Project Widow Maker

dsmbuggy · Samba Member Joined: July 28, 2010 Posts: 77 Location: MA

I am building a fiberglass buggy but it will be a little different.
First off all it will not be VW based. (sorry)
Here is my donor:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

For those who did not recognize.
It is a 1991 Eagle Talon TSI
AWD and around 400 horses.

This is my body:

The body is a long wheelbase so should fit pretty good...

BL3Manx · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 8:21 am Post subject:

Quite a few people, especially in Europe take transverse front wheel drive trains and mount them mid-engine, behind the seats. They work fantastic.

There's really no room for an engine, transaxle and front suspension under the hood and fenders of a body like you have, unless you cut off everything forward of the driver, long wheelbase not withstanding.

jspbtown · Samba Member Joined: January 27, 2004 Posts: 5167

Are you going to design a complete chassis?

How are you going to deal with the front suspension? IE: eliminating the strut assembly?

How about cooling and fuel related systems?

What about the 4WD set up? maintain a front engine set up? Cooling system in the rear?

Interesting...but very involved. I would love to hear about your concrete plans.

dsmbuggy · Samba Member Joined: July 28, 2010 Posts: 77 Location: MA

Here are my plans.

To keep it simple I want to cut the body off and keep the floor, engine, transmission and suspension where they are.
The radiator will have to be moved to the back.
I will build a complete cage to give its rigidity back to the chassis.
Last thing would be to cut and modified the body to fit over a front engine chassis.

Plan is to get a 400HP all wheel drive 1500 pounds front engine Buggy...

I will post pictures of the cutting very soon.

jspbtown · Samba Member Joined: January 27, 2004 Posts: 5167

Mrav8tr · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 2:05 pm Post subject:

Hummm....
Unibody...???
400 hp ???
I dont think you would actually drive it,

..... just aim it!
.
.
.

and squeeze the trigger !!

Baja68 · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 2:31 pm Post subject:

Thats ging to be one difficult job good luck post pics Razz

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didget69 · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:12 pm Post subject:

... good luck

bnc
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jspbtown · Samba Member Joined: January 27, 2004 Posts: 5167

GTBRADLEY · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:19 pm Post subject:

I hope that donor is in better shape mechanically than it is cosmetically Shocked

It would be a shame to spend all that Money(and it will take a tremendous amount) and time only to find out the FWD does not work or the turbo is toast ETC,ETC.
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73SpeedBuggy · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:38 pm Post subject:

dsmbuggy · Samba Member Joined: July 28, 2010 Posts: 77 Location: MA

Original Manx · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 4:29 pm Post subject:

Strangest looking water to air intercooler I've ever seen. Looks like a big fat air to air intercooler on the front there, that's why the core is so thick - to let the air through from side to side.

Good luck with your project, I have been working on my 2000lb 400hp 4WD rear mounted buggy for 2 years now and am still fitting up the tailshaft and the drive shafts.

I hope you can do it quicker than what it's taking me.
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wythac · Samba Member Joined: August 02, 2004 Posts: 2791

My 1981 Eagle Wagon. 4WD and about 150hp. I will put a towbar on the back and use my buggy to push it down the road. Does it still count as a four wheel drive vehicle if it is off and being pushed?

didget69 · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 4:48 pm Post subject:

Hmmm.... TIG welding chromoly.... not my favorite thing to do -

bnc
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I never found the need to impress people with any mechanic certifications, trophies or track wins... unless it was for Mom to post on the refrigerator door.

jspbtown · Samba Member Joined: January 27, 2004 Posts: 5167

GreaterMook · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 6:35 pm Post subject:

cant wait to see how this one goes.
keep us posted!

Lo Cash John · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 7:15 pm Post subject:

What are your plans for suspension?
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donmac · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 7:34 pm Post subject: Re: Project Widow Maker

You live in a nice neighborhood Shocked

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67 Dune Buggy aka Shrek
74 Baja Junk Pile aka Wild Thing

Freak182 · Samba Member Joined: February 25, 2008 Posts: 244


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