Complete newby, big ideas!!!

[B.T.P]

So hello all.
I'm just about to embark on a build and I'm hoping the good people here will be willing to share with me whatever pointers and advice they may have.
I've been looking around for plans and so far the one that keeps popping up is the Piranha design.
I would like to keep the power plant for it to 650-750cc.
I like the piranha design but I think the shock placement could be modified?
Oh yeah, I'll be building 4-5 of whatever I come up with!
I'm looking to build single seaters that are maybe on a smaller design than the piranha.
Mainly going to be used on a track in srubland with occasional visits to the desert.
I'm hoping to embark on this build in october/November this year.
So this is my fishing around for inspiration and any advice.
Oh, I won't be building them just by myself. Definitely not super man. Yet!
I wouldn't be someone buying the top range parts etc.
More the ruff and ready type,but with good power to weight ratio
Well that's a start.
Cheers for looking.

Dom

[sandycrack]

Welcome to the board!  There are some very talented guys here and they like to talk shop so your in the right place.

[B.T.P]

Cheers Sandycrack.
Looking forward to seeing what suggestions may pop up with regards to chassis design that's suitable for my plans.
Wondering if it's worth bothering with a differential set up or not?
Have been looking at designs and I'm thinking of something like the following image but shrunk to a single seater version.

[fabr]

A differential is not needed in the sand or most of the time on hardpack,IMO. I want a reverse,many don't. Depends on where you ride on that one.

[fabr]

BTP,you need to actually ask us some questions about your design. It's kind of out of our place to tell you what to do but we love to help you avoid mistakes and help you tweak your thoughts/ideas. In other words,perhaps look int some of the readily available mini buggy designs/plans. Most people are able to take the basics of them and then redesign things like front/rear suspension to make truly capable mini racers. Many have done that. Some have inherent design flaws that we may be able to help you avoid/redesign. I would suggest you look at the threads here involving Doug Heim and his Cuda redesigned machine. VERY capable single seater with the huge improvements he made to the original design.  As an example,my current buggy and the bigger current build are based on a chassis plan from Rorty   http://rorty.net/    .Even though he hates me   ,I still feel he has the best basic plans out there. They are very complete and makes it easy for anyone with the skills and money to successfully build in their entirety or use as a foundation for further design improvement if desired.

[dsrace]

are the rorty plans still available?  haven't heard nothing of him in years. not sure why he hates you but i'll draw my own conclusions     

[dsrace]

oh and i don't run a diff but enemy does now he can out turn us in the tight trails but i do like the live rear end myself, no slip, enemy has never mentioned feeling slip from an open diff either but then again never asked lol that one is up to you either way both are easy enough to do. the live rear end is just more available imo.

[fabr]

I run a diff,never slips a tire.

[dsrace]

I run a diff,never slips a tire.

no but it throws a lot of sand lol

[fabr]

Let me restate that this way;one tire doesn't slip more than the other.

[Yummi]

I would like to keep the power plant for it to 650-750cc.

Oh yeah, I'll be building 4-5 of whatever I come up with!

Skip the diff.  Robs power and with 4/5 of them will increase costs / maintenance.  My guess is you will be well served to keep it simple given the multiple units.   

[Carlriddle]

Skip the diff.  Robs power and with 4/5 of them will increase costs / maintenance.  My guess is you will be well served to keep it simple given the multiple units.   

^^^^^^^^
This diff not easy to home build, not cheap to buy. 

[fabr]

I don't really see a need for the diff 99% of the time. I do like mine in the tight trails tho.

[B.T.P]

Cheers lads.
Dif definitely not on the list.
I will be chosing and purchasing plans in the next week or so.
Then I can have some more defined questions on this project.
Thanks for taking the time to give the input already.
Much appreciated.

[fabr]

Pick your  plans and we'll help you with suggestions and possibly help you avoid some of the pitfalls.