Turbo Street Rail Build

[di11ard]

Sorry off-road boys, another street guy has joined the forum.

Last summer I picked up a Ford 2.3L Turbo powered sand rail.

IRS rear end & link pin front suspension.
She was fun, but steering was loose, brakes were shit (disc only on the rear, nothing on the front), windshield was cracked, exposed wires in center dash, leaky hydro clutch line, etc.

Over the summer I did add some foam to the plastic seats. That helped tremendously when setting in those sun baked seats.

This winter I have started making a bit of progress, and it makes sense to share here.

I decided this buggy is street only, thus, I shall make it my weekend (street legal) go kart.

Originally I was going to put 30x12.5r15s on the rear & 26x11.5r15 on the front.

The big tires showed up first:

Then the shorter tires arrived:

I quickly discovered I much preferred the 26x11.5r15s all around:

I know a lot of people like the "big/little" combo, but I am really aiming for more "go kart" appearance and less "pro-street."


With the tire size sorted, on to wheel selection.
Without question, I knew I wanted to go wide and deep offset. I settled on 15x10 for all four corners.

I debated on wheels and finally settled on Cragar series 69:

Once the wheels arrived, I was able to get the rail off the jackstands and lower the rear to the new ride height.

I don't have the new front beam, but have mocked up the height by setting the front end on some wood blocks. Yes, the front wheels/tires appear a bit bigger, but I can't actually bolt them on yet.

This is all the photos I have for today.

Items to be done before summer gets here:
I have a new front beam with Wilwood brakes coming from AirKewled
I am going to add new IRS arms (3 inches back, 2 inches wider) to the rear
Rear Sway Bar
Rear Wildwood disc brakes
Glass instead of plexiglass windshield
New pedals from wilwood (with dual master cylinders)
New center console
Remove stereo & speakers

Wishlist items:
Move gas tank to front
Re-route/Lower intercooler & radiator over transaxle to improve rear visibility
New Transaxle or regear to lower RPMS at highway speeds
Body work to cover font part of rail


Now then, for the "purists" that are not happy with another rail being lost to the "street" guys... Here is my daily with her camping trailer:

[Axitech]

I don't think you are going to enjoy steering it with those big meaty tires up front. Other than that, I'm jealous!
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[Krochus]

The most off-roading I plan to do is blasting down dirt roads at high velocity.

I'm going to stay with skinny big 165 and 235 but like you I plan on going for the street legal go kart thing. Keep me posted on exactly how you set your suspension up.

Having driven 1 ton trucks without power steering I can't imagine any buggy with not even 800lbs on the front would ever be a chore

[nate3923]

if you want do eps to help your steering, easy to do and will help a lot with those big tires

[di11ard]

Good feedback guys. Thank you.

Yes, I plan to run without power steering, but if I find it to be problematic I will consider electric power steering.

I have seen what the guys over at http://dfkitcar.com have done with the cobalt electric steering.

I don't think it would be too difficult to adapt an electric steering motor, if needed.

[ADoyle88]

Adam from DF Kit Car here.

Using the Cobalt power steering is easy if you are running all of the Cobalt electrical system but it is problematic without it. The EPS unit requires data from the Cobalt ECM to function. Without the proper signal, it won't work.

Instead, I would recommend getting a Saturn Vue or Chevy Equinox EPS unit and using this controller: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Saturn-Vue-Chevy-Equinox-e...mp;vxp=mtr

That controller spoofs the signal needed to get the EPS to function. Unfortunately it doesn't work with the Cobalt EPS.

[di11ard]

[pallen]

Do you know what HP/ TQ it makes and trans are you running?

Also, should probably get some DOT headlights as well, those LED pods are sure to get you pulled over.
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Buggy Build > http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=499786

Ecotec Street Rail Build > http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8146270#8146270

[di11ard]

[yitzac1990]

[di11ard]

[yitzac1990]

wow, i thought there was only a 3 rib and 6 rib haha.

i currently have a beetle trans because it is what my buggy came with, so using that for now and will go easy, but i saw an episode of MCM where they put an EJ25 on it making 360 hp, and all they did was use strengthened gears. so I figure I can just do that in the future instead of spending 900+ on a bus trans.

[di11ard]

New parts slowly beginning to show up...

[di11ard]

A bit of progress over the weekend.

Removed:
Wiring (from the stereo)
Speakers
Amp
Head Unit
Brake Lines
Clutch Lines
Slave Cylinder
Center Console/Gauge Cluster
Old Jamar Pedals
Steering Wheel

Installed:
Wilwood Pedal Box
Wilwood Master Cylinders (Clutch, Front Brakes, Rear Brakes)
Wilwood Slave Cylinder
Brake Bias Adjustment Knob
Sparco Steering Wheel

Next on the ToDo List:
Install hydro clutch line
Install new brake lines
Build center console

[DWP]

Nice, but please get rid of the plastic coupler on the steering box. They are notorious for breaking. Go back to the rag joint.
DWP

[di11ard]

[di11ard]

Look what arrived today!

[di11ard]

She is a roller again.

[heywebonya]

Looks great, I like the matching wheels all around and definitely the "go kart" look has been achieved.

BTW, what state are you trying to get street legal?

Best regards, Jeff
_________________
If I knew what I was doing; I wouldn't be building a buggy!

[di11ard]