1/4 Dune Buggy in the works
11-22-2004, 12:03 AM
#152
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RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works
Well, It is drivable right now, but it has maybe a 20 MPH top speed. I has plenty of torque and will do donuts very well since it is a solid axle. I am still wanting a bigger engine befor I button up and finish the upper frame and powder-coat it. Hopefull I can have it done before next racing season so I can show it off in the field next to the 1/8 scale track at my LHS..... I want it to have a top speed around 35-40 MPH.
11-22-2004, 01:14 AM
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RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works
What engine are you using, and what gear ratio? I want to see how it compares to what I'm putting together, to know what to expect. 
Does it have enough torque to run a faster gear ratio?
--Randy
Does it have enough torque to run a faster gear ratio?
--Randy
11-22-2004, 02:54 PM
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RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works
i'm sorry i can't resist puttin in on a great argument. my jacrabbits doing fine now. i lil while ago i busted the rear shock off the main bulkhead rendering it useless. since i have zippy welding skill or equipment i shured it up with some plate metal (18 gauge?) useing a jig saw, a vise, and a hammer. it's a lil hard to see, jes look what the shock bolts up to now. where were you when i needed you ace???
. BTW there no way to win the inport vs. domestic battle. that why i have a mustang and a maxima. the max is good for 90% of the big wing civics round here...PB
. my jacrabbits doing fine now. i lil while ago i busted the rear shock off the main bulkhead rendering it useless. since i have zippy welding skill or equipment i shured it up with some plate metal (18 gauge?) useing a jig saw, a vise, and a hammer. it's a lil hard to see, jes look what the shock bolts up to now. where were you when i needed you ace???. BTW there no way to win the inport vs. domestic battle. that why i have a mustang and a maxima. the max is good for 90% of the big wing civics round here...PB
11-22-2004, 05:50 PM
#155
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RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works
I have a 30cc chainsaw motor... It is currently on a 16:1 ratio gearing and I could probably gear it up some for more top end, but I like the donuts too much.
11-22-2004, 09:11 PM
#156
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RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works
Ah, a little motor.
The one I'm planning on using is 80cc (Mcculloch 250, 4.9 ci), with a 10:1 ratio. I'm expecting this engine to rev a lot slower, but to have a lot more torque, hence the higher gearing.
I have two very similar mcculloch chainsaws... the other one runs, but I think this one is more powerful. Haven't tested it yet, since the pull cord is broken, and I've been too lazy to find a piece of rope to wrap around it. Looks in excellent shape, carb nice and shiny, turns smooth, and good compression. Once I test it, and pick which I'm using, it's going to be a project to tear the engine down... I bet I can cut the weight in HALF. These old mccullochs are built heavy. Will require a bit of machining though, as I'll be replacing the bottom half of the crankcase with sheet aluminum, instead of their huge, heavy casting containing the chain mount, gas tank, bar oiler system, and about 50 other things I don't need.
Picked up a nice pile of metal today... 3 large (about 36"x12") sheets of 1/8" aluminum, a large sheet of 1/16" aluminum, a very nice piece of 6" wide aluminum channel with 1" sides, some thick aluminum angle (1.25" x 1.25" x 1/4"), some 1/4" thick aluminum bar, some doorway thresholds (aluminum with a rubber strip, perfect for a bumper), some assorted smaller angle, and a few random bits... total cost $31. The pile in the garage is getting large enough to where construction could actually begin...
Still short some of the parts for the drivetrain, though... the lawnmower differential is a little heavy.
--Randy
The one I'm planning on using is 80cc (Mcculloch 250, 4.9 ci), with a 10:1 ratio. I'm expecting this engine to rev a lot slower, but to have a lot more torque, hence the higher gearing.
I have two very similar mcculloch chainsaws... the other one runs, but I think this one is more powerful. Haven't tested it yet, since the pull cord is broken, and I've been too lazy to find a piece of rope to wrap around it. Looks in excellent shape, carb nice and shiny, turns smooth, and good compression. Once I test it, and pick which I'm using, it's going to be a project to tear the engine down... I bet I can cut the weight in HALF. These old mccullochs are built heavy. Will require a bit of machining though, as I'll be replacing the bottom half of the crankcase with sheet aluminum, instead of their huge, heavy casting containing the chain mount, gas tank, bar oiler system, and about 50 other things I don't need.
