Just Saying Hi...

Cliff Presley - 56 Outlaw - Charlotte NC posted:

*LongFella posted:

Hello sexy 2110cc engine! Greg got the engine up and running yesterday. Few more additions to Eleanor and the engine will get installed and off we go!

Brian,

Glad to know you selected a 2110cc engine with 44 carbs .  Last year Greg supervised the construction of my engine and so far I've been delighted with it.  Unfortunately, it was not dyno tested but it is nothing to fool with if you know what I mean.  In other words, it is a beast with more power than this old boy will ever need.

On another topic.  I had not been happy with the EMPI oil filled shock absorbers that had been installed on the rear end of my car so just a couple of weeks ago I called Greg to get his advice about replacing them with gas shocks.  He recommended that I replace them with EMPI  gas charged performance shocks (#9656) which I did.  Consider his advice and do the same if you have not already done so because I've notice a big difference in how much better the car now handles.  Not only are they well worth the money, they won't break the budget.

Cliff     

I'm curious to know what the difference in feel and handling the gas shock made?

I am definitely looking forward to the 2110cc. It should make for a very fun trip to SLO for the West Coast Cruise.

ALB posted:

Robert M posted:

@Cliff Presley - Charlotte, NC

Are you using them all around or just in the rear? Is your Speedster lowered in the front with drop spindles or just lowered with the beam adjuster?

Gas assisted shocks usually make the front end too stiff, Robert, but they are a viable alternative for the rear.

@ALB Could you go into a little bit of detail as to why?

I might ask Greg, since he has Eleanor, to change the rear to gas. I have oil on all four corners...

The front ends of these things are so light, Brian, that gas shocks just seem to take over and not allow the suspension to function like it should. I think a big part of the problem is most gas shocks are valved for off road, with more emphasis on the compression stroke and utilizing the suspension's full travel. The rear, on the other hand, being closer to stock weight, can use the additional help of a gas shock. KYB GR-2 gas assist shocks might be what you're looking for.

I have been told that Bilsteins are the ultimate, but they don't offer a front shock properly valved for a VW street car any more. I've heard that for a small fee they will custom valve their shocks, but the guy on the Samba with the information (and contacts) never got back to me. Maybe time to try again...Al

Recently I replaced a customers car shocks. The rears were kyb gas adjust and fronts just a std off the shelf monroe unit. We installed new bilstiens front and rear. The cars ride improved a bunch! Then added front and rear sway bars. The chassis is much firmer and it feels like driving a go kart. I had a set of  Koni shocks on order and the bilstiens were available or we went that route.  This is on intermeccanica I just installed a berg 5 in.

Question (tried searching, but couldn't find it): The extra wiring coming off of the fuse panel on a Vintage Speedster... it's short, has a female connection, just hangs there - is it 100% hot or keyed hot?

I believe this wire is used when hooking up a stereo or cig lighter??

I don't have my Speedster at the house, so I can't test the wire out. Next best thing - all the experts here

I have the same wire. I have never figured out what is supposed to connect to. I think it may have once been connected to the kill switch. 

Quick little update and pics (pics are mandatory)...

If all goes well, I should be picking up Eleanor this afternoon! Greg and Team got the engine installed and running yesterday!

All the new oil lines, oil cooler and thermostat w/fan (wiring still needs to be complete), fuel lines in the back and wired fuel pump up front with proper filters have all been installed. They are working on the front end this morning (replacing an inner bushing in the front beam) - apparently the front end I bought had some worn out bushings and it was something Greg caught for me and is fixing.

He is also going to touch up some small paint spots where my daughter that she would help out and hit the rear with a rubber hammer while yelling "boom!" - I had a heart attack... what can you do... she definitely learned never to do that again...

I might re-route the breather box line to the oil filler - just doesn't have the "look" - but that is my OCD talking...

I see the oil lines going forward along the bottom of the engine but can't see the filter or cooler- where are they mounted?

PS- good to see you're up and running again. After you've driven it a time or 2 I'd love to hear your impressions... Al

ALB posted:

I see the oil lines going forward along the bottom of the engine but can't see the filter or cooler- where are they mounted?

