guys i would really like some feed back, my question is - as far as frame set up is considered ,i know that rear mounted motor/trans. set up is the norm for trails,woods,hillclimbing,what ever but can a mid engine be used in the same aspects? is a trans set up on the mid design strong enough to handle what you put it through? pros/ cons. reason i ask is i kinda like the mid engine set up , but i know these are used more for sand cars . personally looking at an XTC frame w/standard rear engine mount -would really have to reinforce the frame though. thanks for any help you can give. Jim

Because of weight transfer Mid would not give as much traction on flat ground. Might do better on steep hills though. It will also cause the buggy to be a longer wheelbase potentially. Most of the sand rails I have seen with mid setup use Huge engines and do better with a more evenly balanced weight. Picture a pickup in 2 wheel drive, it wont hook up. But that would be the opposite extreme.

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thanks nitro, i just thought w/the motor placed more forward it would keep the front end down on hill climbs,plus w/the motor facing the opposite way would keep all the crap out of the fan. would the trans hold up?

There is some vids of buggys on this site that are mid engine , running power glides , and at least one running Mendola. Go to D&K Halloween Hill Climb in Pics and Vids. It works if the buggy is kept short. If you got something in mind ,,build it if you can. If I aint got some bugs to work out , I ain't happy.

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If your clutch ain't slippin,, you probably got it adjusted right!!!!!

Mendeola or however its spelled makes mid engine trans axels that would work great but expensive. The problem with a powerglide type of setup is that its a longer setup. WBSouth has been working on one and slowly getting through each new problem. Sounds like he is almost there. Look for V6 build in the builds section. If you look at the Chain drives they are borderline mid engine type of setup. Csant remember the tranny setup but a automatic midengine v6 won the D&K climb on Halloween. I loved his setup, but I think he paid more for the trans then I have in my buggy. So it's out of my price range

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if you go midengine the reverse gear is extremely weak. i just talked to chuck jones (very nice man, very helpful) and he told me you have to machine down the reverse gear shaft making it weak

first you dont do anything with reverse. you flip the ring gear to the other side. 2nd you cant do that with a bus 3,5,or 6rid. when you flip the ring gear you are running the trans gears on the coast side of the gear witch is the weaker side. i have done the for years with a corvair because it turns backwards.

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a mid engine would suck in the woods. buggy work so well because of the weight distribution over the rear tires. all your rail will do is make a lot of noise and spin tires if you were to run a mid engine set-up.

The only way I've seen mid engine with bus is flip it upside down but your starter will be on the bottom. Yes it works!

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"YOU CAN MAKE THINGS HAPPEN, WATCH THINGS HAPPEN OR WONDER WHAT THE F$$K HAPPEND...WE'RE MAKING THINGS HAPPEN" The strong words of Captain Phil! Rest in peice!