The original point for the Oval was to keep it just a Resto Calish driver meanwhile Cabriolet project is finished. I promised to myself that this time I won't loose the control with costs (doesn't really make sense having more than one simultaneous project car), Oval will stay driveable and it'll be easier to sell someday when I don't have to tear it apart again.. I don't know who I was kidding but the following is how I spent the start of my summer vacation..

Dyno Session
Alhoracing who is the main man behind my engine project suggested that instead of me adjusting the carbs by driving around the city and changing jets by the air/fuel ratio gauge we should this time have it dynoed properly and get a real proof of horsepower also. Kari had used Santala Racing's dyno service before and was certain that this is the place to go.

Hannu "Sämpy" Santala who operates this business is very well known drag racer and engine/race car builder. I spent my teenage years by reading V8 Magazine and Street/Race and followed his career from Finnish Street Altered classes to Pro Stock at highest level in Northern Europe. I would have never thought back then about using his service nor that it would be a Volkswagen engine that would be dynoed. It was amazing to see his professional attitude, enthusiasm and huge amount of knowledge he put to our disposal.

I hesitated the whole thing at the beginning but I must admit that adjusting the engine doesn't get any easier than this. I am very happy with the results we got. Now I can be certain that I have a engine that functions the way as I wished. Big thanks also to Jyrki too, trying to escape camera in 2nd photo, who helped in troubleshooting with his 15+ years of Volkswagen engine building experience (you may remember him from his Ultra VW featured '55 Oval and Volksworld fetured 9-second '65).

New engine

Accessorizing

After seeing Woffe's reproduction Cabriolet engine lids in real in Bug Run it was pretty much impossible trying to resist not buying. All the guys, like Pasi Paavola who has crafted a thing or two (and won Custom Class in Bug Run year before) and Mikko Heikkilä who owns a 50's Kab and knows his shit when it comes to vintage parts, were impressed with Woffe's skills. Woffe mentioned measuring over 10 real 50's Karmann lid air ducts and not two were exactly same, due to the fact that the ducts were pressed manually to the lids. Without the rain shield it is next to impossible to identify the reproductions. Hopefully the new lid will help with cooling too.

Test-fitting Alhoracing's OG Gas Burners and taller rear tyres. Removed the Alberts too since they're not Cal Look, but will suite my Resto Cal 'Vert nicely.