Please help me pick out engine parts for my sand rail.

[Ruthlessone3k]

So I'm getting into sand rails. A hobby I've wanted to get into for probably 20yrs, and the star have finally aligned.

The rail I am getting has a 1600 engine with supposedly about 500 miles on it. It runs good but I would like a bit more power and torque to climb the larger dunes. So what I'm asking is, if you were given the chance to build a nice reliable, pump gas, N/A, 150-200hp VW engine with my wallet (I'm not rich, so be nice) how would you go about it?

Reliability is the most important part. I'm fully capable of making any repairs it may need, but that doesn't mean I want to. It will be used for dunes so in other words it needs to handle some abuse and make power without tearing itself apart.(been there, done that, not a fan) It doesn't need to be the fastest rail at the dunes, as long as it will make it up "test hill" with a semi respectable speed. I'm open to anything, but I don't want to use a turbo/super charger.

Thanks,
Tyler

[jfats808]

Budget, tool/measuring devices availability, and mechanical aptitude are the main questions. Some times its just cheaper to talk to a builder and have the engine built from your core. Youll save at least 400-500 on the case if its serviceable. If youre going to have someone build it for you, I suggest reviewing the sticky on engine builders.
Once you detail the three in the first sentence and mechanical aptitude, its fruitless to give you engine combos and parts to purchase. Everyone will have a combo suggestion.

I have a listed 2110 with quality parts in the classifieds for 4400.00. Youll still need carbs ( I have 45s also listed). All the rest of your tins go right on top. That's about average priced. Theres other listing of turnkeys for cheaper. Find out whats in your budget.
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2276 IDA's 86C 11-1 DD

[Glenn]

[RailBoy]

Your going to want to pay attention to the details of what people are running.. A 2110 with dual carbs is nice with a 4.12 R & P IRS.

In my Rail I run a Single 44 IDF on a 2110 with about 110 HP and it does ok, but I run a 3.88 R & P, mine is set up for the street... There it can do 0-60mph in 4 seconds basically.

All I am getting at is the Rolling Ristance of sand you have to get past, with a stock motor in my Rail I could not get out of 2nd gear with what ever trans I had at the time, plus I was as a beach, so yea, stock just does not do it...

Oh, as for reliable, 2110's have done really well and last is what the past 20 years have proven, 2180 is a nice engine if built right, thing is don't over do it, some engines are just 5,000 mile engines and poster's do not tell you that, but if you do a valvejob on a 2110/2180 which is a good side stroker when your suppost to and don't over rev it just to do it, you can get 100,000 miles out of them.. RB
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[quote="smitty24"]"HELP, I ported my own heads and now have fire coming out my ass" .[/quote]

[Ruthlessone3k]

Budget is not really an issue. But for arguments sake, lets just say ~4k. How much can you do with that? As for tools and mechanical apptitude, lets just suffice to say that there is nothing on a sand rail I can't handle. The only thing I'm not really good at is body work, and I don't see that being an issue.

As for driving a 150-200hp rail. No, I have never driven one. I was just doing a little guesstimation/fuzzy math and it seemed reasonable. If this is overkill I would be willing to accept less hp so long as it meets my goals.

What do you think about hp? What would be sufficient for my goals? What kind of performance and price could I expect?

Thanks

[Glenn]

For $4k you should be able to get a nice 2110 long block with carbs and exhaust. You can use all the sheetmetal and alternator from your existing engine.
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי

[mcmscott]

I have done sand rails for probably the last 20 years, put a suby in it and be done. My personal rail has a 2276 turbo efi vw in it now, and it is coming out for a honda. Remember, there is no brand loyalty when it comes to a buggy. And btw I know of a 2 liter turboed efi v-dub engine for sale after the first
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There are no stupid questions, only stupid people,

68 Ghia
67 T-1
65 Notch
02 Mexican beetle
74 Thing
15 Long travel rail
07 Nomad
05 f-250

[mcmscott]

And lets just say I will take 4500 for my engine turn key, from clutch to fuel pump to ecm! Hell, I'll even dyno it for you
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There are no stupid questions, only stupid people,

68 Ghia
67 T-1
65 Notch
02 Mexican beetle
74 Thing
15 Long travel rail
07 Nomad
05 f-250

[RailBoy]

Chenworth is that how you spell it? You do want a Bomb Proof chromo chassis for sure if you tend to use it off road... Also, before go to assembaling or if you want to do this when buying, take a tape measure and put onto a cement work shop floor........ Check all four corners off the floor, and also, one other thing, check the skid pan for adjustments, you can loosen and twist a chassis at will if if the front beam is loose... RB
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[quote="smitty24"]"HELP, I ported my own heads and now have fire coming out my ass" .[/quote]

[Ruthlessone3k]

I'm not quite ready to buy the engine just yet. I'm looking to build it as I go. So I was wanting to use the block I have. Although if I can find another engine for the right price, that's an option. How do you go about the trans with a Subaru or honda or whatever?

[RailBoy]

I have my 44 IDFw/Redline Intake on a 2110 for sale, moves... Yea, parting out my Rail... In Virginia, RB
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[quote="smitty24"]"HELP, I ported my own heads and now have fire coming out my ass" .[/quote]

[TURBOEDVW]

I would ask yourself if your more of a buggy enthusiast or vw enthusiast. If you really want to build your own vw then go for it. Around here in so. Cal. There are plenty of used vw buggies that can be had for less then what it would cost to just build the engine. For example there is a mid engine mazzone with a fuel injected/turbo charged 2276 on craigslist and the guy is asking $5k. $5k might buy the injection and turbo alone. Just something to consider.

You could even sell the turbo and fuel Injection and throw on Idfs

[Ruthlessone3k]

[Glenn]

[Ruthlessone3k]

[TURBOEDVW]

[earthquake]

You can do a Ecotech swap pretty cheap [I would do a Quad4 if it was me], motors are pretty cheap, a adapter kit is needed. go over to the off road sub forum and search there, lots of good info there.

Casey
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74 CLASS 11 LOOK-A-LIKE
69 DUNE BUGGY
79 INTERNATIONAL SCOUT II
05 SCION XB SERIES RELEASE 2[#437]
95 Chevy C3500 dually
98 Ford E150
Link to Kelly J. Nolte 3/20/53 - 11/6/08
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DEATH TO CHINGERS!
[From a military recruitment poster in the novel "The Stainless Steel Rat" By Harry Harrison]

[Ruthlessone3k]

Thanks a lot. You guys are awesome. I never expect such a quick response. My rail is getting delivered tomorrow. I'm sure I'll be around here a lot.

[woodsbuggy]

If you are thinking about a stroker motor I can not think of any reason to be smaller than 2276. If you are going to take the time and expense to build a larger engine then go 2276 or larger otherwise you are wasting time and parts to build an engine that could be difficult to assemble and require custom parts.
Good Luck
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The empty can rattles the most!

[Ruthlessone3k]

A stroker motor has crossed my mind, but I don't know if I want to sacrifice the revs for the displacement. I've built stroker motors in quad engines before and was left a little disappointed, so I'm hesitant to go that route again. But, then again this could be completely different.