buggy works gives two options......new crate motor 2.2 chevy ecotech or used 3.0 honda v-6 with v-tech......90% octillo well's......10% glamis......will keep so long dont care about resale value difference between the two......last car.....t4bb w/1915cc car craft v.w. and was faster than we needed........milage is major important because we do 12 hour average ride every day[when we go camping] new car is 5 seat LT buggy works "budget a-arm" ... any thoughts would be very appreciated!!!!!!!!!! thank you...

I would go with the honda....great fuel mileage and later if you want to do any upgrades to the motor it will easy...that is my .02

Honda

Honda..... Less Expensive and better=Honda

I'd go with the Honda as well, the extra grunt will be a big plus when hauling a car load.

This is a no brainer - Honda.

For sure, go honda. If it's not too much more, go 3.5. Great power, awesome fuel economy and will last you forever!

Honda!
Check how muchy for upgrade to 3.2 or 3.5. The 3.2 shouldnt be that much more, and the 091 can handle it fine.

Honda will last for ever!!!

The Honda is a great motor. Check out my complete 3.5 forsale in the Buggy Parts buy and sell section. If interested PM or call.

HONDA .

even though the honda is used? with maybe a 100k milage wise? ecotech is brand new. 90% hard packed desert. still honda? buy chevy parts at any 7-11 in town. still honda? 86hp v.w. was too fast for our needs.170hp ecotech wouldnt be better? still honda? only 50 hp more than ecotech when new and fresh. still honda? any comments on why????????? can I get a kickback from honda too?!?!?!?!

HonDa! The 3.0 will be fine but you may as well go with the 3.2 type S. Its on ly a few more hundred to upgrade I think.

honda,you be much happier!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I built my car I narrowed my search down to the same two choices of motors. I ended up getting a 3.0 honda because it has more power on the bottom end than the ecotec. It takes a little more power to move around four adults.

Honda

Honda for sure, the Ecotec is a slug without a turbo and with a turbo they are a timebomb

The audience is undecided on this one, you may need to use another life line. How about 50/50 or phone a friend.

Honda, 100k? I doubt the motor will have that many miles on it. Most take outs have 20-30k max. Don't let them stick you with a 100k mile motor. Get the 3.2 not much difference in price.

I've decided to listen to kevin,boozer,wifey,you guy's,all my friends,my dad and go honda!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!next question...................I talked to kevin @ buggy works and asked him about upgrading to 3.2 and he said $1000.00 and it's only 20 more hp and not worth it.what is your guy's take?????? thank you for all your help thus far!!!!!!!

Stick to your plan
This is how it starts, only a 1000 to upgrade this and 1000 to upgrade that and.............
thats what happened to me
Oh and get the honda if you can.

I would go for a mendi upgrade, before I upgraded the motor?
2d, and 934 cv's = how much #

you are right...........I'm allready over budget.........3.0 v-tec,091,LT.........custom colors for me....... I'm going to just go back to being gratefull..........as I should be...........I am so excited about this new buggy I cant sit still..............It's going to be a long three week's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

five week's.......not three...........see what I mean??????????

Honda for sure!! Maybe if u can swing it, upgrade to a mende E box. I know some people have had good luck with honda's and 091 box but it really dpends on your driving style. Might be worth it in the long run to move up to the Mende.

Or atleast tab for the ebox - 2d as well.

they can do that? put in an 091 but have the tabs there for a mendi?

If the air cooled 1915 was too much for you, either of these options will give you a boner for sure.
Consider that the 2.2 is 3 liters bigger or 300 cc bigger and will be much more reliable.
Probably fuel injected?!?
Air cooled is great. I love the power and the fast rpms and the sound.. Love the sound.
but the 2.2 will be a ton more reliable than the acvw.
Less to tinker with.

That beeing said, the 3 liter Honda is a realy nice upgrade from the 2.2
much more reliable, parts by the dozen and good torque increase as well.
Lots of guys will tell you to go for the 3.5 or even the 3.2 since to them (me included) it is a better engine and a nice jump in performance over the 3.0.
but in all reality man, if you were happy with the 1915, even the 2.2 will blow your balls off..
I remember swapping out an 85 hp 1915 for a 125 hp 2276 back a while ago and that increase alone was huge. I really felt it in the "seat of the pants meter".
I remember when I was looking to go from acvw to subi, I asked around and got a ton of replies. Towards the end, I had guys talking me in to turbo charged LS1 engine. Basically it went like this

2 liter subi is a nice jump from acvw
2.5 is not too far of a jump from 2.0 but a huge improvement
hell, the 3 liter honda is same price as a 2.5 sub and while you are at it,
you can get a 3.5 honda for a few bucks more and when you turbo charge it LOOK OUT!!!
But then again, you never hear anyone say that they wish they went with the honda once they had an LS1 and parts for them are a dime a dozen....

My suggestion, Stick with the honda. It will be way more tha you need, and will allow you to ease in to the power..
If you ever decide you want to upgrade you can, but if you are happy with the 1915, you will love the honda.