Oil Filter is mounted where I had it originally - just to the left of the exhaust (third picture - black filter). I'll look in more detail when I am there this afternoon, but my guess is the oil comes out the engine, into the filter, back to the cooler and then back into the engine. With the oil filter next to the exhaust, it might keep the oil warm, but it goes straight to a cooler after that and back into the engine. I didn't have any heat issues with the 1915cc set up that way and that was without the oil cooler (didn't have one installed).

Cooler is mounted to the back of the fire wall - Greg likes to put it there to avoid any damage from the tire flinging up road rocks, etc. Plus, there is a BIG ole' space up there It adds a few feet of oil lines, but that doesn't bother me as long as it is tucked away nicely... 

Sorry to hear that ...How old is your daughter?

*LongFella posted:

Quick little update and pics (pics are mandatory)...

If all goes well, I should be picking up Eleanor this afternoon! Greg and Team got the engine installed and running yesterday!

All the new oil lines, oil cooler and thermostat w/fan (wiring still needs to be complete), fuel lines in the back and wired fuel pump up front with proper filters have all been installed. They are working on the front end this morning (replacing an inner bushing in the front beam) - apparently the front end I bought had some worn out bushings and it was something Greg caught for me and is fixing.

He is also going to touch up some small paint spots where my daughter that she would help out and hit the rear with a rubber hammer while yelling "boom!" - I had a heart attack... what can you do... she definitely learned never to do that again...

I might re-route the breather box line to the oil filler - just doesn't have the "look" - but that is my OCD talking...

If it makes you feel better, my 2.5 y/o greeted me at the driveway one day as I pulled in. He had a grin from ear to ear as he stood about 15 feet from my car. It warmed my heart, until he threw a fast ball, well, a fast rock right at the driver side door. I don't know how, but there's no evidence of this anywhere. 

Two weeks ago, I had him in the car seat on the passenger seat. He kicked his leg up and bent the door pull. Luckily, VS is only in SoCal, so $20 and two days later the handle was replaced. 

I keep reminding myself that thankfully I bought a replica and not a six-digit original. Even if I could afford one. 

-Kevin 

Be thankful you have a health 2 1/2 y/o that will bring you joy  :~)

Alan Merklin posted:

Be thankful you have a health 2 1/2 y/o that will bring you joy  :~)

Absolutely! I wasn't too mad since I put a little chip in almost the same spot when installing the luggage rack 

IaM-Ray posted:

Sorry to hear that ...How old is your daughter?

Our daughter just turned 2 years old. She's quite the handful at the moment...

Question (tried searching, but couldn't find it): The extra wiring coming off of the fuse panel on a Vintage Speedster... it's short, has a female connection, just hangs there - is it 100% hot or keyed hot?

@Longfella Brian - that female connection from fuse box is hot when ignition is turned on. 

MusbJim posted:

Question (tried searching, but couldn't find it): The extra wiring coming off of the fuse panel on a Vintage Speedster... it's short, has a female connection, just hangs there - is it 100% hot or keyed hot?

@Longfella Brian - that female connection from fuse box is hot when ignition is turned on. 

Perfect! Thank you!

I bought a dual USB charging socket I want to wire up so that I have power for my phone and the wireless bluetooth speaker I bought. I just hope to be able to get it done before we leave Friday morning 

Guess who came home tonight? Woohoo!!

I can't even begin to tell you how awesome Greg is for getting everything to done and doing more then I asked and expected. Example: we talked about gas shocks in the rear - he got them in and on. He also did some work on the carbs and they purr like a kitten. And that 2110cc engine... holy wow does it scream and move like a son-of-bit$&! It's definitely enough power for me This is also the first time I had an oil cooler and thermostat fan - I'm amazed how cool it keeps the oil. Worth every penny! I don't think I saw the oil temp needle move at all with all the stop and go traffic I was in coming home (pic below is where it stayed the entire drive home). ELectric fuel pump works great, oil lines are nice a tucked away, and he also got new bushing in the front beam with an alignment to boot.

I can't recommend Greg and Vintage Motorcars enough. He's a stand up guy and backs all his work. I'm not going to have any worries driving it to SLO this weekend

Just need to clean her up a bit and we are off!!!

After finally getting Eleanor home where she belongs I'll bet you won't sleep much tonight.  

We are so happy for you and wish you many years of enjoyment driving her as often as possible.  Now take her to SLO this weekend and have a blast showing her off because she's a real beauty... and you deserve a pat on the back for all the work and effort you but into building one of the finest Speedsters in California.

cp     

*LongFella posted:

Guess who came home tonight? Woohoo!!

