Other than the cost, are there any obvious, or not so obvious, negatives in by-passing the cable clutch with a hydraulic clutch such as offered by aircooled.net?
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Other than the cost, are there any obvious, or not so obvious, negatives in by-passing the cable clutch with a hydraulic clutch such as offered by aircooled.net?
Sartwell puts them in every VW-derived dragster he builds; I've helped with three of them so far. There really aren't any negatives except for cosmetics; you'll wind up with a giant hole through your footwell and need to make tins to cover both the inner and outer skins.
I decided against that for the Hoopty because the CMC chassis mods included a thick yoke over the tunnel to both of the A pillars, and that would have been a pain in the butt to cut through neatly.
I decided against that for the Hoopty because the CMC chassis mods included a thick yoke over the tunnel to both of the A pillars, and that would have been a pain in the butt to cut through neatly.
I agree with Cory that it's a PIA to saw the hole for the new cylinder to reach the pedal. The Al. there is 1"+ thick and can't get a real good shot with a hole saw. Used a CNC (?) pedal assy and the foot pedal was too big so I whacked it off and welded the original pedal pad on. Looks original, works fine and I don't have to dread the untimely whunk of your clutch cable breaking when you least need it.
I was thinking of using this kit from Aircooled. bolt on and doesn't look like the typical pedal assembly where you hack up the fire wall. Anyone have experience with these?
http://www.aircooled.net/new-bin/viewproductdetail.php?keyword2=CFC0021&cartid=
http://www.aircooled.net/new-bin/viewproductdetail.php?keyword2=CFC0021&cartid=
Nope. But it looks straight-forward enough. I might look into one of those myself.
I bought one from Aircooled.net, but haven't installed it yet.
It does look straight forward. The master cylinder goes inside the VW tunnel. The stock Clutch pedal hooks onto the master cylinder. The hyd. line to the slave goes out the rear of the pan or through the original clutch cable tube if you like.
The instructions say that the hose for the fluid res. goes to the front of the pan, through the inspection plate (behind the front beam) and to reservoir,which mounts in the trunk area near the spare tire/battery well. Might be better to route the reservoir and line near wherever you have your master cylinder reservoir.
I'm hesitant about cutting a door or hole in the tunnel opposite the pedal assy. to accomodate installation. The instructions say that this makes installation easier. I don't see any way of installing it, and being able to adjust the pedal to cylinder freeplay without the door in the tunnel.
Greg
It does look straight forward. The master cylinder goes inside the VW tunnel. The stock Clutch pedal hooks onto the master cylinder. The hyd. line to the slave goes out the rear of the pan or through the original clutch cable tube if you like.
The instructions say that the hose for the fluid res. goes to the front of the pan, through the inspection plate (behind the front beam) and to reservoir,which mounts in the trunk area near the spare tire/battery well. Might be better to route the reservoir and line near wherever you have your master cylinder reservoir.
I'm hesitant about cutting a door or hole in the tunnel opposite the pedal assy. to accomodate installation. The instructions say that this makes installation easier. I don't see any way of installing it, and being able to adjust the pedal to cylinder freeplay without the door in the tunnel.
Greg
Greg, I also bought one from Aircooled Tuesday and got it yesterday. Unfortunately, I got no instructions, however I don't believe it takes a rocket scientist to install one. My project is complicated by the fact that I have a Metalcraft chassis rather than a VW pan. I've had to discard the aluminum mounting bracket for the master cylinder and make a new one out of steel which isn't as tall. Tomorrow I'll have to make a new actuator rod to accomodate the master cylinder relocation. I don't think it is possible to install the master cylinder assembly and adjust the cylinder rod linkage without providing an access panel...sans some very well trained mice.