Buggy Engine Choices

[Vanimal]

i've always wanted to swap a turbo ford 2.3 into something. they're extremely cheap to build, the stock block can handle around 400hp. you can get a t5 bellhousing for them so i would figure a trans and xcase should be easy if you dont mind manual, or a a4ld for an auto can be built ok. they are very simple, much like a 5.0, so it would be an easy swap. and light! the aftermarket support is pretty good, and the knowledgebase on those motors is insane, it's a very common ranger swap.

 

[shortxjdoug]

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.

bumpin this up again.... the 4.3's are great motors, however has anyone mentioned the buick 3800 supercharged v6? using the 4cyl automatic xj bellhousing it bolts up to the trans and its affordable and makes decent power..


im imagining this later on for my junk....

 

[Vanimal]

bumpin this up again.... the 4.3's are great motors, however has anyone mentioned the buick 3800 supercharged v6? using the 4cyl automatic xj bellhousing it bolts up to the trans and its affordable and makes decent power..


im imagining this later on for my junk....

i was going to mention this, however i was under the impression you'd have to swap the top end over to a rwd block. your saying the 3800fwd block has the same bellhousing bolt pattern as a xj 2.5l?
the buick 3800 is friggin bulletproof, i had one in my 93 regal (not supercharged) and it was indestructable. i went through probably 1 or 2 transmissions a year, but the motor took a hell of a beating. very torquey as well.

 

[shortxjdoug]

i was going to mention this, however i was under the impression you'd have to swap the top end over to a rwd block. your saying the 3800fwd block has the same bellhousing bolt pattern as a xj 2.5l?
the buick 3800 is friggin bulletproof, i had one in my 93 regal (not supercharged) and it was indestructable. i went through probably 1 or 2 transmissions a year, but the motor took a hell of a beating. very torquey as well.

i think you can use the fwd motor and IIRC thats really all it took to get it to the aw4..... theres a lot of info on pirate on the swap i just cant remember where it was