I can't even begin to tell you how awesome Greg is for getting everything to done and doing more then I asked and expected. Example: we talked about gas shocks in the rear - he got them in and on. He also did some work on the carbs and they purr like a kitten. And that 2110cc engine... holy wow does it scream and move like a son-of-bit$&! It's definitely enough power for me This is also the first time I had an oil cooler and thermostat fan - I'm amazed how cool it keeps the oil. Worth every penny! I don't think I saw the oil temp needle move at all with all the stop and go traffic I was in coming home (pic below is where it stayed the entire drive home). ELectric fuel pump works great, oil lines are nice a tucked away, and he also got new bushing in the front beam with an alignment to boot.

I can't recommend Greg and Vintage Motorcars enough. He's a stand up guy and backs all his work. I'm not going to have any worries driving it to SLO this weekend

Just need to clean her up a bit and we are off!!!

Mine sits just a tad higher but it's also a tad hotter here in The No, Fres-no.

Longfella:

Brian correct?

Beer on me at the hotel 530-7  my treat   congrats on your car..  Cant wait to see her..and meet you..

Safe Travels ..

Tebs

@ ROBERT M    Robert!!!!   its not the NO...  Its FRES_HELL 

@*LongFella wrote-  "I'm amazed how cool it keeps the oil. Worth every penny! I don't think I saw the oil temp needle move at all with all the stop and go traffic I was in coming home (pic below is where it stayed the entire drive home)."

It's not unusual with an extra cooler to have oil well within normal temps and yet have (at times) sky high head temps. More than a few VW owners over the years have motored merrily along, oblivious to the fact until the engine unexpectedly (and seemingly without warning) craps in the middle of nowhere, the only sign being the engine compartment sometimes seemed 'a little warm' ("but the oil never got hot, honest!" he tells the mechanic when he finally gets the car and himself back to civilization). The only way to really know what's going on in real time is to install a temp compensated head temperature gauge with the sender mounted under a spark plug.

I'm not trying to be the bearer of bad news or a killjoy, Brian, but there's no factory precedent or r&d info to draw from for stuffing a larger than 2 liter type 1 engine in any car. Coupled with the fact that almost no 2  Speedsters are exactly the same so you can't even copy what someone else has done and be sure it will work, each of us is pretty well on our own here. This is a very good example where "knowledge is power" holds true here. The more you know, the more you can feel confident that you will be enjoying your car for a long time.  

Yoda out (just for now, but back you know I will be!) 

ALB posted:

@*LongFella wrote-  "I'm amazed how cool it keeps the oil. Worth every penny! I don't think I saw the oil temp needle move at all with all the stop and go traffic I was in coming home (pic below is where it stayed the entire drive home)."

It's not unusual with an extra cooler to have oil well within normal temps and yet have (at times) sky high head temps. More than a few VW owners over the years have motored merrily along, oblivious to the fact until the engine unexpectedly (and seemingly without warning) craps in the middle of nowhere, the only sign being the engine compartment sometimes seemed 'a little warm' ("but the oil never got hot, honest!" he tells the mechanic when he finally gets the car and himself back to civilization). The only way to really know what's going on in real time is to install a temp compensated head temperature gauge with the sender mounted under a spark plug.

I'm not trying to be the bearer of bad news or a killjoy, Brian, but there's no factory precedent or r&d info to draw from for stuffing a larger than 2 liter type 1 engine in any car. Coupled with the fact that almost no 2  Speedsters are exactly the same so you can't even copy what someone else has done and be sure it will work, each of us is pretty well on our own here. This is a very good example where "knowledge is power" holds true here. The more you know, the more you can feel confident that you will be enjoying your car for a long time.  

Yoda out (just for now, but back you know I will be!) 

Great info, ALB! Thanks!

Brian she is quite young....

Your situation made me think of my own children when they were growing up with an a near OCD perfectionist dad.

Realistically, young children need time to learn and mature to get wisdom.  

I can't tell you how many things happened with my own children where I was inexperienced and when the penny finally dropped for me and for my children they stopped or learned not to do certain things. The biggest reason was usually due to my own unrealistic expectations.  

I mean I was supposed to be the adult but I realized that I had put my son and my daughters in reality into a situation where they could not realistically win.

