Finally got a rail!

Mopardik · Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 10:54 pm Post subject: Finally got a rail!

Hey all!
I'm new around here, but happy to report that I finally have gotten something I've wanted since I was a very young man (a while ago Wink

), a sand rail buggy!
It's an '02 Chenowth, but not sure what model exactly. I also don't know a whole lot about the build, other than it appears to be well done, with fairly top shelf parts from what I can tell.
I was told engine is around 1700cc, but not sure of what goodies may be inside. It does have a somewhat crude turbo setup on it, but it seems to work really well, as it has lots of top end power.
Anyway, I look forward to learning more around here as I move forward with the build, which knowing me will quickly spiral out of control! Laughing

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cbeck · Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 10:45 am Post subject:

Welcome and greetings neighbor. I too recently acquired a buggy after owning 3 bugs back in the 80's. If you wanted you could pm me when it warms up, I'd love to drive mine over and check yours out. If not, Jim @ Archway Imports has been a big help, and jason has a turbo bug quick enough to require door bars in his cage.

Mopardik · Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 12:01 pm Post subject:

Thanks, and howdy to you neighbor!
You taking a ride over sounds like a great idea. I will definitely pm you when the weather breaks.
I have some buddies that have been into VW's for years, and they too recommended Archway. I'll have to give 'em a call once the project gets really rolling soon. Although it doesn't need much of anything, I can't ever leave anything alone so I'm sure I'll have questions and needs moving forward.

Mopardik · Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 12:41 pm Post subject:

I figured I'd throw up some more pics from the day I brought it home. Partially because everyone loves pics, but mostly because it's currently sitting under a tarp under about 8" of fresh snow, and I'm bored.
If I can't play with my new toy I might as well play on here I guess. Smile

fishybastard · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 5:43 am Post subject:

Looks like a nice set up!

sloboatnova · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 10:58 am Post subject:

Looks like I see a 3rib bus tranny.
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red neck · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 12:43 pm Post subject:

great looking ride, the frame looks like a chenowth 4LWD if it is there will be a tag welded on the torsion housing behind the drivers seat, that is where mine is.

Mopardik · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 9:09 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys, I'm super stoked about it! I got what I thought was a good deal on it, although I did have to go drag it home from AZ.
Yep, it has the bus trans, sloboatnova. Something I knew to look for by lurking on here. Wink

Thanks for the frame ID info, red neck. I'll go peel off the tarp and check that out tomorrow.

Mopardik · Posted: Thu Mar 12, 2015 5:59 pm Post subject:

Well, the weather finally broke at the same time I actually had a little time to spend on the buggy. It took a bit, but I was able to get the tag #'s legible enough to read, and it is indeed a Chenowth 4LWD. Good call, red neck!
I was also able to devote some time to making the templates for my new gauge and switch panels, and my trans and engine skid plates.
Slow progress, but progress nonetheless.

Bashr52 · Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2015 6:58 pm Post subject:

How is that engine oiling the turbo? Oil in from the oil pressure sensor hole, and out to fuel pump block off plate?

jcmyers · Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2015 5:58 am Post subject:

Mopardik · Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2015 7:54 am Post subject:

Yeah, the turbo is fed with a -4 hose from the oil pressure sender port, and returns via a -8 hose into the fuel pump blockoff plate.
It doesn't smoke at all, so I'm not going to worry about restricting it. I figure if it ain't broke, dont fix it. Besides, I've had quite a few turbo engines (although none of them VW), and none of them had restrictions placed in their feed lines.
Thanks for the cool link, though. Lots of great info on there!

jimmyhoffa · Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2015 5:24 am Post subject:

Hey man, I'm in High Ridge about 5 minutes from you. Great score on the rail! I'm building one now and I regularly use Archway for some things. I really mix-n-match. He has a lot of good stuff and a full machine shop, hit-and-miss on the parts sometimes. He has a lot of china stuff in stock because that's what people buy, but he is almost always aware of the "better" stuff and can get that too. Prices are usually very fair, close to mail order.

As for your chassis, the proportions look a bit off for an "original" 4lwd, it looks like Chenowth offered a "tall" version of some cars and yours may very well be an updated 4lwd right before they stopped making them, or a tall roof one, or a modified-by-owner one.

