Mid-engine Honda Buggy Build, FJ-40 axles

pretty sure my friend has an extra wrx top mount intercooler he was trying to sell... if you are interested shoot me a pm and i'll get a price from him.

or go buy a powerstroke, cummins, etc intercooler, cut it down, and tig on new end tanks
 
This thing is a pain... I'm not so much worried about the rear, or mounting anything in the rear (radiator, fuel cell, shocks, etc), but the front is going to be TIGHT quarters. If it had full width axles it might not would be so bad, but with the Toyota axles there is not much room for the air shocks.

I wish I had the $$$ to make his/hers buggies. That way I could make two single seaters, which would be so simple it's not even funny. To make it a 2-seater I have to raise the seats up quite a bit to clear the front driveshaft, and I'll have to push the front axle farther forward than I would have liked. The rear axle can't really be moved any, the driveshaft will already be right at (or under) 30" long... I'm thinking the wheelbase might end up being about 115". Hopefully that won't hurt me too much, I wish it would be in the 108" range. I got one of the seats mounted, and the front engine/tranny mount done, but I may end up cutting it all out and try to move the seats back and down some to help alleviate some of the problems...
 
maybe we need to trim some of those legs of yours....... wheelbase longer... longer....longer.... 127"? HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA. No more 1.5L

Anyways. See ya bro.
 
I think this is a cool idea. I just sold my turbo d-series CRX so I could get another truck. I was just wondering if you know what size turbo that is. The bigger the turbo the more rpms it takes to spool up. I run a IHI RHB5 which is a stock turbo from a Ford Probe, very small, oil and water cooled, and reliable. It would reach full 8 psi boost a little before 2500rpm if you got on it. A larger turbo sometimes will not even spool in 1st gear or in your case, with the gearing and application, may not spool in 1st or 2nd gear. I cant tell what you got in the picture, so I don't know. Anyway, just my .02. If you have trouble finding an ecu, I have an obd0 pm6 chipped on chrome I'd let you get for shipping charges or you could come get it. It would give you a basemap to start with anyway. I may have some turbo injectors also, I'll have to check.
Good luck with the build.
 
The turbo is off a 300ZX (twin turbo car), its pretty small, I think it is a T-25 turbo, at least thats what I was told. It's in pretty good shape, minimal shaft play (normal). The outlet is only 2", smaller than most turbo's. Should spool up quickly I hope.

The engine should make 70HP stock, I was hoping the turbo would bump it up to ~100, but I have been told it should be able to make around 130-150 without much trouble. I'd be REALLY happy with 150HP, my Tacoma had 150 and weighed probably 2500lbs more than the buggy will...

As for your ECU and those injectors, I may be interested in them if another deal I have going doesn't come through.
 
Awesome build! I always wondered if that was possible... good to know someone has the time and money to find out!
 
Finally sitting on the rear tires. I wanted to get it off the frame table to make more room in the shop, so tomorrow's project will probably be rigging up the hoist to raise the frame table up to the ceiling to get it out of the way.

It is sitting a little higher than it will be, overall height is 78" or so, I figure it will end up between 76-77" with a frame height of 20-21". I put about 130 PSI in the shocks to begin with and they had about 10" of shaft showing, I figure they might have about 100PSI in them now.
 
So how exactly does buying 40 year old American junk... made by an EXTINCT company, constitute supporting American?? It sure doesn't support any American Companies monetarily.

EDIT:I guess i should have just said, quit gaying up this thread, this is one of the best build threads this board has had, we need more like it.
 
NASH-TY-AMC said:
whats up with this import crap,nice rig but motor choice is iffy. support american
Click to expand...

I used to have a TOYOTA that was likely assembled in the states, with AMERICAN axles. I have bought all parts for this buggy from locations in AMERICA. Even the parts for the Honda engine. Sorry for wanting something that is light, rear engine, and fairly small. Try doing that with your CJ. While you are at it go stir the pot with all the people that build with Toyota stuff, I have a feeling will will start to get the idea they are about as American as anyone. I bet all the companies in America that make parts for Toyota's and such want people to buy Toyota based products...

Heck, most of the "american" companies have new cars built outside of America (mexico). Toyota has most of it's truck assembled IN AMERICA.
 
lmfao. support American. hahahaha How about America? How about the fact that most American stuff is build outside of America not supporting Americans.
 
I love the build. Keep it up.

Also honda, toyota, and BMW are the only ones that still build cars in the states. Buy ford and support mexico and canada :flipoff2:
 
Great build, I look forward to following alot of your ideas. I going for a kids build my self with Honda motor 1.6L 16v, toy axles on 35". I have taken note of a lot of your ideas. I hope to meet you one day and see this beast run.
 
Looks good. This might have been brought up and I'm not going to read through 9 pages but you might want to look into an air-water intercooler rather than the air-air.
 
Just wanted to say that I really love this build. I like the whole moonbuggy sorta design. It should flat out go.
 
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