No aircooled exp.+ 78 Champ. Ed. Bus= Interesting build!!!!

[bansheelos]

So this past wknd I purchased my 1st aircooled vehicle! A 1978 Champagne Edition Bus. Looking to restore it and see how it goes. Granted I have only worked on watercooled vw's but I am up for the challenge. The bus was not running so I have to tackle that 1st. Its stick shift w/ the 2.0 ltr engine fuel injected. I have a vision and trying to make it happen def wouldnt mind going disc brakes all around and possibly air ride susp. A plus is that the bus came w/ dealer installed A/C which I am def going to try and get that working as well. I was told everything is original. So let the games begin!!! This is what it looked like when I brought it home...

[bansheelos]

Special delivery!!! Its home.

[bansheelos]

First thing I did was strip the whole rear of the interior just to see how the floors were.


Also started to degrease the interior and I gotta say its cleaning up pretty nice!!



to be continued...

[RafCarre12]

eww

[goosler]

wha ha happen?

[bansheelos]

wha ha happen?

Def not pat content. It's not lickable! Lol

[Jade Wombat]

I've seen worse. Good luck with it, the old bay windows need some love. Interior and floors don't look too bad. The L-jet injection system is one of the easiest to work on. Where does the rat's nest of red wire coming off the coil go? To the tailight? It looks like it's missing the rear foam seal for the engine compartment, it's a strip of foam to close up that gap between the engine tin and the rear and side aprons around it so when you get it running you'll want to replace that.

A good resource for info.:

www.ratwell.com

Those rims are 5x112mm pattern same as Mercedes...ahem:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifie...php?id=1161492

[bansheelos]

I've seen worse. Good luck with it, the old bay windows need some love. Interior and floors don't look too bad. The L-jet injection system is one of the easiest to work on. Where does the rat's nest of red wire coming off the coil go? To the tailight? It looks like it's missing the rear foam seal for the engine compartment, it's a strip of foam to close up that gap between the engine tin and the rear and side aprons around it so when you get it running you'll want to replace that.

A good resource for info.:

www.ratwell.com

Those rims are 5x112mm pattern same as Mercedes...ahem:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifie...php?id=1161492

1st off cool name lol I dont think its that bad either. The red wiring nest was actually just a ball of wires. Theres one red wire going from the ign coil to god knows where, havent gotten in to it yet. Def gonna have to look into the foam seal you are talking about. Havent really found much info on that engine hopefully ratwell.com will help. Thanks for the info rt now its looking like getting the engine running first, brakes, looking into air ride then body work and paint. Should be a lot of fun and money lol Looking to soda balst the whole bus and try to make a rotisserie for this thing to get to the bottom and the top of it. I have been researching like crazy the past 2 weeks but im pretty sure theres guys on here that know a ton of resources that can help this restore come together. As far as your wheels they are nice but im not sure w/ the wheel selection. Ive seen nice sets of Fuch's and im a big fan of the Porsche phonedials. I can dream lol Thanks for your info. Its gonna be a slow build in the begining b/c Im doing a swap on a customers car and I have another one lined up. Once those 2 are out I can play w/ this!

[peitrus]

Interested to see how youll incorporate air ride. I'm not exactly sure but most air rides I've seen on a bay had to use a link pin beam. Best of luck. Cheers.

[JUS_GT_EYEZ]

1st off cool name lol

subscribed.

[bansheelos]

Interested to see how youll incorporate air ride. I'm not exactly sure but most air rides I've seen on a bay had to use a link pin beam. Best of luck. Cheers.

Wagenswest has an insane air ride kit. Gonna have to sell my flesh on 42nd in order to get it

[LooseNuts]

Wagenswest has an insane air ride kit. Gonna have to sell my flesh on 42nd in order to get it

Nate does make some badass chit. but as you say you better start working the corner

[Schell R32]

got one of those here in RI..painted yellow and a slide sunroof,no motor and gutted inside....very very little rust too.

...yours is pretty toasty bro' i'd save her for parts though.

pm if you interested.

[Gear_Dog]

Looking good.

