Mexican Beetles, engine and FI system

[Batan]

So, as you might see in my other thread, I rented a Mexi bug while in Puerto Vallarta. It was kinda ratty, smelled like gas too much(common fault on them from what I gather), had a barely working seatbelt, bad ball joint(s), some rust and a dirty engine. But, other than the ball joint it drove straight, shifted great and man it ran nice. It felt like a modern car - in a good way. Surprisingly peppy too.
So, I started thinking about getting a Mexi Digifant injection or the whole hydro T1 engine for my Bus. I think it would be a nice setup for an early Bay. Or for a Bug I will eventually get for Janet(my wife). From the quick glance, most of that Digi system looks familiar.  I even started toying with the idea of importing a whole Bettle. It would be a great adventure. Does the red one I see around GCVW belong to Bruce? I noticed his posts on TheSamba in regards to Mexican stuff.

Any thoughts on the system/engine itself or related experiences?

Here's the pic of the engine bay of the one I rented.

[Geoff]

Yes bruce owns the red one and there is even a chip for the mexi beetle comp.

It would make a great daily driver engine, even better use the mexi intake/injectors with a mega squirt and program it to your needs!

[Batan]

Yes bruce owns the red one and there is even a chip for the mexi beetle comp.

It would make a great daily driver engine, even better use the mexi intake/injectors with a mega squirt and program it to your needs!

That crossed my mind as well! Sounds like a great idea.

[Trevor P]

Ermin, Concept 1 sells the Mexi Beetle long block hyd engines still as far as I know. Less the FI system of course.

[Jerome]

....and I have a micro squirt FI comp....

[Batan]

C1, really? Damn. I am not in a market for it at this moment as my bus is pretty happy, but this is sounding better and better!
Just looked at their website, they don't seem to list it.

[Batan]

Never mind, C1 does list it now that I checked on the computer. Browsing on the phone didn't see it.

[Bruce]

Wow, that's one sad looking engine.
If you look up "Antonio Trejo" on the Samba, he can set you up with the full FI system. 
It's not very sophisticated.  It has an intake air temp sensor, head temp, throttle position, manifold pressure, then an O2 sensor to tell the black box what's happening.  There's no mass air flow meter like more expensive cars have.  The ignition is all electronic, and the advance is completely controlled by the ECU. 
This system laughs at aircare.  Last year I almost had all zeros across the board.  If you get this setup and install it on a hydraulic engine, I recommend using the stock VW CAT/muffler.  It is the quietest flat four you will ever see.  It's so quiet, you can hear the injectors ticking.

[Batan]

Wow, that's one sad looking engine.
If you look up "Antonio Trejo" on the Samba, he can set you up with the full FI system. 
It's not very sophisticated.  It has an intake air temp sensor, head temp, throttle position, manifold pressure, then an O2 sensor to tell the black box what's happening.  There's no mass air flow meter like more expensive cars have.  The ignition is all electronic, and the advance is completely controlled by the ECU. 
This system laughs at aircare.  Last year I almost had all zeros across the board.  If you get this setup and install it on a hydraulic engine, I recommend using the stock VW CAT/muffler.  It is the quietest flat four you will ever see.  It's so quiet, you can hear the injectors ticking.

Yeah, it is. The rest of the car was in a slightly better shape. I take it you are very happy with yours? What is the registration year of your Beetle; as in, what year Aircare standards would they use to compare?
And, out of curiosity anybody knows what is the loud knock/tap that some Mexican Beetles seem to emit? Extreme lifter tick? It seem to happen while you're on the gas and I've heard a good share of them do it, including the one I rented.

[Trevor P]

My guess is leaked down lifters or possibly a faulty one. The 1835 hyd engine I had in my 69 would do that on first start up after sitting for the winter. Wouldn't go away until driven under load. I dont imagine the Mexicans are known for their spotless service records, so 20 year old oil wouldn't do hydraulic lifters any favours.

[Bruce]

The chassis under my car started out life as a 74 Sun Bug.  One rocker was badly rotten, as was the body under the fenders and at the bumper mounts.  I checked out the mechanicals then drove it to Mazatlan and did the conversion.  When I go to Aircare now, I have to pass the standards for a 74.  It's pretty easy since the emissions standards for Mex are now the same as ours.  I've almost scored zeros across the board.
One of the things I don't like about it is the crappy Brazilian gearbox.  First gear synchro has never worked right, and the gearing is far too low for our use that includes freeway driving.
A very common problem is lifter bleed down that Trevor mentioned.  That noise you heard may have been that, although the lifter noise is not dependent on the throttle setting.  The factory specifies 15W-40 tar, and IMO, that is a major contributor to the lifter problem.  That thick oil simply can't get into the lifters.  I use 0W-20 and the lifter problem has been completely eliminated in my car.

[Batan]

Trevor, I had do not remember your 1835 being a hydro lifter motor. Maybe I never knew it. Bruce, wow, 0W20? That is really thin. Runs cool in the summer?
Are the valve covers the same(meaning with bails) on Mexi engines? Still cork gaskets?

[Bruce]

It runs pretty cool since 99% of my driving is in town.  The low geared trans also keeps the fan speed way up.
The valve covers are the same as a 71 and later car.  Gaskets?  Don't know, I've never had the valve covers off.

[Batan]

Gaskets?  Don't know, I've never had the valve covers off.

And... this concludes the hydro lifter advantage discussion. lol