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What's the best engine for a Buggy / Baja??

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VWCOOL 23 Windows of Awesome

5,158 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·

#363778
mynameischris88 wrote:Anyways, on a serious note, what would be the best engine in terms of being the most reliable and cheap to run as well as being powerful and fast?
how much money do you have?
Pay your debts, CxxT

bajachris88 The international telephone dialing code for Antarctica is 6

6,661 posts · joined Apr 2005 ·

#363804
Well, in the future, im predicting a budget of 10 to 14k on a total engine conversion, if i am able to scrounge up enough money in a few years. By then, there would probably be something better out in the market. But by all means, you can tell me what motor tech is out there.
(ô_!_/ô) (ô_!_/ô)
69' baja: kombi box, thing spindles, irs, disc front, type 3 rear drums, 2 inch lift kit, 31x10 rears. 👍
New engine in process: 94mm p&bs, 74mm C/w chomol Crank, 35.5x39 SP heads, turbo. Wierd combo, hopeful torque monsta!

MUD BASHING ANYONE ?? Wolfsburg Wizard

591 posts · joined May 2004 ·

#363810
barls wrote:i agree with mud bashing my 2L powered bug may be a little heavier due to the engine but it will cruise all day at 110km and hour and doesnt worry about hills and its stock so who with a stock t1 can say that 😀
Now one dude thats why we like type 4's mine was stock with different cam and 1800 heads and it would cruz all day at well over the speed limit thats why i just had to go get my licence back, there in a league of there own.
TYPE 4'S FOREVER

later
You only need two tools
Wd40 if it don't move and it should
Duct tape if it move's and it shouldn't

VWCOOL 23 Windows of Awesome

5,158 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·

#363868
mynameischris88 wrote:Well, in the future, im predicting a budget of 10 to 14k on a total engine conversion, if i am able to scrounge up enough money in a few years. By then, there would probably be something better out in the market. But by all means, you can tell me what motor tech is out there.
That'll get you a nice...well, anything, really!
Pay your debts, CxxT

bajachris88 The international telephone dialing code for Antarctica is 6

6,661 posts · joined Apr 2005 ·

#363962
perhaps that jet engine? lol
(ô_!_/ô) (ô_!_/ô)
69' baja: kombi box, thing spindles, irs, disc front, type 3 rear drums, 2 inch lift kit, 31x10 rears. 👍
New engine in process: 94mm p&bs, 74mm C/w chomol Crank, 35.5x39 SP heads, turbo. Wierd combo, hopeful torque monsta!

bigbaja Wolfsburg Wizard

438 posts · joined Feb 2004 ·

#364015
type 4,s suck
Terry - Custom Off Road Components
28 Hayward Street, Stafford QLD 4053
Ph: (07) 3356 4356 - Fax: (07) 3356 6765

bajachris88 The international telephone dialing code for Antarctica is 6

6,661 posts · joined Apr 2005 ·

#364027
I would imagine that nower days, the subi would be the go right? Would that be a correct thing to say?
(ô_!_/ô) (ô_!_/ô)
69' baja: kombi box, thing spindles, irs, disc front, type 3 rear drums, 2 inch lift kit, 31x10 rears. 👍
New engine in process: 94mm p&bs, 74mm C/w chomol Crank, 35.5x39 SP heads, turbo. Wierd combo, hopeful torque monsta!

VWCOOL 23 Windows of Awesome

5,158 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·

#364075
MUD BASHING ANYONE ?? wrote:1700 66mm stroke by 90mm i think
1800 66mm stroke by 93mm
2000 71mm stroke by 94mm
So how does a short-stroke T4 "out-grunt" a T1 engine...?
Pay your debts, CxxT

Sandy Officially Full-On Dubber

254 posts · joined Apr 2005 ·

#364144
bigbaja wrote:type 4,s suck
You can say it till you're blue in the face, I don't think you'll change his mind. Hey maybe you and mudbashing should get married:P:P

bigbaja Wolfsburg Wizard

438 posts · joined Feb 2004 ·

#364376
i,m only going on my personal experience
that they suck suck suck suck
Terry - Custom Off Road Components
28 Hayward Street, Stafford QLD 4053
Ph: (07) 3356 4356 - Fax: (07) 3356 6765

Sandy Officially Full-On Dubber

254 posts · joined Apr 2005 ·

#364414
How's your conversion going Terry?

Jeza Officially Full-On Dubber

353 posts · joined Jan 2003 ·

#364569
VWCOOL wrote:
MUD BASHING ANYONE ?? wrote:1700 66mm stroke by 90mm i think
1800 66mm stroke by 93mm
2000 71mm stroke by 94mm
So how does a short-stroke T4 "out-grunt" a T1 engine...?
I have often wondered this myself.

I "think" it is to do with the rod ratio and the restrictive exhaust ports (dispite being a cross flow head!?!). Hence the huge torque but not so good to rev.

[Edited on 30/5/2005 by Jeza]
......random gibberish for today.......

VWCOOL 23 Windows of Awesome

5,158 posts · joined Jun 2003 ·

#364584
lol... torque is a function of cylinder filling efficiency...so restrictive ports (I or E) won't help!