[bansheelos]

got one of those here in RI..painted yellow and a slide sunroof,no motor and gutted inside....very very little rust too.

...yours is pretty toasty bro' i'd save her for parts though.

pm if you interested.

You're a bidness man lol

[A1steaksauce]

curious as to why you're going with an air ride setup. the lowest bays are rolling static.

if you want the versatility that air ride provides in being able to easily adjust your ride height, then yeah i get that....but if you want a seriously low riding bay air isn't going to be the best choice for getting seriously low.

[Schell R32]

Nah just looking out for ya...hate to see you jump in and yet be able to save some time and money in the end result. Just throwing it out there for yooz.

That air cond. Set up inside is rare...never seen one there,only umber the dash.

[bansheelos]

curious as to why you're going with an air ride setup. the lowest bays are rolling static.

if you want the versatility that air ride provides in being able to easily adjust your ride height, then yeah i get that....but if you want a seriously low riding bay air isn't going to be the best choice for getting seriously low.

Im looking to go low but also be able to have a smooth ride. I will be traveling w/ my wife and kids and would like it to be as plush as possible. I still like a low bus so I can keep the wife happy and me too. lol

Nah just looking out for ya...hate to see you jump in and yet be able to save some time and money in the end result. Just throwing it out there for yooz.

That air cond. Set up inside is rare...never seen one there,only umber the dash.

Thanks for looking out I am aware of how much work this project is going to be. Its gonna be a while before I am done w/ it. Def trying to get that a/c running but cant find much info on that setup. DAMN YOU DEALER INSTALLS! Just tried to clean the bench seat and gotta say I am no detailer lolIm at the beginning of a long road but in the end it will be oh so good!!!

[Schell R32]

Good luck with it and the' champagne editions are pretty scarce from what I hear....they have some crazy options.

Keep us posted

[A1steaksauce]

Im looking to go low but also be able to have a smooth ride. I will be traveling w/ my wife and kids and would like it to be as plush as possible. I still like a low bus so I can keep the wife happy and me too. lol



Thanks for looking out I am aware of how much work this project is going to be. Its gonna be a while before I am done w/ it. Def trying to get that a/c running but cant find much info on that setup. DAMN YOU DEALER INSTALLS! Just tried to clean the bench seat and gotta say I am no detailer lolIm at the beginning of a long road but in the end it will be oh so good!!!

if you want plush ball joint is it. you can get creative and do a beam raise and retain the ball joint and your plush ride if you're doing this on a budget. air is nice, but not required to seriously lay out a bay and have it be comfy going down the road. i'm lower than most air ride bays and not only can i drive mine at the height i have her at but she's plenty cushy and i have stock suspension geometry


that a/c setup you have isn't that rare...what's rare is the section over the driver. that piece of the puzzle is rare as piss. generally the center section was just by itself with two controls that were on a separate pod that got mounted on the dash somewhere....but to have that section that goes up to the front of the bus is very rare. the middle sections will show up from time to time on samba but not so much for the front. you can retro fit what you have to take a newer r134 setup easily enough.

[bansheelos]

Good luck with it and the' champagne editions are pretty scarce from what I hear....they have some crazy options.

Keep us posted

Def will! I gotta say I am kinda glad its fuel injected over carb.

if you want plush ball joint is it. you can get creative and do a beam raise and retain the ball joint and your plush ride if you're doing this on a budget. air is nice, but not required to seriously lay out a bay and have it be comfy going down the road. i'm lower than most air ride bays and not only can i drive mine at the height i have her at but she's plenty cushy and i have stock suspension geometry


that a/c setup you have isn't that rare...what's rare is the section over the driver. that piece of the puzzle is rare as piss. generally the center section was just by itself with two controls that were on a separate pod that got mounted on the dash somewhere....but to have that section that goes up to the front of the bus is very rare. the middle sections will show up from time to time on samba but not so much for the front. you can retro fit what you have to take a newer r134 setup easily enough.

1st off A1 I have to def give you props on your mk1 aba swap thread!! INFREAKINGSANE!!! Def helped me w/ a swap for a custy! Def would like to hear more about your suspension setup possibly see some pix of your ride height as well. What does it take to do the beam raise?

