That VW will have to make about 145 HP at the crank to have the same P/W ratio as the typical current frontrunning ITC car (about 23 to 25).
Darin,
I too have diced with Volvos and BMW 2002s recently, and thank goodness those guys didn't throw their weight around. I'll concede the "weight" point, but again with a computer chip, that I beleive is now legal in IT, 10.5:1, and VW's penchant for building "replacement" parts, and headers, do you really not conceive of 145 HP for the Beetle? And did you happen to look at the gearing on that 5-speed? It's a close ratio racing box compared to my 4-spd with overdrive fourth. And C is a long way from S! Why not B, where the 2.0s now reside and see what it can do? Then move it. Why put a car with 400 cc's more than has ever been in the class? I too am glad I'm not on the Board, I prefer people who can think beyond their first impulse: "Let's throw in the Beetle in C and stir up new interest! (And of course outclass every car in the class." Brilliant!
Keep this post, 2 years from now ITC will indeed be "Spec Beetle."
G

[This message has been edited by grjones1 (edited July 24, 2004).]