ToolsnTrack
Posted a lot
Homebrew Raconteur
Posts: 4,117
Club RR Member Number: 134
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A type 9 is a bit flimsy for big torque. These theories all come down to how you drive of course, but looking at the car I'm guessing it won't be a soft drive!!
T5 from a cossy would be tougher. Finding a non-raped one could be a challenge.
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Jul 20, 2012 20:59:04 GMT
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Cheers for the engine suggestion Oli, did consider Saab, also considered a Volvo 5 pot, but really committed to the Rover V8 now, mainly for the noise, something amusing about a car resembling a MK4 Escort but sounding like hell unleashed ;D Car will have no V8 badges or stickers on it, single tailpipe out the rear, could hardly be called a sleeper though
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72 Pontiac Firebird Formula 400. 95 BMW E34 525i Manual. 80 Lotus Elite, sold 86 Mk4 Escort RWD V8, sold
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Jul 21, 2012 20:45:59 GMT
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Getting the gearbox crossmember done let me get to a significant stage today, ( i think ), starting to get the engine mounted in the shell, to establish where the engine needs to be (fore and aft) i had to get the gearbox mounted (gearbox can only go in one position determined by the stick going through the hole in the floor) Got this done thismorning, surprising how far forward the engine seems though (note the gearbox and bellhousing visable), but then the bulkhead is cut back a fair bit, about half the engine is infront of the struts, at least this makes it easy to work on. Stick in the centre of the hole in the tunnel (gearstick will be shortened and possibly angled backwards) Next job is to modify the sump to clear the front crossmember, once this is done i can start fabricating the engine mounts If i can get the shell all painted underneath, rolling and with the engine and gearbox bolted in place for the end of this year i'll be happy
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72 Pontiac Firebird Formula 400. 95 BMW E34 525i Manual. 80 Lotus Elite, sold 86 Mk4 Escort RWD V8, sold
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A bit more progress, lots more problems Got the sump chopped to fit the front crossmember, still needs a bit more chopped off to clear the steering rack (which bolts onto the crossmember), will also need to alter the oil pick up pipe inside the sump as this was sitting down in the bit i've chopped out. This is another problem, ain't got a hope in hell of getting an exhaust manifold (header) past this lot, in it's previous life the car ran it's Rover V8 dry sumped and chassis mounted, recon this would have provided space for the exhaust manifolds (probably block huggers), i'm running the motor with a conventional sump and crossmember mounted. Couple of options though, i could run the R/H manifold backwards, downpipe crossing the front of the engine round to the other side. Or i could fabricate spectacular custom manifolds that go up and down into the huge voids either side of the gearbox, never made exhaust manifolds before but it sounds like it'd be fun. Got the gearstick shortened and angled back a bit, temporeraly mounted the steering wheel and handbrake to make sure it'd clear these, will be changing the ugly Sherpa van gearnob.
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72 Pontiac Firebird Formula 400. 95 BMW E34 525i Manual. 80 Lotus Elite, sold 86 Mk4 Escort RWD V8, sold
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Jul 23, 2012 20:09:33 GMT
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I might be venturing in to the realms of making exhaust manifolds too. My current one looks like a rubbish home-brew job and it goes to the wrong place anyway so will at least need customising. It scares me a bit, I'm sure it won't be at all easy, but at least I only have 1 to make Good luck, liking the progress so far.
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Project Diary1975 Viva / 1988 T25 Camper / 1989 Mini / 1991 MX5 / 1992 Mini / 1994 Saab 9000 / 1997 Saab 9000 / 2008 Saab 9-5
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Good work mate,love the springalex steering wheel.
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ToolsnTrack
Posted a lot
Homebrew Raconteur
Posts: 4,117
Club RR Member Number: 134
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Jul 24, 2012 12:46:21 GMT
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Will you clear the heads by taking the gearbox route?
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Will you clear the heads by taking the gearbox route? If they did it'd be tight, also probably spark plug access and getting the valve covers off would be a mare, may have been a slight hint of irony when i said they'd be fun to make , just frustrating looking at all that unused space in the trans tunnel when it's mega tight around the starter and steering. don't know why Ken made the tunnel so big ?, space around the pedals in the drivers footwell is tight, maybe he had maintenance in mind ?, could easily get an air ratchet on those bellhousing bolts, either that or the whole engine/box would come out clearing the bulkhead, be great if he'd come on here and tell me Plan for the headers is to buy a left hand Rangie P38 tubular maniforld and see if it'll fit backwards on the right hand side (the P38 left hand manifold should bolt up to the left hand side ok). I love the Springalex too G.I , it's so deep i had to get the steering column shortened to use it (done properly by a local engineer), worth it though. I love the fact that the whole car is about as far removed from a MK4 Escort as you can get, not that i don't like MK4 Escorts but you know what i mean
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72 Pontiac Firebird Formula 400. 95 BMW E34 525i Manual. 80 Lotus Elite, sold 86 Mk4 Escort RWD V8, sold
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Jul 25, 2012 16:11:41 GMT
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Excellent work so far. I feel your pain on getting V8 exhaust manifolds to fit where you want them! ...but they are fairly easy to cut 'n' shut and add a new collector on: There might be some help/inspiration in my old build thread. Exhaust manifold stuff starts on page 8 - Celica V8 BuildKeep up the good work.
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Jul 25, 2012 22:46:43 GMT
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the drivers side one on my 302 V8 mk3 cortina has 2 pipes going each side of column.
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theres more to life than mpg & to much power is just enough.