[A1steaksauce]

Def will! I gotta say I am kinda glad its fuel injected over carb.



1st off A1 I have to def give you props on your mk1 aba swap thread!! INFREAKINGSANE!!! Def helped me w/ a swap for a custy! Def would like to hear more about your suspension setup possibly see some pix of your ride height as well. What does it take to do the beam raise?

just wait till you play around with that fuel injection system....it's not a great system by any means....well it's a good system when it's working right, but that's like saying that CIS is a great fuel injection system to run a turbo system on


thanks! i'm glad to hear the aba swap thread keeps helping people

take out your iphone and look at my front ride height


there's different variations of how to do a beam raise but they will all yield the same result. they aren't for the timid...they will require more work than money, so it's a great option for those on a budget with some fab skills. right now including materials i think i'm at around $300 into my entire suspension setup.

current stance on 17's:

[bansheelos]

just wait till you play around with that fuel injection system....it's not a great system by any means....well it's a good system when it's working right, but that's like saying that CIS is a great fuel injection system to run a turbo system on


thanks! i'm glad to hear the aba swap thread keeps helping people

take out your iphone and look at my front ride height


there's different variations of how to do a beam raise but they will all yield the same result. they aren't for the timid...they will require more work than money, so it's a great option for those on a budget. right now including materials i think i'm at around $300 into my entire suspension setup.

Lol at CIST. Im a vr kinda guy and was looking into what it would take to mildly entertain that swap. Wanna get he 2ltr running first and see how i like it. Ok so all the aircooled guys might hate this build b/c im entertaining the thought of watercooling it. Im just looking for some reliability. Maybe I should have stuck w/ my swagger wagon as the family transportation vw. I could do $300 for the suspension, as far as the work def need to know whats entailed. Im not a great welder so if thats what it takes to make it happen I miht have to look elsewhere lol I need a diy beam raise for dummies

[bansheelos]

current stance on 17's:

IOk thats a great height and if its cushy I am sold!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Friedrich1985]

wow looks amazing man! gives me inspiration for my stance....i am def subscribed

[buggyman]

Im looking to go low but also be able to have a smooth ride. I will be traveling w/ my wife and kids and would like it to be as plush as possible. I still like a low bus so I can keep the wife happy and me too. lol



Thanks for looking out I am aware of how much work this project is going to be. Its gonna be a while before I am done w/ it. Def trying to get that a/c running but cant find much info on that setup. DAMN YOU DEALER INSTALLS! Just tried to clean the bench seat and gotta say I am no detailer lolIm at the beginning of a long road but in the end it will be oh so good!!!

Just for grins banshee ,non Samba-specific info on both the DPD & VPC A/C systems:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...MKaIsALq3tyjDg
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient...w.r_qf.,cf.osb

[A1steaksauce]

Lol at CIST. Im a vr kinda guy and was looking into what it would take to mildly entertain that swap. Wanna get he 2ltr running first and see how i like it. Ok so all the aircooled guys might hate this build b/c im entertaining the thought of watercooling it. Im just looking for some reliability. Maybe I should have stuck w/ my swagger wagon as the family transportation vw. I could do $300 for the suspension, as far as the work def need to know whats entailed. Im not a great welder so if thats what it takes to make it happen I miht have to look elsewhere lol I need a diy beam raise for dummies

vr swap would cost quite a bit of coin and require some serious fab work. the transmission adaptor kit alone would run you close to $500. the stock baywindow transmission won't like the added horse power and the vr motor won't like the short gearing....iirc they have a 5:86rp, it will make a 4k trans look like a freeway cruising transmission in comparison. you'd need a taller more stout transmission, like say from a vanagon, or you'd need to drop some good coin on having a baywindow transmission built with taller ratios and beefed up to handle the vr. not to mention you'd have to completely fab up engine mounting points, a radiator mounting system, exhaust, etc....it's not a cheap or easy undertaking.

i'd practice up on your welding skills. mig isn't that hard to get down good enough to make a project like this happen. without the ability to weld laying out a bay off store bought beams and rear end parts will only take you down so far. your stock front tubs will quickly limit how low you can take the front regardless of how low of a profile tire you run and how wide the rear end is will limit you out back. if you can weld you can overcome those simple issues.

