I am really impressed with this builders skills! Not a lot of people can take on these challenges. Really fun to watch as new ideas crop up for this buggy.I cant argue with any of the ideas presented here, and I'm looking forward to seeing how this all works out. As a long time VW nerd (my dad was an air cooled VW mechanic), one argument I would make for VW parts here is that they are super simple in design, are easy to operate, and are easy to work on. Those old time 36hp motors moved the entire mechanized German army in WWII, and sipped gas. The engine is so easy to work on that you only need three open end/box wrenches, a socket set and a screw driver. If you pull the heads, you can literally muscle the engine block off the trans without a jack. No so for the parts described here. Additionally, lots of things to go wrong in the middle of nowhere like: cooling system (water not air), computer/fuel injection (vs. the simplicity of carburetors that you can rebuild in the field), timing chains, idler pullies and lots of belts on the modern motor. Cost is a big issue. I agree with the decision making (if anyone cares what I think!). This type of vehicle was invented back when VW bug parts were everywhere.
Love this reply thanks for that! I respect the history of these great engines and love how easy they are to repair. If parts were more available to be I wouldn't have ever considered moving away from them!
I found and subscribed to your channel specifically because of the buggy, because I myself am interested in getting a buggy. It’s very interesting that you’re going this route because after looking around I’ve came to the conclusion that if I get a buggy I’ll more than likely repower it with a ford ecoboost. A modern turbocharged 4 cylinder definitely seems like the way to go in one of these things.
Thanks EZ. It was bittersweet to let the VW stuff go, but its going into a street car to be enjoyed for years to come. I plan to make my own adapter and flywheel, keeping the engine block mounted starter on this engine.
Where your thinking mid engine, did you consider an Audi 012 fwd transmission? There are options with 4.11 and 4.58 r/p, and they have bus or 930 flanges.
@@spankranchgarage 95 thru 2007 Audi fwd vehicles(mostly A4s and B5s) and 97-07 Passats fwd. The desirable tranny codes with 4.556 gears are 012 CTD, 012 DCN, 012 DHE, 012 DVP, 012 DWG. All of those trannie codes have 100mm (bus) drive flanges on them.
I also would like to build my own buggy (not including the frame) with a chevy, ford or honda. I am wondering why you are not using the tranny that comes with engine? I just seams strange to me to try and mount up a different brand trany. Maybe I am missing something. I have no experience with any of this.
You can use the orig trans and put the engine in "sideways" like it would be mounted in a front wheel. The problem with this is the width of the transmission and the axle length. For rear suspension travel you want long CV axles. When running the FWD trans you usually have a very short axle on one side and a very long one on the other. With a VW trans or a subaru trans, mounting the engine longitudinal with the chassis means you can have long length equal length axles on both sides. It also moves the weight around which could be a good thing depending what your goals are
dang I would have just given you a bus tranny.... I have a dozen or so... Super easy to find I usually get them for free.. people just want me to haul them off... That being said I dig where you are going with this... I will come back to watch your buggy videos...
i use snowmobile engines . i try to use triples right now im using a 200hp 900cc artic cat thunder cat motor . i make a copy of a baby rock lizard chassis . motor up front t5 transmission to suzuki samuri transfercase and axles . 4 link front and back , foa 16 inch travel coilovers , got rid of all the brakes and use transfer case brakes using the suzuki brake parts. 15x8 bart wheels drilled and self tapper screwed every 2 inches . interco atv bogger 31x9.5x15 tires . i swear by those tires because ive never been stuck ! the chassis is ultra easy to copy . The Baby RockLizard - Fabn801 .
im super stoked on this!! I am most interested in the mating of the trans to the engine. I think that trans will hold up no problem. It is considered 'glass' by vaping idiots that launch it. The casing is known to flex which causes the issue but that is when you try to launch true AWD with 300+ hp. This will hold up no question in your application. The shifting will be interesting too...maybe convert the linkage to a remote cable system some how?
Yup cable shift is my thought. This one is a pull clutch so I will mist likely just be pulling the 4.44 ring and pinion out of it and putting it in another subaru trans. Actually looking for a 97ish legacy outback trans, they have a slightly lower gear set and combined with the 4.44 will make the most 33" tire friendly gear ratios without using anything aftermarket
@@spankranchgarage if only the timing was better, I could have given you my old outback's trans, likely exactly what you're looking for now. I'd make sure to get a new clutch fork. cheap insurance since they are known to crack at the pivot point with age (150k+ mile kind of age)
I am really impressed with this builders skills! Not a lot of people can take on these challenges. Really fun to watch as new ideas crop up for this buggy.I cant argue with any of the ideas presented here, and I'm looking forward to seeing how this all works out. As a long time VW nerd (my dad was an air cooled VW mechanic), one argument I would make for VW parts here is that they are super simple in design, are easy to operate, and are easy to work on. Those old time 36hp motors moved the entire mechanized German army in WWII, and sipped gas. The engine is so easy to work on that you only need three open end/box wrenches, a socket set and a screw driver. If you pull the heads, you can literally muscle the engine block off the trans without a jack. No so for the parts described here. Additionally, lots of things to go wrong in the middle of nowhere like: cooling system (water not air), computer/fuel injection (vs. the simplicity of carburetors that you can rebuild in the field), timing chains, idler pullies and lots of belts on the modern motor. Cost is a big issue. I agree with the decision making (if anyone cares what I think!). This type of vehicle was invented back when VW bug parts were everywhere.
