Dune Buggy...

[xxtavixx]

well, originally I was planning on buying a 240 and making a nice sr20det swap. But it doesnt fit my needs and is unsound financially for me, so I was curious exactly how hard it would be to build a dune buggy from the ground up, pre built frame of course, and use a SR20det motor and tranny from a clip. Exactly how hard would it be to install. If anyone has some ideas please let me know. So far I would probably use MKII MR2 NA steering assembly, it's a mid engine car that does not have power steering, probably performance suspension from a VW Beetle, maybe 300zx brake assembly. Let me know what you all think, I'm just now really researching into it. Thanks

[Ghettokracker71]

well, originally I was planning on buying a 240 and making a nice sr20det swap. But it doesnt fit my needs and is unsound financially for me, so I was curious exactly how hard it would be to build a dune buggy from the ground up, pre built frame of course, and use a SR20det motor and tranny from a clip. Exactly how hard would it be to install. If anyone has some ideas please let me know. So far I would probably use MKII MR2 NA steering assembly, it's a mid engine car that does not have power steering, probably performance suspension from a VW Beetle, maybe 300zx brake assembly. Let me know what you all think, I'm just now really researching into it. Thanks
SR on a sandrail chassis? Thats a new one to me....Personally I'd rather go for a 2758CC Type IIV engine.....but thats just me

[xxtavixx]

well, I dunno. I love the dependability of the SR. It's stock turbo, and want the buggy to be turbo. I also don't want to deal with electronics too much. If I get fuel injected, I have to have an ecu. So the engine is really still up for debate, but it's sure not gonna be a 36 hp VW motor

[Ghettokracker71]

well, I dunno. I love the dependability of the SR. It's stock turbo, and want the buggy to be turbo. I also don't want to deal with electronics too much. If I get fuel injected, I have to have an ecu. So the engine is really still up for debate, but it's sure not gonna be a 36 hp VW motor
36HP!!??? :wtf: are you smoking dude? Dude you really don't know your V-dubs man....that was a 1200 Type 2 that puts out a stock 36hp:axe:

EDIT:If you don't want to mess around so much with electronics then why even run an ECU ? get acarbed s/c or turbo engine

[Rennen]

haha, I have a 1200cc VW powered dunebuggy. That 36hp terror has some getup to it, you are forgetting that dunebuggies weigh nothing.

To the original poster: why try to make it more complicated than it has to be, just use VW parts, they are so incredibly cheap compared to the JDM bling prices people pay for all this crap. If the larger VW engines aren't enough power for you, just put in a Porsche one ;)

[Ghettokracker71]

haha, I have a 1200cc VW powered dunebuggy. That 36hp terror has some getup to it, you are forgetting that dunebuggies weigh nothing.

To the original poster: why try to make it more complicated than it has to be, just use VW parts, they are so incredibly cheap compared to the JDM bling prices people pay for all this crap. If the larger VW engines aren't enough power for you, just put in a Porsche one ;)
you have a 1200 in a dunebuggy? why may I ask WHY a 1200? ....Single port I assume?

Type 3 dual ports put out PLENTY of power,and you can easily throw a turbo or S/C on one

[Rennen]

you have a 1200 in a dunebuggy? why may I ask WHY a 1200?

Because that was the engine in the '63 beetle that my dad made the buggy out of when he was 12 years old. It's still all original, and I don't care too much to make it fast. I also am not in much of a hurry to rewire the whole car for 12V to drop in a larger engine. Right now its pure ricer, its sole purpose is to look good, be loud, and get looks from the ladies :naughty:

pics here: http://www.cardomain.com/id/kyote1

-Matt

[Ghettokracker71]

Because that was the engine in the '63 beetle that my dad made the buggy out of when he was 12 years old. It's still all original, and I don't care too much to make it fast. I also am not in much of a hurry to rewire the whole car for 12V to drop in a larger engine. Right now its pure ricer, its sole purpose is to look good, be loud, and get looks from the ladies :naughty:

pics here: http://www.cardomain.com/id/kyote1

-Matt
Holy shit thats a clean buggy....I'll STFU now....sorry! ...

[xxtavixx]

I was just using the 36hp motor as an example :) I'm really debating the whole ecu still, I never really took an interest into VW motors, and their power levels. I know how light they are, I could probably use the VW parts, just like I've said I don't know much about them honestly. I don't exactly want something that's an average one, I want something that stands out a little more.

[Ghettokracker71]

I was just using the 36hp motor as an example :) I'm really debating the whole ecu still, I never really took an interest into VW motors, and their power levels. I know how light they are, I could probably use the VW parts, just like I've said I don't know much about them honestly. I don't exactly want something that's an average one, I want something that stands out a little more.
What about an FJ subie engine?

[xxtavixx]

not exactly sure what that is....FJ subie engine??

