What do they sound like?!?!

I found a nice video of a 356 replica on Google Video but it had no sound. I'm seriously entertaining the thought of selling my custom built 1994 turbo Miata and getting back into something of an older vintage. I realize my Miata would eat any 356's lunch, but I'm wanting something more akin to my earlier years in an MG Midget. I know it won't be the fastest or the most reliable, but if I get half the satisfaction that I had back then, then it will all be worth it.

So, these replicas are sporting VW engines, right? Please tell me they don't sound like bugs. Please!! What does a "real" 356 sound like? Any audio clips for a newbie?

Thanks

Bb

HO
Welcome to the site.

If the video that you are talking about has a red speedster then it is mine.But just to make sure go to google video and type CMC speedster.It should come right up.Anyway mine does not sound like a VW.Mine has a deeper sound(like a race car).
You can go back,under "events" and look for "Crystal cove,Newport beach,CA" topic.There are a couple of videos that you can check out,and yes they have sound.Performance wise these car can be really fast.They are vey light(around 1500-1800 pounds)with a good engine- tranny combo, you can achive very good performance.

Ha! That's the EXACT video I'm talking about. I love your car man... absolutely love it. What's it like to actually "live" with one though? Does it spend alot of time being worked on? I can turn my own wrenches, but I'm really not interested in a real tempermental car that I can't jump into whenever I please.

I bought a used VS & it hasn't required any more maitenance than any other car I've ownened, really. They are brand new, reliable cars, especially with the 1600cc engine option.

Bring on that Miata.....How does 1800 lbs with 300HP sound...Go to the SAW site and see real HP in a 356....Oh, and speaking of sound...... Subaru turbo at 6000 RPM sounds pretty good.........

If you've lived with a turbo Miata, do not consider a 1600 engine with your 356. You will want at least a 2110, if not a 2275 or 2332. Both SAW and Intermeccanica make water cooled cars, and they can both be had with turbos. Also Intermeccanica makes a 911 based car with the 911 engine and suspension. That would be the ultimate, in performance, reliability, and price.

To answer your question, most of these cars are pretty reliable. The air cooled engines will need valve adjustments etc. from time to time, but nothing to serious. And they can be made to sound great, nothing like a Beetle.

If you click on the "makers" tab above you can find contact info for all the builders.

I was at Vintage Speedsters on Monday. It just happened that an owner with a 1900 engine rolled in while I was touring the facility...I was actually quite impressed with the bass the engine had...I was expecting something a lot more VW sounding...it wasn't bad at idle. When he left and gave it a little more throttle, it sounded a little more VW, not too objectionable though...of course, this is all just opinion.

Hmmmm... I really need to see one of these in person before I can get even the least bit serious. Anyone live in Kentucky? I guess I could check out car shows... I know there's several large ones in our area this summer.

I'm 6'3" and 200 lbs. and I can fit fine in my Miata if I hunker down. Any of you guys ever sit in a Miata? Which is bigger inside, in your opinion? The windshield looks pretty low to me.

Lastly, is it possible to get into a decent example for @$10K?

Blinger,
Ten thousand is on the low side IMHO for these cars. You would obviously be talking used, and probably well used at that. The cars that come up for sale in that price range often seem to be older kit built cars and sometimes, not always, need a bit of work. If you hit the market right, you might, just might, find a nice one in that price category.

Mike is right about sound. Although I do not have the 300 hp that his car will have, I find the performance of my little 2.2L Suby fine and it has a great sound, especially when it approaches the rev limiter. Also, my builder is in Tennessee and that may be convenient if you should decide to stop in and have a look at his shop and works in progress. Perhaps a phone call to him would be worthwhile, as well as the other builders. This would be a good place to start.

Good hunting
Hoss

Also not too awful far is Special Edition in Indiana. Their Speedster is a bit roomier than most. I'm almost your size and it fits me fine (Full disclosure - I'm not impartial as I have a Beck and love it).

Best bet is to check out examples from different manufacturers.

Check out Jane Snyder's car advertised on the Classifieds here for 12.5 K. It's a good deal. With respect to sound, engines in real 356's aren't all that different to VW's so if you choose the right exhaust system and carburetion it should sound pretty close to the originals.

Excellent EXCELLENT information, gentleman. Thanks so much...

I'm going to start "casually" looking and see what happens. I'm sure I'll be back with plenty more questions as I can think of them.

Bb

For some good multimedia, go to: http://www.germanlook.com/Html/Main.php#
Click on Gallery
Click on Various Multimedia
JSports Blue Bomber is pretty good, also
Go to page 2, Zen's 2316 on the dyno

Bling,

Jim Ignacio took this awesome video of my car and several others running hard, with very nice sound of my exhaust. My speedy is the car with the suitcase on the rack.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ko-GqEs61Y

Gabe

Cool video Gabe! Hey Bling, don't worry about being too big for the car. That was one of my major concerns (myself 6'3" & 230lbs). Turns out I was worrying essentially over nothing, & I don't beleive the car looks too small for me, & I have gotten used to the room in the interior.