CMC unbuilt on SAMBA $10k Wash State

"Was being setup to have exposed shift rod and raised engine to remove camber when lowered." Could be a big minus.

No photos yet.  Assume that means he cut off the top of the center tunnel?

@WOLFGANG posted:

No photos yet.  Assume that means he cut off the top of the center tunnel?

I doubt it, but possible.  Raising the torsion housing is done all the time in drag cars.  It gets the car low while maintaining proper camber.  The big issue in a street car is the engine now sits about the engine surround, so you lose the seal, and the fan shroud hits the deck lid.  Solve 1 problem, create 10 more!

Raising the engine/transaxle to lower the car in the rear, while not 'common' is not exactly new in the VW world.  I know guys have done it for drag racing, to keep the wheels perpendicular to the ground.  There used to be mounts made for it.  It involves a little cutting up of the car where the nose cone enters while the shift rod and shifter sit on top of the tunnel.  The issues in a Speedster body I see are lack of room for air filters (they'll probably hit the body work) and having to use a (Mexican? South American?) low profile fan shroud, which still may not give enough room for the engine lid hinges .

Like I said. The mods subtract the pan from the equation. The new owner—unless she wants a passel of problems—will need to undo all the PO's improvements, however that's to be done. Converts the deal from an unbuilt kit with a good foundation, suitable for a beginner, into a freakazoid project fit for intermediate builders and above.

Photos now posted.  Unmolested (not a hole cut or drilled.  Nicely shortened floor pan.  Strange setup for the transaxle shift rod.

Not what I expected. Nice, clean work.  What I don’t see is any sign of a clutch tube or fuel line.  No pictures of any other parts.  

@edsnova posted:

Like I said. The mods subtract the pan from the equation. The new owner—unless she wants a passel of problems—will need to undo all the PO's improvements, however that's to be done. Converts the deal from an unbuilt kit with a good foundation, suitable for a beginner, into a freakazoid project fit for intermediate builders and above.

Sadly true, however well done the previous work is.

@edsnova posted:

Like I said. The mods subtract the pan from the equation. The new owner—unless she wants a passel of problems—will need to undo all the PO's improvements, however that's to be done. Converts the deal from an unbuilt kit with a good foundation, suitable for a beginner, into a freakazoid project fit for intermediate builders and above.

@Lane Anderson posted:

Sadly true, however well done the previous work is.

I disagree. The only swing-axle, pan-based car I'd consider would be one that had this done, and @LI-Rick is right -- the work is exceptionally clean.

Are you clear what you're looking at, and why it's been done, gentlemen? This isn't new, it isn't dumb, and it doesn't make the car a "freakazoid". It wouldn't be a build for a beginner, but it would make the car better by all objective metrics.

Imho, anyone who has the skills to do the work that was done, would be much better served to convert the car to IRS and narrow the control arms.  That would accomplish the objective of lowering the car and would greatly benefit the handling.

Agreed.

@Stan Galat posted:

I disagree. The only swing-axle, pan-based car I'd consider would be one that had this done,... This isn't new, it isn't dumb, and it doesn't make the car a "freakazoid". It wouldn't be a build for a beginner, but it would make the car better by all objective metrics.

—Says the man who would never, ever try incorporating any "freakazoid" modifications to his own sedate clown car.

@edsnova posted:

—Says the man who would never, ever try incorporating any "freakazoid" modifications to his own sedate clown car.

Ooohh, this could get interesting, kids!   _{(as I go get a chair and put on a bag of popcorn)}

I paid $8k for my "deluxe" black CMC in Nov '89 (WOW, that is $19,897 in todays $$$!) - quoted shipping for 1200 mile was $1.4k.  So with a chassis thrown in, this is reasonable deal - even with a windshield assembly being $1k.  A Ghia beam is nothing special - it probably had OEM disc brakes so spindles are different but pure bug otherwise.

Did a beautiful job shortening chassis and custom floor pans look superior to OEM-type cut and splice ones.  Argh - entire back seat area was cut out so trans-axle could be raised.  Like others said - IRS/901/Subaru to get it back to "normal". 

@edsnova posted:

—Says the man who would never, ever try incorporating any "freakazoid" modifications to his own sedate clown car.

@ALB posted:

Ooohh, this could get interesting, kids!   _{(as I go get a chair and put on a bag of popcorn)}

Nope, gonna' be pretty boring.

I know who I am, and so does Ed. And he's right on the money regarding my "too far is just right" approach to everything related to my pride-'n-joy -- but I think this one is pretty neat, including the work already done.

@Stan Galat posted:

Nope, gonna' be pretty boring.

I know who I am, and so does Ed. And he's right on the money regarding my "too far is just right" approach to everything related to my pride-'n-joy -- but I think this one is pretty neat, including the work already done.

Oh, come on, not even a couple playful pokes at each other?  You're getting old and losing your edge, Stan...

@ALB posted:

Oh, come on, not even a couple playful pokes at each other?  You're getting old and losing your edge, Stan...

You can say that again, Al. This week was 5 full days of Monday.

With the repositioned transmission, the stock deck lid is now going to be an abomination at best as the top of the fan shroud will be the same additional height as the repositioned trans.  Maybe a super modified fugly CMC whale tail decklid could be made to work. IMHO I would return the trans to the OEM position, with that work needed to me it's a $6k project with another $20 -$22k needed to complete it. At one time Speedster projects were well worth the investment, no so much any more unless you do all the work including paint and keep it for yourself...... Haven't been on here much, been under the weather for sometime.

A pancake T4 setup would likely fit with 3" to spare. A 911 shroud with short (412) manifolds and the rain-tray cut out would almost assuredly fit as well.

It's not a project for everybody, but I really don't think it's THAT weird.

Maybe it is, and I just don't know how weird I really am.

I'm really sorry about your health, Al. Hopefully, you're on the mend.

DRClock sounds like you need trip to Sunny FL? 

@WOLFGANG posted:

DRClock sounds like you need trip to Sunny FL?

What...  do you have available buddy :~)

@Alan Merklin, I hope you feel better soon.

@Alan Merklin- I hope you're on the mend as well.

@Alan Merklin  Miss hearing from you, hope your feeling better soon.
-=theron

So, let me get this straight. The one guy who hasn't finished a car, like ever, is over here stirring the pot. Go drill some holes already! @ALB

@Alan Merklin posted:

What...  do you have available buddy :~)

And this guy, I'll bet he'll work for free room and board Greg LOL!

Feel better, Merk!

5 days of Mondays, yeah, I've had weeks like that, Stan!