Mk3 Track/Race Car Build - Picture Heavy NOW!

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Will01
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Mk3 Track/Race Car Build - Picture Heavy NOW!

Post by Will01 »

I have been on here for a wee while now and haven't really shared anything about my build so far in one place at least.
If you search online it is on Guy Croft's forum and it is quite a complex build.

Anyway this is my 2nd Capri Mk3, the first being a White 1979 Mk3 2.0 GL which was scrapped as being very very very very rotten. Luckily everything else was saved.
In 2012 i bought a rolling shell in Glasgow and this is being built as a track/race car with little or no compromise. It doesn't matter how terrible the road manners are it is purely for fun at Knockhill/Croft or any other track i visit.
This 2nd shell is a 1981 1.6GL.

So far the shell has had lots and lots of welding and lots of new panels and was particularly bad although alot better than my old one.
Along the way i have also strengthened the shell and have a few more tricks up my sleeve.
Most recently a 6 point roll cage will be fitted and there will also be small subframe cages fitted front and rear to help with stiffening up the shell a little more.
The initial intentions were to fit a much bigger engine and so far that leaves me with a 4.0 V8 Jaguar engine out of a XJ8. ~290hp.
This will be fitted to a manual gearbox(secret at the moment) with a custom clutch unit. However that will only be fitted once i have run the car with the 2.0 Pinto to give the rest of the car a shakedown before abusing it with V8 power.
Front wings removeable (bolt on/off for access)
Bonnet, Doors, Bootlid lightened
Glass removed except front and running polycarbonate windows

Suspension mods
Compression struts with rose jointed end coupled with in-situ adjustable & rose jointed track control arms.
Twin 20mm ARB front end connected to shock bodies with DIY clamps and in situ adjustable rose jointed droplinks.
Coupled with GAZ Gold coilover units and fully castor-camber adjustable top mounts.
Rear suspension is upgraded to single leaf 2.8 springs sitting on PolyRace bushes for shackles and leaf eyes. GAZ Gold coilover units with very soft spring to help at the rear.
Original ARB replaced and removed with a DIY custom item which will be adjustable and mounted to the Capri chassis rails and connected to the rear axle with droplinks.
Rear axle will also run Tarmax atlas axle brace and will run a rear in-situ adjustable roll centre Watts linkage.
Atlas diff will stay standard until funds allow anf then be upgraded with upgraded halfshafts.(Not sure if to go who;e route of floating etc)
Diff cover will eventually be Alu with cooling and i may have to run a diff oil cooler when the V8 is fitted. Therefore a pump willl be rigged up in the boot.
Fuel tank will still have to be made to sit in original location.

Brake mods
Caprisport 280 Front brake kit with Mondeo Calipers and Sierra Cosworth Vented discs
Rear Caprisport Sierra solid discs 253mm and Sierra Cosworth rear calipers
Servo removed and running DIY custom brake bias box and running proportioning valve for rear brake split for hazardous conditions etc

Wheels
Compomotive Split rims 15"with 8.5" wide front and 9.5" rear. Tyre size yet to be determined. These were removed from Porsche Race car(think 924 if remember correctly). They have been machined to fit Ford centre hub OD.

Transmission
Atlas axle with either 1.6 or 2.0 ratio cwp(can't remembed ratio's of hand)
4 speed lever type box, however this will be running straight cut gears hopefully for testing purposes.
Once V8 fitted Gearbox will be 6 speed(still secret) with Quiafe clutch pack and at this point the atlas will be beefed up slightly.
I am not going mad engine upgrades to start with, however Jaguar V8 does open the doors for supercharged power later on which may require Mustang or similar heavy duty diff.

Fuel system
Whilst running PInto it will be running alu custom tank with twin lift pump running into a swirl pot and running twin pump to front of car with Malpassi fuel pressure regulator.
When eventually running V8 the twin pumps will be removed and pressure regulator and upgraded to twin fuel injection pumps and injection system pressure regulator.
The V8 will be Megasquirt or Emerald ECU as the standard Jaguar ECU cannot work with the Manual gearbox upgrade.