A bit O/T but very interesting how some people seem to swear by strokers etc etc yet VW's own 'lugger' commercial engines use a shorter stroke than thier passenger cars... 😉
Pay your debts, CxxT

Chewy Fahrvergnugen

889 posts · joined Jul 2004 ·

#364585
Not restrictive ports but smaller I.D increases intake/exhaust velocity hence better VE at lower revs = more torque.
.

MUD BASHING ANYONE ?? Wolfsburg Wizard

591 posts · joined May 2004 ·

#364698
VWCOOL wrote:
MUD BASHING ANYONE ?? wrote:1700 66mm stroke by 90mm i think
1800 66mm stroke by 93mm
2000 71mm stroke by 94mm
So how does a short-stroke T4 "out-grunt" a T1 engine...?
Don't know but put one in and feel the grunt ive about 5 type 1's and 2 type 4's and there still going strong unlike the type 1's in the scrap metal pile outside and terry if thery suck so much what are you going to say when mine whoop's your ass agian cause its going to happen you have my word
You only need two tools
Wd40 if it don't move and it should
Duct tape if it move's and it shouldn't

ancientbugger Custom Title Time!

1,986 posts · joined Mar 2004 ·

#364713
In my opinion if you put in a type 1 and spend some money on it to get the power you want you spend a lot of money, you put in a type 4 and it already has more power as standard so you shouldn't have to spend a great deal more but if you go the Subi route yea you'll get more power again but then you start to complicate matters by having to find somewhere to stick radiators etc in a vehicle that wasn't designed for it. So a type 1 will cost more to get reasonable power but should also be easier to get parts. A type 4 will give better power and should be more reliable (since it was designed to push heavier vehicles) and is still aircooled and a subi is more power but more complcated to install. So it all comes down to money, taste and availability of engines...............If you think this is a load of old bollocks it's only 'cos I've now got one of each😀

pete wood 23 Windows of Awesome

6,828 posts · joined Jan 2004 ·

#364743
Yeah, I'm sure you're right ancient bugger, I was just having a stir.

Couldn't help, i've been having a very frustrating discussion on here with ridiculous purist recently (tried to tell me non VW motors ruin the marque, buggies were never even part of the marque!). Anyway, it's left me with the 'subies are not 2nd class citizens' complex.

I'm sure type 1, 4, and subies are all good given the right build up and right type of offroad use.
"stoopid is stronger than axles"
http://drivingnotpolishing.blogspot.com.au/

ancientbugger Custom Title Time!

1,986 posts · joined Mar 2004 ·

#364778
Again it's all a matter of taste, personally I like aircooled and like to keep things as simple as I can for ease of maintenance and reliability but if you can get hold of a suburu motor for a good price and you're happy with having radiators, water pumps etc then who's stopping you, it's your car after all and the rest of us can only give our opinions and these are mine and apply to me only. Christ I sound like a right miserable bas@#*d..I'm not..honest😉

Jeza Officially Full-On Dubber

353 posts · joined Jan 2003 ·

#364895
If you are going to go water cooled then perhaps consider a different motor, other than a subi.

A lot of the modern V6's are quite compact. Not small enough to fit under a bug deck lid, but without that they may be a good fit. They should be narrower than the subi, I would guess with two extra cylinders they have more torque than the subi (which is good off road, is it not?) and many are getting much lighter in weight than they used to be...... just a though.

The simplicity of the aircooled motor is hard to beat though
......random gibberish for today.......

ancientbugger Custom Title Time!

1,986 posts · joined Mar 2004 ·

#364924
When you're talking about offroad vehicles I think reliability has to be a major factor. I mean you don't want to be miles up a beach with an in-coming tide trying to work out why the motors not running. It's not like you'd have tons of traffic driving past you or even that your mobile would have coverage or that the RAC(Q/V/etc) could come and tow you home. A VW may not be the most reliable nowadays but in my experience I've always been able to bodge something together to get one running somehow may not be the same with modern computerised engines or one that's burst a radiator....again just my opinion based on 30 odd years of experience (and a hell of a lot of swearing/kicking/screaming)

bigbaja Wolfsburg Wizard

438 posts · joined Feb 2004 ·

#365015
how often does water leak out of any water cooled car ?
so i dont know why every body is worried about bursting radiators
we are Not sticking them together with sticky tape you know
so why is it allways said they will leak
and

tim you are full of shit
Terry - Custom Off Road Components
28 Hayward Street, Stafford QLD 4053
Ph: (07) 3356 4356 - Fax: (07) 3356 6765

Purple Martin Fahrvergnugen

913 posts · joined Feb 2003 ·

#365055
Jeza wrote:A lot of the modern V6's are quite compact. Not small enough to fit under a bug deck lid, but without that they may be a good fit. They should be narrower than the subi, I would guess with two extra cylinders they have more torque than the subi (which is good off road, is it not?) and many are getting much lighter in weight than they used to be...... just a though.
Trouble is V6's have deep sumps, therefore the ground clearance will be hardly anything, which is not good for a baja! Flat-four motors (VW or Subie) are flatter and not as low, so their ground clearance is much better, wich is just what a baja or buggy needs.
1959 red & white Beetle
1975 Kombi camper