Rock throwing, car stratching, water cooler spills even running in family reunions etc etc were all areas that I wanted them to be in control, seen but hot heard... Boy was I needing a reality check... Fortunately, my wife, the wise one, was there to make me understand that I had to be the adult and provide a safe environment. 

So when one of my children grew up, and while we all feel our kids are smart, but in my case you find out that the kid is off the scale smart then you kind of have to start to serve humble pie for not giving them the chance to grow up before judging them. 

Moral of the story, if you want a clean barn you cannot have any animals in it.  

After all is said and done ..... that's family life.

Enjoy them they are your treasures. Ray 

Thank you for sharing your story, Ray!! Words of wisdom to live by

The shadow of my wisdom has fled.  

Well, I can honestly say I'm excited for today and this weekend. Woohoo! I was up until midnight getting Eleanor ready. I was able to successfully wire (and completely hide) the two port USB charging socket AND bluetooth speaker. The speaker actually sounds pretty nice and the under-dash placement does enhance the sound/bass.

I also gave her a nice clean wipe down in the interior and exterior. Moons are back on @Will Hesch 

Fingers crossed to a successful drive up to SLO!

PS - Jim and Dutch are meeting at my place around 8AM and then we, with my wifey and daughter, will be heading up to Malibu

*LongFella posted:

Well, I can honestly say I'm excited for today and this weekend. Woohoo! I was up until midnight getting Eleanor ready. I was able to successfully wire (and completely hide) the two port USB charging socket AND bluetooth speaker. The speaker actually sounds pretty nice and the under-dash placement does enhance the sound/bass.

I also gave her a nice clean wipe down in the interior and exterior. Moons are back on @Will Hesch 

Fingers crossed to a successful drive up to SLO!

PS - Jim and Dutch are meeting at my place around 8AM and then we, with my wifey and daughter, will be heading up to Malibu

Ooh, a stereo contest in the parking lot of the hotel!!

Brian, I'm praying you have a wonderful maiden voyage!

Thanks, Will!

Eleanor is ready and dressed to impress!

Eleanor maxe it to SLO yesterday. Not a drop of oil on the ground nor any issues. The new found power is amazing!!! It was great to finally meet everyone and put faces to names. Now it's time for some more cruising and wine tastin'

man, that's a good lookin' rack!

Is that MUSBJIM's black SPEEDIE?

Banzai Pipeline posted:

Is that MUSBJIM's black SPEEDIE?

No. Jim's Speedster has the red Pegasus and it's near the top of the photo by the Cayenne.

Where can I find out more about your muffler?

Brian, your Eleanor looks beautiful. I have the same color but black top. When looking at your photo's your car has a big surprise under the deck lid. Congratulations and enjoy the open road as well as your time in SLO. I'll never be able to keep up with you on a cruise but we'll have to connect sometime and even ping Jim. Sorry, no way I could make the SLO union.

Robert M posted:

Banzai Pipeline posted:

Is that MUSBJIM's black SPEEDIE?

No. Jim's Speedster has the red Pegasus and it's near the top of the photo by the Cayenne.

I think he was asking about the black car in the 3rd photo and I'm pretty sure it is Jim's car. 

Troy Sloan posted:

Robert M posted:

Banzai Pipeline posted:

Is that MUSBJIM's black SPEEDIE?

No. Jim's Speedster has the red Pegasus and it's near the top of the photo by the Cayenne.

I think he was asking about the black car in the 3rd photo and I'm pretty sure it is Jim's car. 

If he was then yes it is! 

Robert M posted:

Troy Sloan posted:

Robert M posted:

Banzai Pipeline posted:

Is that MUSBJIM's black SPEEDIE?

No. Jim's Speedster has the red Pegasus and it's near the top of the photo by the Cayenne.

I think he was asking about the black car in the 3rd photo and I'm pretty sure it is Jim's car. 

If he was then yes it is! 

YES SIR: black car, 3rd photo.....good looking BLACK CAR....

All good looking cars in THAT photo....

Meade posted:

Where can I find out more about your muffler?

It is a Vintage Speed exhaust (super flow version). I ordered mine through air-cooled.net, but you can find out everything on this site:

http://shop.vintagespeed.com.tw

It's pretty loud, but I was aiming for look more than performance.