Buggy Engine Choices

freerider15 said:
Matt, you know mainly why I kept the 4.0/AW4 in my build...I already had it, didn't have (more of didn't want to spend) the money of V8 power, and I was kind of already in over my head :D

I will say though...once I've got my tow rig, trailer, and all of that settled...I can see myself throwing in a V8 a couple years down the road.

My choices (but I am by no means all the edumacated on motors)...would be an LSX, an LQX, or something along the lines of the 5.3.

I would honestly say that unless you find a deal on it or are dead set on it...I would be more inclined to spend the money where it matters more on things that are going to make your rig perform better vs. just go faster/have more power (i.e. coilovers instead of airs, better fuel system, full hydro instead of hydro assist, etc, etc.)

Just my $.02

Gonna get rid of the other rig or what?
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I think the part I put in bold really hit the nail on the head.

How many 'yotas do you see on the trail with the 22r making all of 100 hp and still getting it with the 200:1 crawl ratio? Im not going to be bombing through the desert at 100+ mph, or doing whatever the hell those SE guys do, so I dont need all that much power.




But gosh those V8s sound good, and I would hate to put all that effort into a chasie only to have to redo it in five years to put a V8 in.
 
Starboard M said:
I would be doing as much work as I could, so my time is free.

I guess I need to start looking at pricing. My going off what I read online, or heard around the campfire.


How well do the TH350s last behind V8s? I heard the TH400s are not as strong, any validity to that? And would I really need OD?
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My pricing is first hand. You could certainly spend up to the amounts you said at the beginning (and more) if you wanted. 6.0 vs. 5.3 = more. LSx vs. all others = more. Lower miles vs. higher miles = more, etc.

I forgot to mention the 700R4 as an option.

Anyway, I know two people using a TH350. One has been running for sometime behind a 6.0L pushing 40's and the other is still building, they will hold up fine.

The OD question is one that only you can answer and depends on what you plan to do with it. I drive about 5000 miles a year on pavement with mine and I have 5.13 gears with 35's so OD is a good deal for me. For a trail only rig I would have gone with a TH350 to save some money. I don't have any experience with or know anyone with the TH400.

It's easy enough to make a non-4L60e work, you just set the trans to manual in the computer (it's looking for a 4L60e if set to auto) and then install a speed sensor somewhere on the output.
 
Starboard M said:
I think the part I put in bold really hit the nail on the head.

How many 'yotas do you see on the trail with the 22r making all of 100 hp and still getting it with the 200:1 crawl ratio? Im not going to be bombing through the desert at 100+ mph, or doing whatever the hell those SE guys do, so I dont need all that much power.




But gosh those V8s sound good, and I would hate to put all that effort into a chasie only to have to redo it in five years to put a V8 in.
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Yeah...its a hard road to decide on which way to go.

I WILL say this however though Matt...do NOT do anything with the '89 until your pretty well done with the buggy. You know my situation all too well, its been nearly THREE FARKING YEARS since i've wheeled my own sh*t. Having a rig in between the start and end of the build I think would have helped my motivation more...since the longer you go the harder it is to get motivated on such a big project. I know it would be nice to sell things and have that money up front...but trust me in the long run you be FAR happier you have a rig to wheel in between.

With that said...I'm dead serious about having this buggy of mine done come spring! :D In all reality i'm only a few serious weekends and some parts away from having a wheelable buggy...though thats still gonna take me a while.

***Oh, and hey are ya gonna be back in FoCo anytime?
 
Starboard M said:
How well do the TH350s last behind V8s? I heard the TH400s are not as strong, any validity to that? And would I really need OD?


In my mind Im building a "lightweight" buggy that I can take to the 'con and spend a couple days there. And also do the short day trips with no gear. Im not building a one seat comp buggy, or a wanna be KOH racer.

I have been pretty happy with a Renix 4.0, so its not like I need 500+ hp. But who doesnt want that....?
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They seem to hold up fine, 350/400 are used behind alot of the T/C buggies and don't have any issues.

This buggy is lightweight, maybe 3200-3000lbs. Runs the 4.3, pretty tough to get that light.

IMGP4684.JPG


Their normal rigs run 3600lbs + and are considered pretty light. 500hp is throw out there alot but really thats a tough number to get a true 500hp engine, 300hp is a more realistic and quite a bit.

Something to think about.
 
Boostwerks.com said:
FWIW, I'd love to build a small tube buggy utilizing a subaru H6 mounted in the back. It's amazing how many "all Iron" buggies are out there, and how many people overlook the advantages of being small and lightweight.

Not really related to what your after I know, but I've been brain storming lately ;)
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I was thinking yota axled TDI two seater......:D
 
FlexdXJ said:
I was thinking yota axled TDI two seater......:D
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My girlfriend has a VDub TDI that I love. I would totally run that engine and tranny in a Jeep!



After doing more research Im still torn. The 5.3/4.3 seem to be the best options for me, but which one is a tough decision.



More links:
5.3/4.3 bell housing comparability
http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=868917&highlight=3l

Started out as a "would you run a 4L60E with a 5.3" but good discussion about a 5.3 vs 4.3
http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=920260

5.3 HP ratings
http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=654673
 
Why doesn't anyone ever use the 88-94 5.0? Research tells me its easy to swap in with the self containd harnes and computer. It's lighter then the 350's of the day and produces a respectable amount of power for a v-8 and has lots of speed parts available for them.
 
5.0's from what I understand just are not as refined (I guess that the closest word I can think of) as the 5.3/6.0 series. Sure there are mods and what not but they just are not as easy or work as well as the chevy stuff.
 
The 5.0's have been done many times. The funny thing about it though is when I come across one I don't see them progress through the normal planning process with these. Instead of starting out, "I want a V8 in my Jeep, how do I get one?" and then progressing through decision, planning and building, the 5.0 guys a lot of times start out with, "I already have a 5.0 so how am I going it get it into my Jeep and make it work?"

Not trying to offend the 5.0 guys - hope I didn't. I don't have anything against the 5.0, this is just my lowly observation...
 
4.3's are pretty nice. 700R4 trans are the best in the chevy dept. I'm running a bored 70's 307, TH350, 10 bolt posi rear with 3.05 gears in my '85 El Camino. She'll break the rubber loose from a stop.
 
The intake manifold on a 5.0 is tall (and ugly).

I want the all aluminum 5.3. I can't remember the code. L33 or LM7 or something. Jp magazine just did a big issue on engine swaps and there's a nice list of all the LS motor variants and where they come from.
 
shortxjdoug said:
on the truck motor it is.... all the 5.0 explorers got the mustang gt manifold (and the bulletproof 4r70w trans) the 500$ adapter to run a jeep case does bring the suck....
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This is what I will do. Lenny has one that we are kicking around puting in the xj.
 
Ok, more ugly than tall. When I think Ford 5.0, I think of that giant crossover manifold sitting on top.

Besides, if you're building a buggy/truggy, whatever, out of a cherokee, I would assume that the front end is not stock.

But you're right, the truck intake is tall and doesn't work with a stock cherokee hood.
 
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I picked up a 4.3 with the 700r4 and the complete wire harness and computer with the stock transfercase out of a 94 chevy truck for $250.00 and was still running strong, I am knocking around the idea of building another buggy with it this winter for something to do. I will probably dump the stock transfercase and do another twin sticked D300. I have been really happy with the one I have in my current rig.
 
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