Interior
Twin bucket seats with 6 point harnesses bolted onto weld in bucket seat mounts and adjustable side mounts for various driver options.
Battery will be relocated in the car somewhere dependant on weight distribution and same as fire suppression system.
Brake pedal and throttle pedal have been modified to allow adjustment, however when the V8 is fitted due to space constraints the custom DIY bias box will have to be relocated inside the car(currently designed for bulkhead mounting). If needs be it will run floor mounted bias pedal box to allow better fine tuning of driving position. I am building this for my wife and fmaily friends to have a go so it has to be adjustable as possible.(spread the madness)
Heat comes from mini rally window heater unit plumbed into standard Capri vents and i am looking for a AVO deep dish wheel and quick release system so i can push the seat a little further back.
Gauges for what is required only and i am running custom fuse boxes which light up when they blow fuses(quite clever) but great for track/race car when you want to easily identify failure of anything electrical.

Remember this is for fun, i am not building it for any specific regulations, however i am tempted by Classic Time Attack :)
Mad thing is i have boxes of stuff taking up soo much space in the house and it is only really paint and prep which is slowing the actual build now
Will add pictures when i finally get my arse in gear with photobucket or similar
Last edited by Will01 on Thu May 05, 2016 11:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
Plans have changed to just make a good fun Track Car :)
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Re: Mk3 Track/Race Car Build

Post by Caprifan Rob »

Will01 wrote: Mad thing is i have boxes of stuff taking up soo much space in the house and it is only really paint and prep which is slowing the actual build
I know exactly what that's like, same here :D This sounds like a great fun project, get some pics up when you can, looks like a long term thing but well worth the effort when you get to enjoy some track time.
Cheers,
Rob
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Re: Mk3 Track/Race Car Build

Post by Andrew 2.8i »

Hi,
You've mention your build on and off on various threads, so it's good to have a summary in one place, as you say.
I've got to say, it seems like an interesting and thoroughly complicated build, and with an unusual choice of engine too. I wonder why you chose the Jaguar engine over the more common V8 engine swaps?
As Rob says, it would be fantastic to see some photos of the car as it sounds like it is nearing completion.

All the best,
Andrew.
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Will01
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Re: Mk3 Track/Race Car Build

Post by Will01 »

Will defo try to get some pics up at somepoint.
Complicated build yes, will it ever be finished hopefully not, this will hopefully be a very evolving build and as the shell deterioates i will simply cut parts of it away when they are beyond repair. It may end up in many years to come as a spaceframed mad thing but it is for fun and nothing else.

Engine choices have been where i have had the most difficulty as i have always wanted something completely abnormal.
I originally wanted a Jaguar V12 in my last Capri, then i thought briefly about a Jaguar XK engine straight 6 although they weigh alot and that didn't last.
Then the idea went to having a turbo Ford V6 or a 4.0 Ford Explorer V6.
Then i was almost 100# chosen on Alfa V6 power as i have a 156 GTA and love the engine, but they are really expensive and hard to tune.
At last i have ended up with the Jaguar V8 as i picked the car up off a friend last year very very cheap and the engine is great.
If a Ford Modular 32V V8 came along i would go this way but it is way out of my range at the moment but also it doesn't really fill the 'not been done before' so would be a 'boring'(only joking) solution lol

Question can i post photos via photobox? i already have an account with them

The idea of this car at the very beginning was to put into practice alot of the skills i have learnt over the years.
I have spent alot of time in motorsport and i have lots of little tweaks and things i would like to try out on this car.
It would be great to start work on the rear Watts linkage this year as that is going to take alot to make it work, always love a challenge
Plans have changed to just make a good fun Track Car :)
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QuadCamCapri
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Re: Mk3 Track/Race Car Build

Post by QuadCamCapri »

Liking the mods you've got planned there, look forward to following the build and seeing the pics.

What have you got planned for the aero, to keep it nailed to the track ? Guess it depends if you want to go as quick as possible or have more fun with no downforce.

I also quite fancy doing the odd Classic Time Attack if it's at a track I like.
Image
My in-car race video Cadwell Park 1995 Capri V6 vs 2x V8's
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUSBcLhI ... gvD3_PeHIA
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Re: Mk3 Track/Race Car Build

Post by Will01 »

Thankyou

There are still many little mods which i want to keep to myself, but i may post pictures rathers than details. At least until they are tried and tested.
Aero, eventually yes, although i want to keep it simple and fun to start with.
I only want to go Aero route of mods if i have a real way of testing them, i don't believe in messing with bits of metal, wood fibreglass and thinking it will work. There are things i can test and do at home to aid ventalation which may go towards real aero later.

