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winddude
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2013
Posts: 160
Location: South Vancouver Island
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 Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2018 9:31 am Post subject: Anyone ever build a mid-engine? |
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Was browsing the interwebs and found this.
I't s a dune buggy from grand theft auto called the Bifta. But look where the engine is, right behind the seats. It got me thinking if you could flip the engine and trans, and reverse the drive like people have with Subaru trans in buses and bugs. Or use a Subaru trans and engine like in the factory five 818. It would be fun and unique to have a mid engine dune buggy.
they were a little creative with the angles on the axles... 
more pics of the bifta -> http://gta.wikia.com/wiki/Bifta
I'm sure someone's done it in a dune buggy or manx clone, I would love to see. |
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slalombuggy
Samba Member
Joined: July 17, 2010
Posts: 9145
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2018 3:58 pm Post subject: Re: Anyone ever build a mid-engine? |
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Search Deserter GS. It was a factory midengine buggy with a custom space frame.
brad |
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BIGMIKEY
Samba Member
Joined: September 24, 2007
Posts: 1104
Location: North East Pennsylvania
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LifeAsASuffix
Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2010
Posts: 28
Location: Cary, NC
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| Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2018 5:59 pm Post subject: Re: Anyone ever build a mid-engine? |
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There have been a few, most never seem to be completed.
I drew up some design ideas for a transverse mid engine using a more modern VW 1.8t. I decided to build a traditional buggy this time, but haven’t given up hope on mid-engine.
Here’s another build with a transverse motor:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=427996&highlight=
That user had a few threads about this build, but hasn’t been active in 2 years. |
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Tom_Kathleen
Samba Member
Joined: August 26, 2004
Posts: 919
Location: Vernon, CT
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| Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2018 6:24 pm Post subject: Re: Anyone ever build a mid-engine? |
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Acme Car co. / Berrian Buggy was working on a mid engine buggy with Ecotec engine & transaxle. I tried to find it on their website, but couldn't find it. It had a different body & chassis. You don't have to build one, you can buy one! Tom
_________________
Manxter #16, 1968 Meyers Manx & Kick-Out SS #16 (WIP)
Manx Club & CVA |
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LifeAsASuffix
Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2010
Posts: 28
Location: Cary, NC
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| Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2018 6:39 pm Post subject: Re: Anyone ever build a mid-engine? |
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| Tom_Kathleen wrote: |
| Acme Car co. / Berrian Buggy was working on a mid engine buggy with Ecotec engine & transaxle. I tried to find it on their website, but couldn't find it. It had a different body & chassis. You don't have to build one, you can buy one! Tom |
WHOA!! I had no idea they were building that. It’s all over their Facebook page. I’m definitely going to keep an eye on that. |
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didget69
Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2004
Posts: 4927
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
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| Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2018 8:39 pm Post subject: Re: Anyone ever build a mid-engine? |
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| winddude wrote: |
Was browsing the interwebs and found this.
I't s a dune buggy from grand theft auto called the Bifta. But look where the engine is, right behind the seats. It got me thinking if you could flip the engine and trans, and reverse the drive like people have with Subaru trans in buses and bugs. Or use a Subaru trans and engine like in the factory five 818. It would be fun and unique to have a mid engine dune buggy.
they were a little creative with the angles on the axles...
more pics of the bifta -> http://gta.wikia.com/wiki/Bifta
I'm sure someone's done it in a dune buggy or manx clone, I would love to see. |
The axle angle is due to the design being normal Engine behind trans configuration, like a standard Beetle chassis arrangement...
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. |
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timcurtis67
Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2013
Posts: 87
Location: Carlisle PA
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| Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 3:03 am Post subject: Re: Anyone ever build a mid-engine? |
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| Tom_Kathleen wrote: |
| Acme Car co. / Berrian Buggy was working on a mid engine buggy with Ecotec engine & transaxle. I tried to find it on their website, but couldn't find it. It had a different body & chassis. You don't have to build one, you can buy one! Tom |
I've seen the car. It's their same body just cut out in the back and they have a fiberglass tonneau cover over the engine. I believe the chassis is the same one they sell, it's just modified in the back area for the new motor/trans setup.
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67 Desert Fox Spoiler |
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GS guy
Samba Member
Joined: December 03, 2007
Posts: 968
Location: Maryland
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| Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 5:31 am Post subject: Re: Anyone ever build a mid-engine? |
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That ACME GTX buggy is pretty slick! Sounds like an auto trans from the description (yuck!). Otherwise, one of the neatest innovations in the FGB field in a loooong time.
Chev Cobalt drive train, sounds like it's pretty plug-n-play with the new chassis. Drive by wire, Lancer body. Nice!
I'm wondering, seeing how it appears to use the typical VW front end and probably VW based fuel tank, maybe they'll start making/offering a customized tank with in-tank fuel pump? Sounds like "external" pump noise on the driving videos. That would be great for all the buggies running EFI.
