For me at least, Subaru EJ25 DOHC (JDM) with 230 HP would be the ultimate motor for a 550 Spyder variant. Also, I'd couple the motor with a Pro Drag transaxle instead of Pro Street version because the former is stronger and sturdier than the latter. The only problem is the tire size capacity of the Spyder without altering the given classic stance of the car. I'm not too sure if 185 up in the front and 195 in the back are sufficient enough to handle 230 HP regardless of the chosen gear ratio. Overall, this video is a good presentation of the cars. Thank you.
Nice video. Having built many T1 and T4 performance engines (some for 356's Speedsters), I waited to the end of the video because I wasn't convinced that was 914/VW Type 4 engine. Very different. I prefer Type 4 engines. They were built for more torque and usable power vs the 1600 Type 1. Of course if you drive a 914 you would know what it feels like, especially with the 901 gear box. But in a kit car, the same engine would propel the 550 nicely.
Very cool compare/contrast. Just one error though: the Beck engine is a Type 1, not a Type 4. You can tell by where the exhaust pipes come out of the heads. Type 1 exits from the front and back of the heads. Type 4 come out the bottom like the Subaru (or the original 4-cam).
Thank you Edward. I did not realize that, I've always just called them Type IV. I appreciate the clarification and will correct myself moving forward. Appreciate the input and thank you for watching!
We must be neighbors as I see all my neighborhood landmarks as you drive by them. I am looking to have one of these built but would love to see/examine one in person. Let me know if you plan to take one of these to a Fresno cars and coffee.
..these things are literally just a large go-cart...aesthetically, I think they look better without the head rests and the "gills" in the rear fenders...I'm sure the head rests add some safety, although "safety" in these is a relative term..I'm sure the "gills" helped with engine cooling as well..very beautiful cars...also, are they street legal?..obviously they have headlights and tail lights, but I don't see any provision for turn signals...as far as the Subaru engine VS the type 4, well..I'd rather have my German Porsche all German...
@@BryanBoardwell ..ah..o.k...I didn't notice a turn signal switch/lever on the steering column..so I assumed the others were parking lights/tail lights...did the ones sold in Europe have semaphores?...
So fourth gear is too tall.. you need a shorter 4th gear ratio.. This is a four speed.. so they probably wanted a taller fourth because they didn't install a 5 speed, and they wanted some more freeway speed.
Keep an eye out on the forums and for sale websites. Sometimes the samba.com is good along with pelican parts and maybe even reenlist. Good luck in your search.
For me at least, Subaru EJ25 DOHC (JDM) with 230 HP would be the ultimate motor for a 550 Spyder variant. Also, I'd couple the motor with a Pro Drag transaxle instead of Pro Street version because the former is stronger and sturdier than the latter. The only problem is the tire size capacity of the Spyder without altering the given classic stance of the car. I'm not too sure if 185 up in the front and 195 in the back are sufficient enough to handle 230 HP regardless of the chosen gear ratio. Overall, this video is a good presentation of the cars. Thank you.
Nice video. Having built many T1 and T4 performance engines (some for 356's Speedsters), I waited to the end of the video because I wasn't convinced that was 914/VW Type 4 engine. Very different. I prefer Type 4 engines. They were built for more torque and usable power vs the 1600 Type 1.
Of course if you drive a 914 you would know what it feels like, especially with the 901 gear box. But in a kit car, the same engine would propel the 550 nicely.
Beck 550 Spyder Type 1 motor sounds great. Good repair on the fuel leak, mate.
Very cool compare/contrast. Just one error though: the Beck engine is a Type 1, not a Type 4. You can tell by where the exhaust pipes come out of the heads. Type 1 exits from the front and back of the heads. Type 4 come out the bottom like the Subaru (or the original 4-cam).
Thank you Edward. I did not realize that, I've always just called them Type IV. I appreciate the clarification and will correct myself moving forward. Appreciate the input and thank you for watching!
We must be neighbors as I see all my neighborhood landmarks as you drive by them. I am looking to have one of these built but would love to see/examine one in person. Let me know if you plan to take one of these to a Fresno cars and coffee.
Desde México. Está muy padre bien logrado. Solo ese falta en mi colección! Es un placer ver este tipo de autos.
Glad you liked them! Thanks for watching
I would love to see what the Beck looks like with the hard top
They are out there. The one with the red interior also has a soft top but not the hard one... I don't think, would need to ask. Thanks for watching
Last i checked these things start at $28 -$30 thousand painted and with complete interior but no motor.my guess is double that drive out.
Question; what company did the shift linkage from AZ?
..these things are literally just a large go-cart...aesthetically, I think they look better without the head rests and the "gills" in the rear fenders...I'm sure the head rests add some safety, although "safety" in these is a relative term..I'm sure the "gills" helped with engine cooling as well..very beautiful cars...also, are they street legal?..obviously they have headlights and tail lights, but I don't see any provision for turn signals...as far as the Subaru engine VS the type 4, well..I'd rather have my German Porsche all German...
They are completely street legal. The blinkers are below the headlights, those aren't fog lights... Blinkers in back as well.
@@BryanBoardwell ..ah..o.k...I didn't notice a turn signal switch/lever on the steering column..so I assumed the others were parking lights/tail lights...did the ones sold in Europe have semaphores?...
So fourth gear is too tall.. you need a shorter 4th gear ratio.. This is a four speed.. so they probably wanted a taller fourth because they didn't install a 5 speed, and they wanted some more freeway speed.
that makes sense
550 coupé all the for thar era but i lust like the coupe better
Ive been looking to buy one for a while but cant find ANYTHING!! Let me know if you know anyone looking to sell
Keep an eye out on the forums and for sale websites. Sometimes the samba.com is good along with pelican parts and maybe even reenlist. Good luck in your search.
That engine sounds like a VW...why not use a porche V6..or a porche V8..? eBay has plenty of them...so much effort for nothing.