Does anyone have any interesting info on splitters and rear wing e.g. Turbo tail thing and motorsport splitter, does it do anything other than look good?

If i was going to take time attack seriously i think i may have to invest in some tunnel or specialist expertise to help aero mods. But as i say the car is more for fun and all that stuff doesn't sound soo much fun lol.
Plans have changed to just make a good fun Track Car :)
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Will01
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Re: Mk3 Track/Race Car Build

Post by Will01 »

Testing Photo links out! This was taken 18months ago when on the rollover jig

Image

http://www.photobox.co.uk/my/photo?albu ... 8735861032
Last edited by Will01 on Tue Jul 14, 2015 12:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Plans have changed to just make a good fun Track Car :)
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Re: Mk3 Track/Race Car Build

Post by QuadCamCapri »

The real way of testing aero is the same for any mods, on track. The stopwatch never lies, and you'll soon know if you've gone in the wrong direction and unbalanced the car at three figure speeds :lol:

The Turbo Tail and Motorsport front spoiler definitely work, I did some testing with them back in 1991 at Castle Coombe, then a very quick track with no chicanes...
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=4059&p=26294&hilit ... ail#p26294

Later on I added a front splitter to the Motorsport Spoiler, and to keep things in balance added an extra section to the Turbo Tail (much like the E30 M3 race cars had).

PS: Pic didn't work for me
Image
My in-car race video Cadwell Park 1995 Capri V6 vs 2x V8's
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUSBcLhI ... gvD3_PeHIA
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Will01
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Re: Mk3 Track/Race Car Build

Post by Will01 »

You are right, i am interested to know more about the RS front splitter. do you have pictures or a link to show where you got yours from?
I am pretty sure i want a fibreglass turbotail as it suits the rest of the look anyway.
I am just hoping the rear wheels are defo going to fit in the rear arches as i really don't want to fit wide arches on mine
Plans have changed to just make a good fun Track Car :)
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Re: Mk3 Track/Race Car Build

Post by QuadCamCapri »

Here's a pic of the RS Motorsport Spoiler with a splitter added, the splitter was just made from ali sheet and I was only allowed 2" max. A splitter actually works better if thicker and with a radius'd leading edge, so my next one will be made from 12mm marine ply.
I've got threw a few RS spoilers over the years, 2 were new ones from Fords back in the day, about 4 fibreglass ones from CCI and I also made a carbon fibre one.

Image

Here's a pic of the Turbo Tail with additional section for more downforce...

Image

Your wheels should fit if the inset is right as there is plenty of room back to the leafs & damper, mine ran 9x16's on the back with standard'ish arches.
Image
My in-car race video Cadwell Park 1995 Capri V6 vs 2x V8's
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUSBcLhI ... gvD3_PeHIA
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Re: Mk3 Track/Race Car Build

Post by Will01 »

Thanks again for the info. It is very much appreciated. Might have a play with those bits aswell ;)
Plans have changed to just make a good fun Track Car :)
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Re: Mk3 Track/Race Car Build

Post by Will01 »

So latest update is that i have stripped the frontal area of the car back down to metal, painted etch primer and sprayed grey 2k primer ready for paint.
Looks great, this was only done from bulkhead winddscreen scuttle forward at this stage.
Also removed large radiator supports to aid cleaning and removed tack welds holding underside of front panel so could aid access to clean up properly.
This was alot of hard work and myself and 4 others were worn out after 2 long days of this.
Next step is to trial fit new radiator and then get ready for painting, also trying to get hold of some walking strengthening panels since the wings will be bolted on and not welded. Pictures to follow later
Plans have changed to just make a good fun Track Car :)
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Will01
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Re: Mk3 Track/Race Car Build

Post by Will01 »

This weekend saw another load of paint finding itself attached to my car :)
Complete underneath of the car was sprayed in high build over the etch primer and then we sprayed top coat black over this. Next step is sealing up all the joins.
Few things like cage etc still need floor plates welding in which means we will have to touch up small areas again, but at least the shell is protected as primer doesn't protect for too long when its wet.
Anyway just need to await cage now and then i can start building up the layers of shutz under the car to protect the shell for as long as possible.
Plans have changed to just make a good fun Track Car :)
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Will01
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Re: Mk3 Track/Race Car Build

Post by Will01 »

Plans have changed to just make a good fun Track Car :)
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Re: Mk3 Track/Race Car Build

