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Bonneville Salt Flats Discussion => Build Diaries => Topic started by: Boxrod on November 13, 2007, 02:04:01 AM

Title: Takin' the little bus to Bonneville
Post by: Boxrod on November 13, 2007, 02:04:01 AM
Through a strange series of events, it looks like the Bonneville Bus will come to reality. This bus was always one of those what-if projects. Chris Clark, of Clarks Customs, penned this awsome rendition of this way cool dream bus. Now, dream no more. I have become the new owner of the  KCW "shop truck" project. Photos of the chassis work can be found here http://kustomcoachwerks.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=23646 . The torsion housing has been raised and narrowed, front beam narrowed, 5 inch dropped spindles, raised box, wheel tubs, barndoor rear decklid and engine compartment. A great start for this project. I plan on building this as I get time and money, and plan to actually take this to the salt flats and/or the dry lakes to make real top speed passes. I'll start documenting the progress soon and will start a new folder in my gallery to show the progress. I'll keep you up to date. Here's the artwork
(http://volksarama.smugmug.com/photos/140490420-L.jpg)[/url]
Title: Re: Takin' the little bus to Bonneville
Post by: Boxrod on November 13, 2007, 02:05:23 AM
Pleaae support the shops that support that project,
Let them know you saw them on Volksarama.
Go to http://volksarama.com/BonnevilleBuildup1.html to see what we still need if you want to get involved in this project
R/C Trans- (702)221-4363 - http://rctrans.com/ - rebuilt HD transaxle.
The Wagen - (702)699-wagn - sheet metal install
Sand Freak Fabrication - www.sandfreak.net - Safety cage/roll bars
KCW - http://www.kustomcoachwerks.com/ - body and paint labor, front beam, raised box, narrowed torsion housing
Type 2 Parts.com - http://www.type2parts.com/ - sheet metal repair panels
Chirco VW - http://www.chircoestore.com/catalog/index.php - Crow 3x3 safety harnesses, Crow gloves
Old Speed - http://www.oldspeed.com/ - 944 Porsche rear hubs, backing plates, calipers, cables etc.
Grease Monkey Racing - http://www.greasemonkeyvw.com/ - Aluminum high roof engine case, other items TBA
Econo International Supply E.I.S - http://eisparts.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc? - new bus nose skin
DPR Machine Shop - http://www.dprmachine.com/ -  84 mm C/W crankshaft.
Speedwerks - http://www.speedwerks.net/ - MSD 6AL box with soft touch rev limiter.
Engle Cams - http://www.englecams.com/index.php - Engle turbo camshaft
MOFOCO - http://www.mofoco.com/  - 050 heads, 42x37, dual springs, opened for 94s, fully ported and polished
Title: Re: Takin' the little bus to Bonneville
Post by: bigtim44 on November 13, 2007, 10:30:08 AM
Thats a great project,which class will it be running in?

Tim
Title: Re: Takin' the little bus to Bonneville
Post by: frogpirate on November 13, 2007, 12:51:41 PM
How slammed is that?! Old busses are Cool with a capitol 'C'. I had one a few years ago I used to haul my Son's XR100 race bike in:
http://www.geocities.com/ldslowpoke/mrhappy

I ran it out of gas in Spokane, WA (gas gauge no workie) and it ran like crap all the way home to Vancouver. I assumed I'd sucked crud into the carb, but it turned out to be bad points. I really hate points. It's long gone now, but will never be forgotten. Post more build pic's - captions would be nice too!

Ken
Title: Re: Takin' the little bus to Bonneville
Post by: RichFox on November 13, 2007, 02:16:08 PM
Chopped post '49. Engine in stock location. I would guess it's going to be a comp coup/sedan. Mid engine and I would guess it's going to be running with the NASCAR time only guys.
Title: Re: Takin' the little bus to Bonneville
Post by: Jonny Hotnuts on November 13, 2007, 07:02:56 PM
Great project, hope all goes well.

You do know however there are better choices aerodynamically!!!!

LOL

JH
Title: Re: Takin' the little bus to Bonneville
Post by: Dr Goggles on November 13, 2007, 08:07:29 PM
Mein Gott!!!

I got tricked into doing a resto on one of those once....a hippy girl  owned it ( duh)It got into me in a big way....took too long , paid too little , she took it somewhere else ,they ripped her badly , she brought it back!!!!! I painted it..sheesh, then I drove it once , and I mean once. A combination of things made me feel very unsettled in it at anything approaching the speed limit or when I was near another vehicle or fixed object , or when the wind blew. Still , it was a good looking thing.

