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posted on March 14th, 2006 at 10:09 AM
Diesel engine in a buggy
I'm thinking of building a buggy when my current project is finished.
I'm thinking of putting a small diesel engine in it, but I can't think of a way to get a reasonable top speed, because of the low maximum revs from
a diesel engine (about 3000).
Is there any cheap and easily engineered way to do it?
While not altering the diesel engine or over reving it, how could one in effect double the output driveshaft revs to the wheels to get a good top
speed?
Sandy
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posted on March 14th, 2006 at 05:37 PM
I would have thought a diesel was too heavy for a buggy. Maybe one of these newer alloy headed turbo diesels would be ok. I know those hilux/prado
T.D. engines rev to about 4000, maybe more, I can't remember exactly, you'll have to do some research on it and on how much they weigh.
Standard vw engines only rev to about 3000 or 3500 rpm don't they?
Hey, if the weight isn't a problem (which it probably is) then go for it.
pete wood
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posted on March 15th, 2006 at 12:26 PM
I thought about this too. The problem is, with all the revs you do, the motor won't last as long and keeping it cool, even at freeway speeds could be
an issue at 3000rpm. You'd really need a very tall 3rd and 4th gear. Albins sell them but building the box won't all that cheap. Also, driving round
the burbs with this setup will be a bit painful too. If you think a petrol bug is a bit sluggish, then a buggy with a diesel, low first gear and
capacity of around 2l will be a real slug. That said, once you get into 3rd and can use the torque, it'll be a hoot. Turbo diesels are better still,
but it'll still feel sluggish down low.
And yes, it will make the car tail heavy like sandy said.
Also, if you go diesel, you miss out on all the fun of a petrol engine high in it's rev range. Coz once you get a buggy past it's natural urge to
understeer, it oversteers beautifully. On the sand or gravel, you need the revs of a petrol motor to do this.
Alternatively, I have a very nice buggy that's already finished that I could sell you straight away. It's Subaru powered and has enough torque to go
round most corners in 3rd. And that's hooked up to a standard 1800 gearbox.
do yourself a favour, don't build, buy, you'll save a stack of money and be able to fun straight away. trust me, I built, so I know what I'm
saying.
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posted on March 15th, 2006 at 01:34 PM
31's are as big as you can realistically go and they still mean near or above 3000rpm at 110km/h with a kombi box. Most diesels do their best work
around the 2000rpm mark. The next strongest box would be the Lbug, but then you'd have the opposite problem, the gearing would likely be too high for
tall offroad tyres.
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posted on March 15th, 2006 at 02:12 PM
On a completely different, thread hijacking note.... how about a diesel powered drag car ?
Anyone seen the tractor pulls in the US ? some of those tractors make SERIOUS torque - with the right diff ratios and a strong auto behind it, I'd
love to see a big twin turbo 6L chev V8 diesel powered altered or something like that....... almost as quirky as the electric drag scene