I would only be interested in playing with restrictors because it could be that your turbo is getting all the oil it needs and more, but your engine is being shorted a bit.
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Mopardik · Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2015 9:36 am Post subject:

Thanks jimmyhoffa! I'm really pleased with it so far. Now if I could just scratch out some time to work on it.

Another guy posted on here earlier and he is in our area as well. Small world indeed. We could start our own club! Laughing

I'm definitely gonna have to get up there to Archway and check them out, I keep hearing good things.

I'm not sure on the exact model of it, I do know it looks a bit different from the other 4LWDs I've seen on here. I'm guessing it is all factory though, as the welds, tubing, etc. all look uniform.

As for the restrictors, I'm sure it is getting plenty of oil, maybe too much, but I wouldn't think it would be starving the engine. Especially with a nice fat -10 return line (not -8 like I originally thought) going straight back into the sump. Who knows, it may have a restrictor already in it?

I definitely am itching to dig into this thing and find out more. As well as actually starting to install this mountain of parts I am collecting for it. Unfortunately it's my busiest time of year right now, so it will have to wait a bit more.
Oh well, gotta make that money for buggy parts! Very Happy

Mopardik · Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2015 8:56 pm Post subject:

I haven't posted any updates for a while, but I have been working on the buggy here and there over the last couple of months. Made a deal with the boss at the shop to trade out some work so I could keep it there during this so it was out of the weather. Well it seems like forever and a day since I've actually driven the dang thing, but I'm happy to report that it is coming home tomorrow!

Stay tuned for some big updates to it. I added an intercooler and BOV to the turbo setup, did some fuel mods, and added some lighting and street legality items. I fabbed some cool custom gauge and switch panels, as well as some skidplates. Also put in a stereo and CB, etc. etc. etc. Most of all, I grew tired of the asinine, backward ass wiring on it Confused

and just rewired the whole damn thing!

Whew! A lot of work but I'm really happy with how it turned out.
I know none of it counts without pics so as I said, stay tuned and I'll get some on here tomorrow. Very Happy

EnjoyNukaCola · Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2015 9:40 pm Post subject:

That thing is amazing dude
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"when i go to drive it i get to like 5-10 mph it is at high rpms and gets higher the faster i go when i shift up to second the rpms drop is this normal or what and this is my first vw please help"

Sandjunky · Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2015 4:35 am Post subject:

Mopardik · Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2015 9:32 pm Post subject:

Ok Ok, stop with the drumroll already, here are some pics! Wink

New front overall view. Added some cycle turn signals to the headlight brackets.

New rear overall view. New LED stop/turn/tails. Custom license plate bracket and light, and trailer hitch wiring. Can't really see the fabbed engine and trans skid plates, but they're there. Very Happy

View of intercooler setup with BOV, custom alum. piping and air filter setup.
Stainless 3" exhaust and muffler. Relocated the breather box, changed some of the hoses and fittings, and replaced the plugs, wires, cap and rotor.

New pump, regulator, gauge, and hoses.

Custom fuel "gauge" setup.

View of cockpit. New harnesses, wiper setup, side view mirrors, and sunshade. (Also cat head photobomb Smile

)

Cockpit view. Custom gauge and switch panels with all new equipment here. Gauges are speedo, tach, oil press., oil temp., volts, boost, and A/F ratio. Also shows reverse/work lighting, fire extinguisher, and tool bag.

Radio and CB, new grips for the grab bar, side view mirror, and drink holders for the, um, sodas. Wink

Speakers and the wiper motor assy. (A family affair photobomb this time. Laughing

)

Twin dome lights and antenna wiring.

Roof mounted radio and CB antennas, and reverse/work lights.

Custom shifter panel, and parking brake setup run off the cutting brake.

Whew, I'm beat just typing it all out! LOL!
I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I will be street driving it quite a bit so I did add some non off-road essentials to it. None of it negates its trail worthiness, I don't think. I was also going for kind of a "Mad Max" kind of vibe with it, and I think I scored that!

flashho · Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2015 5:28 am Post subject:

Well done! I like the look, sweet.
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Mopardik · Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2015 8:32 pm Post subject:


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