Shrouds

[Prostreet71]

I'm going to replace the ugly one that is on the trike now with a chrome one. Should I get the stock upright or the ram-air one? Thanks

 

[Doug D.]

If this is what you mean by ram air, you're also looking at installing a remote oil cooler.

 

[Prostreet71]

The ram-air I was talking about is the fan shroud. I saw on another forum that the ram-air may not be a good option. Right now the previous owner just connected the oil cooler lines in a loop. Yes I am installing a remote oil cooler and the 3-1/2 quart sump.

 

[Doug D.]

Yup, I was referring to the fan shroud. Not a very good pic, sorry about that. The other shiny thing is supposed to be a "performance enhancing" air cleaner. Save your money on that one.

 

[matman1972]

The shroud Doug pictured is a ram air. No baffles. requires remote oil cooler. I have always figured there would be more turbulence and less effective air flow through them, than in a doghouse type, or the older standard one.

 

[matman1972]

IMO, if you are planning to do a remote oil cooler, you could just go with a standard non-doghouse type of shroud and have the added benefit of baffles to increase cooling. Sitting in traffic idling with a unbaffled one may lead to some overheating. Doug probable has more experience with running one on the road, so he would probably have better advice about running one.

 

[matman1972]

Yup, I was referring to the fan shroud. Not a very good pic, sorry about that. The other shiny thing is supposed to be a "performance enhancing" air cleaner. Save your money on that one.

Did you install the sticker when you put on the air cleaner? that's where the real power comes from.

 

[vwmaniac]

Got to put the sticker on, or will not get any extra power, lollllllll

 

[Doug D.]

The shroud Doug pictured is a ram air. No baffles. requires remote oil cooler. I have always figured there would be more turbulence and less effective air flow through them, than in a doghouse type, or the older standard one.

Prostreet, matman1972 is absolutely correct. The shroud on my trike looks pretty cool, but they are inherently less effective than a stock unit. You can get a stock unit in chrome, and I would recommend the later style with the "external" oil cooler. These eliminate much of the heat associated with #3cylinder failure in the earlier engines.

My trike came with the ram air shroud in the picture, and I intended to replace it with a stock unit, as I've described. Unfortunately, the body I built didn't allow enough clearance for the later style with the external cooler, so I kept the ram air shroud. Saved me a couple of bucks anyway, but if I ever change the body, I'm gonna plan for the stock shroud.

Incidently, despite the inherent diminished effectiveness of the ram air shroud, I've not experienced any overheating problems. But it should be noted, I live in a rural area and most of my road time is on open highway. That coupled with the relatively open design of the body, I believe, makes up for most of the inefficiency of the shroud.

Hope this helps...

 

[Doug D.]

"Did you install the sticker when you put on the air cleaner? that's where the real power comes from."

"Got to put the sticker on, or will not get any extra power, lollllllll "

Well, that explains everything! Mine didn't come with a sticker!! :gah:

 

[Ozarkryder]

We had a Trike Shop VW Runabout, 1835cc with a 40m dual throat Dell'Orto carb. We had a chromed stock shroud with an outboard oil cooler added. I happen to like the looks of it better, but that is just my preference. It ran a little warm until I added an oil cooler and a filter. The oil filter kit made a big difference. Adding the oil filter adds almost another quart of oil. Other than keeping the oil clean, (always a good thing) the added oil also helps to keep the engine cool as oil carries away a lot of heat. Didn't have to worry about that #3 valve getting tight and burnt as much.

 

[vwmaniac]

"did you install the sticker when you put on the air cleaner? That's where the real power comes from."

"got to put the sticker on, or will not get any extra power, lollllllll "

well, that explains everything! Mine didn't come with a sticker!! :gah:

:d

lmaoooooooooo

 

[matman1972]

Pull some magna flow or edlebrock sticker off some kids truck. That will do.

 

[Prostreet71]

Thanks, I ordered a regular chrome one with the baffles inside.

 

[memetriker]

Doug, where did you get that belt cover? awesome

 

[Doug D.]

Doug, where did you get that belt cover? awesome

Thanks! I got it at B&C Auto in Freeburg , MO. (573)744-5318

If I recall, it was around $30 there. I imagine they're available anywhere that sells aftermarket VW stuff. If you call B&C, just tell 'em you're looking for a belt cover like Doug's! They'll know what you mean!

 

[The Wolf]

When I read the topic SHROUDS I thought you were going on to talk about what type of shroud covering your body when you are brown bread (dead)