Hi, I recently joined ur guys forum to find out what I want to build. I currently have lots of vw parts from mostly bugs. I have 5 vw motors all seized. I am thinking about rebuilding a vw 1600cc and then buying a Berrien frame. I have a few torsions also. I have many transmissions laying around and will probally get one rebuilt. They are mostly 3 rib. I want to build a nice woodsbuggy for driving around. Im not going to be racing. I want it to be as cheap as possible. I want to know what you guys think about starting from scatch. How much is it going to cost me? I also have not learned to weld yet cause im only 16, which is probally a downfall. Thanks.

For the build I was thinking:
A Complete engine rebuild, not cheap parts eather german or high quality
Twin webber carbs
A 4-1 header
looking to spend around $500-1000 on the motor.
$200 on the transmission
$1000 on the frame
and probally another $2000 for good measure. I want to do it right but cheap!

5000 buys a good buggy ready to enjoy.

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Turbocharged Ecotec,vanogon midshift,Berrien WoodsBuggy wagon.

I'm probably the king of cheap so far as a good reliable buggy goes... I think I have about $2600 in mine including the new front tires & headlights this year. But, I did start out with a good long block and a chassis that needed lots of work. I need to box in the rear trailing arms and get some longer shocks, though before that I might see how long a pair of KYBs last. $15 monroe's lasted 2 weekends (stock rear suspension) You don't have to spend a ton to have fun & drive all over the place. It won't climb epic hills like the 5k buggys but it is still very capable. See the link in my signature for details...

I think will get my motor unseized and running first. It is a 1972 engine im pretty sure a 1600 but i dont know how to tell as of yet. Im kind of new with vw stuff. I have a toyota corolla gts with a 4-age I dont know if I could build a buggy with this motor as easy as it would be if i went the air cooled route. What is a good engine rebuild kit thanks!

Scat stuff is good stuff, but it's spendy. This kit will give you a coulpe of extra CCs with slightly larger cylinders... (same price as 1600) but that's also assuming your case is in good shape. You might be better off finding a good running stock engine, one should be had for around or slightly below the kit's price.

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=C15%2D1641

Im liking the idea of the scat rebuild kit. My engine has had diesel fuel in the cylinders for about 2 weeks right now and im thinking about taking it apart and hammering the pistions out with a block of wood. It would probally be a bad idea though. The engine sat outside for like 10 years. Which is not helpful when building a rail. I need to find out about the wiring to everything once I tear the engine down. I found some nice carbs today, the only reason I want new ones because they would be much easyier to tune.

http://www.webercarbsdirect.com/product_p/wk317.htm

Thanks for the advice its been helpful for me as a newbie!

Im liking the idea of the scat rebuild kit. My engine has had diesel fuel in the cylinders for about 2 weeks right now and im thinking about taking it apart and hammering the pistions out with a block of wood. It would probally be a bad idea though. The engine sat outside for like 10 years. Which is not helpful when building a rail. I need to find out about the wiring to everything once I tear the engine down. I found some nice carbs today, the only reason I want new ones because they would be much easyier to tune.

http://www.webercarbsdirect.com/product_p/wk317.htm

Thanks for the advice its been helpful for me as a newbie!

If your just gettin started, i would steer clear of dual carbs till you at least some seat time. If you dont know much about tuning carbs, it would just be one more headach to deal with right out of gate. A 1600cc or 1641cc will run just fine with a single carb or a stock carb even.

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Maybe you should chug on over to mamby pamby land....