VW Bug Drive comparison 36 HP to 40 HP

Remember this comparison is between a stock 36hp and a big bore 40hp with 1600 rockers. Normally the 36 and 40 have near the same power with the same gear ratios IMO.

[@ivorwm2291]

I loved the Merc at 35:10. My friend that used to own the bug\dune buggy shop told me that the 36 horse was a more dependable engine. I'm now living in a small town and a 36 hp would work for me The time was 35:27. I'm digging the blue green steering wheel. I talk out loud when I drive. I had to quit yelling at people. They carry guns here

[@xaviertucker4313]

i realize it is kinda randomly asking but does anybody know of a good place to stream newly released movies online ?

[@anakinwinston7993]

@Xavier Tucker I use Flixzone. Just google for it :)

[@maxtonrene3921]

@Anakin Winston yup, been using Flixzone for years myself :D

[@xaviertucker4313]

@Anakin Winston thanks, I went there and it seems like a nice service =) I really appreciate it !

[@anakinwinston7993]

@Xavier Tucker Glad I could help xD

[@natew.5511]

I had both, a 56 and a 64. The 56 had its original nonsyncro 1st tranny. The 40 hp was noticeably livelier, but not by too much. The December 1960 Road & Track magazine has a very detailed article, "The New VW Engine" that discusses the engineering aspects of the brand new 40 hp. The article enumerates the improvements that give the 1961 models an approximately greater top speed of 8 mph and better acceleration, while delivering the same fuel economy. From memory they are better breathing and higher compression ratio (and perhaps camshaft modifications in timing and duration). The distributor also has a vacuum advance (not a combination of weights and vaccum advance). This is coupled with a transaxle that has a lower gear ratio in at least 4th. The higher compression ratio and better breathing increases top engine rpm enough to give the 8 mph higher top speed, even though the 4th gear lower ratio lowers top speed.

[@tomdunigan234]

I really enjoyed these comparisons and learned a little about horse power vs. gear ratios.

[@alexjinks6172]

Brilliant..... explained difference between my 1964 1200 cc when I was 18 and my 1975 1600 cc now I'm 69 . Thanks Mike !

[@michaelboisselle8590]

That was awesome, thanks for the rides, you can definitely tell the difference between the two, the green one doesn't sound like it's out of power and it scoots along very well

[@Mikefngarage]

Right on!

[@garageassembled4701]

I watched to a few minutes and knowing Riverside so well, going down riverside on Victoria I laughed at the speed sensor to slow down, blinking at you in the beginning. Great memories.

[@Mikefngarage]

especially in the rag top just over 45 or so in 3rd ...yea me too.

[@Gunny426HemiPlymouth]

Love this. Hope you did this with comparisons of built motors like stock 1600s vs ones with cams or big bore slip in kits (the 88 thicks and 92 cut heads you always talk about) and ones with a lot of money thrown at them, 2 litres and such. Definitely interesting to see. I'm about done with a 1915 that I put way to much money into, its probably going to be a grenade, but we'll try to make it last. Got a 1835 that I may get thick wall cylinders and make into a more safe motor.

[@Kingstonsmac]

Beautiful bug man! I own a gulf blue 63. Nothing like these bugs !

[@vibrantvitalityvibes7931]

Great vid mate! Some roads are really bad, l thought you were driving in Russia, but you did a good job to avoid the potholes !

[@Mikefngarage]

Our government in CA has been spending the road money on other things like pay raises and public transportation. you would think a 140 a year registration for a classic car and a 750 for a new car. would be enough to pay for the road repairs. But no they raised it another 40 bucks. and stupid people here agreed to it. (tricked on the ballot). Pretty crappy. IMO

[@nickhardy8300]

Had one in 1955 and love it

[@mikelove9832]

Thanks Straight Ahead ✌😎

[@jacquespoirier9071]

the power is so much limited that a few ponies makes an huge difference, the greatest evidence is that the maximum speed is about 75 MPH on flat lang with all the engine ressources required to maintain that speed so nothing left for the acceleration or climbing a hill. I've used these engines to drive a small sawmill and it performed beautifully so it brings me to think about the energy quantity required to move a car, it is huge.