my setup is 7in beam raise out front narrowed a bunch (forget how much ) running shocks, 4in tubs up front, raised steering box 1.5in, 4.5in drop plates out back, 2.5in narrowed out back, raised transmission/motor 2in, and some rear tubs (currently in the works)...and i'm on 17's. if i went with 15's i wouldn't have had to do as much work, but still would have had to do most of what's on my list it was cheap to do just time consuming. pretty much anyone with a decent mig, drill press, angle grinder and a garage could pull off what i built.

[Schell R32]

...the fab and stance....and s--t everything about A1's bus is exactly what i would do.

not a shiney a--,straight as a lazer deal...been there done that and honestly it takes the wind out of your sails for sure.

my dumpy a--,Sage green,beat to s--t transporter is the bomb,with her 2 liter fuel injected,auto trans an all!!!!

A1,that center section is the rare yes?...or the whole entire roof piece?...either way you would never see that here as the weather never sold the air condition systems as much...

getting into these bus things more and more...i know nothing about em and i think thats whats got my interest...my buddy Nate here in Mass has probablt one of the nicest Bays in the North east...he's part of Broke-Status club

[bansheelos]

Just for grins banshee ,non Samba-specific info on both the DPD & VPC A/C systems:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...MKaIsALq3tyjDg
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient...w.r_qf.,cf.osb

A lot of helpful info I will be using to get this bus around in the summer lol Thanks for the input!!

vr swap would cost quite a bit of coin and require some serious fab work. the transmission adaptor kit alone would run you close to $500. the stock baywindow transmission won't like the added horse power and the vr motor won't like the short gearing....iirc they have a 5:86rp, it will make a 4k trans look like a freeway cruising transmission in comparison. you'd need a taller more stout transmission, like say from a vanagon, or you'd need to drop some good coin on having a baywindow transmission built with taller ratios and beefed up to handle the vr. not to mention you'd have to completely fab up engine mounting points, a radiator mounting system, exhaust, etc....it's not a cheap or easy undertaking.

i'd practice up on your welding skills. mig isn't that hard to get down good enough to make a project like this happen. without the ability to weld laying out a bay off store bought beams and rear end parts will only take you down so far. your stock front tubs will quickly limit how low you can take the front regardless of how low of a profile tire you run and how wide the rear end is will limit you out back. if you can weld you can overcome those simple issues.

my setup is 7in beam raise out front narrowed a bunch (forget how much ) running shocks, 4in tubs up front, raised steering box 1.5in, 4.5in drop plates out back, 2.5in narrowed out back, raised transmission/motor 2in, and some rear tubs (currently in the works)...and i'm on 17's. if i went with 15's i wouldn't have had to do as much work, but still would have had to do most of what's on my list it was cheap to do just time consuming. pretty much anyone with a decent mig, drill press, angle grinder and a garage could pull off what i built.

I def have to get my welding skills back to where they used to be! As far as the vr I knew it was going to be a chunk of change but in the watercooled world im known as the vr guy lol Ive done many vr swaps and a aba swap so I am very familiar w/ these. Vr is def my bread and butter. That kennedy plate is too damn expensive. I also looked into running a 5 rib tranny instead of the 3 rib thats in there. My only main concern was the cooling and mounting.

As far as the suspension you are running is there any bottoming out issues??? I the stance and wondering as far as added weight in the rear how does it measure up. Def am not looking for a scraped underside or bouncing all over. I am def liking the raised beam, def a project I feel I can tackle. So if I ran stock 15's I wouldnt have to touch the front seat panels? Also as far as the rear what did you do? Did you move the trailing arms up a notch or 2? I found this link on the raised beam? Whats your take on it?
http://vwrepublic.com/forums/index.php?topic=14.15

...the fab and stance....and s--t everything about A1's bus is exactly what i would do.

not a shiney a--,straight as a lazer deal...been there done that and honestly it takes the wind out of your sails for sure.

my dumpy a--,Sage green,beat to s--t transporter is the bomb,with her 2 liter fuel injected,auto trans an all!!!!