Either choice is a huge improvement.

thank you very much for giving me some actual insight on my dilema!!!!!!!!!!! I had decided on the 3.0 honda but when peep's started talk'in 'bout blow'in trannies..........091 would last longer and less likeley to break with the lesser hp and torke of an ecotech............right?

yes is fuel injected.ecotech-170hp..........honda 3.0 v-tec 220hp...........1915cc car craft v.w. 86hp.....

IMO Spend your money onthe tranny first, then use what is left over for the engine.
If you spend it all on the tranny, and have nothing left for the engine, at least you wont blow the tranny!
Save up and work within the limits of the tranny..
IMO, that is where the money should go first.

I tend to see it this way
Spend 60% on teh tranny
Spend 40% on the engine

Not an exact science, but it works for me.
So if you are going to drop $4k on the honda plan on spending $6k on the tranny

Now that all that has been said, a well built 091 is no slouch.
A lot of guys forget about weight to power ratio, and build the car to accept the biggest effin engine it can take. Car ends up weighint 2500 lbs and hauls ass but not for me.
I'll take a 1200 sand car with 300 hp over a v8 monster any day.. However, I dune differently than some, and some dune differently than me.
but FWIW I would sitck with what the builder has asa options. Chances are, he has used a bunch of gear over the years, and has narrowed down what he likes. If he offers an 091, take it..
Just make sure he will waranty it

Still HONDA ... Yes

Congrats

Here's some good info on the Honda J-series engines. Not all 3.0's are the same, nor the 3.2's, nor are the 3.5's. Find out from your builder which one you'll be getting to determine the actual hp.
Honda J Engine

P.S. my vote would be HONDA!

How much has been alotted for the engine package for this car. You may be able to find a 3.2 or 3.5 with the other stuff; adapter plate, flywheel, clutch, 02 sensor, computer/harness for the cost you are alotted for the 3.0 or eco in the build. If so then look around and you might just find a deal and bring it to your builder.
Just a thought.
I got all of the above, 3.2 S type for about $2500 when I built my car in March. Engine had 13K on it. Fully built 091 cost just under 3K.

Good luck, keep us posted.
J

thank you guy's for giving some real input so I can give real thoughts.I love this website!!!!!!!!! I would be completly lost if not for glamisdunes.com and the awsome people on it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You guy's are making me want to go buy paddle tires too so I can go duning with ya!!!!!!!!!!! anywho.........b-4 I start getting all teary eyed...........isnt there something to be said for a "brand new never run untouched by human hand's non abused shiat maintained completley unknown history engine"............I know,I know........slightly dramatic.............break it in easy myself,change the oil and filters every trip,it's history in my own memory card,if it breaks I know I broke it,probabally be nicer to new buggy cause it's all new,for me this is a lotta lotta money and a "used" motor???????????????????????? nothing to be said about "brand new 0 miles"????????????????

The one suggestion is ask Kevin if you decide at a later date to do an engine swap if he can build it so no frame welding will have to be done. If you think it is a lot of money now for a bigger engine just wait till you have a full tear down, new powder, and reassembly. The ecotech is a good engine but I think it might be under powered. What if you start going to Glamis more and you have a fully loaded car how well will it climb? Most of the ecotech engines I see are in either light 2 seaters or a standard travel rail. What is weight of the Buggy Works compared to the weight of say your old car? For that matter what is the torque difference between the Honda and the Ecotech? These are just questions that you may need to ask before your decision. I know that the Honda is used but in general what brands of engines do you hear of lasting longer in cars. Good luck on your decision because it is tough one. I made a decision on my new car and then found out for 2" longer I could of put the V8 in my car. Ask Kevin about the red two seater in his shop brand new and for sale already never even left his shop.

Time for a reply from an Ecotec owner.
The Eco will serve your needs just fine for the desert. Mine was rock stock in the dez and got me haulin ass all over Barstow(way faster than my ability could handle). But, for the sand those few times you will really like the Honda.

I run the Ecotec to be a bit different, and lighter. I built my own motor and turbo setup, and have found some limits(26lbs of boost, stock block and detonation = cracked block ). With the Honduh you will be able to find others that know how to work on them nmuch easier than an Ecotec guy(unless you camp with me) for repairs etc.
I still have less than 6000.00 in my motor, and hope to be around the 500hp mark when tuned, so power aint gonna be an issue.
I think you made a good choice to go with the Honduh, it is the easiest thing to do.

Honda or a Subi. both are budget and quick

How much for the mendi "E" upgrade from the 091????

we went from a vw to a honda and now looking for a ls1 upgrade
can't go wrong with honda

Honda

Uh, who built it, Martians?

I wouldnt worry about an engine with up to 50,000 - 60,000 miles on it. Remember these engines can easily go 150,000 to 200,000 miles. (My Honda minivan with 3.5 has 115k and still runs like a swiss watch.) My current car has a 3.5 Nissan at 7psi boost. I bought it with 52,000 miles and have beat the crap out of it for two years. Also when they come out of a wreck the owner has most likely taken care of oil changes. I guess the only concern on a higher milage engine would be the timing belt. I'm pretty sure the Hondas have a rubber belt. (My Nissan has a chain that runs all of the cams) Good luck with your project.

thank you.......... it is really stressing me out............it's not an easy choice.

091- $3000

E box- $5500