Thinking of Building, Any Thoughts?

chris_durrant

I'm thinking of building a new wagon from scratch, it'll be a dedicated off roader so MOT is not an issue.

I'm thinking along the lines of a V6 rear engine, rear wheel drive, single seater. Has any one built one like this?

I'm not sure if I should use the engine and gearbox from a front wheel drive car or try to find a half decent rear engine donor.

Any thoughts you have would be helpful.

Cheers
Chris

craig · Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 3:13 pm Post subject:

hat do you want to use it for? 2wd wont get you far.

Anthony BathMat Rushton · Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 6:20 pm Post subject:

cosworth 2.9 v6 from a granada/scorpio is what will do you good i think,

Nathaniel · Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 9:58 pm Post subject:

Like a 2wd Comp buggy?

They're only really any good for going fast, even with all the weight over the back wheels you soon notice the lack of RWD..

Although as proved by proper old trials cars you can make them go a long way!

Wny not go 4x4 with a front wheel drive car engine at each end?
Easy to do with automatic gearboxes and you get 50/50 weight dist.

minimog · Off-Road Guru Joined: 25 Nov 2004 Odometer: 1700

why not go front wheel drive engine and auto box mounted longatunaly diff in the box spooled up onto any axel you want
you will then have 4 wheel drive mid engine buggy no t -case to worry about

Little Toe · Guest

Nice idea zukibrit, but I see one flaw in the mid-engine route. You'd be hopeless undergeared, which might be ok of rock climbing, but top speed flat out will only be about 20mph! - unless of course you fit some 50" rubber Smile

maxknight · Just got MTs Joined: 09 Jun 2004 Odometer: 415

got to agree 2wd?, my own personal build would be a mid engined v8 turbo diesel, probably landy running gear.

simonr · Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 6:04 pm Post subject:

Rear engine is good for racing - but for general off road use, front is better. Rear engined vehicles tend to rear-up when climbing hills or at the very least make your steering go a bit light. The upshot of this is that you are lifting the vehicle up the hill with half the number of wheels in contact - making it even harder to get to the top!

Same goes, to a lesser degree with mid engine vehicles. For most general off road, front engine wins - even if it is a bit boring!

Si

baloo · Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 10:26 am Post subject:

hi chris

is this idea for a rear drive buggy still active ? i got some ideas on this

you still out there ?

cheers andy

marsie · Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 9:31 pm Post subject:

A mate of mine(and well known challenge competitor)is thinking of building an off roader based on a chenowth.Converted to 4x4 and the vw engine removed and replaced with another flat4 engine (scooby doo Shocked

).He has got the base car,just needs starting now Twisted Evil

baloo · Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 11:38 pm Post subject:

hi marsie

that looks interesting, has your mate got it worked out in his head? is the engine going in the back where the vw was , how will the gear change get past the engine, you could probably squeeze the motor in the front, nice low flat four, what front axle ?
l started by buying a fugitive, was going to use a mr2 2lt engine and box
got so many benefits, hand brake factory gear change, strong water pump
etc, but the fug is a shed and l have give up on the idea of using it, so then l bought a badlands buggy with no engine but the mr2 mk 2 was two big to fit. looking at using mk 1 1600cc mr2 twink in it instead, but that's also gone on the back burner. l think l have finally decided on using a lwb vitara chassis v6 engine moved back 30" with single seater tube cage
so you sit over the back wheels and straddle the gear box. well that's todays plan anyway
andy