This engine was built from a larger block engine from a Volkswagen Bus. Unfortunately, I don't know all the specs on it, but I'll tell you what I know. It was built for racing, and ran 3 races, 2 of which the guy had trophies for First Place. Everything inside this engine had been modified for speed. It had two 2-barrel Weber Carberators which you can see in the picture, and it held 5 quarts of oil. Notice the canister oil filter strapped in the top center where the old single carb used to be. Although this 70 Beetle was 12 volt, it took a 6 volt starter to crank the engine! Talk about compression! The standard rubber transmission mounts had to be changed to steel ones because it would have just ripped the old rubber mounts out! I was told that it was a little over 100hp, and that it would go upwards of 150mph. Gear changes topped out at 7000rpms before redline, and although I never attempted to run it to 150mph, I do know from personal experience that 2nd gear topped out at about 85mph before changing to 3rd! It was quick to say in the least! This engine was meant to be installed in a Baja Beetle, and I would not recommend, nor would I try installing something like this again in a Standard Beetle. The reason I wouldn't, is that it could not get enough air to keep it cool. There was an oil cooler (not seen) that was mounted behind the engine shroud for cooling. The guy installing it for me wanted to mount it above the engine cover lid on the outside of the car, but that would require messing up the paint job, which I didn't want to do. On a Baja, it wouldn't have mattered, because it could have been mounted anywhere. Go Back to 70 Beetle Subsection, or to the beginning of the Volkswagen Section to see more of our present Volkswagen, a 73 Superbeetle. Or click the banner below to go Home.

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