New Race Car Project

[vvcmetro]

Well got the main part of the cage tacked in tonight, now tomorrow I can remove the body and start welding the whole thing together.

[vvcmetro]

Lifted the body off the space frame this morning. Let the welding marathon begin.

[vvcmetro]

Got the 'chassis leg' bits of the cage done, the engine mounts will hang off these, and shortened the front part of the space frame.

[vvcmetro]

Spent 6 hrs down the workshop today on a weldathon, still a lot to do though. Also added some more bracing, from the top front suspension to the chassis leg on each side and also onto the diagonal internal bracing.

[vvcmetro]

Picked up my gearbox mount today, I've had some nylon top hat bushes machined for it. Tonight, cut and welded in the main hoop diagonal. Then flipped the space frame over and started on welding up all the underside bits, and parts that are easier to weld with it upside down.

[vvcmetro]

Lots of swearing in the workshop yesterday, dropped the engine back in position - this time with the drive shafts on, so I could do the mounts. Well, I didn't have the engine far enough over when I dropped it in position to do the chassis legs. So had to cut the RHS one off and reposition it and add a 1" piece to the bottom at the front, I was having problems with it clearing the scavenge pump. It took a lot of time to get the engine in a position I was happy with, so the drive shafts were in the cups more or less an equal amount at the diff end. Also had to position the engine so the drive shafts cleared the scavenge pump.
The engine mounts aren't finished yet still got bracing some more bracing to add.

[vvcmetro]

Finished fabricating the main engine mounts today, and welding up the engine bay cross brace. Also welded in some small angle iron for fastening the ally to.

[vvcmetro]

Pedal box arrived today, so got it's position worked out and welded in a length of box section and two pieces of stainless steel. Once piece for it to mount to and one piece to reinforce the bulkhead, as I don't trust 1mm ally to be strong enough for that particular role.

[XKRacer]

Curiosity question...... considering the amount of trouble you have gone to... why did you not consider putting the engine in the back

[vvcmetro]

Curiosity question...... considering the amount of trouble you have gone to... why did you not consider putting the engine in the back

I did think about it, it would essentially be like an mgf or elise. But with such a short wheel base/narrow track, and I drive an mgf and know how tail happy it is in anything but dry conditions, it will handle better as a front wheel drive car. I am predominately a FWD person anyway. The car will also be running a full aero package so that is easier with FWD for me as well.
Other potential problems handling wise are putting the fuel tank in the front which will alter the weight of the front of the car as the race goes on.
The thought of fitting a V6/8 also crossed my mind, but it's a race car and I have to think about classes engine wise for some events. The 1.8 is running around 170/5 and I haven't done any work with the engine other than a remap...yet.

[XKRacer]

That is a valid point, fun track day car but could be a nightmare for a serious race car.....

I also have the joys of a MGF in the family, spent a fortune on it recently too, very tail happy

[Rob Bell]

Really? Not really had much of a problem with them - but tyres are key here... currently on Toyo T1Rs. Project Shed will most likely get '888s

[vvcmetro]

Had a mate come over at the weekend, who is an airframe technician at Brize Norton. We made up two of the panels required and then marked them up and drilled all the holes to aircraft standards. Today I made the rest of the panels bar the floor, tomorrow I have to mark them all up and drill all the holes. This will give you an idea of how the inside will look.

[vvcmetro]

Today was a mile stone, the car is now stood on it's front wheels. I fabricated the front coilover mounts and fitted them, my new rear coilovers arrived today as well. I cut and fitted the rear backstays and harness bar ready for fitting the rear coilovers, hopefully by sunday I will have the car sat on its wheels.

[vvcmetro]

Welded in the bracing for the cage back stays and looked at the rear suspension mounting. Not happy with it, so looking at two solutions:
1. Put the bottom coilover mount on the rear/side of the tube with the stub axle in it.
2. But the braces off, angle them up and shorten the back stays.
3. Do both 1 and 2

Will look at the best solution today or tomorrow. Also dropped the engine back in the front, the whole lot has to go on the trailer next week to travel to it's new home in Ripon on the 6th March. I hate moving house.