JTQuad Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 Hey guys, Im in the process of gathering some info on making a 2 seater buggy. I decided to get a berrien framed kit to do the first one with. I will make it a 2 seater with a VW motor and tranny. If all goes well then the next one will be full out 4 seater. Does anyone have any good resources, plans, parts or contacts for VW powered buggies or rails? Ill need to get everything including shocks etc. Thanks - JT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandcrazy60 Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 Last year I "invested" in a couple of these buggies. They came dirt cheap so I picked them up. The only thing I have to say is definitely go bigger than a 1600. They both had these engines and they might as well have been 5 horse briggs motors back there. They had absolutely no power. I realize I probably could've put some mods on to make them a little more snappy but the 1835 and up motors are just awesome to work with and use. As for parts, I did alot of shopping through the Hot VW's magazine (they also have an online site www.hotvws.com) and I went to a buggies forum for info and parts swapping (www.dune-buggy.com) Good luck with the rails, I had fun with them, I just wish they were a little cheaper to build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTQuad Posted March 10, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 Awesome thanks. Where did you find the motors? I have a full mechanic at my buisness that can do the rebuild. Also what is the compatibility with larger motors and the trannies? Like i said im gathering info i have really not 2 much knowledge on them. Thanks - JT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandcrazy60 Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 I'm sure there is someone out there who knows a lot more than I do also, like I said these projects didn't last long but you learn so much as you go along. The motors came in the buggies but they were out of a couple of vw bug cars. The transmissions were both out of vw buses and I think that is the best way to go tranny wise. They are stronger and last longer. With the motors I had there was no way I was ever going to be able to get the front end up. Even on the side of a dune it just lacked the ponies. With a lighter front end and a bigger motor, like I said 1835 and up, wheelying and manipulating the wheely with turning brakes would be alot easier. I had a problem with even climbing dunes and reaching top speed with my motors. Please note, however, that these motors were completely stock and straight out of the cars. I do not know the potential of them but I've been told the the 1835 is an all around good motor, horsepower wise and they have a lot of potential for mods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikikazz Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 jt, i have a 2 seat and a single seat car for sale they are off-road class 9 cars. i have front beams tranny motor and all the parths to put together one whole car and most of the other car if you need any vw parts then pm me and we can set up a price. if you want to email me it is ikikazz9201@yahoo.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTQuad Posted March 10, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 Awesome Thanks - JT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theeechozen1 Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 old buggies and rails are abondunt here in AZ, it seems that everyone has one in there back yard collecting dust. My friend and I built an 1835 from scratch and ebay, it was a good strong motor running 10.5:1 compression. This is a good cheap route to go on a motor that can be turboed for bout 900.00. with a low ratio bus trans they will get up and go. The frame we had was a sand limo squirt frame that was about 8 bills. We put the motor in his parents buggy to test it out at the cinders, 15 mins later a rod was sticking out of the case I guess it didn't surprise us being the first vw motor we had ever messed with. I had a 99 pontiac grand prix GTP with a supercharged 3.8 liter that I blew a piston on, I replaced it with a new motor and sold the old motor to a friend that cleaned it up and put a new piston in it, this motor was making a solid 280 horse @ 11 lbs of boost. He would prolly sell you this motor for next to nothing if you are intrested. It dynoed at well over 300 lbs of torque, and would make for one wheelie happy rail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ledofthezep Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 Check out this link, give Tod a call or shoot him an email. He's a great guy, he built the 1968VW stroker motor I have in my sandrail. He does all kinds of shit with them, anything you need or can imagine. Tell him Brandon King told ya to call him if ya'd like. Hell, I built his site & so owes me one anyway! http://www.johnsonsbuggies.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
locogato11283 Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 if you get going on the project id like to see some pictures along the way. id like to build a buggy, just dont have the time or resources right now to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTQuad Posted March 10, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 I also heard that i can get tranny adapter plates for various motors. Does anyone know what company makes these? Im thinking of a Pontiac grand prix GTP with bus tranny. Thanks - JT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ledofthezep Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 There are kits, shoot an Email to duninit@yahoo.com and ask him all the questions you may have. My sister runs a V6 corvair in her buggy, and so does my bro-in-law's brother. They have the cams & gears reversed I believe so it will bolt up to a bus tranny, my sister's currently running a swing axle in hers. BuGgY Specs: Fugitive Frame, 140 Horsepower CORVAIR Engine, REVERSE ROTATION 30 Series Cam and Gears, Holley 500 Carb, 091 BUS Tranny, Disc Brakes, Neal Peddles, Neal Dual Handle Turning Brakes, 16.50 Sand Tires Unlimited Paddle Tires, Ceramic JET HOT Coated Headers. More pics @ http://www.angelfire.com/extreme4/ledofthezep/chad.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DUNEDEMON Posted March 10, 2004 Report Share Posted March 10, 2004 I also heard that i can get tranny adapter plates for various motors. Does anyone know what company makes these? Im thinking of a Pontiac grand prix GTP with bus tranny. Thanks - JT Try doing a search for "kenedy engineered products" or "advance adapters" I can't find the web sites right now. Kenedy will probably be your best bet.. For general parts check out "Prowlers speed and custom" (search again - sorry) they carry a huge line of parts for do it yourself entry level sand cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTQuad Posted March 11, 2004 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2004 Thanks guys for the good sites im learning alot from them - JT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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