1441]

you said you didnt want a aircooled engine, but here is a pretty cool pic of this guys nb race car that he put a 400+ hp aircooled engine in and runs 8s. I was thinking about doing that to mine, because my step dad and I build street/strip aircooled motors. He has a 73 thats turbocharged and runs 10.89, and drives it all the time. Google Image Result for http://germancarscene.com/wp-content/uploads/ron5-beetle-12-11-06.jpg

[Blugg]

Something like this should help with strip down, where to buy roll cage etc

say hello to my lil friend!the revamp begins - New Beetle Owners Club

I will be very interested in your W.I.P. thread should you do one

I will be starting my strip down soon and will have my W.I.P. on here

Good Luck

[72SuperBeetle]

you may find that retrofitting retro-styled parts to a new beetle to be harder than you may think. the fenders and exterior lights are significantly different in demensions, and the exterior mirrors are integrated into the upper door hinges. not saying it's impossibe, but you would have to take on a lot of custom bodywork. As for the interior, i assume, like most modern cars, under the plastic trim and panels is just ugly sheet metal that doesn't look anything like the smooth classic beetle's interior. You could do things like remove the center console, install more retro looking seats/steering wheel, get a perforated vinyl headliner, and the like. But I think overall you'll need a lot of the plastic parts to keep a clean looking interior.

as to you idea of installing a rear mounted engine, I think it's a great idea! if i were you, I would look into a GM 60 degree v6. (think 3100, 3400, 3500.) The engines make good power, lots of torque, are designed for FWD, and are very tuneable. You could run it off of an ecu from an early v6 cavalier, which are cheap and easy to come by, and very reliable.

[marvins_dad]

The Magnaflow drag beetle was an aircooled rear engine. For what it's worth.

[SMG]

[Canadianbugin]

What a ugly waste of money... Although i do admire the work that went into this...

[SMG]

For once I agree with you on all points.

[ibeintexas]

Originally Posted by Drag0nhart

This will be my first post at newbeetle.org.

I have been a fan of the aircooled type1's for some time now and over the years have owned many.

Now it is time for me to take on a new project....and hopefully somewhat unique. The prices for the first prodcution new beetles have been dropping quite a bit now so this is now feasable...i can get a 1999 model for around $2000...which is cheaper than a rusted out classic beetle.

What I am considering is transplanting an engine into the rear of a new beetle.

I'm not proposing trying to put a n aircooled engine in it as I want a bit more power and less maintenance...but what I would like to do is to take engine transmission/trans-axle out of a donor front wheel drive car, modify it so that the spindles no longer steer and drop that into the back of the new beetle.

Any thoughts on this?...I have seen this done with an aircooled engine but I am unable to find the link/picture again.

any suggestions on engines..I'm looking fr an older engine combo so I can avoid the computers...there are no emissions requirements where I live.

The car would be completely gutted an rewired as well.

My first thought was a Porsche engine transaxle combo, may with turbo....cool and good luck

[boogety boogety]

As ambitious and fun as your project sounds, have you given any thoughts to subsequent handling issues? Having that much weight towards the back, even though it will be practically a mid-engine rather than a rear-engine design, may make your car impossible to drive safely. I've owned several models of both air-cooled Beetles and 911s, and let me tell you, there are instances when having all that weight back there can make for intense, pucker-inducing moments...

There's a reason there are so few rear-engined cars in the world today... it sounds like a money-pit to me...

[peanutsmom]

Definitely would like to watch this build first hand.. Reminds me of my husband and his crazy ideas.. Love it.. Go for it if you can..

[hiruishi]

Originally Posted by SMG

nice.. yey!

[dnyed]

Originally Posted by SMG

Eww, ick!

[CASilBug]

I don't see the point in going retro. There is a reason VW went for a front engine, front wheel drive NB. It just handles really well like its Golf sibling. I'm not saying you shouldn't do it but the modern water cooled engines are very reliable - as long you maintain them. And that's a lot of work and money just for style. If you want a rear engine car, buy the original Beetle.

[SMG]

Why they put the engine in the front:

[RRIDER450]

I like the idea of a rear engine NB. I think ima do one for my next build. If ur looking for someone to throw ideas around with let me kno. Ima try to keep my next build on the downlow tho. So PM me.

[phattires]

I like the idea of a mid-engine beetle better than a rear
engine. If you look at the 98+ passat the engine (v6) runs north and south, that would make it perfect for a mid-engine
car. This solves some of the handling issue some are worried about.Then a nice big fuel cell up front and you should have a
well balanced car. Of course some big brakes/wheels and slam it
and your done !!!

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

When I was a kid, I had a buddy that put a 427c.i. Chev in an aircooled, Kinda mid/rear engine. Won't talk about the speed!

MORAV