Another snowmobile build

[joshkidner]

I'm just trying to get an idea of the costs and work involved in putting a 1985 600cc l/c triple snowmobile engine on a custom made frame. I have the entire sled and it is functional. I'll need some extra room for triple pipes (man they sound good!). I also would need good suspension. So here are some basic questions:

Can I use the snowmobile trailing arms for front suspension?

How will I attach the jackshaft to the axle(s)?

Rear suspension?

Brakes? (Can I hook a pedal up to the hydraulic brake on the chain case? It works really well on the sled)

How much will it cost to build this frame around the motor?

I have someone (who is the best welder/fabricator I've ever met) who will help me so that isn't a problem. But he has never built anything like this. I plan on using the bulkhead so the clutches line up. Any help and suggestions will be helpful.

 

[joshkidner]

Anybody? I've seen a lot of sled builds with 250-440 engines but not many with bigger sled engines. Mine pushes about 100hp (with triple pipes, with stock pipe its more like 85-90) and I'm looking to possibly make a 2 seated buggy.

 

[Poboy kartman]

Please fill out your profile so we know where you are from. .....

Here in Texas.....snowmobile builds are real popular. .....

 

[qtband]

Don't plan on using the brake in the chain case. If the chain breaks, no brakes!

 

[joshkidner]

Qtband, that makes sense but wouldn't that be true for the sled also?

 

[mckutzy]

There is no other option on the sled. Put the brakes on the wheels or the axle if live.

 

[joshkidner]

Ok. What's the best/cheapest way to go about suspension/ drive line?

 

[OzFab]

Qtband, that makes sense but wouldn't that be true for the sled also?

Yes but, a sled will stop a lot easier than a kart due to the resistance of the snow; wheels on solid ground provide less resistance than a big track on snow...

Anybody?

After only 8 hours? Really? If you don't get a response after 48 hours, then you can bump a thread...

I'm looking to possibly make a 2 seated buggy.

I would think it would be definity rather than possibly... or, at least, a large single seater...

Ok. What's the best/cheapest way to go about suspension/ drive line?

Which do you want, the best or the cheapest? Either way, it's not gonna be cheap...

The cheapest way is to build a swingarm that holds the entire drive system (engine, trans, axle...) which pivots separate from the main frame...

IMO the best way is double wishbone but, that's really expensive...

 

[joshkidner]

Good point. Sorry I'm impatient, and I thought about that with the brakes also. A sled will slow down until it comes to a stop much quicker than a kart.