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can I make a RWD Honda dune-buggy?

Old 12-28-2003, 12:23 PM
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Default can I make a RWD Honda dune-buggy?

I was thinking how awesome it would be to have one of those dune buggies or sandrail buggies with a Honda engine mounted in the rear. These can be made street legal in most states, and they're tons of fun because they weigh hardly anything. By being in the open air and all, it's like driving a four-wheel motorcycle. For those of you guys who actually know Honda tech really well, what would be some of the obstacles to this? Here are some possible conflicts I've thought of so far:

1) Shift linkage/change rod needs to be turned around the other direction, in order for the drive wheels to still turn the correct direction.

2) Drive axles (transaxle?) need to be adapted for rear wheels.

3) Accessory components need to be retained, such as battery, alternator, ECU, and fuel system. (power steering, A/C, power brakes would all be eliminated)

Any help on the technical aspects of this project would be greatly appreciated!
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Old 12-28-2003, 12:47 PM
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Default Re:can I make a RWD Honda dune-buggy?

try doing a search seems like i remember seeing some sorta sand rail some were that was running a b16.

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Old 12-28-2003, 12:52 PM
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Default Re:can I make a RWD Honda dune-buggy?

400 hp 3.5L honda odyssey in a sandrail
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Old 12-28-2003, 12:58 PM
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Default Re:can I make a RWD Honda dune-buggy?

Okay so that looks real nice and purty but it doesn't look like the kind of hack-job I am used to at HMT. I don't want a refined beast like that... I was thinking more like a B18B turbo or something. But for what it's worth, I can see they used the FWD engine and tranny and installed it at a 90-degree rotation. Those axles look like they're pushed wayyyy forward from the rear wheels.
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Old 12-28-2003, 10:03 PM
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Default Re:can I make a RWD Honda dune-buggy?

Turbo would be the only way I would do that.With a stock one you would run into trouble couse of the low torque.The sand would kill it.That would be awsome.Post picts after your done.
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Old 12-28-2003, 10:07 PM
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Default Re:can I make a RWD Honda dune-buggy?

The shift linkage would be the only problem I could see. I'm sure something could be rigged up. A N/A Honda would get eaten alive in the sand. It would be sad.
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Old 12-30-2003, 12:41 AM
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Default Re:can I make a RWD Honda dune-buggy?

I saw a b16 rail car when i lived in california it was pretty damn fast he never took it in the sand though he rode it in the altamont hills
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Old 12-30-2003, 03:50 AM
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Default Re:can I make a RWD Honda dune-buggy?

Originally Posted by SqwirlyCivic
Okay so that looks real nice and purty but it doesn't look like the kind of hack-job I am used to at HMT. I don't want a refined beast like that... I was thinking more like a B18B turbo or something. But for what it's worth, I can see they used the FWD engine and tranny and installed it at a 90-degree rotation. Those axles look like they're pushed wayyyy forward from the rear wheels.
everybody's a critic

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Old 12-30-2003, 07:50 AM
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Default Re:can I make a RWD Honda dune-buggy?

a friend of mine wants to build a dune buggy using my old d15b2. I don't think he understands how much it's going to cost and how much work it's going to be, but we'll try anyways.
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Old 12-30-2003, 08:41 AM
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Default Re:can I make a RWD Honda dune-buggy?

me and a friend were thinking about it too. as lon as you have an engine, ecu, wiring harness, battery and a lot of welding. the rest, such as bearings, steering, wheels, etc. would be fairly simple, i think it wouldn't be that tough or expensive, just very time consuming to get it all worked out. you would have to build a custom frame, you won't just be able to throw it on your "go kart" frame.
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