Moe's Bug Blog

New Home!!!

2006-09-01T14:28:00.000-07:00

Moe's Bug Blog has moved to a new server and web address: www.moesvwbug.com

First Test

2006-08-29T15:12:00.000-07:00

I decided to see if installing the chrome air filter will result on a power increase. I have been averaging 39 Net Horsepower and a 0-60 mph time of 14 seconds with the new filter. I installed the old unit back and tested the bug again. This time the horsepower averaged 36.4 Net Horsepower. So, as advertised, the chrome air filter DOES add about 2 NET horsepower to the bug. I will be replacing the heater boxes with J-tubes for my next test. Let's see if they will make a difference.

New Gadgets

2006-08-22T20:25:00.000-07:00

I purchased a 2.5" Tachometer and installed it in the Bug. It took me a while to find that the 1600 engine that comes with my 73 bug has a redline of 4500 RPM.

I also bought a G-Tech Pro Competition. This High Tech Gadget measures Horsepower and Torque by just plugging it in to the cigarrete lighter!

Early measurements show the NET horsepower of my Bug at 35.5 Horsepower. The purpose of this gadget is to see if any so-called performance items deliver as promised.

No respect..

2006-08-09T13:20:00.000-07:00

Man, I thought I didn't get any respect from drivers when I rode my bike to work. It seems that everybody disses my bug by cutting me off, crossing in front of me or by tailgaiting me. Is it because they think it's slow? or maybe they are just jealous that I look cool and I get awesome gas mileage.

More Upgrades

2006-08-05T21:15:00.000-07:00

I took a couple of days from work and worked on the Bug's new upgrades. The new upgrades include:

A New EMPI Trigger shifter:
This shifter works like a charm! It significally reduced the shift travel thus eliminating the need of a short shifter kit.

A new EMPI GT Dual Tip Dual Exhaust unit:

Old Unit:

New Unit:

The new exhaust looks mean, sounds mean and I can feel the increase in torque and horsepower.

A Grant Steering wheel:

Old Steering Wheel

New Steering Wheel

The old steering wheel used to hit my knees when I tried to get inside the car, this new steering wheel is smaller and it has more cushion.

I also got rid of the Air Cleaner:

Old Air Cleaner

New Air Cleaner

And Finally, a brand new set of tires:

Electric Bug

2006-08-03T18:34:00.000-07:00

With Hybrid and electric cars being all the rage, I stumbled upon this website that sells an electric kit for the VW Bug. For about $2500, the Bug can be converted to a full blown electric car capable of going 75 MHP and up to 60 miles on one charge.

Check out www.e-volks.com for more information.

Oh Snap!

2006-07-31T13:40:00.000-07:00

I was driving the bug to my house when all of the sudden the gas pedal goes all the way to the floor! WTF? I was able to coast and pull over. Fortunately I was about 1/2 mile away from my house, so I put it in first and coasted all of the way home. As I inspect the gas pedal, I noticed that the cable had snapped right where the hook was at. I have a VW shop close to work so I picked up an 'accelerator cable' (I guess is not proper to call it Gas Pedal cable). Not owning a manual, I did a search on how to install an accelerator cable. I found a great website that is ran by 2 dudes, it's called www.vw-resource.com Sure enough, they had a procedure on how to install the accelerator cable. Armed with basic tools and the new cable, I check out where the cable goes thru. Figuring that I could do better than the instructions from the website, I proceed to join the old cable with the new cable with electrical tape. BIG mistake. As I pull the cable thru the back of the engine, it got stock. I pulled from the outside and pulled from the inside and nothing, the cable wouldn't budge. I then proceeded to see where the darn cable was stuck at, it was right at where the cable goes to the outside of the wheel well and onto a routing hose. I wiggled it and managed it to loosen it up. I pulled the cable thru the inside, disconnect both cables, I pulled the old cable out and route the new cable in (just like what the instructions from the website stated) and in 15 minutes I was done.

Lesson Learned.

First Upgrades

2006-07-27T21:19:00.000-07:00

The bug had a few rusty parts that made it look like a rust bucket. Some of the rusty parts were the headlight trims,

The bumpers.
the side runners and the exhaust.

As I searched the internet for parts suppliers, I found JCWhitney.com. They had a 'buy the bumpers and get the side runners for free' special. I like that price, FREE! I also ordered the headlight trims and the headlight visors.

The Next upgrades will be a new steering wheel, new exhaust, chromed air cleaner, shift coupler and a new shifter.

My '73 VW Bug

2006-07-25T23:45:00.000-07:00

I bought this 1973 VW Beetle from a co-worker about 3 weeks ago. The paint job sucks and there are rusty parts everywhere, but the engine has new heads and my co-worker really took care of it.
I always wanted a 'classic car' to tinker with, the bug seemed like a good candidate. Parts for the Bugs are cheap and readily available , they are easy to work on. When I took the Bug home, my little girls really liked the bug but I was afraid that my wife was going to hate it and make me sell it asap. It only took one ride on the Bug for my wife to like it, she liked it so much that now she wants her own bug!