Picked up a nice pile of metal today... 3 large (about 36"x12") sheets of 1/8" aluminum, a large sheet of 1/16" aluminum, a very nice piece of 6" wide aluminum channel with 1" sides, some thick aluminum angle (1.25" x 1.25" x 1/4"), some 1/4" thick aluminum bar, some doorway thresholds (aluminum with a rubber strip, perfect for a bumper), some assorted smaller angle, and a few random bits... total cost $31. The pile in the garage is getting large enough to where construction could actually begin...
Still short some of the parts for the drivetrain, though... the lawnmower differential is a little heavy.
--Randy
11-01-2005, 05:37 PM
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RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works
It was pretty much completed last december, but I have since robbed the electronics and a few misc parts and it is no longer complete. I can take some pics of it with everything but electronics.... I also never got a bigger engine either, still the same 31cc Craftsman. What pics would you like, anything specific, or just an overview?
11-01-2005, 06:53 PM
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RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works
How much does it weigh ? What size tires ? You've got me wondering. I have 26cc/10:1/11" Tires and ~70#. At least I made my chassis big enough for more motor. I have a HOM 45cc saw motor and an ECHO 65cc motor in the wings. The 26 ECHO was new, and totally ready to run, so I used it. I made a Kart for my kid that would go ~20mph with a HOM 25cc, 8" tires and 16:1. It was mostly wood and heavy. With a kid (4-5yr old) on it it must have weighed 100#+. I was kind of basing my expectations of the buggy on the Kart. Are you getting ~8000 rpm out of it ? Does it rev a ton higher with the wheels raised? Think about the scooters, they also easily go 20mph on similar power (with a hefty load). Maybe the engine isn't making good power. My buggy is alot nearer to running now. I had back surgery and was forced to stay home from work 3wks and not lift more than 15#. Alot of sub 15# parts added up to a 1/4 buggy. We will know if it moves "OK" soon. If I can reach 8000rpm, I should be going 26-27mph (more r's would be bonus). Wish me luck. MIKE
11-02-2005, 01:43 AM
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RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works
I will pull it out of the garage and get you a pic or two tomarrow. The motor I am using is from a retired 20 yr old chainsaw so I know it is just not making good power. I still would like to get a pocket bike motor and CV trans to put in it. I probably won't though.... I did this to get some experience with a simple set up so that I could eventually tackle a 1/4 MT with 4wd. I am actually finally getting around to the planning stages of that and I am waiting for the right parts to turn up and hopefully a few less OT hours at work before I get started on any fabrication.
11-02-2005, 03:43 AM
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RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works
Some 1/4 scale links
:
www.bishopracingproducts.com
www.qsac.org
http://www.pro1z.com
http://www.hoodshobbies.com
http://www.lightningrc.com
http://www.mooremotorsports.org
http://www.johnsonsalesonline.com
http://www.luddenhamquarterscalespeedway.com
http://www.outlawquarterscale.com
http://www.fergusonracing.com
http://www.racingsportsbar.com
:
www.bishopracingproducts.com
www.qsac.org
http://www.pro1z.com
http://www.hoodshobbies.com
http://www.lightningrc.com
http://www.mooremotorsports.org
http://www.johnsonsalesonline.com
http://www.luddenhamquarterscalespeedway.com
http://www.outlawquarterscale.com
http://www.fergusonracing.com
http://www.racingsportsbar.com
11-02-2005, 04:48 PM
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RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works
Thanks for the links hellya.... I had all but 3 of those in my "Favorites" on my browser so thanks for the new links!
Anyway, as promised here are the pics. Just a note: I never painted or powder coated anything because the grand plan was for a new motor setup so I didn't want to take the time to do a finish on the parts if I would only destroy it later. I still may truely finish this buggy though, it does have a good sand-rail look and could look sweet with some aluminum filler pannels.... hmmmmmm You guys might have given me a little inspiration to complete this project to it's planned finish. Anyway, here are the pics!
Anyway, as promised here are the pics. Just a note: I never painted or powder coated anything because the grand plan was for a new motor setup so I didn't want to take the time to do a finish on the parts if I would only destroy it later. I still may truely finish this buggy though, it does have a good sand-rail look and could look sweet with some aluminum filler pannels.... hmmmmmm You guys might have given me a little inspiration to complete this project to it's planned finish. Anyway, here are the pics!
