Opinions on beach buggy

gx_rex · Post by **gx_rex** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:01 pm

Got myself a beach buggy just before Xmas. Wanting some opinions on what is my best move with it.
From what i can tell at some stage it has been a taipan as it has had the floorpan shortened some 14 odd inches. Had a VW 1600 in the back of it that was missing the starter, clutch and flywheel and otherwise condition unknown. At present I am doing a wrx conversion on my car and am planning on putting the ej18 out of my car in the buggy. To do this i need a VW flywheel and then get in modified to suit the subaru engine pattern. Already have an adapter plate.
My other option i have is an ea82. Dad has a low k's engine sitting in the shed with adapter plate already on it mounted to a VW gearbox. If i go this option then I will need to sell the EJ18 as i dont have the room to store it.
If possible i wanna get this done as cheap as possible as i have next to no cash to play with due to 3 month old baby.
Anyone know a place i can get the flywheel made at a good price?
Anyone interested in an ej18 with about 200,000 ks with full loom, computer, fwd 5 speed and even the rear 2wd assembly?
Ideas?

Matatak · Post by **Matatak** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:08 pm

(congrats on baby)

i reckon u wont be dissapointed with an EJ18 in there. dont really go for much either.

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:17 pm

Yeah bit of a toss up...

EA82 is attractive option becuase it's simpler to wire up / get going and already has the adaptor plate.

EJ18 will require more work to put in (wiring loom cut down, make another adaptor plate etc). At least the adaptor plate is pretty easy to make. It will be alot more powerful

gx_rex · Post by **gx_rex** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:09 pm

AndrewT wrote:Yeah bit of a toss up...

EA82 is attractive option becuase it's simpler to wire up / get going and already has the adaptor plate.

EJ18 will require more work to put in (wiring loom cut down, make another adaptor plate etc). At least the adaptor plate is pretty easy to make. It will be alot more powerful

yeah i have an adaptor plate to suit it already, just need the flywheel made up. Just a matter of not having a great deal of cash to spend on it at present. EJ 18 will need new timing seals and may as well do the belt at the same time. EA 82 is pretty much ready to go.

seagull · Post by **seagull** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 12:18 am

were a condom next time , more coin for toys

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 5:28 am

Go for EJ18 conversion - EJ18 has a bit more power output than EA81 - you wont be disappointed and maybe later you could use EJ22 and the conversion is pretty easy because they're very very similar engines between EJ18 - 22.. where abouts if you had EA82 and you decided to change it to EJ series in the future it would be more work - so for what its worth - use EJ18 engine..
Cheers
AP

SUBYDAZZ · Post by **SUBYDAZZ** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 10:06 am

How much power does the EJ18 have exactly?

From memory Ea81 was 54-55kW, EA82 was 63-66kW

BrennyV · Post by **BrennyV** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 12:22 pm

seagull wrote:were a condom next time , more coin for toys

I got 2 little fellas and heaps of coin for my toys! obviously your in the wrong industry cobb

last celtic warrior · Post by **last celtic warrior** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 2:03 pm

Which motor is right depends on what you want to use the buggy for and where you're going to put it.

I have two beach buggies at the moment and have been into them for years. I've seen good and bad arise from changing to a different motor, in buggies and Baja Bugs (and all sorts of other cars too). If it's going to be lightweight and basic and will be used in wet and nasty terrain, then an original air cooled motor is usually the way to go. Otherwise, if you're going to be doing a lot of highway and smoother off-road work, I'd suggest maybe the EA82. With no dusty or wet driving, as in no creek crossings or beach driving, then the EJ18 could be really good and very potent.

Buggies, being such a basic and stripped down vehicle, really do need to be built us with their purpose already known and prepared for.