QUICK SHIFT KIT Installation on a '72 Bus

March 12, yesterday...

I’m on a leave from work. Need to have some rest after beating the deadlines.But instead of packing up my things and head towards the beach, I focused on cleaning my garage instead. There I found an EMPI Quick Shift (QS) kit that came from my bug Bacchus when I opted to install an EMPI “Hurst-Style” Trigger Shifter.
Here I documented my quick shift installation on Sam. The QS kit includes base plate and what I call “QS mushroom”, I don’t know what it is called.

1. I uninstalled the shifter retainer and the shifter stick, but the base plate will not be removed

2. Put the QS plate over the stock shifter’s base plate

3. Remove the shifter stick’s knob and insert the stick to the “QS mushroom” and slide the “QS mushroom” until it contacts with the “stock mushroom”.

4. With the “QS mushroom” in place, install the shifter stick. Putting back the stick to its place in the shifting rod is trick because of the stick’s adapter has a locking mechanism at its ball end. Not to mention the stubborn shifter’s spring.

5. When I got the stick back to its place in the rod, I inserted the shifter retainer and installed it. When installing QS kit, you have to use longer bolts because the stock ones will not suffice because of the QS kit’s added height.

6. Install the shifter boot, don’t forget to put grease on the “QS mushroom” to reduce friction between the “QS mushroom” and the shifter’s retainer.

Well that is a quick and easy upgrade for Sam. The shifters throw is now reduced by 50% I think. It took me 20 minutes to the job, taking pictures and included.

Thanks I had the afternoon installing speakers on the door panels for that warm sound. Samantha rocks!

BUBBLES: The White Hoodie Sheep

This is Bubbles, another specimen of a crawling bug from Batangas. Nothing is known to the BatFolks why Dennis calls this beetle with such a name. Bubbles is another 1969 hoodride that serves her master’s his daily driving pleasure. She can be often seen crawling on the streets of Sto Tomas and sometimes in Lipa for the 1st Friday meetings of VWCP-Batangas.

Bubbles has the stock tranny which is powered by stock 1200 engine. What is so interesting about this bug’s engine is that you can find accessories that can be found on your old school scooters and plumbing store. Bubbles’ econo engine made use of Dio (Scooter) air cleaner, which uses a PVC plumbing elbow as an adapter to the stock carburetor. Oil filler cap is replaced with an air cleaner for a scooter, this cap also serves as the engines breather. Stock VW generator supplies the needed charge and spins the fan on the other end.

15” Commodore wheels which are painted white wrapped with low profile radial tires are fitted for that “Cali” look. Dennis himself took care of the lowering job on this bug. He took out some torsion leaves on the front and adjusted the rear. Sweet. Interior is Spartan with stock rear seats, Japanese front seats, Nardi Wood Steering wheel and a sound set-up will give you that nice feeling inside.

BUNOG: 1967 Bug

Miggy has been in the VW scene for a long time now. He has owned a family heritage late model beetle which sports chromed Sprintstars with knock-offs, a big engine, deck lid stand offs, stock seats and every little thing that’s EMPI. That bug now is part of their family’s memory lane. Sold for a reasonable amount, but the reason for selling is not that reasonable for some VeeDub nuts.

Years gone by and Miggy is without a VW on his garage. Drives a Japanese car for daily trips to work. But still the German heritage still haunts him in his dreams and the bug-friendly streets of Lipa. His long time friend gave him a tip about a ’67 bug waiting for an owner with a heart for German Steel.

Miggy worked hard day and night to keep the money coming in for this project to make it right the first time. It seems like he has a child in the ER waiting to be revived from a wicked accident. The numerous phone calls, busy weekends and lots of bills for the parts. This ’67 should be saved from its inevitable demise. After a long wait, this ’67 bug’s heart beats anew. Painted Jet Black, Nardi wood steering wheel, with correct ’67-only parts (door crank handle, air-cleaner, bumper over-riders, radio, door lock pull, and other ’67 only parts), vintage Hurst shifter and polished Porsche 2-liter wheels wrapped with 165/55R15 rubber, dropped spindles, OG Hella lenses for the lights and an attitude of a head-turner bug. This bug should have a name… his name is BUNOG.

Pictures taken by Clark during the BeetleCab Moto Mania Carshow last January 31, 2009 at Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija wherein Bunog went home with Best Interior and Best Vintage Entertaiment Awards. Cheers!

Other Man's Trash is Another Man's Treasure

Last year Clark saw an old steering wheel installed in a junked beetle. He talked with the owner that he is interested with the wheel. The owner of the junked bug asked Clark if he have an extra steering wheel as a replacement if the former will give the latter the ratty steering wheel. So Clark swapped it for a 1969 VW steering wheel without the button and horn ring.

What caught Clark’s attention was that this wheel that he found is a Formula Vee special edition beetle accessory. This Universal "Formula Vee" VW steering wheel is made by Superior Industries for VWoA (Volkswagen of America. Written on the description on the picture below:

“This sporty-looking riveted wheel has the appearance and feel of a fine walnut, with deep finger grips for a comfortable hold.”

This is one of the things that makes the VW Hobby exciting parts hunting and finding parts like they’re diamonds in a mound of sand.