Love this reply thanks for that! I respect the history of these great engines and love how easy they are to repair. If parts were more available to be I wouldn't have ever considered moving away from them!
I found and subscribed to your channel specifically because of the buggy, because I myself am interested in getting a buggy. It’s very interesting that you’re going this route because after looking around I’ve came to the conclusion that if I get a buggy I’ll more than likely repower it with a ford ecoboost. A modern turbocharged 4 cylinder definitely seems like the way to go in one of these things.
Also i appreciate how you go over all the numbers in your videos👍
This will be a popular one
Sorry to see the VW go but how can you argue with MO Power! Are you going with a Kennedy adapter and flywheel or make your own?
Thanks EZ. It was bittersweet to let the VW stuff go, but its going into a street car to be enjoyed for years to come. I plan to make my own adapter and flywheel, keeping the engine block mounted starter on this engine.
Very good points throughout the whole video. Keep ‘em coming 🤙🏻
More weight on the back is more fun anyways. I wanna see this thing do wheelies!
Yessss, super stoked for this. I can barely keep up with the buggy as is, can't wait for you to have triple the power lol
Back to the buggy grind ❤️🔧
This has....potential.
Where your thinking mid engine, did you consider an Audi 012 fwd transmission? There are options with 4.11 and 4.58 r/p, and they have bus or 930 flanges.
I have briefly considered that. Was also looking for a 016 diesel trans they have something like 4.77 fd. What do the 012s come out of?
@@spankranchgarage 95 thru 2007 Audi fwd vehicles(mostly A4s and B5s) and 97-07 Passats fwd. The desirable tranny codes with 4.556 gears are 012 CTD, 012 DCN, 012 DHE, 012 DVP, 012 DWG. All of those trannie codes have 100mm (bus) drive flanges on them.
I also would like to build my own buggy (not including the frame) with a chevy, ford or honda. I am wondering why you are not using the tranny that comes with engine? I just seams strange to me to try and mount up a different brand trany. Maybe I am missing something. I have no experience with any of this.
You can use the orig trans and put the engine in "sideways" like it would be mounted in a front wheel. The problem with this is the width of the transmission and the axle length. For rear suspension travel you want long CV axles. When running the FWD trans you usually have a very short axle on one side and a very long one on the other. With a VW trans or a subaru trans, mounting the engine longitudinal with the chassis means you can have long length equal length axles on both sides. It also moves the weight around which could be a good thing depending what your goals are
Love your videos.
Thank you!
do people ever throw 60s toranado/eldorado transmissions in? th400 with a 180 degree bend and a differential built in
dang I would have just given you a bus tranny.... I have a dozen or so... Super easy to find I usually get them for free.. people just want me to haul them off... That being said I dig where you are going with this... I will come back to watch your buggy videos...
Must be nice! I searched for so long and kept striking out. Hold onto those bus boxes... they arent getting any more plentiful.
Given that you are using a Subaru transmission, can you make your buggy AWD? I'm a novice and I don't know any better.
Ill be keeping it rear wheel drive. Most of the mass is over the rear axle and provides surprisingly good traction in most situations
i use snowmobile engines . i try to use triples right now im using a 200hp 900cc artic cat thunder cat motor . i make a copy of a baby rock lizard chassis . motor up front t5 transmission to suzuki samuri transfercase and axles . 4 link front and back , foa 16 inch travel coilovers , got rid of all the brakes and use transfer case brakes using the suzuki brake parts. 15x8 bart wheels drilled and self tapper screwed every 2 inches . interco atv bogger 31x9.5x15 tires . i swear by those tires because ive never been stuck ! the chassis is ultra easy to copy . The Baby RockLizard - Fabn801 .
That is some wild stuff your up to!
im super stoked on this!! I am most interested in the mating of the trans to the engine. I think that trans will hold up no problem. It is considered 'glass' by vaping idiots that launch it. The casing is known to flex which causes the issue but that is when you try to launch true AWD with 300+ hp. This will hold up no question in your application. The shifting will be interesting too...maybe convert the linkage to a remote cable system some how?
Yup cable shift is my thought. This one is a pull clutch so I will mist likely just be pulling the 4.44 ring and pinion out of it and putting it in another subaru trans. Actually looking for a 97ish legacy outback trans, they have a slightly lower gear set and combined with the 4.44 will make the most 33" tire friendly gear ratios without using anything aftermarket
@@spankranchgarage if only the timing was better, I could have given you my old outback's trans, likely exactly what you're looking for now. I'd make sure to get a new clutch fork. cheap insurance since they are known to crack at the pivot point with age (150k+ mile kind of age)
damnnn popular enough to get those spam comments. hell yeah
Hiiiii Barry!
👍