V-dub.
 

My VW is already missing a runningboard. should I take the other off, or find a replacement?

What i'm really asking is, should I use runningboards or not?

Do you have trouble getting into the car, :p?

In the case of aerodynamics I believe they are useless, ditch the other and save the weight. The curve of the fender hides them from any air stream and if you plan on lowering the bug, even more useless.

So say hello to the weight savings ... I know the original boards are heavy ...

Oh btw, lucky you for having the smoothest bellypan out of the gate already. I would simply consider closing the gap between the spare tire well and your floor pans, basically shielding the suspension. Also get under it and check to see if you have the tins that protect the exhaust, not only will that help steer airflow but serves a very use ful purpose in keeping the engine both hot and cold depending on the season.

Keep us posted .. GL ...

The whole point is to get better MPG and lighten the car. I don't care how ugly it is, as long as there's an improvement. I do agree with you though, Baja bugs look much better.

What he's saying is that the weight is so negligible as to not matter, you likely won't gain any perceivable mpg if you take them off completely.

And having taken some of them off recently, I have to say they way practically nothing for their size.

I have another question.
What device could I use to collect my data? I'm still new and I'm on a SUPER-LIMITED budget. Any suggestions?

Which data?

MPG mainly. I thought that since my car was so old, there wasn't much I could do to calculate it.

Yeah, that's the real trick, I think there are some guys over in the instrumentation forum that have been trying to put together some kind of mpg gauge for cars without computer systems.

I guess i could just fill up the tank (8 gal.) and run it until it stops. Then maybe I'd have a crude reading.

Haha, That's one way to do it. I'm pretty much in the same boat as you though. I'm currently restoring a '73 Standard Beetle that I'm hopefully going to get up and running this summer.

What's your engine output? (cc)

Right now I haven't even touched the engine, as it seems to be in working order. It's a 1600cc. Once I get a little bit more money saved up I'm probably going to go to town on it with a more fuel efficient cam, lighter parts, etc, in an attempt to increase mileage.

Same here.
What kind of fuel pump does yours use? Electric or mechanical?
It's not really a matter of economy, but of personal safety.
I've heard that the electric ones are a bit more dangerous in the event of a fire.

Mine's still stock mechanical.

If you can't figure out your gas mileage then I recommend finding your last math teacher and smacking them up side the head.

the only reason I can see for keeping the running boards is to protect the car from rocks that are kicked up.

Oh, wait. there is one way to help, Give me the basic formula that you used to calculate your mileage.

I don't want to fill my tank everytime I feel like calculating my MPG.

Well it's going to be pretty hard to d it then.

Miles/gallons

Fill up, drive, fill up again (preferably at the same pump), and divide miles by gallons.

You don't have to run a whole tank of gas thru to figure it, but it will be more accurate the more you use.

Say the pump kicks off 0.1 gal different than the time before.
If you only used a gallon of fuel your reading will be 10% off.
If you've used 8 gallons of fuel your error is now only 1.25%.

I always thought that the pre-66 fender/ headlights were more aero, just a theory, but definatley better slope angle. Is yours a "super"

Hate to be a stickler here, but the OEM German boards are not only heavy but really sturdy. If you are replacing the Brazilian aftermarket boards or the Mexican boards then yes, they have about as much metal as a Coke can with half the strength. Either way its a weight savings, minimal to a hummer, but perhaps more significant to a bug.

I would also remove the bumpers front and rear if you state allows it otherwise retro fit them with the early 60's single blade style. SInce they are made in Mexico they are really light. Perhaps finding the early 60's mirrors which are small and fit on the door hinges themselves. Moon covers are a given and readily available for bugs and if you are lookng to retrofit fenders some of the early 60's bettles had fender skirts available as a NOS option (New Old Stock). I may be able to find out what years had them available and if I can get my hands on some.

I also agree that the pre 67 front fenders with their larger enclosed headlights may provide less resistance that the ones you have now ... WOW ecomodding a bug .. heh ...

I would really like to know, the reality is finding a VW with original german running boards is rare in of itself nowadays. Easy to tell though, they are really thick and dont creek or bend when you stand on them. They were as strong as running boards are today for pick ups ...

Somewhere between 'ow, my back' and 'oh ****, i think my testicles exploded'
These must be original, because the car couldn't support it. I didn't Take it off, it actually kinda fell....:D

Yes, it's a superbeetle.

there was an series in vw trends about hypermileing a bug a while ago. It is online someplace . . .

Do you think I should just take the front bumper off completely?
Do I really need a bumper? The previous owner hit a deer at 45MPH, and the car still looked like the pic, just a dent in the hood that popped out.

I say ditch em, but I love to live on the edge. However, my decision would weigh heavily on whether or not the POPO would be on your ass all the time about it.

I don't believe that the pre 66 fenders will fit on a super beetle.

I'd leave the front bumper and pull the rear, just my opinion. If you do remove the front bumper I'd at least run nerf bars.

I've also got a super-gay antenna flower that was left over from my mom. Should I leave it?

I'm pretty sure it was an article in Hot VWs, at first the articles were interesting, but then for some reason they completely abandoned their carb set up, which got them up to 38 mpg, without even bothering to check out more efficient distributors, or really even experimenting with the timing of the distributor or the jetting of the carbs, in favor of dumping a shiny new, rediculously expensive, electronic fuel injection on to their motor, which has to date only netted them 36 mpg. Go figure.

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