first buggy build, haynes buggy?

[Park_monkey]

Hello all.
I did a bit of autograss racing a good few years ago and ever since then have wanted to build my own special class buggy.
I havent built anything like this before so was wondering is the haynes buggy would be a good start for me to learn the basics? Is there just one buggy or is there a few different options and variations?
I am a mechanic but my experience is mainly in a fast fit environment although I used to make custom exhausts in a previous job.
I have searched for some plans for an autograss buggy but i cant find any, I cant afford to buy one ready built and would still rather build my own anyway as that is a big part of the fun for me.
I have been looking at the various plans available but its hard to tell which ones would be suitable/legal for autograss so if anyone has some experience in autograss and knows of some suitable plans I would appreciate being pointed in the right direction.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Park_monkey]

Another couple is questions. I realise they wouldn't be suitable for autograss but does anyone use leaf springs on their offroad buggies? And why don't many people use car engines? Is it purely a weight thing? Cheers.

 

[Mick - Ford Focus]

Park_monkey

Check nickp500's Thread's On Here About Haynes Buggy.

Also Search "Buggy" On The Forum.

Leaf Springs Maybe But Doubt It, Guessing Bike Shox - Car Engine Too Heavy For A "Buggy" I Suspect.

Bike Engines Small And Light With Plenty Go.


Mick

 

[nickk]

years ago me & a friend built one using a vw -we shortened the chassis 14" after removing the body,built a full roll cage used old road signs for mudguards,then cut the centres out of the wheels & welded on land rover rims -this gave us the scope for better tyres we stuck on dumper tyres which would enable a 1200 beetle to wheelie!! i once got my land rover stuck & guess what, the vw pulled it out.such fun for a few tens of pounds[& a lot of labour].

 

[PhillipM]

Another couple is questions. I realise they wouldn't be suitable for autograss but does anyone use leaf springs on their offroad buggies? And why don't many people use car engines? Is it purely a weight thing? Cheers.

Plenty of us use car engines, you're just looking in the wrong places
See:

Personally I wouldn't touch the Haynes buggy with a big pointy stick, especially a precursor to a special - the frame design is shocking so don't base yours on anything like that!
Why would anyone use leaf springs on a lightweight buggy when coil springs are so cheap and plentiful these days? Plenty of big car engined buggys out there on beam axles and leaf springs but only because they're built off old landy stuff. Fine if you want a 1500kg buggy

 

[Baloo]

Plenty of us use car engines, you're just looking in the wrong places
See:

Personally I wouldn't touch the Haynes buggy with a big pointy stick, especially a precursor to a special - the frame design is shocking so don't base yours on anything like that!
Why would anyone use leaf springs on a lightweight buggy when coil springs are so cheap and plentiful these days? Plenty of big car engined buggys out there on beam axles and leaf springs but only because they're built off old landy stuff. Fine if you want a 1500kg buggy

what Philipm says makes sense to me, haynes buggy looks a little flimsy,
the only reason l can see to use a bike engine is if thats the class rules or everyone else is using one, plenty of car engines out there with power to spare

philip that looks interesting especially the axle stands
what engine and box are you using ? got any more pics, did you make the frame ?

Andy

 

[PhillipM]

What's wrong with the axle stands? They go well with my fancy ergonomic gravel floor.

It's our comp buggy Baloo, I think I put some pics on the buggy forum a while back, not sure though

 

[Baloo]

What's wrong with the axle stands? They go well with my fancy ergonomic gravel floor.

It's our comp buggy Baloo, I think I put some pics on the buggy forum a while back, not sure though

l have been through your posts cant find any pics of buggy l think you are pulling my plonker

l see you are in rotherham, l have been up at crystal peaks working this week, not far from you ?

 

[PhillipM]

Just down the road, that workshop's near Guy's old place. I'll stick some more pics up in a seperate thread if you want.

 

[EngineeringTatty]

Locost builders have buggy builders somewhere.


two good starters here


http://www.ardracecars.com/


http://www.berrisford.co.uk/index.php

 

[Park_monkey]

nice one guys, thanks for all the advice.
I was only looking at the haynes buggy as a kind of practice go and to get some basic knowledge.
I am looking at class9 as they are car engined up to 2070cc and seems to be one of the cheaper classes. i'm not expecting to be winning any championships, its just for a bit of fun as i cant put too much money into it.
I'll have a look at those links, i was wondering if any of the sets of buggy plans available would be adaptable for autograss.

 

[PhillipM]

A tube go-kart would be an easy project if you just want to practice fabrication and welding with tube.
You'll spend a lot more than you expect in tubing though! It ain't cheap any more

fwiw, that one in the picture is 260+bhp and a 1.3L, so I'd imagine something as light as a class 9 with a suitable 2.0L engine is going to need a good frame!

 

[Baloo]

nice one guys, thanks for all the advice.
I was only looking at the haynes buggy as a kind of practice go and to get some basic knowledge.
I am looking at class9 as they are car engined up to 2070cc and seems to be one of the cheaper classes. i'm not expecting to be winning any championships, its just for a bit of fun as i cant put too much money into it.
I'll have a look at those links, i was wondering if any of the sets of buggy plans available would be adaptable for autograss.

l may be able to help you here, l have a class 9 buggy frame in the shed that used to have a vaxhaull redtop in it, still has the front wishbones etc fitted,
it can be for sale cheap or l can post up pictures with dimensions on ?
l bought it to copy the suspension detail off as these guys have spent years getting the cars to handle and l see no point in trying to re invent the wheel as it would probally end up round again
l am trying to design plans for a 2 seat buggy so as l can get half a dozen people to make one and we can have some fun racing round a track, hence why l bought a class 9 car to study the suspension, trailing arm rear is a good compromise as it takes up little room and makes it easy to package a transverse engine and box in the back, any transverse car engine and box would do but l have aquired a honda prelude 2,2 vtec they are nice and cheap and 200bhp they are quite docile below 5000 rpm and then the vtec comes in so you could teach the kids how to drive with the vtec disabled and the go out and scare your self stupid with it enabled sort of jekall and hyde buggy, anyway l will have some free plans for a 2 seat buggy later this year

 

[Baloo]

Just down the road, that workshop's near Guy's old place. I'll stick some more pics up in a seperate thread if you want.

yes please l like to see all things buggy