[@robertrusso6950]

Great video. I have a 57 36hp with no modifications and just got it on the road after many years. I feel that 4th gear functions more as an overdrive/final highway gear. I feel once I hit 50, it takes a long time to move the speedo needle higher. I feel it runs through lower speeds much faster. And yes, like you stated, I feel it’s either pedal to the floor or idle. I love driving it though.

[@dwkach]

Nah.....my 60 with a 36hp pulls well up to70 mph.

[@bugnut82]

I watched this from start to finish. I miss having a bug, I sold my 61 rag 5 years ago. I hate not having a bug. I see your in the Murrieta CA area ?

[@johncollins5552]

Im in Europe with a late 72 1200 standard and it was a big seller as here the annual road tax was/is 20 to 30 per cent higher for 1300, 1500, 1600. The 1200 also did 38mpg ( euro gallons different to U S) where 1300 etc did low thirties. Another factor why the extra hp doesnt make a very big difference is the 1200 standard bug was about 100kg lighter than the deluxe trim beetles that had the bigger engines!

[@Bacon12954]

Wish I had a 4th gear like that in mine. I've got a 40 hp but don't usually go much faster than 60 since the engine will be screaming.

[@mikehammer4546]

Mike, if your 12v how did you deal with the automatic choke. Are you running a PICT 28 or a 30 ?

[@allenschmitz9644]

I remember a lot of 3rd and 4th shifting in KY.

[@okwhatever2995]

Such beautiful bugs! I’m working towards getting one, kinda interested in the electric conversion?

[@DanTheManIOM]

well, that explains my dad always revved the heck out of my 70's bugs (1600).... his first was a 59... full gas or idle, got it.

[@bubot17]

i have a '73 1200 bug with 4:12 transmission it could put my 1600 singleport to shame,probably the gear ratios,i now swapped the 1200 for the 1600,i have yet to test the car as of this moment

[@Mikefngarage]

keep us posted like to hear how much difference it really has,

[@Omtla]

what rims are those ??

[@JUSTIFIEDB]

31:00 or so is it just me or is the side view mirror glass about to fall off ?

[@WaltMaken]

I like your "beauty rings" . Can you add a link to your comments as to where we might be able to buy them ? Thanks

[@Mikefngarage]

They came from a place called Flat for in Japan. Wolfsburg West carries them in stock they are $250 though sometimes Eddy and Dave's Garage can order them special for a little lesson several people want them at the same time or he's making of order from them

[@jimmywilkinson9190]

My 63 had 13 inch Corvair wheels and would go 70 in 3rd and 72 in 4th

[@WaltMaken]

What is the fastest you would recommend driving a 1971 Super Beetle with the stock 60 hp engine ?

[@Mikefngarage]

Typically you can drive that and 65 and 70 with no issues that depends on your tire sizes though. If you're running the stock 165 15 those fees are usually okay if you're running a taller Tire you might even go 5 miles an hour faster in 1973 they had the transmission that the ring gear is only attainable through one of the transmission case halves because the other one is solid that has better gears in it and I can go 75 cruising speed. If you want to go faster put taller tires in the rear like 205 75 15

[@stephenbrown5580]

Is it just me or is the drivers side mirror about to make a break for it in the 40 horse Beetle? I couldn't help but stare at it for most of the second part of the video.

[@robertfair1770]

Amazed you didn't loose your side view mirror ??

[@jeffwoods5336]

I love that color on that car. I may go to a super bettle transmission in mine. I let clutch out in mine in 1st i go 3 foot time to shift. Lol.every other gear is fine.

[@Mikefngarage]

yea the super beatle 3.88 is good gears for vw. THe 4th in the 60 crash box is even higher than that.

[@jeffwoods5336]

@@Mikefngarage what do you think of a freeway flyer?? I like to drive my car 65 to 70 and not having eng screaming. Im in Indiana we have no hills its flat.

[@davidc9488]

Year??

[@tacoman864]

My 1970 bug with a 1500 SP will run 70 I love these cars keep em in the road

[@brianchisnell1548]

Should do 80. My stock 40hp will do 72 at 3,000 feet. Owners manual says a 40hp in a '64 bug will do 72 mph.

[@Mikefngarage]

40 hp had 4.37+ .89 4th gears. so 72 was spinning. My 36 will go near 80 stock and it is not screaming either. Gear ratios are still 4.375 but .82 4th instead of .89

[@biviozlebi3551]

You did 73 in 36 HP...75 in 40 hrs...i Pick d 36 ..and i have 30 HP in my 58 ..

