- manxter at pismo june 2013.jpg (94.82 KiB) Viewed 10966 times
My Manxter Dual Sport #17 build started in July 2008 when I picked up the kit at Meyers Manx. It took until after Christmas of 2008 that I first got to drive it on the street. It has really never been finish as I keep changing things. The first engine I used was VW type IV 2056cc. Original transmission was a 091 Bus type II. Both engine and trans where something I already had from other projects. When I decided I really needed more power, originally I was going to build a larger type IV engine. Looking at what Bruce had done with the Silver Dual Sport using a Subaru engine and comparing what it would cost to build a large type IV engine. The Subaru made more sense with being more powerful and a lot more reliable in the long run. I already had the wing for the radiator, I had used it to mount a oil cooler in it for the air cooled type IV. Yes I had a few problems with the Subaru engine after realizing I was buying ones that were not in good shape. Solution was to rebuild one before installing it. The 2.5L 4cam engine is powerful even without a turbo. When I first build the Manxter I installed a Colman 1.5 to 1 steering reducer in the steering column in a reversed position. This was to slow down the rack the 1.5 to 1 rack & pinion steering box. From previous experience of trying to drive a buggy on the street at speed with just a 1.5 to 1 rack the reaction time was to quick, sneeze and you changed over two lanes of traffic. Slowing it down with the reducer reversed it now at approx. 2 3/4 turns lock to lock. This is a compromise as I really would like it quicker for the dirt, but since a lot of my driving is on the street. It worked great on the 7,000mile plus trip on the Sea to Sea trip in October 2013. I spent a month on the road in the buggy.
With the 12plus inches of wheel travel in the suspension it was a handful at freeway speeds. I looked at Mark Millers Dual Sport and his front sway bar he installed. With talking with Mark it sound like a good idea to install one. With my budget (yes I know building a Dual Sport is anything but cheap) I have had to think of ways to save. I am lucky I learn about fabricating your own parts
at a early age and have the skill set to do. I found a 3/4in sway bar and arms that would work from Speedway Engineering in Sylmar, CA and the links with 3/8" heim joints from Speedway Motors in Nebraska. Delrin bushings and tabs for mount are from KarTek in Corona, CA. I had the tubing already to make the cross tube. I did have to shorten arms and drill holes to bolt on links to them. I made it adjustable with drilling hole 1in apart.
WOW! What a differences in driving experience with the sway bar installed. The buggy was now stable at higher freeway speeds, no more healing over like a sailboat when going around corners or having to do evasive maneuvers.
At the first of 2014 I changed out the 091 transmission to a 091/1 (commonly referred to as a 094 4speed). The 091/1 shift on the side of the case, where the 091 is out the front nose cone. Weddle Engineering makes a shifter setup that with a couple of Ujoints and a short piece of 3/4 tubing you can attach it to shift rod inside of tunnel. This is what I did. The gearing and having a much stronger reverse gear has been a good upgrade for me.
In December of 2014 I started taking the Manxter down to a bare frame to inspect and work on a few things I wanted change.
I will add more picture soon.