Great photo's of the chassis work that's been done and if it winds up looking half as crazy as the render then you'll be in possession of a real nice thing. Different vehicles give one a different "sensation" of speed .....I reckon you'll feel like you're going a million miles an hour in that......it just needs a Dead-Head sticker.....
Title: Re: Takin' the little bus to Bonneville
Post by: Boxrod on November 21, 2007, 11:13:56 PM
I picked up a couple more sponsors today:

Mooneyes - http://www.mooneyesusa.com/Store/index.php - complete set of moon disks with dzus fastner kit. These are a must for the right "LQQK". Take a look at their website for tons of kool parts and accessories. Thanks to Bob and Chico for the support.

Big Wig Race Cars - http://www.bigwigracecars.com/ - Ric and crew donated a set of aluminum front door panels and kick panels for under the parcel tray. These guys do some awsome work with steelmetal. They can do wings, door panels, firewalls, dash inserts,etc. Thanks guys

Go to http://volksarama.com/BonnevilleBuildup1.html to see what we still need if you want to get involved.
Title: Re: Takin' the little bus to Bonneville
Post by: dwarner on November 21, 2007, 11:40:10 PM
Have you read a rulebook yet? I noticed that you are requesting donations of items that cannot be used when running on the salt.

In the configuration shown in the rendering I would like to suggest you run at the World of Speed 130 club event. The rules are more relaxed and you will not have to conform to any strict class standards.

DW
Title: Re: Takin' the little bus to Bonneville
Post by: Boxrod on November 25, 2007, 09:43:47 PM
Hey DW, which items can't be used at BVille. I looked at the World of Speed event and found it a little more relaxed. Any input is appreciated. I am definitely a newbee and obviously need to learn alot. Thanks...........................................Derek
Title: Re: Takin' the little bus to Bonneville
Post by: dwarner on November 25, 2007, 10:48:32 PM
Derek,

I suggest you have  a Rule/Record book in hand as the build moves forward.

I still want to point you to the World of Speed meet in Sept. You may be able to meet your sponsership goals there.

DW

Title: Re: Takin' the little bus to Bonneville
Post by: SPARKY on November 27, 2007, 10:45:57 AM
For risk of throwing rocks in Glass Houses  :evil:----I think that DW is trying to say nicely :-D----without a specific "CLASS"---you are just building something that may look cool to some but looks like a crass attempt to get exposure for commerical ventures :-(---and you will end up being able to run time only at best at a SCTA event :-o---if at all---because it dosent conform to any "Class :?"---
Title: Re: Takin' the little bus to Bonneville
Post by: Boxrod on November 27, 2007, 10:20:36 PM
I'm fine with a time only attempt. I'm not looking to set any records. This IS a commercial venture, but it is still something I've always wanted to do. I want to be able to take this to both races and car shows and hopefully get lots of attention. Maybe if I get bitten by the bug I will build another "race " only" vehicle to compete with. Should be fun either way.
Title: Re: Takin' the little bus to Bonneville
Post by: Boxrod on November 27, 2007, 11:03:10 PM
Here's the newest supporters.

Bugpack - http://www.bugpack.com/ - No stranger to anybody in the VW community. Rick, at Bugpack, has offered up a set of their chromoly H beam race rods, a set of their race lifters, and a set of their straight cut cam gears. I think they put out some high quality products and am proud to have them on board. Thanks Rick.

Dynamat - http://www.dynamat.com/ - Dynamat is considered by most to be the industry leader in sound and heat absorbing materials. Go to their site to see all the uses for their products. Thanks Ben.

Go to http://volksarama.com/BonnevilleBuildup1.html to see what we still need if you want to get involved.
Title: Re: Takin' the little bus to Bonneville
Post by: PJQ on November 28, 2007, 12:08:32 AM
This is a great build, and the promotion to attract sponsors doesn't try to pull the wool over by making go-fast record breaking claims. You've got my respect for the effort and your business smarts. On the other hand, from experience, the promotional race vehicle is difficult to take seriously.

Friends of friends pitted with us a couple of years ago. Their bike was a pretty little SR500 with bolt-on Cafe Racer bits from Japan. They spent the week taking thousands of photos and making a few runs. They had an adventure, they're great blokes, and there was nothing annoying about it. But still....

It's similar to hot rods built by magazines as project articles. I guess these things have a place and serve a purpose.

Deus bikes.
http://www.deus.com.au/
Title: Re: Takin' the little bus to Bonneville
Post by: Stan Back on November 28, 2007, 11:53:14 AM
Boxrod --

Time Only vehicles at SpeedWeek may be in jeopardy.

And I hope you understand that entering in a class means that you must build to the safety regulations that are appropriate for the particular class that you enter (tires, fire system, etc.).

I think this is why DW suggests WofS.

Stan
Title: Re: Takin' the little bus to Bonneville
Post by: Sumner on November 28, 2007, 01:16:46 PM
Boxrod --

Time Only vehicles at SpeedWeek may be in jeopardy..................
Stan

Hey Stan this is the second time I've seen this come up.  So if it happens it would be Speed Week only and not World Finals??