[@bunning63]

Had a 36hp that would waste a 40hp. Got the engine in a car we dismantled so no idea what had been done with it. Had an unusual amount of topend, then the crankshaft broke, it had been ground at least 20thou under from memory. Still have a set of NOS 36hp piston and barrels somewhere.

[@Mikefngarage]

Isnt that the way it goes. I have had several v8 engines that ran so good right before they fraged.

[@bunning63]

@@Mikefngarage Bit like when the Mrs is being to nice...you know somethings coming!

[@bextar6365]

I bought a 1969 VW in winter of 1976 while living in Suburban Chicago. After a month I sold it, could not defrost windshield of get any decent heat.

[@Mikefngarage]

yea i try to warn people of that in the colder areas. Those defrosters only make a small area to look through not enought for cold or wet areas.

[@discerningmind]

When the heating system is correct it will blast you out of the cabin, and also defrost perfectly.

[@dmj-ju9zx]

A 40HP vs. 50 or 53HP would be interesting, too...

[@Mikefngarage]

I did a before and after 40hp with upgrades to a 1600 single port with cam and exhaust ported heads. 8 to 1 comp. Total crazy difference.

[@andymaurice7693]

Hello. Mike. The info on gearing on the crashbox and later on the web you mentioned is incorrect.. Crashbox 4th gear .82 with overall 4.43 = 3.63. The later boxes +60 would be .89 with overall 4.375 = 3.89.. meaning crashbox at 60 mph 2940rpm vs 3165 of later boxed.. Just info. Crash boxes if you have the power give you 5 mph extra... As you well said in one you run out of power on the other one you run out of RPM.... Regards

[@Mikefngarage]

yea for sure Ratwells website said 79 and that is incorrect it does have an 82 with those gears. according to the bentley

[@Mikefngarage]

The early 40hp61 to 66 had 4.37. My 61 has 4.37 with an .89 4th. So the gearing on the green bug is much higher than on the 40hp. in the 61.

[@johnsergei]

Even the 36 is fast compared to my Suzuki LJ50.

[@danielchapman9635]

I think the little one had a heavier flywheel.

[@brucegillies1694]

Think about what you're gonna say please!

[@SeaSurfnBird]

29:55 #texting there ya go!

[@brianchisnell1548]

Really not a good comparison. Needs to be stock vs. Stock. In 1976, a buddy and I raced our bugs on a long stretch of flat road. Sea level. (San Diego). His, a '60 stock 36, mine, a '64 stock 40. Neck and neck the whole way. Dead tie. I was baffled?? Now I get it. Gearing was different. My current stock 40 in my '64, top speed is 72. Just like the owners manual says.

[@Mikefngarage]

Cool I have always said there is really no difference between a 36 and 40. If they were behind the same trans. I almost think the 36 would win. because it has more torque even though it is rated at less power.

[@brianchisnell1548]

@@Mikefngarage Good point!

[@jimmywilkinson9190]

Now Mike it sounds like you are talking yourself into 60 rag Modifications = 1776 dp center mount 32-36

[@Mikefngarage]

I am thinking about the stroker crank 36. which is much more expensive. but will keep the original look of the engine. Also maybe the big bore kit that goes with that. Which will still make me at less than 1400cc. And the cam of course. all from wolfsburg west. And pricy I dont really want the okrasa kit. Keep it a sleeper.

[@jimmywilkinson9190]

@@Mikefngarage Get a stock 1600 SP and 67 trans. But keep that drive tran together and when a show comes up ? It was clear the 40 ran MORE DRIVEABLE

[@Mikefngarage]

yea and you dont need to mash the gas pedal to the floor like the stock 40 or the 36. it runs like a 1500.if you notice I ran out of rpm passing that guy in the blue car. A cam or 412 would make this a better driver. has enough power to push the gears. 67 trans

[@jimmywilkinson9190]

@@Mikefngarage when the 67 bugs came out the dealer told My brother , this is a whole lot better than a 40

[@Mikefngarage]

that is why they were called the "powerhouse 1500" and why they sold so many 67 bugs. they must have sold more that year than the 3 or 4 preceding years

[@allenschmitz9644]

One fat person will lug that 36 like molassis in Jan.

[@davidc9488]

Year??

[@Mikefngarage]

60 and 61