Fishin'

Did'ja fall in? MAN OVERBOARD

Did someone mention fish.....

I am starting to think that I may need a switch. I've had my speedster for a little over two years now and I think I've replaced just about every part on the car there is. Anyway, I just put an MSD in it and a little "wiring bug" has popped up. I'm sure it's no big deal to fix but I'm getting a little frustrated always having to tinker. Sooooo, I'm starting to consider, only consider to this point, selling my speedster and buying a water cooled spyder.

My question is, what is my speedster worth? I'm pretty sure it was built in 82. It's an Intermeccanica, 1600cc just rebuilt with about 2,000 miles on it, could use a sprucing up on the interior (carpet and seats). No oil to speak of (no little puddles even after it's been sitting for days). Starts right up. Drives straight, ect..... it's a pretty clean little car. It would make an excellent entry level car for someone looking to get in but not spend a ton. There are lot's of pics in my folder.

I have no idea what a fair asking price is? And until I have a good idea of what I could get for it I don't know if buying a Spyder is even feasible. I just want a fun car that I can get in and drive with minimal hassles.....and my wife has expressed an interest in learning to drive what ever I end up with and the last thing I want is my wife stranded roadside.

thanks for your help.

Man! You guys are quick!

Don't let'm fool you Mickey. Just check the times on their two posts. They actually responded BEFORE you posted! They must have used the flux capacitor . . .

I don't have these devil horns for nothin

Anyone want to take a stab at this? I just need a ballpark....$13k?....$15k?.....$17k? God please don't say anything less than $13k.

I think $15-16k is good price. I do like the color-match wheels. Charge a premium for that ;-)

Mickey -

From what I can see in your file about your car and the work you put into improvements/upgrades, I'd say $15K would be a fair price!

I'll light a candle for you on your decision!!

Peace - Out!

Hmmm...thinking spyder...

Welcome to the dark side!!!!!

angela

Maybe Angela, maybe.

Well, it

Mickey......I'm running a CB Perf. 1915cc engine in my Spyder....I'll be at Carlisle also, if you need another reference.....

And I also have a CB Perf. 1915 with an A-1 exhaust. You're welcome to try out mine next week.

Mickey,
I have a watercooled spyder and would love to talk to you if you are looking for a spyder alternative. I have the special edition 550s spyder with the watercooled audi/vw engine. great power without all the constant fussing with carbs. Currently i get about 40-44 mpg cruising at 70-72. Better rear suspension (dedion) and a five speed tranny. I just rolled over 6,ooo miles and the only thing i have had to do was change the oil so far. If you are looking to talk to somebody give me a call anytime 4141-687-5432 or email me: drdriddle@aol.com
thanks

Thanks Lane and Leon, I'll definitely catch you guys at Carlisle. Dustin, thank you as well, you're on my list of contacts if I end up going the Spyder route.

Here's the look I'm shooting for if I choose to go the Carrera route, right down to stenciling the Goodyear on the tires. (roll bar is optional. I'd only put it in if I can attach it to the frame).

I'm still curious to hear what things folks have done to improve the handling of their cars. My speedster rides OK now, it's not meant to be a luxury ride so I don't really care if it ends up rougher as long as it corners better. I recall reading an article a guy wrote about setting up a bug suspension but it seemed a little too much. Besides, as much as these cars are VW, they also have plenty of their own characteristics that need attention. I just want to tighten things up in the corners. So any input is appreciated.

My interest in a "re-do" is getting a better handling car with a little more power and realistic reliability. I can deal with valve adjustments and carbs every couple thousand miles, I'm just worried about opening a bigger can of worms. The reason I've kept my engine stock to this point was I figured it was pretty close to the original 356. I never saw much reason for more power because the car isn't set up to handle more power so it would only be "useful" on straight roads, which I rarely drive on. With the bigger engine I worry about heat and to handle heat you need to add things to cool, which adds things that can break, ect... I guess the question is - is it realistic to increase power without sacrificing reliability? I really want more fun, but I really don't want to have to tinker anymore than I do now, actually it would great to tinker less if possible. I'd even go as far to say that better handling is more important than power. What ever advice or input any of you have is valued. I need all the info I can get. thanks

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VWC%2D113%2D501%2D615%2DJ5

Can this be right? I spoke to the folks at Cip1 today and the guy said they've unknowingly been sitting on these for awhile. Apparently they thought they were 4 bolt and when they opened them they discovered something different. Can it be that I can now just buy two of these, two 5x205 front rotors and stock 5x205 4 1/2 wheels and I'm good to go? It says they only increase the track 2mm on wither side. Anyone one know what the additional track increase is for the CB aluminum drum covers? I don't have much room but I would go the Greg Billesbach route and shave a little off the inside wheel wells too. Or if I want to go crazy I could send the wheels out to the true design guys in CO and have them widen them for a little more rubber.

I called CB Performance today to do some reasearch. Pat wasn't available, he was working on some "secret project" and as the man I spoke with said, "Things are a little intense back there." So he was kind enough to answer one of the questions I had; Can you put a DTM, or center mounted shroud, on a 1915cc? He said those shrouds are made more for dune buggy engines and not for Speedster replicas. And that I'd want as much cooling as I could get, which I agree with.
I LOVE the look of the Bergmann engines but what I've read here makes me a little skiddish. I really, really want the Carrera looking engine if I'm to go that route. So, any of you guys have any suggestions? The lead time on a CB Performance is 90 days, which is fine because if I do "Carrera-up" my car it'll be over the winter months.
I've done the searches here on engines and there are good and bad things said about the main builders so I'm kinda stuck. I'd call Jake Raby but I get the impression he doesn't have much interest in T1's, I don't know.
I went ahead and ordered a rear sway bar and conversion drum and rotors for wide 5's. Having an IRS I'm a little tight on the rear fit so I'll see what I can do with that set up to get a little wider wheel and tire. I've already stated that it makes little sense to go crazy in the engine dept unless I can greatly improve the handling. We'll see?
I'm looking forward to Carlisle and getting information so I can start moving one way or another.
Any input from you folks about this is still much needed and appreciated. Thanks, Mickey

Talk to Carey Hines in Carlisle. I think he can answer some of your questions.

mickey - the drum covers are really thin. i was surprised actually. 3mm *max* per side.

also - 1966 and 1976 were balljoint, so full 66 or 67 brakes do the full conversion to wide 5.