Not sure how the rear radiator set-up will cool on the highway? Clean install though!
https://www.facebook.com/AcmeCarCo/videos/10155576054292810/
Jeff
_________________
70's vintage Deserter GS buggy - undergoing transformation to Super GS! |
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didget69
Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2004
Posts: 4927
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
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| Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 7:49 am Post subject: Re: Anyone ever build a mid-engine? |
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| GS guy wrote: |
That ACME GTX buggy is pretty slick! Sounds like an auto trans from the description (yuck!). Otherwise, one of the neatest innovations in the FGB field in a loooong time.
Chev Cobalt drive train, sounds like it's pretty plug-n-play with the new chassis. Drive by wire, Lancer body. Nice!
I'm wondering, seeing how it appears to use the typical VW front end and probably VW based fuel tank, maybe they'll start making/offering a customized tank with in-tank fuel pump? Sounds like "external" pump noise on the driving videos. That would be great for all the buggies running EFI.
Not sure how the rear radiator set-up will cool on the highway? Clean install though!
https://www.facebook.com/AcmeCarCo/videos/10155576054292810/
Jeff |
Rear mount radiator likely won't cool well without electric fans running regularly.
bryan
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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. |
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winddude
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2013
Posts: 160
Location: South Vancouver Island
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| Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 8:13 pm Post subject: Re: Anyone ever build a mid-engine? |
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I would aim to keep it a boxer style engine, VW, porsche, subaru, or corvair. Has more character in my opinion, even more soul keeping it air cooled.
Cool to see it's been done before. Maybe my next build. |
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BL3Manx
Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2006
Posts: 6767
Location: Northern California
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| Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 9:38 pm Post subject: Re: Anyone ever build a mid-engine? |
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BL3Manx
Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2006
Posts: 6767
Location: Northern California
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| Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 9:40 pm Post subject: Re: Anyone ever build a mid-engine? |
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Deserter GS
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oprn
Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2016
Posts: 12708
Location: Western Canada
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| Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2018 4:56 am Post subject: Re: Anyone ever build a mid-engine? |
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| Question: we all know how important intake manifold heat is on VW center mounted carbs. How do the Corvair guys get away without? GM never center mounted a carb on an NA Corvair engine. |
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Letterman7
Samba Member
Joined: March 14, 2004
Posts: 3198
Location: Downingtown, PA
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| Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2018 10:48 am Post subject: Re: Anyone ever build a mid-engine? |
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| See that hose going to the plenum in the photo above? Oil feed for an oil gallery under the plenum. Doesn't help much on startup, but works well once the engine is warmed. |
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didget69
Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2004
Posts: 4927
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
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| Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2018 12:39 pm Post subject: Re: Anyone ever build a mid-engine? |
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| Letterman7 wrote: |
| See that hose going to the plenum in the photo above? Oil feed for an oil gallery under the plenum. Doesn't help much on startup, but works well once the engine is warmed. |
Yep - playing with this now.
bryan
_________________
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. |
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didget69
Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2004
Posts: 4927
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
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| Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2018 12:42 pm Post subject: Re: Anyone ever build a mid-engine? |
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| BL3Manx wrote: |
Deserter GS
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Interesting to see a non-Harmonic Balancer crank pulley being used on a 140-headed style Corvair engine.
bryan
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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. |
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GS guy
Samba Member
Joined: December 03, 2007
Posts: 968
Location: Maryland
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| Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2018 6:59 am Post subject: Re: Anyone ever build a mid-engine? |
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I believe Bob's GS had an earlier 140ci engine, which came with the shorter stroke crank and non-harmonic pulley. IIRC, he said it had been freshened up before he bought it. Not sure about the heads - 140hp heads, or maybe 2-port heads modified with extra intakes? Good looking engine!
Note the sheet metal added to help separate the fan/intake side from the hot bottom side - just like on a stock air cooled Bug (or Corvair). Super important to help keep the engine running cool!
Jeff
_________________
70's vintage Deserter GS buggy - undergoing transformation to Super GS! |
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winddude
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2013
Posts: 160
Location: South Vancouver Island
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| Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2018 9:31 am Post subject: Re: Anyone ever build a mid-engine? |
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What is it, where is it from?
| BL3Manx wrote: |
Deserter GS
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With the deserter GS, what trans is mounted behind the corvair engine? Any pic from the rear? Curious to see how they look with the trans sticking out the back, because the manx style and clones where definitely designed for the engine out the back |
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Rome
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2004
Posts: 9640
Location: Pearl River, NY
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| Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2018 5:41 pm Post subject: Re: Anyone ever build a mid-engine? |
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The drag buggy was the Manx-based "Purple Potato Chip". In the photo below, it has a conventional rear-mounted (Corvair) engine.
The mid-engine layout in the photo above must've come later. |
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