I am building 1303 VW Beetle with mid engine Audi 4.2 from an A6 (C6) quattro V8 (with tiptronic box).

Now, having measured the rear track of the Beetle at 1500mm and the A6 rear track at 1860 I either need to widen the arches by 18cm (7 inches) each side which will spoil the standardish look I'm going for so am thinking of widening arches by 3" (quite subtle?) and narrowing Audi track by 4" each side (will entail making own bones etc which isn't a problem (or narrowing subframe by 8").

Driveshafts will be hybrid anyway as using rear suspension with Audi transaxle/engine) replacing the rear diff.

Thoughts/better ideas welcome ?

Cheers

Have a look at the Spire GTR car, iirc at least one of those has been built using an audi transaxle, rear track on those are around 1400mm doing a quick google, they may have all of the parts you need to build a rear subframe.

http://www.spiresportscars.co.uk/

https://www.leastoneracingcars.com/spire-gtr

Also the mk1 boxster has a rear track of 1525mm going by carfolio and uses the same gearbox as the A4 I think, these have been fitted with the audi v8 if you do a google, looks like a ready made fit.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=47&t=1681179

https://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=5621

Edit - just checked carfolio for the original beetle and it states track is 1350mm not 1500mm so probably need to make sure you are measuring track in the same way.

https://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=39446

Audi s6 v8 is showing up as 1525mm, same as boxster.

https://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=186516

[Edited on 31/12/19 by Ugg10]

[Edited on 31/12/19 by Ugg10]

Thanks Ugg

I'm not worried about the building subframe though did screw up the track measurement but only in as much as I measured track from outer edge to outer edge on both cars - it still means Audi is much wider than bug (spesh when comparing bug tyres to A6 V8 )

I'm in touch with a chap that built a V8 Boxster (https://www.facebook.com/V8-Boxster-build-1546283579001450/) and have seen others have done same. Was initially going down Boxster gearbox route but then got a whole A6 V8 for £500 so will use all I can from that.

Cheers for all the links though

Wide arches on a bug are a total pain tbh, on my first one I added 2 inches and it was so much work due to the crazy curves and adding anything pushes the bottoms down so then they need shortened too... then there's the running boards, which then affect the front arches total nightmare. In the old days Wizard did GRP wide arches but I could never afford them so just welded in steel, I don't know anyone in the UK who does them now. If possible I'd just go for shortened drive shafts it will make your life so much easier. Would be nice to see a build post on this, quite a major project

7 inches each side yikes!

I'm assuming you've seen this - linky






[Edited on 1/1/20 by Mr Whippy]

Cheers Mr W

To be honest I think 7" each side would look ridiculous and agree what a pita widening arches that much would be - I've even done away with the elephants foot 1303 rear arches as I don't like them and am using the older/flatter version to simplify widening. The fronts will be a different matter though!

I'm doing a vlog(?) on yt but it's going a bit slow atm and it's a bit dull (and there's no music and no narration - think my voice sounds shit)) so you have to read subtitles

Once I start making proper progress like fabricating chassis, it might start getting more interesting...…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GUXxuVGccQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyTL2V8OcWM

Set alarm cos you may fall asleep

hmm pretty much standard condition bug there and all the usual area's have been "repaired" before, good vids though.

That is quite a big engine and gearbox to fit in a bug... I can't mind how long the interior is on a bug compared to a 356 but it looks mighty tight









[Edited on 3/1/20 by Mr Whippy]

Short arms give kind of sh1tt1 camber curves, unless you manage to restrict suspension travel.
What will the car will be used for??
Show?
Straight line racing?
Curves??
HTH.

Going to be used on the road, maybe a bit of tracktime.

Like I said, I'll probably narrow the track by narrowing the subframe which will keep length of arms the same, but I may need to compromise if shafts end up to short.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpHKoxLXQNU Build video been going on for the last 3 or so years

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSaDdR0si0s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suybpBSAC4s

cut the car down the middle and add 14 inches

4 less than these guys...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs-aLFxQAFI[/youtube]]youtube linky

[Edited on 6/1/20 by Mr Whippy]