Post by Will01 »

No update really other than the fact I am just waiting for the delayed Roll Cage to arrive.
Will upload pictures once I have it.
On another note I have now bought another set of brakes for this Capri, this now means I have Brembo 300 Alfa Calipers tied up with Caprisport kit for when the bigger engine is fitted. For now I will stick with the Caprisport 280 kit whilst the Pinto is fitted.
This also means I have 4 different front brake options.
- Std 4cyl Front calipers & discs
- Std 2.8 Spaced calipers and vented discs
- Caprisport 280 Vented discs with Mondeo Calipers
- Caprisport 300 Vented discs with Alfa Brembo Calipers
For the rear I technically have 3 different options
- Std 4cyl 1.6 rear drums
- Older style 4cyl larger drums
- Caprisport Sierra calipers and solid rear discs for 14" wheels, I may upgrade these further to vented discs and Cosworth calipers which allow wider disc if I have cooling issue(but I don't think this will be an issue?)
Plans have changed to just make a good fun Track Car :)
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Will01
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Re: Mk3 Track/Race Car Build

Post by Will01 »

So the latest update is.....
The Safety Devices Bolt in Roll Cage has arrived. It took longer than expected due to high level of orders. But now at least i can get on with the car. Got this weekend coming to start playing with mocking up in the car.
Didn't quite appreciate that it would come powdercoated ready to fit. i thought i would have to weld on bits and pieces.
Also now that these and the seat rails are here i can get a move on.
Next order Bucket seats and side frames and radiator.

Once i have this sorted then i can start to put more effort into planning other upgrades. e.g. Suspension, brake details, engine etc etc etc
Pictures to follow
Plans have changed to just make a good fun Track Car :)
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Will01
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Mini Cooper S (Wife's)
Old Jags & Riley's for fun
Location: Dumfries & Galloway

Re: Mk3 Track/Race Car Build

Post by Will01 »

Cage is now trial fitted in the car. Just in process of making up larger reinforcement plates and getting fit right.
Alot more work to do and we are going to fit extra reinforcement under the shell aswell to help spread load.
Also sent axles and struts away for blasting and priming.
Looking forward to getting them back so I can get on with converting struts to Coilovers and getting axles fitted up properly
Plans have changed to just make a good fun Track Car :)
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Will01
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Mini Cooper S (Wife's)
Old Jags & Riley's for fun
Location: Dumfries & Galloway

Re: Mk3 Track/Race Car Build

Post by Will01 »

Ok so a few more parts arrived. V6 inner wing strengthening (walking) plates.
I have also spent alot of time upgrading my welder and have also now welded in floor plates for rear section cage. The spreader plates are considerably larger than stock to help spread the load better into strong points on the car.
Still need to get front floor plates made up, hopefully will do in next couple of weeks.
Have axles sitting there in primer ready for paint and building up with rear coilovers.

Front suspension is in progress with front brakes ready mocked up with GTR280 kit. Will be using GAZ adjustable inserts and min 350lbs springs and height adjustable platform. This should compliment the rear GAZ coilovers and single leafs.

Also purchased a tube notching kit so will be making up cage for rear end soon. Also had large delivery of sheet materials in steel and aluminium so that should keep me going for a while. Along with alot more CDS tubing.

Now weather is improving we are trying to push hard to get shell ready for high build primer and then paint. Satin black interior and bonnet and Signal Yellow :)

Gone for a 60mm aluminium Airtec Sierra Cosworth radiator and twin fan kit for cooling.
The biggest change to the plan however is i am ditching the Jaguar V8. This is only really because i wanted to be the first to complete and looking through Classic Ford someone has already beaten me to it and stuck the S/C version in front. :(
So i will continue with a hot Pinto for short term, but am now weighing up Cosworth V6 or my preference is Cobra 32V V8. Need some advice on this one, hopefully QuadCamCapri will give some enlightenment :)
Plans have changed to just make a good fun Track Car :)
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Re: Mk3 Track/Race Car Build

Post by QuadCamCapri »

Sounds like your making good progress, shame about somebody beating you to the Jag V8, how about a Maserati V6 for something different (hate to think what the price of parts are though), I was tempted after driving a Ghibli and a Ghibli Cup and having a good sniff around under the bonnets, but ended up going for a Cosworth V6 for my road/trackday car. Was a little different as I put a pair of Porsche 911 Weber Triple Chokes on it and ran a dizzy before changing to Megajolt. It went pretty well with 224bhp and a 3.75 LSD.