[Ghettokracker71]

not exactly sure what that is....FJ subie engine??

my bad its EJ20DET ....the WRX powerplant:rawk:...boxer style....AND turbo...and unique for a dune buggy

[xxtavixx]

well, those motors are expensive, if you're talking about a new or moderately new one. Do you mean the EJ20t? That's the wrx motor, but that still leaves the ecu issue. I could probaly live with it, just for some reason wires and I do not work together well. I've been looking for a dune buggy forum that was actually worth something, but I still havent found one, if anyone knows of one let me know. A lot of people like to use the Pinto 2.0's, but those things kind of scare, being from the Pinto and what not. Even if I used a stock NA motor, it probably would not be difficult to make the piping and fit it on. I can't weld very well, but the exhaust shop a few miles away can work with pvc quite well.

[Ghettokracker71]

well, those motors are expensive, if you're talking about a new or moderately new one. Do you mean the EJ20t? That's the wrx motor, but that still leaves the ecu issue. I could probaly live with it, just for some reason wires and I do not work together well. I've been looking for a dune buggy forum that was actually worth something, but I still havent found one, if anyone knows of one let me know. A lot of people like to use the Pinto 2.0's, but those things kind of scare, being from the Pinto and what not. Even if I used a stock NA motor, it probably would not be difficult to make the piping and fit it on. I can't weld very well, but the exhaust shop a few miles away can work with pvc quite well.
Pinto 2.0 eh? Well just so you know,the 2.3 engine thats still available from ford (Ranger/B2300) is a stroked out version of that....the Turbocoupe T'birds and SVO mustangs have a turbocharged version...

EJ20T? Whatever....I was told it was the EJ20DET....your proble right,who knows? Anyway,just a thought b/c "boxer style" engines are very popular in dunebuggys ...

350 Chevy ? 13B ? I've never heard of a rotary dunebuggy...light+powerful+cheap+turbo(or easily made one!) hell....20B:rawk:

[xxtavixx]

we're also forgetting motorcylce engines that can be modified to fit, but those usually don't sound too nice. I really can't think of a single stock turbo motor that was not fuel injected. I guess even 70hp in a Buggy will fly. Any sites that explain the power and differences in the old VW motors?

[xxtavixx]

youre probably right about the EJ20DEt part, I was just using a slight guess and memory. I've heard of a 13b Dune Buggy, it flew, he sold it for a lot of money too. I kind of thought about the 350, that would be mad fun with the low torque and all, but I remembered they use really small gas tanks on these things. I guess the mileage would improve since the motor would be under almost no strain at all. I'd almost be worried the chassy would bend haha (and I'd be in this thing). Definately want that one on video. I dont have a clue how to do much more than the basics on wankels. They also have no torque, but most imports don't. I starting thinking about a Miata motor and tranny. I could get one cheap, but they are fuel injected, so that's leave the ecu thing again.

[xxtavixx]

haha the more I think about, an old school v8 sounds kinda fun. Miight be kinda difficult to mount since it's going to have to be mid engine...probably have to use a fiero tranny or something like that

[Bryants95240sx]

I saw a railbuggy once with a northstar engine in it

[Rennen]

I guess I still don't understand why you want something other than a veedub engine in there. Really any reasonable power is obtainable. Hell, even this 900hp methanol beast is still a VW engine:
http://www.vwtrendsweb.com/tech/0304vwt_engines06_s.jpg
And the best thing about Volkswagen engines is that you can take them apart in your sleep. This mechanical simplicity also makes them very durable. Also, performance parts are oh so cheap, it makes me cry when I flip through VW magazines and see prices of things compared to Nissan performance parts.

Here's a decent article on the ranges of VW engines: http://www.vwtrendsweb.com/tech/0304vwt_engines/

-Matt

[xxtavixx]

Wow. I stand corrected. I had no idea they had so much potential and aftermarket support like that. I was under the idea that producing 30 more horsepower than stock was almost unheard of. I guess a good old VeeDub motor will do nicely, but I still do like the idea of boosting it. I guess a turbo buggy is still pretty uncommon. I guess I still have to do some research on the motors though. It would probably be best to start of with a more simple version, like buying a junked VW bug and transfering most of the steering, brakes and what not over to a prebuilt chassy. Probably be a heck of a lot cheaper too. Does anyone else know of any good sites that go through the motors, like their compression ratios, stock power and what years they were.

[LoCoBooSt]

check around on you tube bro....i've seen a raill with sr20det power bolted to a vw bus trans! you can do watever you wont with deep pockets!!!!!
sand toy kick ass!

HOLY SHIT just seen how old this thing is......oop!

[Matej]

Wow man, how did you even find this thread?

[VROOOM]

ive seen buggies with, nsx, wrx, 350, rotary, northstar v8's, Gn motors. basically you can do what ever you want

lol, 04 thread

[vvtisupra]

since engines are in the back of a buggy im going to say you need an adapter for a new tranny

[89dc240]

Since it's up here, lol. Youtube "rotary buggy". There's a sweet dyno vid of it.