MickH Hairy Gutted Sloth

3,389 posts · joined Sep 2003 ·

#365057
Purple Martin wrote:
Jeza wrote:A lot of the modern V6's are quite compact. Not small enough to fit under a bug deck lid, but without that they may be a good fit. They should be narrower than the subi, I would guess with two extra cylinders they have more torque than the subi (which is good off road, is it not?) and many are getting much lighter in weight than they used to be...... just a though.
Trouble is V6's have deep sumps, therefore the ground clearance will be hardly anything, which is not good for a baja! Flat-four motors (VW or Subie) are flatter and not as low, so their ground clearance is much better, wich is just what a baja or buggy needs.

And rego is cheeper as well.....
tssnq.com.au

pete wood 23 Windows of Awesome

6,828 posts · joined Jan 2004 ·

#365107
Purple Martin wrote:
Jeza wrote:A lot of the modern V6's are quite compact. Not small enough to fit under a bug deck lid, but without that they may be a good fit. They should be narrower than the subi, I would guess with two extra cylinders they have more torque than the subi (which is good off road, is it not?) and many are getting much lighter in weight than they used to be...... just a though.
Trouble is V6's have deep sumps, therefore the ground clearance will be hardly anything, which is not good for a baja! Flat-four motors (VW or Subie) are flatter and not as low, so their ground clearance is much better, wich is just what a baja or buggy needs.
Umm, I wish. Subies have a much lower sump than the Mazda V6 BajaWes used. Anything serious for offroad using a subie needs a shortened sump. But you are right about width. However width isn't so much of an issue in a buggy, it's more length. But then a lot of the offroad guys use straight 4s and they have no probs.
"stoopid is stronger than axles"
http://drivingnotpolishing.blogspot.com.au/

MUD BASHING ANYONE ?? Wolfsburg Wizard

591 posts · joined May 2004 ·

#365111
Full of shit now thats not nice honey and what part would i be full of shit on the pille of type 1's or the im going to whoop some butt cause if i could post photos i would show you them and as for whipping butt youll just have to wait your turn:P
You only need two tools
Wd40 if it don't move and it should
Duct tape if it move's and it shouldn't

MikeM Buggy Head

1,429 posts · joined Aug 2003 ·

#365114
As you have probably gathered the best motor is not a straight cut answer. Everyone has there own choice or preference. There is no one correct answer as far as this forum is concerned.

As far as individuals are concerned they have their own correct answer for this.

I know what my choice is, but I respect others for their choice. Type I are proven engines off road, Type IV are proven off road.

As far as water cooled engines go, Wes's Mazda V6 Baja is a proven package. Subaru's are gaining popularity. Time will tell how good these really are as an option.

I personally have chosen to go EJ22 in my ground up rebuilt Manx. I've started from the ground up with the intent of going EJ22 so it's not a patch job. I like the reliability and easy servicing of the EJ. The computer is no big deal. What I find a big deal is the constant tappet adjustments and oil changes on type I's and always playing with carbies etc. The EJ is just turn key and go, fuel efficient, easily serviced and in my opinion more reliable then a VW motor of any type.

I pray to the VW gods every time I take out my 1641 Type I Manx that it will get me home, I'm hoping to be less religious about the Subaru.


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helterskelter400 Fahrvergnugen

900 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#365131
i'm just going to stay with my type 1 and when it dies, i will use the opportunity to do a rebuild and do it all myslef and keep it fairly standard as parts are pretty cheap. my buggy is just a toy really, not a daily driver. it goes where ever you point it, so i dont know whether a better motor would get me further or just faster. i am not a speed deamon in a car. if i want to go fast off road i ride my dirtbike. rebuilding the motor and working on the buggy generally is part of having it, sort of like zen and the art of motorcycle maintenancre. my 2c anyway.

[Edited on 31-5-2005 by helterskelter400]
:thumb

ancientbugger Custom Title Time!

1,986 posts · joined Mar 2004 ·

#365257
A lot of modern radiators now have plastic tanks top and bottom such as on our mitsubishi Delica 4x4 which is also a pressurised system and the plastic tank is clipped on!!! Our rad blew a few weeks back and the guy said this was the norm, it's fixed now but I'll stick with the aircooled VW they suit me

Jeza Officially Full-On Dubber

353 posts · joined Jan 2003 ·

#365462
pete wood wrote:Umm, I wish. Subies have a much lower sump than the Mazda V6 BajaWes used. Anything serious for offroad using a subie needs a shortened sump. But you are right about width. However width isn't so much of an issue in a buggy, it's more length. But then a lot of the offroad guys use straight 4s and they have no probs.
Thanks Pete, that is what I thought. I would also guess that the length of a V6 is similar to that of an inline 4?

Perhaps the best engine is one you feel comfortable with, so that when you are out in the sticks and it acts up your not afraid to "open the bonnet" (substitute appropriate words for a buggy / baja application 😉 and get your hands dirty
......random gibberish for today.......