V8 1973 VW Beetle Project by V8 Super Beetle

3 minute(s) of a 270 minute read

LOL! Oh well, I'll take the quarter mil it's worth and invest it! Nobody likes that Bee anyway, j/j!

Yeah, I designed it to use the OEM front equipement. I was thinking about reinforcing the top of the struts with a fabricated bolted in bar like you see on ricers and possibly fabricating some lower control arms, but really I intend to use the stock stuff, so it'll look stock (sleeper).

I got this idea from the V8bugs.com forum (on my own). The owner of the "Bug from Hell" uses the stock front end on his and he has a big block, but his is more of a mid mount.


If the McPherson suspension is stronger then I don't see why it wouldn't work? Right?

As of now, nothing is set in stone......but I think it would work. That's why I'm seeking advice before building so I really appreciate the help!

1-4-2008

Thanks Dalesy!

I agree, the simpler the better! I'm trying to keep the amount of welds down to a minimum and I'm trying to keep the front suspension simple too.

I'm convinced now that the stock front suspension equipment is not the way to go. I'm thinking about redesigning the setup to use the control arms / A frames, steering boxing / linkage and whatnot from a S-10 pickup or blazer. I want the car to ride 2"-3" lower than the stock look so I'll take messurements and work something up. I'll just use some chrome smoothies to give it that stock look so it'll be a sleeper. I was thinking of using a rearend from a S-10 too but I'm going to look in to your idea first.

What do you guys think?

1-7-2008

Hey guys,

After reading some suggestions and going through this site, I'm thinking of basing my V8 Bug chassis after a T-Bucket. If you've seen my plans it's not too far from that already. I'm trying to figure out an inexpensive way to design a tube axle front suspension using spindles / calipers from a S-10 and possibly using a jeep front leaf spring as the front suspension spring for the tube axle. Would that jeep leaf spring hold up on it's own?

Something like this?

1-8-2008

Thanks Double Clutch for the advice.

I've taken everyone's advice into consideration and have rethought my plans. As soon as I'm certain which way I want to go I'll redraw my plans and post them for everyone's review just to be on the safe side.

As of now I'm thinking that the chassis will be similar to what I have but a little more like the t-buckets front end. I plan to use some jeep front leaf springsand I'll treat the front end like this.

I'll just do a tube axle front end. I'm trying to figure an inexpensive way to fab it so I could use s10 spindles and calipers. I guess I just need to go out and buy the parts to figure it out?