TheSamba.com :: View topic - Again with the progress on my Mid-Engine build... More Pics

Tue Dec 07, 2010 6:42 pm

check out mk4 jetta trunk hinges. they work the same way

Tue Dec 07, 2010 7:18 pm

GS guy wrote: Nice!

How does one go about designing hinges like those on your rear cover? Is there a formula or something? Trial and error? I need something like that for my Deserter engine cover - and maybe front hood!

Jeff

Quite easy actually...I picked up the phone and ordered the hinges from Meyers and they even come with a cover too! :lol:
Seriously tho, they are nice!

Tue Dec 07, 2010 7:24 pm

1966dunebuggy wrote: Again looks awesome, lovin' the progress!
Any reason why you went for a supercharger and not a turbo? Any idea what hp numbers it should make?
Back end looks good too, usually one of my concerns with a midengine build.
How's the engine weight displacement, looks like it would be heavier on the passenger side or is that just and illusion?

The supercharger was easy and, well, cool. Turbo was definitely a thought but with such a small displacement I figured the turbo would take just that little bit longer to spool. Turbo would certainly make more power but I wanted light to light torque. Haha with a 1.5 litre... :D
Good of you to notice the weight bias...I was/am trying to favor the passenger side as to compensate for my...ahem, heft.

Tue Dec 07, 2010 8:30 pm

Beautiful!!! I am seriously loving this build!!

Wed Dec 08, 2010 11:27 am

quantummechanic wrote: GS guy wrote: Nice!

How does one go about designing hinges like those on your rear cover? Is there a formula or something? Trial and error? I need something like that for my Deserter engine cover - and maybe front hood!

Jeff

Quite easy actually...I picked up the phone and ordered the hinges from Meyers and they even come with a cover too! :lol:
Seriously tho, they are nice!

:lol: That's like hitting the EASY button! Neat.

Could you tell me the length of the longer straight pivot leg? I think I can bang the rest out. :)
These are nice how the mount to the sides of the lid and bodywork, making it easier to locate the mounting points.

Thanks,
Jeff

Wed Jan 05, 2011 8:54 am

Some more...it's now on it's own feet.

No going back on the flat windshield now!

Wed Jan 05, 2011 9:46 am

This is a pretty insane build right here. Keep up the good work.

Wed Jan 05, 2011 9:53 am

Seriously impressive...I mean how clean your freakin garage is! Build is good too. :D

Wed Jan 05, 2011 10:32 am

Not only on her own feet but it looks like she'll have serious legs too. :wink:

Wed Jan 05, 2011 2:21 pm

Going to be a great looking - and performing - buggy when done!

Mind if I ask what spring rates you chose for front and rear?

I've got a similar coil-over set-up I'm building and debating what springs to use. I've calculated the rates to death, have a pretty good idea what "should" work, but wouldn't mind getting some comparables before laying down the $$$ for springs.

Thanks!
Jeff

Wed Jan 05, 2011 3:20 pm

GS guy wrote: Going to be a great looking - and performing - buggy when done!

Mind if I ask what spring rates you chose for front and rear?

I've got a similar coil-over set-up I'm building and debating what springs to use. I've calculated the rates to death, have a pretty good idea what "should" work, but wouldn't mind getting some comparables before laying down the $$$ for springs.

Thanks!
Jeff

Off the top of my head...180# for the fronts and 300# for the rear. Not one hundred percent but the color codes are still on them - so next time I take them off I can let you know for sure. Seems almost perfect rates so far. Both the front and rear went down around 3/4" when everything settled. And nice bounce all round :)

Wed Jan 12, 2011 1:20 pm

My mock-up of the rad and exhaust...

The work continues on the curved windshield...

Wed Jan 12, 2011 1:51 pm

Neat and tidy, top notch. This build makes me grin every time I log in. That curved windshield hood combo is a thing of beauty. Pop a mold and sell the plans for the uprights with a hood, I think folks would reto fit the hell out of that. 8) That flows......

Wed Jan 12, 2011 2:13 pm

Awesome.....I have no other words!!!

Wed Jan 12, 2011 2:19 pm

gr8cobbler wrote: Neat and tidy, top notch. This build makes me grin every time I log in. That curved windshield hood combo is a thing of beauty. Pop a mold and sell the plans for the uprights with a hood, I think folks would reto fit the hell out of that. 8) That flows......

Ditto - great look. Now that front end is begging for a set of in-laid headlights, ALA Thomas Crown or Kick-Out SS style!

Great work.

On the rear radiator - bear in mind the airflow is very likely to be back to front on that set-up. Tends to be a low pressure area just behind a FGB - so the air want's to wrap around and blow back forward.

Jeff

Wed Jan 12, 2011 2:36 pm

So far it looking bas a$$$$$$$$$$. I see you have the front hood marked for cutting? Please dont ruin the front facia with some modern lights. Some small bullets headlights would look killer.

Wed Jan 12, 2011 4:43 pm

GTBRADLEY wrote: So far it looking bas a$$$$$$$$$$. I see you have the front hood marked for cutting? Please dont ruin the front facia with some modern lights. Some small bullets headlights would look killer.

I was gonna wait until I made more progress but I'm planning on doing a small pop-up section (roughly like the marks shown) and have a couple of simple rectangular bulbs inside. The tank filler would also be under the 'door'. Small bullet turn signals would be mounted in the original headlamp locations.

And I was going to do a wooden dash very similar to my favorite - Triumph Spitfire.

Wed Jan 12, 2011 6:00 pm

I'll second the point on radiator airflow. Putting the radiator in the rear hasn't been shown to be effective due to the airflow & turbulence at the rear of a buggy. And the mufflers are going to be large heat-sinks next to the radiator - have you considered putting a pair of small radiators on either side of the pods? Geo Metros have compact radiators that are inexpensive - Or going to a smaller radiator, similar to an early Honda Civic sized unit? That 1.5 will push out some heat, but not enough to warrant a mondo sized radiator.

bryan

Wed Jan 12, 2011 6:28 pm

Two smaller radiators could be integrated into the rear cowl laying down. Cover with some black mesh..............

Wed Jan 12, 2011 6:28 pm

Looks great!
I'm not completely sure about the rad setup. My buggy has the rad in the rear and I keep two fans running full time and barely get by. This summer I plan on mounting a 3-core heater core to the front of the car as an auxilary cooler since the only time I really have cooling trouble is running at 3000rpm in 4th on a 100degree day. Also my air/fuel ratio is a bit off, my plugs are done and I really needed an oil change so that's probably adding to the problem.

You might be alright though, you're rad's aluminum and looks to have multiple cores, the only thing I'd be concerned about is having the dual mufflers beside the rad which might surround the area with too much hot air. Also you're going to be running a supercharger which means the engine will be running a little hotter.

I love the curved windshield but I would not do rectangular headlights, it just doesn't fit a car that's all smooth and curved IMO. Maybe graft in some euro style headlights from any production car similar to what the Mojave bodystyle does with chevy avalanche headlights?