Curious what you guys think.

[malooga]

I've been looking online at thousands of buggies. People are doing really cool and interesting stuff to buggies.
I'm wondering if it's possible to use a 3.8 buick engine in one.
Does anybody have any thoughts or ideas?
I'm new to the VW world and wondering what would be the biggest hurdles in trying to do this.

[Aquabuggy]

Id think the biggest hurdles would be, where do ya put the radiator and dealing all the extra weight hanging off the back.

[BrianB]

They put V-8's in sand rails all the time. I guess it all comes down to how you engineer it and how deep your pockets are

[CoryN]

I've got a 2276 on mine, I cannot imagine a need to have anything bigger. I don't begin to use what I've got now on such a light vehicle.

[Bryan Porter]

Oh come on Cory what can of man are you more power,more power,more power!!!!!!!!!lol

In all the trans would need to be super duty strong to handle the power of the v-6 but go ahead and do it I have a trouphy for you.

[Aquabuggy]

do it I have a trouphy for you.

[Vee Dub Nut]

Id think the biggest hurdles would be, where do ya put the radiator and dealing all the extra weight hanging off the back.

Awww come on now... you guys have been buried in buggy world too long

There are SEVERAL folks shoehorning waterpumpers with radiators and all in full bodied Beetles. The subaru engine craze is really taking off latley. Can't hardly blame them seeing the current state of aftermarket air cooled parts quality and that subi is still supporting all of their engines.

I'd say go for it if you want to do something different. Hang your radiators off of the sides of an engine cage. You could do two small ones on either side of the engine with electric fans. KEP probably has the engine/trans adapter you need. You will DEFINITELY need a beefed up trans, strongly consider a bus box if you go with an IRS chassis.

Bobby (Texasbuggys) did a build recently with some sort of JDM engine I think....