Cant decide on a power train

[bread]

So I have finally started this kart project and the basic frame is done

Now the time has come to chose what makes it move

I either want to set it up for FWD with a front transaxle stripped from an old car coupled with a front solid steering axle so both steering and drive happen at front

kind of like this setup, but just FWD and the diff not inside the transaxle but in the axle itself

or do a RWD set up with a straight axle in the front for steering and an engine and rear transaxle in the back

like this

Either way I want simple leaf spring suspension both front and rear if I can

Pics are of the completedish frame

Thoughts, Suggestions welcome

 

[Toycrusher]

Is the top pic yours?

 

[bread]

Nope, inspiration

 

[ML-TOYS]

My thoughts, hmmm
Buy a vw and pull the body off.

 

[bread]

My thoughts, hmmm
Buy a vw and pull the body off.

thats actually a tempting option but the idea here is to be able to say it was built ground-up

however perhaps taking a vw front end w/front suspension (rabbit)

or rear end w/transaxle (bug) could be an option

thanks

 

[ML-TOYS]

The rabbit is a compact setup. Also those little fiats. Finding the right totaled one makes a great donor.

 

[Toycrusher]

What is your budget?

 

[bread]

The rabbit is a compact setup. Also those little fiats. Finding the right totaled one makes a great donor.

Exactly my thoughts, stripping a small engine/tranny combo from a vw could fit my frame without a lot of modification except for the fwd suspension setup which is probably IFS- that would be my only worry


Toycrusher, no exact number, but not looking to spend much more than 3k total, have about $250 in the frame

 

[Toycrusher]

I intend to one day do something similar but different. 4-banger fwd transaxle equipped powertrain, replace CV shafts with driveshafts to a pair of steering axles, either straight axles from something like a Jeep or Samurai, or maybe an IFS assembly from something else.

Bottom line it will be a 4wheel drive 4 wheel steer mini monster truck buggy.

 

[bread]

I intend to one day do something similar but different. 4-banger fwd transaxle equipped powertrain, replace CV shafts with driveshafts to a pair of steering axles, either straight axles from something like a Jeep or Samurai, or maybe an IFS assembly from something else.

Bottom line it will be a 4wheel drive 4 wheel steer mini monster truck buggy.

You mean with the engine/transaxle turned 90 degrees, one end going to front axle, other rear?

Build One!

 

[Toycrusher]

You mean with the engine/transaxle turned 90 degrees, one end going to front axle, other rear?

Build One!

Yup, like that. Wife and kids have put a delay in the project but it's gonna happen someday!

 

[bread]

Yup, like that. Wife and kids have put a delay in the project but it's gonna happen someday!

As of now my offroading is just with the jeep,

this project hopefully be a street-legal on road one

 

[bread]

Does anyone see an issue with putting hot rod axles on both front and rear and putting a traditional engine/transmission in the front, routing a DS from that tranny to the rear axle ?

much like this

 

[mindymogul]

Or an old Buick LeSabre or Century would work pretty well. The subframes are pretty easy to deal with and all 4 points are at the same level which makes swap outs sooo much easier in the long run. The leSabre's 3.8 delivers plenty of power, good traction, and has really smooth steering.

 

[bread]

Or an old Buick LeSabre or Century would work pretty well. The subframes are pretty easy to deal with and all 4 points are at the same level which makes swap outs sooo much easier in the long run. The leSabre's 3.8 delivers plenty of power, good traction, and has really smooth steering.

I was really ruminating getting a donor parts car, but I'd be left with too many unused parts, all i need are axles, engine, and tranny

I want to say I've decided but of course thats probably not true:

this front axle, a craigslist rear solid axle, and place engine/tranny is either front or rear depending on the size one I choose. The frame I built is real basic and pretty adaptive to a lot of different setups, did that on purpose because I knew the original plan was subject to change. Anyone see problems with said setup?

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Gasser-Straight-Axle-Chevy-Spindle-and-Brake-Kits-54-1-2-Hub-to-Hub,35551.html

 

[Kartorbust]

I know from reading at least with VW TDI swaps you can turn those engines to be longitudinal and not transverse. Just need to make an adapter plate to go behind the engine. Mostly done with manual transmissions.

 

[Toycrusher]

I was really ruminating getting a donor parts car, but I'd be left with too many unused parts, all i need are axles, engine, and tranny


http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Gasser-Straight-Axle-Chevy-Spindle-and-Brake-Kits-54-1-2-Hub-to-Hub,35551.html

No, you definitely want the donor car. You are forgetting brakes, steering, electrical, computers, wiring, seating, gauges, lighting, etc... etc... etc...

A $15,000 Nissan sentra would cost closer to $50,000 to build piece by piece from scratch and the parts catalog

 

[bread]

No, you definitely want the donor car. You are forgetting brakes, steering, electrical, computers, wiring, seating, gauges, lighting, etc... etc... etc...

A $15,000 Nissan sentra would cost closer to $50,000 to build piece by piece from scratch and the parts catalog

All things considered, the speedway kit comes with brakes

and this is still a kart, not a car, hopefully an older engine will be used without lots of computers, wiring, and fuses.

probably wouldnt use car seats anyway


If I use a donor, doesn't all the work go into making the parts from the car fit? Or modifying the car parts?

 

[Toycrusher]

All things considered, the speedway kit comes with brakes

and this is still a kart, not a car, hopefully an older engine will be used without lots of computers, wiring, and fuses.

probably wouldnt use car seats anyway


If I use a donor, doesn't all the work go into making the parts from the car fit? Or modifying the car parts?

Brakes are on that kit, but not lines, master cylinder, booster, etc. Shocks, steering box, drag link, etc... all items that would need to be fabricated.

 

[bread]

What year/make donor are you thinking?

As I said, I probably didnt have my mind made up, hence the title of this thread