3.5 Year Shell Restoration, build finally started

[strugrat]

Ryan, lovely build so far and so much work done, geez.

I am running the TTT (15 minute drive from me) suspension on my car and really love it, especially on the track. My only gripe is that the car rides stiff for the street as my Koni rear shocks are set to medium instead of soft, need to change that.

Do you have a rear roll bar picked for the car or are you not going to run with one? I have the old BRE style roll bar that rides to the rear of the diff and attaches to those down legs you have pictured. I think it is a better way to go IMO.

Great build.

Thank you very much. It has been a long road but happy with the progress right now.

I have the MSA roll bar kit but haven't mounted the rear bar yet as for some reason I forgot to prep and repaint the brackets. I will have to look into how to mount it for the best. Incidentally why is the rear mounting the better way to go?

 

[strugrat]

Getting there now. Small mishap on the sills with headlining glue (not the workshop -independent) so they're being touched up.

Should be delivered to my garage on Saturday

 

[strugrat]

Back home ready for build up. Hard work just starting!

 

[Rob Gaskin]

That is a wonderful resto. but I just can't get used to it not being blue.

Full credit to you for the stamina to get this car sorted.

 

[strugrat]

Thanks Rob. I'm sure you'll get used to it in time.

 

[Woody928]

I'm very jealous, this build is just looking more and more awesome!

I first saw those bucket seats on the MZR build last year and really like them, are they as comfy and as supportive as they look? also is the chin spoiler an oem one?

 

[strugrat]

I'm very jealous, this build is just looking more and more awesome!

I first saw those bucket seats on the MZR build last year and really like them, are they as comfy and as supportive as they look? also is the chin spoiler an oem one?

Thanks Woody! Still a fair way to go though, couldn't sleep over the weekend due to my mind racing at 1000mph thinking of what to do first!

Seats, I would say they're fine for my intended use (mainly road, very limited track) but possibly not the last word in support compared to more focussed seats. Sorry if that's a bit vague but I haven't spent an awful lot of time sat in them!

 

[strugrat]

Oh yes and the Chin Spoiler is the OEM look one from MSA in the states.

 

[Woody928]

Haha its never ending, I bet you'll be like a kid in a candy shop wanting everything done at once.

Not at all, your intended use is where I imagine they'll be most at home. I was only comparing to stock seats anyway rather than anything more serious so was just curious incase I ever get to the point in my project where temptation gets the better of me! I'll ask again once you've got it finished.

Ah ok, I wasn't sure if it was a rep or not. I've got one that incorporates the valance as well rather than just bolting on like yours so was curious. I'm still keen to find an OEM one if a spare exists anywhere! lol.

 

[strugrat]

More progress. Moving along but everything seems to be taking much longer than expected. Still I am quite happy.

 

[strugrat]

Afternoon, brief update on the restoration.

Engine has been setup and dyno’d using DTA engine management and Jenvey throttle bodies. Happy with the end result of 245hp and 193lbft although it’s around 7-10% off where we were aiming. Exhaust manifold could be a little big for the engine spec but for now, its in the car, just a small issue to sort with manifold clearance and the gearbox mounting.

Electrics are laid down roughly but not started connecting anything yet (brand new loom), will start on the cooling and fuel system plumbing shortly. CV axles are in, brake flexi lines made and installed but need to bleed the system. Moving along nicely (although never as fast as I would like!)

 

[strugrat]

Partial dyno video is here:-

https://www.facebook.com/130363487029051/videos/1822533011145415/

 

[Alphabettispaghetti]

That’s a great power curve, just need to keep revving it

I can spot Steve’s involvement by pmacs kameari chain tensioner copy.

Looks like it should be fun!

 

[strugrat]

That’s a great power curve, just need to keep revving it

I can spot Steve’s involvement by pmacs kameari chain tensioner copy.

Looks like it should be fun!

Yes it should still carry on making power. I kept it safe at around 7K rpms.

 

[Woody928]

Awesome sound, what's wrong with the exhaust manifold?

Very jealous of that power band all the way to 7k rpm! It will be a peach to drive on the road I'm sure. Also great figures, long term I'd love a similar engine for mine. What are the specs?

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Wow, this car is unrecognisable from when I last saw it!

I need to come and have a look some time - I'm only up the road.

Dyno - can you explain please the procedure used to measure the bhp/torque. It looks to me like the throttle is opened wide and a brake applied to the flywheel but the engine was 'bogged-down' for a long time.

I had a car 'rolling road' tested and the braking was far less noticable. I'll watch the video again.

245 bhp is a good uasable figure in one of these old beasts.

 

[Alphabettispaghetti]

245 bhp is a good uasable figure in one of these old beasts.

That could be an understatement Rob

 

[jonbills]

Very nice. Did you play with the cam timing at all?

 

[strugrat]

Awesome sound, what's wrong with the exhaust manifold?

Very jealous of that power band all the way to 7k rpm! It will be a peach to drive on the road I'm sure. Also great figures, long term I'd love a similar engine for mine. What are the specs?

Thanks Woody. I opted for the 1.75in manifold but this could be causing gases to stall and thus not getting enough gas speed to make effective use of the overlap. Speaking to Steve I could be better off (and make more power - we were aiming for 260-270hp) with Seans 1 5/8th manifold instead. Steve could explain it much better than me but in my simple mind its big pipe - high pressure/low speed, small pipe low pressure, high velocity.

Specs are:
2.9l 88mm bore
Custom JE pistons
forged rods
P90 head and associated valves etc
585 lift cam
1.75in race manifold
DTA engine management and Jeney throttle bodies
New ancillaries etc etc

 

[strugrat]

Wow, this car is unrecognisable from when I last saw it!

I need to come and have a look some time - I'm only up the road.

Dyno - can you explain please the procedure used to measure the bhp/torque. It looks to me like the throttle is opened wide and a brake applied to the flywheel but the engine was 'bogged-down' for a long time.

I had a car 'rolling road' tested and the braking was far less noticable. I'll watch the video again.

245 bhp is a good uasable figure in one of these old beasts.

Rob you're more than welcome to come and have a look.

I don't know much about the dyno stuff (I wasn't there) but my understanding is that the load is applied using water (you can see water in the lower right corner of the vid) but the exact specifics I am afraid I know nothing about.