I'm just starting to build a new motor for my truck to hopefully run well over 150 with it, but it would have to be time only.  As long as I could still do that at WOS or World Finals that would work, but if not there is no reason to be going to 2 turbos.

c ya,

Sum
Title: Re: Takin' the little bus to Bonneville
Post by: Stan Back on November 28, 2007, 02:30:57 PM
Sum --

I'm only guessing -- something's got to go sometime and that might be it.

And I would think (but don't know) that a Time Only turboed pickup would have to meet the safety requirements of a Blown Modified Pickup in the similar displacement class, even if the body and such did not meet class specs.

Perhaps Dan or JD could enlighten us on this.

Stan
Title: Re: Takin' the little bus to Bonneville
Post by: Stainless1 on November 28, 2007, 03:44:05 PM

I'm just starting to build a new motor for my truck to hopefully run well over 150 with it, but it would have to be time only.  As long as I could still do that at WOS or World Finals that would work, but if not there is no reason to be going to 2 turbos.
c ya,
Sum

Doncha need that much HP to drag your little house around?  There is always 130 and 150 club, all that fire and parachute stuff will be on your lakester.  Are you thinking you need to run more than 1 vehicle next year? 
Title: Re: Takin' the little bus to Bonneville
Post by: Sumner on November 28, 2007, 03:49:31 PM
...........................And I would think (but don't know) that a Time Only turboed pickup would have to meet the safety requirements of a Blown Modified Pickup in the similar displacement class, even if the body and such did not meet class specs.........

Oh it will have landspeed tires on it, chute, cage, belts, seat, fire ext., etc. and will have everything needed safety wise for a 250+mph car/truck.  It won't go that fast of course, but with 625 to 675 hp I'm hoping for over 200.

Quote
Doncha need that much HP to drag your little house around?  There is always 130 and 150 club, all that fire and parachute stuff will be on your lakester.  Are you thinking you need to run more than 1 vehicle next year?

No the truck won't run next year, one at a time.  The motor won't have turbo's on it at first anyway.  I'll start with a carb, then try and FI it with Megasquirt for a learning experience, and then when that is working put the turbos on it.  I do hope to run it at Maxton in the spring in the 130/135 mph class.  I just hauled a bock and crank to the machinist.  A lot of the safety equipment from the lakester will go on it so only one or the other would run at a meet.  The lakester comes first thought, I'm just building this motor out of good stuff so it will work with the turbos.

c ya,

Sum
Title: Re: Takin' the little bus to Bonneville
Post by: Peter Jack on November 28, 2007, 09:35:20 PM
Hey Sum:

Don't you think it might be a bit embarrassing if the tow vehicle's faster than the race car!

Pete
Title: Re: Takin' the little bus to Bonneville
Post by: Stainless1 on November 28, 2007, 10:18:50 PM
Hey Sum:

Don't you think it might be a bit embarrassing if the tow vehicle's faster than the race car!

Pete

At least that would put you in good company with Andy Green last year when the big tractor passed the streamliner when it wouldn't  go...
Title: Re: Takin' the little bus to Bonneville
Post by: Sumner on November 29, 2007, 11:46:10 PM
Hey Sum:

Don't you think it might be a bit embarrassing if the tow vehicle's faster than the race car!

Pete

I'll be happy if either one is ever fast,

Sum
Title: Re: Takin' the little bus to Bonneville
Post by: Freud on December 21, 2007, 12:31:58 AM

Boxrod.............

Are you racin' or stylin"?

If you are racin', before you pay your entry fee, look this dude up in the parking lot of Motel 6. Chose him off and see how you do.

Oh I know, he doesn't have any sponsors ....................but he would probably try you anyhow.

FREUD

Title: Re: Takin' the little bus to Bonneville
Post by: Freud on December 21, 2007, 12:34:14 AM
I'll post the engine fotos one at a time. My files are too large.
Title: Re: Takin' the little bus to Bonneville
Post by: Freud on December 21, 2007, 12:37:10 AM
He certainly is a soft spoken man.......with a huge tool.

Good Luck.

FREUD
Title: Re: Takin' the little bus to Bonneville
Post by: John Noonan on December 21, 2007, 01:27:56 AM
Freud,

That Bus is bad azz... 8-)
Title: Re: Takin' the little bus to Bonneville
Post by: Freud on December 21, 2007, 02:29:41 PM
Nooner..............
He was just pulling out to drive that puppy back to Illinois, as I remember, just like when he drove it out. It sure as hell wasn't a trailer queen. At that time gas was about $2.85 and he admitted that the gear he was pullin kept his R's up pretty good and so his gas stops were very adequate for his kidney relief. He also said that frequently someone would want to try him on the road and that just got him to the next gas quite a bit earlier.
That was one damned serious race car and the workmanship was excellent.

You never know when you will chose a killer sleeper.

FREUD