Rejuvenating a Beta Coupe 1800 in Canada - VX?

[tasfalen]

Patient: 1976 Beta Coupe 1800. Unknown number of owners. Seemingly straight body but engine compression in the toilet. Unknown other 'ills'.

What to do? I'm currently strapped for cash but do have the option of taking it off the road and putting some money and work in over time.

I have been offered a complete Volumex drivetrain. The other alternative is to rebuild the stock engine, perhaps going to a 2000 and/or sidedraft carbs. Of course, the car could always be sold or scrapped, perish the thought.


Does anyone with experience have any suggestions? I am tempted to go the Volumex but what kind of performance and numbers can I expect?

Moreover, what additional costs am I likely to face? ie. clutch; or is stock VX clutch acceptable?

Note that I'm in Western Canada. You would not believe how maligned the Beta Coupes are here. I bought the car last year for a (relative) song and interest in it from other people has been minimal. Is it just me or is this a great car with a bad rep?

Ciao,
Jason
in Victoria, BC Canada

[cthargiss]

Jason, The Beta Coupe is much maligned without good reason. It is perhaps the best handling front drive car ever made. With an angine to IT spec @~140HP I regularly embaressed BMWs and RX7s because I could vastly out brake and out corner them. The volumex should provide similar performance in a docile street configuration. The installation is not difficult, just cramped. The VX clutch should be just fine.
Craig

[chrisc]

It all depends how 'pure' i suppose you want it... are you prepared to use modern car parts or do you want it to use period tech?

[andybeta]

Whilst the Beta package, in particular the Coupe, was an extremely good package, I think it is a little of an exaggeration to say it is the best front wheel drive car ever made.

I have a VX and despite my many years of custodianship whilst it is a very good set up there are better period FWD cars about - just take a Mini for example which is considerably older but just as ahead of it's time as the Beta and then think Cooper and the Beta is left standing. Have you ever tried to keep up with a genuine Cooper on a twisty road.......

Anyhow I'd look at how much you've got to spend and then double it as all car projects swallow shed loads of cash. Then there are time issues as it will inevitably involve much frustration and faffing. If after this you still have the stomach and determination to go ahead then go for it.

But the standard VXs had a number of improvements and uprated components over the standard coupe. The VX engine is considerably heavier than the std engine due to the weight of the s'percharger and it's mountings, power steering and additional uprated components so you'll need the VX suspension, then there's all the gubbins that go with the inlet carb sytem..... It's a nightmare at the best of times.........just read Hamishs' posts to get an idea of what awaits you.

Good luck.

Andy

[Tom McGaffigan]

The only drawback will be the increase in torque steer and the added wrinkles in your face from grinning. :twisted:
Tom McGaffigan

[rossocorsa]

just take a Mini for example which is considerably older but just as ahead of it's time as the Beta and then think Cooper and the Beta is left standing. Have you ever tried to keep up with a genuine Cooper on a twisty road.......


...that's one measure but have you ever travelled any distance in a mini driven at this speed? ....and how did you feel....the beta has a much better balance of comfort performance and handling ...maybe not the best fwd car ever though but damn good

[cthargiss]

Having owned a Works 1225 I am well aware of the mini's capabilities. In terms of sheer cornering the mini is a little better, however it is extremely difficult to drive on the limit. Trailing throttle oversteer characteristics are atrocious. In terms of ballance, turn-in, steering control, and throttle steer, the Beta wins hands down. In the wet I'll take a Beta any day.
Craig

[badboyboogzy]

i say keep the beta poss 1800 or 2 l if you can get a good volumex then go fo it i come from a back ground of ozzie v8s then i bought my beta i will own a beta till the day i die when i upgrde i will buy a delta then what ever lancia makes after that worth talking about twin carbs are a must on a 2l or 1800 and the fact the beta is a true 50/50 fwd car leads it to be a more satisfinying drive than most others of any make new and old also the looks you get when you are in one as there rent to many about mini bahhh beta yahh so in short KEEP THE BETA DO IT UP AND ENJOY THE LOOKS OF WONDER YOU RECEIVE AND THE AMAZING FEELING OF BLOWING THE DOORS OF A V8
BBB

[A1.6HPE]

Hello,
I think that this is a case of "If you have to ask then you are unlikely to acheive waht you want".
As Andy says fitting a VX engine is not a task to be taken lightly, neither is fitting a 2L fuel injected engine, so realistically the best option would be a carburettored 2 litre engine as a replacment.
Firstly ask yourself how committed you are to the Coupe though, if you have not had it long you are still on honeymoon.

Leo

[arc]

Mate the Lancia beta has a similar reputation here in Melbourne, Victoria although it still turns a few heads purely on looks and the unidentifiable factor.
If I were you I'de keep it pretty standard. I've taken the route of a modified 1800 and it's been quite a headache. You must remember that these cars are getting on a bit now and things do go wrong. The last thing you need is extra stress and other complex components to contribute to this often uphill battle. I don't want to shoot down your dreams but maybe it's wise to get a standard car right and take it from there if your not entirely satisfied. Sorry to be such a synic, but either way, enjoy.
Jeremy.