anyone ever used a GM 4.3L v-6 in a buggy?
looking to see who and what
got one offered for our next school shop project... not much woods riding around here... mostly desert and sand
the tree huggin hippie freaks ... and other entities... throw a hissy when you take anything more than a motorcycle/atv up there

thoughts?

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let me get this straight.. i get PAID for this job?http://www.honkernet.net/AHS/departmental/industrialarts.htm

I think crazybone has one in the one he's selling, so he could tell you best. From my research, the vortec just doesn't have that much stock power for its size (less than 200hp). I know there are loads of aftermarket bolt-ons and such though.

I've looked at a lot of possibilities and have pretty much come to the conclusion that I'm going to get a 4-cyl Subaru engine. The EJ20t has around 200 hp stock and it's not a huge amount heavier than the VW.
MadMike can probably tell you about subarus if you're interested.

I think the best way all the way around would probably be a builtup vw, but if money's a concern, that's one of the best alternatives.

Hope that gives you an idea. It would still be sweet just to have a v6 though, don't get me wrong!

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Get me that hammer, pronto!

yes.. we have done a couple built up vw.. just finished a project with an aircooled 1835... about 100hp
to address the market in the pacnw.. it seems we need to scale up our motor or scale back our chassis.
and it is hard to beat a mid travel chassis out here
the v-6 is looking to be the route we have.. may be a good match for our 6 rib bus box and rear trailing arm setup.
the extra qweight int he back will make it tend to wheelie more.. but that is part of the fun right?
motors are motors as far as the kids are concerned.. my experience withthe aircooled is simple wires... fuel, and air. add TBI, ECU, and a radiator.. NOW we are all working outside our comfort zome... and learning as we do. gotta love that.

thanks for the boost toward crazybone... will try to connect to him

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let me get this straight.. i get PAID for this job?http://www.honkernet.net/AHS/departmental/industrialarts.htm

I bet if you suggested a Subaru STi engine, they would jump on that even more than the v6. Those things are around 330 hp stock and they're still only 4 cylinders.

Both the subarus are EFI though, and they'd all pop wheelies!
Unless the v6 is free, I'd go for a subaru this time around.
I'm a muscle car fan, but for buggy's, there's nothing better than lightweight and agile!

I'm not trying to change your mind or anything...

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Get me that hammer, pronto!

the price is right for the GM plus we have support offered for the conversion from a chevy-rail enthusiast
and a stock 6 rib... not ready for all that HP
kinda wierd not going aircooled this year ... hope my friends at thesamba and stf dont disown us.
check out our build site.. and the other projects we do
i get paid for this????? MAN I LOVE MY JOB!!!!

http://www.honkernet.net/AHS/departmental/industrialarts.htm

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let me get this straight.. i get PAID for this job?http://www.honkernet.net/AHS/departmental/industrialarts.htm

[quote='shopteacher']
kinda wierd not going aircooled this year ... hope my friends at thesamba and stf dont disown us.

http://www.honkernet.net/AHS/departmental/industrialarts.htm[/quote]

We'll still luv ya in the morning. I just went Suby myself, so we're both in the same boat.

thanks.. it should be a new and fun aspect of our build... we will see what the TBI has to offer.. we may drop back to the carbed setup
less wiing
anyone used the painless wire harness?

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let me get this straight.. i get PAID for this job?http://www.honkernet.net/AHS/departmental/industrialarts.htm

From what I've read, there is no painless wiring, unless you pay someone to modify your stock harness ($500 +), buy an aftermarket harness and ECU (around $1000-$1200 "I think"), or DIY if you are brave and have a mentor!

panlesswiring has a harness for the 89 4.3L GM 360 bucks
getting the whole stock harness and ecu with it.. plus the radiator etc
the "mentor" is helping us pull it and doing the conversion on site.
if we went carbed.. new intake and carb... it would be easier wiring but less performance.. plus or minus... the jury is out on that

we are pulling a runnign complete 4.3 that is a good start.
looking for a high torque starter for the VW housing
any thoughts?

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let me get this straight.. i get PAID for this job?http://www.honkernet.net/AHS/departmental/industrialarts.htm

Best bet for the high torque starter is getting a new one from

www.vwparts.net

They will have the best prices.

EFI is the only way to go. Don't even waste those kids time with a carburetor set up.

Roy

the mentor helping us pull the motor and make the conversion believes that as well
if we are going aircooled... we might as well go EFI (well.. TBI to be precise) works for millions of gm offroad cars and trucks

should we get a starter that has the support rod or the one that supports itself? no trans bushing req.

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let me get this straight.. i get PAID for this job?http://www.honkernet.net/AHS/departmental/industrialarts.htm

All the IMI hi-torque starters are self supporting. Only thing you need to know is if it is for a type 1/3rib (002) or for a 6 rib (091).

SWEET
that makes it easy cheesy!

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let me get this straight.. i get PAID for this job?http://www.honkernet.net/AHS/departmental/industrialarts.htm