A1,that center section is the rare yes?...or the whole entire roof piece?...either way you would never see that here as the weather never sold the air condition systems as much...

getting into these bus things more and more...i know nothing about em and i think thats whats got my interest...my buddy Nate here in Mass has probablt one of the nicest Bays in the North east...he's part of Broke-Status club

I would be into the bus bomb as well if this wasnt for my family. I would be rusted out lol Gotta make it look pretty for the Mrs. lol Say what ya want, a happy wife is a happy life

[RafCarre12]

Say what ya want, a happy wife is a happy life

Translation: This thing ain't staying a Champagne Edition.

[bansheelos]

Translation: This thing ain't staying a Champagne Edition.

You are slacking on your panels Raf! She might hate the bus then its all mine! BHAHAHAHAHA Still gotta get it running, gonna redo the whole brake system then suspension. Still not sure if I should put disc's on the rear

[RafCarre12]

You are slacking on your panels Raf! She might hate the bus then its all mine! BHAHAHAHAHA Still gotta get it running, gonna redo the whole brake system then suspension. Still not sure if I should put disc's on the rear

A little Meguiars m105/m205 combo will do wonders on that paint. Buy the supplies, including the buffs and I'll hook it up.

Yeah, if you are going to stick with the 2.0 then there is no real point in doing the brake swap (IMO) but I think its a must have if you are going to push 3X the HP with a VR.

[goosler]

no swap?????

pppfffshhhh, time to blow this popsicle stand..........

[Schell R32]

he he happy wife would want a BMW or a appliance car!!!


s--t my wife's R32 is most water cooled guys holy grail...


it's her "toyota tercel"...

[A1steaksauce]

A1,that center section is the rare yes?...or the whole entire roof piece?...either way you would never see that here as the weather never sold the air condition systems as much...

the center section is uncommon but it does pop up from time to time. i actually got my mittens on one from someone who was scrapping some deluxe baywindows.

what's rare is that middle and front piece over the driver. very rarely do you see that beast. especially in that good of condition.

As far as the suspension you are running is there any bottoming out issues??? I the stance and wondering as far as added weight in the rear how does it measure up. Def am not looking for a scraped underside or bouncing all over. I am def liking the raised beam, def a project I feel I can tackle. So if I ran stock 15's I wouldnt have to touch the front seat panels? Also as far as the rear what did you do? Did you move the trailing arms up a notch or 2? I found this link on the raised beam? Whats your take on it?
http://vwrepublic.com/forums/index.php?topic=14.15

bottoming out? well if i take my shocks off and bounce up and down on her really hard she'll hit the frame i'm running shocks all around and that greatly helps out. i can't believe people would roll baywindows without shocks...would be crazy to drive and not very plush.

the weight is something to take into consideration. i mocked up my ride height with me in it. i only roll solo in my aircooled so with me in it i'd only drop the front down an additional half inch up front. i do see myself camping and tossing gear in her so i put her at a slight rake to account for the increase in weight in the rear from camping gear. but generally speaking each additional adult will drop the bus down approx half an inch.

i've seen that build. he's a split window bus so he's running a link pin beam. doing a beam raise with a link pin beam is only going to yield you approx 5in raise. ball joint (what your bus has) beam raise will give you a 7in raise. here's a shot of my setup mid process:

that's 6in solid wall quarter inch tubing, stronger than the frame rail section it's replacing

yes, even if you go 15's you're gonna have to tub the front to get it down. the rear end, not so much...but you're gonna have to raise your seat height up front if you want to get it down even if you went with 14's

my rear end i'm running dropped plates. it moves up the wheel 4.5 inches while retaining the stock geometry....team that together with one or two clicks of the torsions (can't remember exactly how many i did) and you get my ride height.

he he happy wife would want a BMW or a appliance car!!!


s--t my wife's R32 is most water cooled guys holy grail...


it's her "toyota tercel"...

i can't wait till the bottom falls out on MK4's. i so want to cut up a R32 for the motor. that would be an awesome power plant for my vanagon