UPDATE: Black Manxter 5-Speed Conversion - Turnkey Manx

DIESELDOOG · Post by **DIESELDOOG** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 2:30 pm

Scott,

I run about 15PSI in all the tires on my Manxter. If I remember correctly the actual numbers are 13PSI in the front & 17PSI in the rear.
You will need to try different pressures until you see how the vehicle performs for you. I also am not running the lower profile of tire like you have.

The Manxter looks a lot better in your driveway than in the "warehouse"

jsturtlebuggy · Post by **jsturtlebuggy** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 4:55 pm

You need a bigger garage Scott to store all your cool cars.
Looks awsome. I don't have any experience with those rubber band tires. I sure the better suspension like Kathleen has would make it ride nicer with them.
Don't worry if you get stuck in the sand, I have a winch and tow strap.

Scott-Drolet · Post by **Scott-Drolet** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 7:00 pm

Thanks for the kind comments, and the head's up Tom. The transaxle is supposedly originally, I'll let you know what Kevin says when he gets back to me to see if he can identify what it is. Even with a Mendeola in it, I doubt I'd stand on this thing

Scott

Tom-Kathleen · Post by **Tom-Kathleen** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 7:45 pm

What I tell everyone is - if you stand on it, you had better be going straight!! What year is the floorpan supposed to be? Tom

Scott-Drolet · Post by **Scott-Drolet** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 8:03 pm

Tom, It's a '73 according to the title.

Tom-Kathleen · Post by **Tom-Kathleen** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 8:53 pm

1973 makes sense with the 3 bolt front mount and that transaxle. What does that do to you with CA emissions? Tom

Scott-Drolet · Post by **Scott-Drolet** » Mon Mar 18, 2013 9:15 pm

As long as the car is 1975 or older, it's smog exempt.

I heard back from Kevin, really a helpful guy. The car has a built Type 1 capable of managing about 130 to 150 HP. The original owner knew the risk and wanted the car set up that way. He said it'll be fine as long as I don't drive it too hard. However, the much better option is Mendeola offers a five speed Subaru transmission conversion fully capable of handling all of the horsepower. This is kind of ironic since Brad Connell and I were standing around two weekends ago talking about the pros and cons of the Subaru trans versus the Mendeola. I'm just trying to figure out how soon I can afford it . . but definitely before MOTB. (Not that this is necessarily the car coming along with me . . .I'm just sayin').

I just have to figure out what other trick stuff I have to do to it to try and beat you and Kathleen out in the awards department. A-Arm suspension, huh ?. . .

Scott

Manx-Australia · Post by **Manx-Australia** » Sun Apr 07, 2013 7:52 pm

Man that is one sweet Manxter, congrats and I think I have just the thing for your Transmission problems

But some may consider me to be bias

Scott-Drolet · Post by **Scott-Drolet** » Sun Apr 21, 2013 10:57 pm

Yeah, I'm thinking you probably do. Beautiful gear set, that . . .

jsturtlebuggy · Post by **jsturtlebuggy** » Mon Apr 22, 2013 2:56 am

Scott,
I asked Brad about installing a Subaru 5speed in a buggy and what has to be done.
Brad said it a fairly easy install. He did say that the body needs to be cut in the rear firewall and shelf because trans sits higher. It not much, I think it was 4in high by 2in forward cut. Maybe they can make a cover (The Boob) like Bruce did for the Turbo elbow before finding the manifold can be turned around.
With the trans sitting higher there less work needed for clearance of engine oil pan and the road.

jsturtlebuggy · Post by **jsturtlebuggy** » Tue Apr 23, 2013 3:52 pm

Scott,
If you do go with a Manxter top for your Manxter, Jon (GotManx) has a really neat looking and working latching mechanism for his top. His is a lot cleaner looking then my setup which is styled on what a off road race car would use.
The rubber latch that comes with the top works Ok at lower speeds and when there is no side winds.
At 80MPH or a 20plus MPH sidewinds you arm will get tired trying to hold the top down.

Tom-Kathleen · Post by **Tom-Kathleen** » Tue Apr 23, 2013 7:37 pm

If you put a surfboard with brackets to hold it on, it adds enough weight so the roof says put. LOL Tom

Scott-Drolet · Post by **Scott-Drolet** » Fri Apr 26, 2013 4:07 am

Thank you Joseph. I'm getting comfortable with the bug trans right now. I may just drive her till it breaks. If I keep it sane, and at the 62MPH pace we're talking about holding, I'm betting it'll make it from Sea-to-Sea before I need to replace it. Brad showed me pics of a build he did at Manx Australia, and the body cutting is not only minimal, it's easily hidden by the rear seats. Very clean and seamless. I'll definitely have Brad do the work.

I've got the top and side curtains on order through Winnie, and I plan on helping with the Kickout SS build in Valley Center on the car Bruce will be driving. Jon is doing the wiring, so I'll check out his top holding solution while I'm there. Thanks for the tip!

Tom, I do have a Meyers Manx surfboard. That might be the final solution . . .Ha!

73SpeedBuggy · Post by **73SpeedBuggy** » Thu May 23, 2013 8:34 pm

Beautiful Manxter! I can't imagine all that power right off the pedal (not needing the turbo to kick in). Mine has a beefed up Type 1 tranny and VW suspension as well and I'm pretty happy with it. Knowing all the problems Tom ran into upgrading Kathleen's Manxter to the Mendeoloa Suspension I'm not sure I'm going to bother.

jsturtlebuggy wrote:

Scott,
If you do go with a Manxter top for your Manxter, Jon (GotManx) has a really neat looking and working latching mechanism for his top. His is a lot cleaner looking then my setup which is styled on what a off road race car would use.
The rubber latch that comes with the top works Ok at lower speeds and when there is no side winds.
At 80MPH or a 20plus MPH sidewinds you arm will get tired trying to hold the top down.

I cruise around at 70 in mine all day and have never had an issue with my stock top. Would that last 10 mph make a difference?

jsturtlebuggy · Post by **jsturtlebuggy** » Fri May 24, 2013 6:28 am

Adam,
Going above 70mph was when I started noticing the lifting and dancing of the roof.
Biggest problem was with side winds I have experienced in the desert and in the Sacramento Valley were I live. There is a causeway (part of I5 freeway)between Sacramento and Woodland that can be really bad with the wind because it above and below you. Even with trying to hold roof down with one arm the right rear corner was lifting over 12in with the gusting 40mph+ winds from the north.
With latch installed no more problem or though of loosing a $600+ roof.
Have you ever looked up at the roof in windy conditions? Just passing trucks can make it dance around. The rubber latch is a great simple idea. Bruce never thought it would not be enough.
Of course he never expected someone like me to put one of his creations through the punishment as hard as I do.