Automotive engines

[PANZER]

Anyone try using a small car engine like out of a Turbo Sprint ?? With say an auto tranny,or would the power to weight thing be killer, would solve the problem of not having a reverse.....but if it ends up being an anchor than reverse would not be much good....just a thought... I know I'm gonna pay for this one...... I had to ask.....be nice *LOL

[yoshi]

Originally Posted by PANZER\";p=\&quot

Anyone try using a small car engine like out of a Turbo Sprint ?? With say an auto tranny,or would the power to weight thing be killer, would solve the problem of not having a reverse.....but if it ends up being an anchor than reverse would not be much good....just a thought... I know I'm gonna pay for this one...... I had to ask.....be nice *LOL

There are at least 2 good reverse boxes on the market for mc powerplants if that's your only issue. *Jeffco and RPM....

[PANZER]

The cost is a bit out of my budget....but one has to pay too play.......but one should keep some *money for a rainy day.....ouch...I think I need to gett some sleep.....
* *The cost of the bike engine and the tranny is out for me , I may go with a sled engine but most used engines are 2smokes and I would rather go with a 4stroke.....I've used them before....just time for some thing different and a little more user friendly......

[Rorty]

The [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_G_engine:1g54yp98]Suzuki G engine[/url:1g54yp98] is probably one of the best small car engines for a small buggy (Dihatsu 3 cylinder engine too), but then it wouldn't be a mini buggy would it?

[PANZER]

Why wouldnt it be mini.....some are using Honda engines and they are still considered mini?? Yes/NO?? * *Tazcar??

[Rorty]

As I understand it, historically, a mini buggy was defined by its use of ATV tyres, however, having seen how much buggies and tyre sizes have changed over the past 20 years, I think the defining element now is the engine and in particular, a snowmobile or chain-drive motorcycle engine. Chain-drive because otherwise the small block Chevy could be eligible as it's been used in a number of production bikes. Although by the same stroke, that rules out a few shaft-drive genuine motor bikes too.

[boilermaker]

I like the idea but how heavy is it, how is the transmission arranged, is the engine/trans compact enough for a short buggy,would engine have enough power compared to MC engine. The MC engines used by most mini buggys have a high power to weight ratio and are designed that way,most small car engines are POS built for fuel economy and cheap manufacture. The car transmissions are built for much heavier weight and therefor are much heavier than needed for a buggy,maybe that would make it last longer.Car engines can be hotrodded for more power, then would need more development for dependability. MC engines have it all but a cheap reverse. *Boilermaker

[PANZER]

Mini in size maybe major in price....the tazcar uses a v-tech 1600 thats not to mini...and auto style rims....or should mini have more to do with weight and size in terms of wheel base etc...I would say a full size buggy would struggle against some of the high horse power mini out there now...
power to weight thing....

[Rorty]

Boilermaker, to an extent, a car engine will make up for lack of horsepower with a lot more torque than a bike engine. I really don't consider those Chinky "karts" with their B&S, Kohler industrial engines as comparable with our mini buggies. I don't even want to be associated with the word kart. *[smilie=big_explode.gif]

Panzer, minibuggies are growing in size - in many cases, as large as some of the older VW rails. I still think the only defining element is the engines we use. For sure, most of the litre + bike engines will shame all but the biggest, baddest V8 and turbo cars.

[PANZER]

The other reasons for me to consider a "Turbo sprint" engine is that you
may be able to use some of the other parts from the car.....brakes n such....this topic is only to get feed back on an idea....Rhino buggies idea of the Predator *using auto parts in the build....not saying that they used the right donor car but hey their idea has some potential...
*I had a small 2 seater i built with a sled engine in it and not having reverse really sucked.....if I use one again I will use a rev. chain case from a sled or use a engine with electronic engine reverse.