Image

Happy to help if needed, if you go down the Cobra 32V route. Considering it's size it's quite a straight forward install, hardest bit was making some longtube headers, which I just about squeezed in after chassis mounting the engine, plus I could only work from underneath as could barely see them from above!
My second choice of V8 would be a Chevy LSx, another modern all ally V8, I modifed an LS1 last year for a Monaro, 330bhp standard, got it up to 470 after porting a set of LS6 heads, making some longtube headers, cam T/B and intake change.

Image
Image
My in-car race video Cadwell Park 1995 Capri V6 vs 2x V8's
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUSBcLhI ... gvD3_PeHIA
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Will01
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Old Jags & Riley's for fun
Location: Dumfries & Galloway

Re: Mk3 Track/Race Car Build

Post by Will01 »

Hello Quadcam :)
Thanks for your response. I really do appreciate your input.
I am not particularly bothered by letting the Jag project engine go, it was a car which was very cheap and the mad plan arose from its purchase haha.
After this time i realised that alot of the regulations i was trying to keep within would not support a non-Ford engine unless i went to some extreme class build, to which i would never be able to compete.

Hence now the Ford engine choice route, plus the addition of a young baby and an 18month old son also means time is getting harder to source. Hence wanting an easier job of it.

Going back a little, the Masser engine would be cool, i have a 3.2 Alfa V6 in my Family 156 GTA, which is great and yes i would love one on the Capri, but it goes down the same route of non-Ford :(. Shame cause my 156 is ~270ish hp and the power and torque is great. Would work lovely in a Capri, but hey.

The Cosworth V6 is now appealing to me as it is tried and tested and it would work very well with the atlas axle and only minor changes. I remember seeing a picture of that car before. Is it the same car that was featured in Classic Ford which had a 38DGAS? I do love the idea of Porsche carbies and a dizzy. That would be more than enough fun to get started with when i quickly get bored of Pinto power.
Do you need to modify the transmission tunnel at all to make it fit?
I will be keeping my 2.0 Manual Rack, so not bothered about power steering etc etc, but it will be heavy. Does anyone know how much a Cosworth V6 weighs compared to say a Pinto of Essex V6?
Did you have to modify the sump in order to make sure it got a good oil feed when in track mode? I would probably run an accusump anyway for those hard cornering moments. I do like that install alot. Which box would be favourable? Type 9 or MTX75? FUnnily enough i was offered an MTX & Cossie lump last night. It may become a reality if i don't end up buying another car this weekend.

As for the 32V Cobra route. Yes this highly appeals to me. My concerns include axle, mainly because i really do want to keep an Atlas. I guess that will rip one apart so Mustang Axle is on the cards??
I would be concerned about steering coupler touching as i think you mentioned that could be an issue with Exhaust?
Do i read correctly that those engines came in 4.6 & 5.0 Options. There are also S/C versions of the same engine. I know there are 2V options aswell so you are talking 260hp for 2V, 340hp on 4.6 32V & ~400hp 32V 5.0 if that correct?
I think here this is going to be the ultimate goal for my Capri.
I am not interested in LS converion purely because of the Non-Ford engine stuff again. Even though i did love the LS 6.0L which i drove in an old Monaro. Great engines, but i don't think they compare to that Monster you have fitted.
I take it the gearbox tunnel is going to nee dserious fab work to make a T56 or similar fitted? I don't mind if this is the case but just need to understand up front fully.
I do love the extra bracing you have for the front end, it is interesting as i have something similar planned, although i was going to go further forward tied into the crossmember where the radiator would normally sit. It sure is going to make it hard work for the Shell.
Again i would be interested in terms of weight how it compares to a Pinto or Essex, since it is all alloy.
How does it run on the track? Is it front heavy? Did you modify bulkhead to move further back?
In terms of heat, does that thing not cook itself in there? Did you coat manifolds to keep heat in until further back?

Sorry for asking, but i take it the picture shows the car in build phase as one side you have adjustable top mount, the other is a std top mount?
Out of interest where did you get the castor/camber adjustable slide top mount as the ones i have found don't look great. A link would be appreciated.
Are there any videos of this car running with Cobra?

Thanks again
Will
Plans have changed to just make a good fun Track Car :)
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