Who drives a kit car or buggy that handles well?

[TeamEvil]

I posted a question in one of the other sections and think that I asked the question backwards, so here goes, anew.

Does anyone drive a kit car or dune buggy that handles like a go-kart? Anyone own one that handles well, that they love to drive?

If you do, PLEASE post the details on what you did to make it handle so well. Please be as SPECIFIC as possible as I'd love for my can to handle that way as well.

Thanks ! ! ! ! !

TC

[dfhtrhjn]

I've got a bit of a frankencar. I recommend Coilovers, disk brakes (as good as you can afford), alloy wheels (I have Porsche Fuchs off a 930 turbo), and some good tires (Hoosiers). If the Hoosiers are out of budget, then Car & Driver may have a good review or two to get you started.

cheers

[Dale M.]

Properly tuned suspension, proper caster and camber settings, "toe in" front and rear set at 1/16 to 1/8 inch.......

Answers no different here than over at other forum or responses to PM's....

You do not need coil overs, alloy wheels and disk brakes to make a car handle.... Its not the components in many cases (providing what you have is in good order) it how its setup...

Handling is all in the setup........

http://www.sherline.com/alignsys.htm
http://www.advancedracing.com/chassissetup.php
http://www.racelinecentral.com/RacingSetupGuide.html
http://www.smithees-racetech.com.au/
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthr ... ?t=1093484
http://www.advancedracing.com/dream_sti ... _gauge.php

With a little bit of "yankee know how" and some reading for comprehension you can make most of the "setup" hardware from hardware store parts....

That is all the "secret stuff"........



Dale

[madmike]

My Laser 917 handles like a Go-Kart, In fact, I tell people all the time at Car Shows it's a street legal gokart (Because 9 out of 10 ask how can I drive it lay'in down???) It's on a 58 pan lowered in the front by leaf removal and slite decamber in the rear 295/50/15 mounted on 12" wide alum wheels and 225/50/15 fronts, 4 wheel disc,coil overs help in the rear, tires don't rub only on huge G-outs I think seating posistion helps alot ,It was a ruffer ride with the Camber comvensater(sppeling),LOL,so I removed it, wheels only tuck on extremly tight corners at speed,I've all ready worn out one pair for rear tires in only 15000mi,so I'm slowing down on the hard cornering Madmike

[dfhtrhjn]

Hey madmike what coilovers are you using for the rear? I changed my wheels and tires recently and have the same as you in the back (12'' wide with 295/50/15). Are you also running the goodrich tires in 295/50/15?

~Steve

[madmike]

Hey Steve, Coilovers are old Muhollands like Koni's and tires are Coopers

[madmike]

I sold my first 917(#25) to a great guy in Nashville Tn.( he calls me once in a while) He is doing a full off body Resto an Found #34 in Michigan which I'm still working on This one handles as good as the other,same drive train 1641cc CW crank,deep sump, with dual 40 Webers mild W110 cam and a 1 3/8 merged, great mileage when my right foot is lite(but what fun is that ) These Cars must be driven ,Not Parked in a Garage for 18yrs like when I found this one Thanks,Madmike
P.S It is Hibernating for the rest of winter though

[madmike]

Just an up date my Laser 917 is on a 67 Ghia chassie with dropped floors for more head room with the Italian seating,very comfy but,,, very HOT
Like 180* when the sun beats down on it How is everyone staying cool in an enclosed cockpit No I don't really want AC to ruin the look of the dual Weber/center mount shroud swamp cooler of sorts??? I'm gasping Thank my lucky stars Northern Michigan only has 2 wks of hot weather

[Dale M.]

Just an up date my Laser 917 is on a 67 Ghia chassie with dropped floors for more head room with the Italian seating,very comfy :wink:but,,, very HOT
Like 180* when the sun beats down on it :shock: :shock: How is everyone staying cool in an enclosed cockpit :?: :?: :?: No I don't really want AC to ruin the look of the dual Weber/center mount shroud :wink: swamp cooler of sorts??? I'm gasping :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Thank my lucky stars Northern Michigan only has 2 wks of hot weather :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Remove windshield and rear window ..... Just kidding....

Maybe developed some air flow from front of body to fire wall and a vent of some sort to let hot air out of drivers compartment?

Dale

[madmike]

Hey Dale,It's been awhile since I've logged on this site
I did drive the car without doors and I was cool but looked like ass ,I've open up some vents up front and have big outlets behind the seats on the side,this helped some I do have a cpl.12v. fans too

[A6ULdv8]

I have an early Fiber Fab version of the Gazelle '29 Benz Roadster. Handles great. I completely rebuilt the front end including converting it over to disc brakes. Alignment is crucial, but I also found that my tire air pressure was a major factor. Being so light (and low) in the front end I dropped the front from 28 - 30 to 17 - 18 PSI and it changed the handling immensely. It not only made it ride a lot smoother, but it sticks like velcro in the curves as well.
So my 2 cents is, ... aside from whatever you do, don't forget to adjust your tire pressure to the weight they actually have riding on them.
I hope this helps

[BenVfromPA]

Hey TC,
I have seen a number of Kit/Buddy cars which become unstable around 60-70mph so I know the feeling... I am currently selling a 52 MG TD Kit car on 73 VW frame which was assembled by a professional mechanic in 1994. IMO... this really makes a major difference... Fiberglass is tight with no gaps, wires done right, engine built up etc. I think having the mechanic assemble the kit was well worth it!