VW Sandrail Owners Still around?

Vws can be tricky start with one thats not tuned right or just screwed you wont get it right for a while.Once tuned and running good they can be reliable and simple i ran one for 13 years from 1776 to 2275.My 1914 and 2275 were great the 2275 was the best one.Definite more torque all good internals since i slowly built it over time.In the end i finally decided to go water cooled as i needed more power.

But in a light car in the dunes it could be a great simple deal its just when parts break they can get pricey and best bet is to learn to build and work on yourself.

 
  • Like
Reactions: JBL
Way back in the olden days....

A 108cc ATC, then a 118cc, and then a 132cc ATC were considered hot stuff...and they had no suspension.  Guys had more fun on them and knew how to ride and navigate the dunes.

If it were me...I'd get something like this, put an ECOTEC in it and bolt a radiator to the X and go to the dunes.

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/pts/d/costa-mesa-dune-buggy-sand-rail/7383729450.html

Or look for something like this....yeah I know it only has 2 seats, is a swing-axle car, but I didn't look far.  Then sell the VW motor for a few 100 bucks and put in an EcoTech, or something w/100-150hp.

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/snw/d/el-cajon-dune-buggy/7392852425.html

My 1st rail was a Swinger w/a 125HP Pinto...stock w/a big carb.  At the end of 3 years, I changed the plugs.  The color told me that I didn't need to.  My next was a transverse mid-engine Honda Accord motor...1751 (that 1 cc counts) ....75HP.  It was better in the dunes, in some ways, but down on power.  I did not have paddles....Sprint-Car tires 15-15.5"x36", if I remember right, 7,500rpm red-line, stock.  I had just as much fun as anybody out there.

Did I say...100HP is plenty, 125 is more that enough, assuming that you are under 1,200#

 
A vw doesn’t make much torque which is what is needed to push a buggy through the sand. A well built swing axle beam car will be a little heavy for a 1915. Yes you can dune it as long as you keep your speed up. If you think you can just drive up to a big dune, punch the gas, and go right up with two adults and 2 kids in the car it won’t work out so well. A 2276 would be a good motor to go with for that. One thing to remember is running high compression in a vw really makes them come alive and that’s what a lot of people did back when race gas was cheap. So unless you plan on running race gas, make sure the motor is set up for pump gas. Low compression stroker motors will still get you around but a high compression is a whole other story!

 
Big_Daddy_Jp said:
A vw doesn’t make much torque which is what is needed to push a buggy through the sand. A well built swing axle beam car will be a little heavy for a 1915. Yes you can dune it as long as you keep your speed up. If you think you can just drive up to a big dune, punch the gas, and go right up with two adults and 2 kids in the car it won’t work out so well. A 2276 would be a good motor to go with for that. One thing to remember is running high compression in a vw really makes them come alive and that’s what a lot of people did back when race gas was cheap. So unless you plan on running race gas, make sure the motor is set up for pump gas. Low compression stroker motors will still get you around but a high compression is a whole other story!
Click to expand...
Right about 1915 i built one years ago great in my 2 seat prowler put it into my current 4 seater definite difference then built a 2275 and it was night day but as kids got older older and heavier you could feel it.Worked great when i was by myself though.Did a honda 3.5 swap 3 years ago and first thing i thought when i drove it was why didnt i do this earlier torque is nice and really dont feel added weight with passengers.I ran my 2275 about 9.5-1 to keep pump gas and no worries

 
The OP has a deposit on a Speed UTV. If I’m not mistaken, the plan is to buy a toy to get his family by until the utv is delivered. Also while trying to keep it as cheap as possible. This all makes great sense to me. In all honesty, if this is the case, let’s try and find him something like a TFBB car or even a Chenwith with a beam front end and 3x3’s. Doesn’t need to have coil overs as these cars were heavy enough to make the gas shocks work well. A 2276 with a bus trans would complete the package. At least this is what I think would fit in his price range and work the best.

 
Lord of the Dunes said:
Now that you're caught up with the rest of us...
Click to expand...
That’s funny, I meant to quote 77charger to get him up to speed. You on the other hand, tried to sell the OP on a SPEED UTV even though he already had a deposit on one. Everyone else in the SPEED UTV thread knew he had a deposit on one because we actually read all of the replies instead of just trash talking everyone! Effing classic!

 
Big_Daddy_Jp said:
That’s funny, I meant to quote 77charger to get him up to speed. You on the other hand, tried to sell the OP on a SPEED UTV even though he already had a deposit on one. Everyone else in the SPEED UTV thread knew he had a deposit on one because we actually read all of the replies instead of just trash talking everyone! Effing classic!
Click to expand...
That's funny!   LOL You and the other haters are the ones doing the trash talking. 

 
I have Vw based sand rail still, it’s a little 2332 turbo motor, runs pretty good. It’ll run to about 100 mph in 3.5 seconds.

 
Thanks gents, after talking shop to VW shops, I decided to stay away from VW and pulled trigger on a 2.5 Subi rail.  Much better suspension vs Beam and alot more power.  Plus my love of the blow off sound.  See you out in the dunes!

 
JBL said:
Thanks gents, after talking shop to VW shops, I decided to stay away from VW and pulled trigger on a 2.5 Subi rail.  Much better suspension vs Beam and alot more power.  Plus my love of the blow off sound.  See you out in the dunes!
Click to expand...
Drop some pics. Always good to see what you got.

 
I had a mild travel 2180 NA buggy for years, 12” travel A-Arm front end and 16” IRS in the back.  I’d have to slow for the whoops but made up for it everywhere else.  Nobody was ever waiting on me.   Had tons of fun in it for may years. 

It was a 2 seater stretched into 4 seats and my eldest is now 16, just wouldn’t fit the family anymore.  I bought a SU car and am presently redoing the engine with a MoTeC  and a turbo 2387cc….. if I ever get the engine back 😞

VW engines are hella expensive and I would recommend against them unless you really love VW.  

 
BTW, that is what I told you to do, I'll humbly take the credit.

You left out, cheaper and more reliable.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top