Satan's "Lady Bug" - Pro-Touring.com

454bug · #1 06-05-2008, 07:26 PM

Hey guys.

Well, I have dove into this world of "Pro Touring" head-first! I have a unique project that is a little different (ok, maybe a LOT different) and I hope I don't turn any of you off working with a "foreign" car body (and especially one that is not considered a "performance" model)... The only thing about it that is foreign IS the body... EVERYTHING else is custom. With ALL traditional, good 'ole American products!

If the world can love a British car (AC Ace - Bristol) with an American Drivetrain (Ford) why can't there be a little love for a German version... I know this car is NOT anywhere as SEXY as a Cobra but hopefully there are enough pure Performance lovers in the house to appreciate the project...

If its not your cup of tea, I totally understand... You know that old saying, "You run what you brung"... Well, this is my ride and I am going to make the best of it...

If you didn't happen to catch my introduction you are welcome to get some background on the project in the intro thread, "Dare to be Different"...

http://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43910

Here we go...

jerome · #2 06-05-2008, 07:35 PM

this is an awesome project, can't wait to see updates...

trying to get my buddy to drop his ghia on a full frame, makes me want a VW project

Jerome

454bug · #3 06-05-2008, 07:37 PM

Thanks to "MOTORHEADMIKE" for naming this project, "SATAN'S LADY BUG"... I think it has a nice ring to it...

Also, BIG props to ALLKAR for his AWESOME "chops" job (I learned this new term just the other day!) on my car. With just one short email to him I think he captured my thoughts on stance and color REALLY well...

Here is the "before" picture...

and here is ALLKAR's rendering of my proposed finished product...

454bug · #4 06-05-2008, 08:02 PM

I don't want to re-hash too much what was already listed in the "intro" thread but since I decided to move the thread I will re-visit a couple of important points.

I have owned the car for the last 13 years. It has always had a "Pro Street" stance. The original car/suspension was built and set up in 1985. Therefore, VERY old technology (leaf-spring front suspension, SOLID dropped front axle, 1957 Chevy steering gearbox, 4-wheel DRUM brakes, 9-leaf "Super-stock" cut leaf-spring/control arm rear suspension, etc.).

My initial intent was to upgrade the front suspension to a Short/Long Arm (SLA) Independent Front Suspension (IFS) with an aluminum rack and pinion steering as well as 4-wheel disc brakes. These upgrades were to make the car safer to drive, shave some weight off the car, and possibly lower my e.t.'s at the drag strip.

This is the Art Morrison IFS that I just installed...

454bug · #5 06-05-2008, 08:05 PM

Here are a few installation pictures... First, the "before" pictures...

454bug · #6 06-05-2008, 08:06 PM

And here are a few of the upgrade pictures...

454bug · #7 06-05-2008, 08:17 PM

Well, mid-stream through these upgrades, I decided I was REALLY tired of my car's Pro-Street look (and the associated poor handling characteristics of these cars)... I have followed the "Pro-Touring" movement for a while now but never made the mental leap of converting my car to this genre...

Recently, I attended a function with a number of my car buddies and didn't have a car eligible to participate in the time trials being ran on Texas World Speedway's 2.9 mile road course. They were having all the fun and I was stuck watching from the sidelines... I am NOT one to just watch others... I NEED to be in the middle of the action!

Therefore, the transformation was on... Unfortunately, I had just purchased a number of items that weren't really right for this new desired setup. But I wasn't going to let that stop me. It's just money, right??? (I'm sure glad my wife doesn't come on this website!!)

454bug · #8 06-05-2008, 08:19 PM

So, to get ready to go road racing I needed to upgrade the brakes that I just installed...

This is what I just installed (11-3/4" Rotors with Dynalite 4-piston calipers)...

This is what I will be replacing them with... (14" Rotors with Superlite 6-piston calipers)...

454bug · #9 06-05-2008, 08:22 PM

To accomodate these new larger 14" rotors I was also forced to purchase new forged spindles designed for the larger rotors. They are 2" dropped just like the ones I had just installed but taller (better geometry and lower roll center) as well as 3X stronger (according to Wilwood). The call them their "Pro Spindles".

I placed the order for these today...

454bug · #10 06-05-2008, 08:32 PM

With the new setup the hub-to-hub width was increased by 4" (improved scrub radius/bump steer/less camber change/wider track for stability/etc.). Also, I am increasing the front wheel width from 4" (skinny minnies) to 11". Therefore, I needed more fender clearance.

Luckily, VW bugs have fenders that are easily stretched because of their layout and design in reference to the rest of the car. Therefore, I ordered custom, 3" wider-than-stock fiberglass front fenders today.

I already had the 3" wider-than-stock fiberglass rear fenders on the car.

This should give the car a more balanced look, front to back.

In addition, the front and rear track widths will be closer to the same now.

454bug · #11 06-05-2008, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerome

this is an awesome project, can't wait to see updates...

trying to get my buddy to drop his ghia on a full frame, makes me want a VW project

Jerome

Hey Jerome. Thanks a lot. It should be a lot of fun! Thanks for the encouragement!

454bug · #12 06-05-2008, 08:47 PM

I need to upgrade the back brakes as well. I had just installed Wilwood 12.19" rear disc brakes with internal shoes for the emergency brakes with Dynalite 4-piston calipers...

I will need to replace them with 13" rotors with internal emergency drum shoes with Superlite 4-piston calipers...

454bug · #13 06-05-2008, 09:09 PM

Since I am going with the "Satan's Lady Bug" theme I have settled on Forgeline's ZX3R wheels. Front - 18"x11" and Rear - 18"x13".

I am pretty sure I am going with Black wheels. I have to decide between the "Matte" finish or the "Gloss" finish. I am also going to take Frank Serafine's suggestion to consider the "diamond cut" on the wheels as well...

If you have a glossy black and red paint job on the car I don't know if you would need the wheels to be glossy as well or not...

I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR YOU GUY'S THOUGHTS ON THIS...

(You know I am shooting for that "sinister" look...)

454bug · #14 06-05-2008, 09:14 PM

The pictures on Forgeline's site are not EXACTLY how I would order them but these are all the examples I have to list here even though I would order them a little different.

Since I am "de-chroming" the entire car (to continue with that "sinister" themed look) I am sure I would powder coat the inner and outer rim lips as well as the center section with the same black color instead of having any part of them polished...

It is for this reason of "de-chroming" the car that I don't know if the "diamond-cut" would be the right thing to do (even though it looks real cool).

f1shman · #15 06-05-2008, 10:36 PM

I really enjoy the look of the diamond cut wheel myself. I think it would look really nice on the car. Looks like you have a great build plan, I look forward to seeing more progress shots!

rjsjea · #16 06-05-2008, 11:28 PM

cool build.....

Hellrace · #17 06-05-2008, 11:53 PM

Awsome build man, this is going to be one fast wolksvagen

David Sloan · #18 06-06-2008, 03:39 AM

I LOVE it!
I have a soft spot for old bugs as one of my freinds had one in high school. Man i wish i had pic's of it.
Cool project-i will be keeping up with this one.

Chewy72ss · #19 06-06-2008, 04:08 AM

Definitely a different project. I think it's awesome. ALLKAR's rendering looks killer, and I think the diamond cut wheels would compliment the "sinister" and "different" approach very nicely.

Keep us updated.

Tony_SS · #20 06-06-2008, 06:52 AM

Ray, how about these, with a semi flat tan color, and blacked out trim? Not all that 'mean' looking, but a subtle 'street fighter' look/vibe to it.