If you were going to build a small tube buggy....

[Deuling]

I need sit in Brett's buggy with someone else and where we could lose lots of the extra space. And get a better idea on running stuff.

You think engine up front still? Or stuff switched around, or mid engine? Brett's is super front heavy and not a ton of fun jumping.

 

[blazinzuk]

I need sit in Brett's buggy with someone else and where we could lose lots of the extra space. And get a better idea on running stuff.

You think engine up front still? Or stuff switched around, or mid engine? Brett's is super front heavy and not a ton of fun jumping.

Mine will be front engined I will push the engine as far into the passenger area as possible. There won't be alot of room just enough to make it comfortable. I have taken measurements and started to sketch it out some. Nothing is set in stone. I will adjust as needed. I am not looking forward to the exhaust which may end up being fairly expensive and the front driveshaft which will probably need to be a 2 peice.

I am fairly confident in a 110-115" wheelbase rig I can get the motor far enough back to not be too nose heavy.

 

[gonefishin]

Thats the thing, id still like to make it work in the sand like bretts rig. So i still want some power and go fast ability. But i do want it to be a mostly trail rig.

I dont think i want a big heavy drivetrain though. I would really love to find a smashed turbo sonic like mine and rob the motor and trans. 148 hp and IIRC almost 200 ft lbs of torque in a rig that would weigh under 2000 lbs would be pretty awesome. (and 30+ mpg while wheeling would be cool)

I second the 1.4 idea. I have a chevy cruze and I love that little engine. With a tune your getting up to almost 180 hp with 22 lbs of boost. I wonder what bolt pattern the bellhousing is? Its lighter than a 4.3 too. I bet a set of 10 bolts would hold up forever in a lightweight buggy and that engine and they are super cheap.

 

[Greg72]

Dammit Eric. Always changing my mind with your logic.


I need to look at some more examples of small 2 seaters.

Why not just skip all the conventional ideas and go straight to a super-lightweight chassis set up to run 4 electric wheel motors?

No engine, no transmission, no transfercase, no driveshafts. Suddenly all the stuff that normally costs you ground clearance (and WEIGHT) isn't there anymore. you could design a radically different frame, and the axles wouldn't need to be connected from hub-to-hub anymore. You could do some kind of crazy offset axletube (kind of like portal) and mount it ABOVE the framerails....

I have no idea what the current cost of this technology is (wheel motors, controller, good battery technology) but talk about an opportunity to be WAAAAY outside the box, and potentially a LOT lighter as well....

(Come to think of it, this sounds like something fun for Charlie and I to work on together once the "MAW" Build is complete).....


Nevermind. Don't do this..... forget I said anything.



-G

 

[Deuling]

Nevermind. Don't do this..... forget I said anything.



-G

That's all you boss. That would all be way over my head lol.

 

[TREA18]

Or Go electric over hydraulic. Hydraulic motors to each wheel turning 37's..... just a sooped up version of this, and this thing will articulate like nothing else..



Actually Adam. I'm anxious to see some of your ideas coming together on this project.

 

[blazinzuk]

So if anyone goes the electric buggy route there are or were grants out there. I looked into and still might go electric. Depends on what's out there for grants when I get closer if you do it yourself its expensive