Taking the plunge

Over the past three years I have read every 356 book I can get my hands on, I've done a lot of research on these cars, and I've read this forum religiously. Having said that, I have finally found a Speedster that I am considering buying. It is a 2004 Vintage with very few miles, a 1915cc engine, dual carbs, 3:88 transmission, and unfortunately, an AC. I live right on the Texas coast, and although it is cooler than the rest of Texas here, it is still damned hot from at least June to September. Obviously, I have some serious concerns of taking care of this engine in the Texas heat. Besides installing an external oil cooler and removing (or just not running)the AC, I need some advice on the first things that I need to do to prepare this car for Summer. It will be mostly a nice day and weekend driver, but I don't want to fry it on a 300 mile road trip to Austin. Thanks for all of your help - this site is the best.
Brian

Start by installing a OEM VW fan housing (of course it will be doghouse style) and install the thermostat system and all the flaps as I did. That alone will improve the cooling over what you have in there now, although it won't look as cool. I have exactly the same car as you, even year of manufacture except that I don't have A/C. If you do that, along with increasing fresh air intake and isolating the top of the engine from the bottom by sealing the engine compartment and setting up the jets and timing, you'll be alright. Depending on what's in it you can also consider installing a less restrictive exhaust system; also use the highest octane gas you can and you'll prevent knocking (another cause of heat and damage to your engine).

Thanks Richard - good tips. I know that this topic has been covered many times before, but it's nice to review it as it applies to my situation. I'm sure that I'll have a lot more "how do I..." questions once I get the car.

Some love having A/C and they work with a well tuned car. (Check Bob Miller in Texas, he has AC on his new IM).

I'm just not a lover of A/C on a Speedster. I had it on my new 2001 VS with a 1776 and it worked well... but, heck I never used it. So I pulled all the a/c stuff off. It sure makes engine tuning easier, at least with that VS bracket system (they may have changed since 2001).

No knock on the folks that want A/C. To each their own. If I was you, and you know you don't want the a/c? I'd pull it right out. If it's sunny the top is down, if it's rainy or cool the top goes up. And yes, I know what "hot" is..... I live in Oklahoma and lived in the mid-cities area of DFW for years. IF it's blistering hot I don't drive it except in the mornings and eves... but those days are few. In Hill Country you are blessed with 9-10 months of good driving weather.

Congratulations on your purchase. There's enough Texicans and Okies now and we should get together for a cruise in 06.

Brian, forgot to tell you, make sure you use the right oil viscosity for your expected temperatures. For really blistering heat (or tropical temperatures as they call it), VW recommends straight 40 weight oil which is what I use. If you decide to go multigrade make sure you get that weight as the temperature increases.

I agree with Jim, oh man thats no fun!!!

Especially, since your not trying to make a semi-daily driver out of it, why not just drive it when its nice and the top can be down. Thats the way these cars are meant to be driven anyway.

I agree with Jim too. I had a used 2000 VS that had A/C on it and it was a source of frustration when I needed to work on the engine. I never used the air, since it seemed when it was warm enough to need it I had the top down. When it was too hot, I just didn't drive it. After pulling the A/C out, it was easy working on the left (driver's) side bank of cylinders, being able to get to the #3 & #4 spark plug and not having to practically break the distributor cap to get it out from the maze of braces created in part by the A/C supports.

The car I have now has an engine that was designed to have A/C and overheating is not a concern. I'm not certain that sweet bride would have ridden to Carlisle with me if there had not been the cabin comfort that air provides, so it's nice to have the A/C in that respect.

In regards to the Texas, Oklahoma drive... Just let me know. I just took delivery of my 2005 Vintage and I am ready to go!

Jamie

Oh man, a Texas/Oklahoma drive would be sweet! Assuming that the sale goes through with no problems, I will have John Van Dam deliver the car in mid/late December. Thanks for the AC advice.

I'm ready for Red River drive. As for A/C, use the money to get more engine. I drove around during the heat of the day when it was around 100*. With the top down, I don't have any problems. I was much hotter when I drove a '69 Camaro without A/C.

If you drive your speedster everyday like I do, you'll inevitably find yourself driving with the top and windows up on a rainy day. Things can get pretty stuffy in there without A/C. I don not find A/C effective unless the top is up. And the only time the top is up for me is in the rain or in extreme heat. But most of you would never drive your speedsters in those conditions because they are recreation cars for you. My speedster is my only car so I haven't much of a choice. (Don't get me wrong, I love my speedster and look forward to driving it everyday). Yes, the A/C does limit the power a bit (when turned on) and it makes reaching the left side spark plugs tricky, but I think it is a neccessity if you plan to drive in the rain. That being said, very few speedster owners ever intend to drive in the rain making A/C not very helpful for most owners.

You're right, Brad - I probably won't be driving it on rainy or 100 degree days, and although I like the idea of driving in the hot sun, I'm sure that my wife will not; thus, I may have to run the AC on occasion. I'm not too worried (yet) about working around the AC to get to the spark plugs, and I'm not too concerned about a little loss of power - my concern is overheating the engine in the summer. I'm just looking for tips on some good, basic things that I can do to improve cooling on a stock VS. I am looking very forward to learning how to work on these engines.

By the way, I will be purchasing the car tomorrow and I am completey psyched. Can anyone tell me if the Speedster dreams go away once you get your car, or do they just get worse?!

Brian, Jamie, Justin... I'll start a thread tomorrow to discuss some type of Red River Run with the Texas and Oklahoma owners.

Brian, for most, the fun never goes away; at least for me it's that way.....every time I drive it it is as cool as the first time..... and if you like tinkering and improving you car you'll love it. The nice thing about VW platforms is that parts are so much more economical than in other brand cars....

Brian - what I did this summer to improve my oil temps during the really hot days were to drill a number of one inch holes in the firewall to allow some more fresh air to get to the fan intake and the carbs. VS does not leave any opening in the firewall and as I learned on this site, it really helps to allow some more air in there. But most importantly, I got myself a strobe light and the How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive book and made sure the engine was tuned correctly. Now, even with A/C on in traffic on a brutally hot Miami day, my temps do not get over 230.

Better check it Brad...230 is pretty hot.....

The speedster obsession only gets worse, and you will always be looking to improve things. It is the nature of people who own this type of car.

I agree the 230 is pretty hot, but that's the temp from the sump under the worst conditions I experienced this summer. I also make sure I change my oil more than regularly. Now that the weather has cooled down I haven't seen them over 200.

Now that's more like it....