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Thanks to CelicaV8 the hunt will be on for a pair of TVR manifolds , should manage to modify the collectors and there is a place in Prestwick (Ayrshire) who i will get to fabricate a system, so thats one big hurdle overcome Another hurdle was the engine mounts, got these pretty much done today (just need to add some small strengthening plates around the bolt holes), been a great MOJO boost getting an engine and box bolted in for the first time. Had to raise the gearbox slightly with washers packed into the mounts. Knocked the engine mounts up in 3mm plate. Clearance for rack is still a bit tight, may need to raise the engine slightly or lower the rack (or grind a bit off the rack ) Going to get some 2mm plate tomorrow to start the sump reconstruction. Had to chop the sump quite a bit but should get away with it.
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72 Pontiac Firebird Formula 400. 95 BMW E34 525i Manual. 80 Lotus Elite, sold 86 Mk4 Escort RWD V8, sold
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Sept 30, 2012 8:30:34 GMT
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Got the engine block and crank back from the reconditioners yesterday , block was pressure tested, thoroughly cleaned, bores honed, cam bearings checked and cleaned, new core plugs, crank journals checked and polished, new bearings supplied. The crank was fitted and torqued down to make sure it spins ok but will need to come out again as i'll be fitting ARP studs. Very pleased with the work, will be giving them the cylinder heads in the next few weeks, these will need pressure tested, cleaned and skimmed, going to wait till i've bought the cam though (a Real Steel Typhoon) as this may need machined to take the late motor retainer plate and they can do this at the same time. Engine is sitting in the spare bedroom (of course ;D,), will be building it in the house, the garage is far too dusty, cant wait to get it on the engine stand but having a bit of hassle finding bolts long enough The ring at the top of the bores is just a stain, cant be felt with a fingernail.
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72 Pontiac Firebird Formula 400. 95 BMW E34 525i Manual. 80 Lotus Elite, sold 86 Mk4 Escort RWD V8, sold
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Sept 30, 2012 8:55:43 GMT
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the block looks fantastic.
admitedly its been a while since i read 4 stroke (one of many passes !) but i distinctly remember bell saying that turns in the exhaust are a killer for gas momentum. 270 degrees or there abouts with the tvr maniolds must be turmoil.
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the block looks fantastic. admitedly its been a while since I read 4 stroke (one of many passes !) but I distinctly remember bell saying that turns in the exhaust are a killer for gas momentum. 270 degrees or there abouts with the tvr maniolds must be turmoil. Yeah, i know the exhaust routing wont be ideal, don't really have any other option though, maybe turns in the system being restrictive is the reason why TVR made the Y peice/collectors so large on their system ?, i'll need to do the same as CelicaV8 and use smaller collectors and downpipes due to space. Shouldn'd be a big deal if it costs a bit of power. Just bagged a pair of Chimaera manifolds off E-bay last night so no going back now
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72 Pontiac Firebird Formula 400. 95 BMW E34 525i Manual. 80 Lotus Elite, sold 86 Mk4 Escort RWD V8, sold
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ToolsnTrack
Posted a lot
Homebrew Raconteur
Posts: 4,117
Club RR Member Number: 134
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Oh this is getting naughtier by the day. looking forward to the next update...
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ToolsnTrack
Posted a lot
Homebrew Raconteur
Posts: 4,117
Club RR Member Number: 134
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OK, thats been nearly a month! I sorely need an update on this monster!
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Oct 29, 2012 16:54:56 GMT
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Hey this is a really cool project, bonus to see it has real history and built properly. Inspiring to see another Ford/RV8 in pieces! Keep that Mojo rollin'
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it doesn't matter if it's a Morris Marina or a Toyota Celica - it's what you do with it that counts
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Oct 29, 2012 20:02:21 GMT
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OK, thats been nearly a month! I sorely need an update on this monster! Sorry man, there's not been spectacular progress though, been scraping old paint off the underside and inner arches to re-do it all in red Hammerite, nearly got that all done though so will post pics once the job is done Have bought a few bits though Got these TVR manifolds. Cut the collectors off as i'll be attempting to copy celicaV8's work Also bagged this Mallory dual points dizzy off E-bay I have also sold the 9x13 Minilight wheels the car was on, fronts fouled the suspension on full lock even with 1/4" spacers (don't like going too wide with spacers on the front), and the rears did'nt fill out the arches enough so i'm going for new white competition Revolution four spokes, 8x13 on the front and 10x13 on the rear , fronts are available new on E-bay but will need to contact Revolution about the rears.
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72 Pontiac Firebird Formula 400. 95 BMW E34 525i Manual. 80 Lotus Elite, sold 86 Mk4 Escort RWD V8, sold
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ToolsnTrack
Posted a lot
Homebrew Raconteur
Posts: 4,117
Club RR Member Number: 134
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Oct 30, 2012 19:39:00 GMT
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Cool, the 4 spokes will look more OEM!
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Cool, the 4 spokes will look more OEM! Eh, OEM ?, the whole car will be friggin bonkers man ;D Had to have a re think about the wheels, phoned Revolution, they don't do a 10x13 any more , only a 9x13 with an ET-12, the same as the JBW Minilites i had, they wont fill out the rear arches (even with 1" spacers which i'm not keen on using), i love Revos but a lot of dough to spend to be in the same boat , so i've been looking at Compomotive ML's, they do a 10x13 with an ET-38, recon they will do the trick, would use 8x13's on the front with a big ET to match. Only snag is tyres, the only one i can find (road legal) to fill a 10x13 rim is an Avon 245/50/13 but those are £180 each , would be the dogs danglies though. I know Ken Hall ran the car mostly on 8x13 Alleycats but looking at the pics those sat well inside the arches, i'm aiming for a much fatter look.
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72 Pontiac Firebird Formula 400. 95 BMW E34 525i Manual. 80 Lotus Elite, sold 86 Mk4 Escort RWD V8, sold
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