TWEETY's biggest regret

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Fri Feb 22, 2013 10:21 pm

Probably a chassis underneath that rockin' bug facade. The bug sounds awesome, so too the test mule and the EJ's ! Was beside a really old Ford Econovan style trayback at the lights yesterday , bit suss of the 17"s on it, GREEN and we're off and holy batpoo Robin, that loaded up thing just shot off without a note to give away what was in it. Wonder if a 2.2 FE 12 valve turbo thing fitted in it ?

Joel · Post by **Joel** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 10:29 am

Gotta love sleepers, especially when its unexpected.
A guy here in town has an old 85 Bluebird with a turbo SR20 in it, catches alot of guard if you don't spot the intercooler.
I used to have my bug as a sleeper but its now lowered with 17s, 4 wheel discs and sounds like a WRX so gives it away pretty easy.

Tweety wrote:thanks Joel, nice to hear from you again.

In case I go that way what is the law regarding upping the cc's. I thought it was 20% allowed and any further you werent allowed. the EJ20 would be my choice. I assume it could hang off the transmission like the EA81 is and VW 1916 before that?? eg no engine mounts....but an engineer might have other thoughts on that.

Tweety might be much easier to sell without the roof. but its early days. there is some interest. took him for a spin today and it near broke my heart to think its time to move on.

EJ conversions in bugs just have them having off the gearbox but usually with the chassis forks braced.
Depends how strong the gearbox cradle they have made to suit the auto is but there is a few EJ powered trikes around.

I know what you mean about getting behind the wheel errrrm handles bars and loving it
My old man has been considering selling his as it doesnt get used enough, its a 97 model that he;s had since it was 6 months old and it only has done 51,000kms, still even has the original rear tyres.

But he goes out on it and changes his mind

sven '2' wrote:Love a twin cab...dare I ask about brakes?!

Would you believe just stock kombi brakes but from a later model.

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Mon Apr 08, 2013 7:32 pm

been absent for a while.

Tweety is off the market. decided to keep him. This has resulted in a 3 part improvement plan. First is to rebuild the towbar to take to extra ball weight of our small van and to seal a fuel leak. Second (next year) is to seek our a low km EJ20 for a transplant and third will be cosmetic, new screen, engineers report,sunroof and tidy up.

I lost enthusiasm for a time. But now its back.

thunder039 · Post by **thunder039** » Mon Apr 08, 2013 7:44 pm

Tweety wrote: I lost enthusiasm for a time. But now its back.

great to hear! i look forward to watching this continued project over time

Post by **TOONGA** » Mon Apr 08, 2013 9:03 pm

Tweety wrote:been absent for a while.

Tweety is off the market. decided to keep him. This has resulted in a 3 part improvement plan. First is to rebuild the towbar to take to extra ball weight of our small van and to seal a fuel leak. Second (next year) is to seek our a low km EJ20 for a transplant and third will be cosmetic, new screen, engineers report,sunroof and tidy up.

I lost enthusiasm for a time. But now its back.

GOOD to hear glad you didn't give up on tweety, I take it the EJ 20 will be run via ECU.

TOONGA

Silverbullet · Post by **Silverbullet** » Mon Apr 08, 2013 9:11 pm

Wahey!

Good to hear man, looking forward to seeing your adventures with an overhead cam transplant

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Fri Apr 12, 2013 7:27 pm

I'm REALLY looking forward to the next chapter in the "Tweety saga"

It's not really that bad, it just sounds like a good title...

In other new Tony, someone got their Probationary Motorcycle licence the other day

I think I'll need to visit you soon

Cheers

Bennie

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Mon Apr 22, 2013 9:03 pm

Welcome for a ride Bennie.

Toonga- I assume the ECU will remain on a EJ20 installed. Bennie gave me confidence with the transplant. There is only 5 wires from the loom to the brumby engine as it stands. hoping the eCU wiring wont be too hard to do.

But before that step one must go ahead end of May. Welding up of the alloy fuel tank that has two leaks in hard to get at places like behind the swing arm mounts.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Tue Apr 23, 2013 5:39 pm

Tweety wrote:before that step one must go ahead end of May. Welding up of the alloy fuel tank that has two leaks in hard to get at places like behind the swing arm mounts.

That's going to be the hurdle! I'm curious as to how they'll do it without the fuel tank going pop.

Cheers

Bennie

Rodeo4jake · Post by **Rodeo4jake** » Tue Apr 23, 2013 7:01 pm

So you're gonna let loose on 2 wheels hey Bennie, cool.

That raises a question, I was wondering if vehicles such as Tweety are considered a motorcycle by the law or what. Sometimes people don't seem to wear a helmet on them, that's why I ask.

Cheers Jake

Tweety · Post by **Tweety** » Tue Apr 23, 2013 7:47 pm

A good and common question Jake.

Trikes that dont need a helmet to ride would be classified differently. They'd be registered at a motor car.

Tweety and those of his ilk are classed as tri-cars. They are different in each state and we can go figure on that stupid idea. Same with licenses. NSW you only need a car license, Victoria a full motorcycle license. And having learners is even more cloudy. Surely trike club members would know right? wrong. it is divided among those that believe having an "L" allows you to ride a trike and those that believe you can only ride learner approved motorcycles until you get your full M/C license. All this and a trike is totally different to ride with different safety considerations etc. Ask a cop and 99% cant tell you. Take a chance and have an accident?? I'm very conversed with regulations and I cant work it out!

Bennie, there is a product Panther trikes told me you have to put in a tank before welding it. Something like "argon" sounds like the word he used. it takes the oxygen out. All interesting to me too. I will be questioning the welder at length before he goes ahead.