Mk3 Track/Race Car Build - Picture Heavy NOW!

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QuadCamCapri
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Car(s): Capri 'Classic Thundersaloon'
5.0 32V Cobra V8 and E34 Touring
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Re: Mk3 Track/Race Car Build

Post by QuadCamCapri »

Hi Will

Not been in Classic Ford and only ever had the Weber IDS's on the 24V, it was in Retro Ford around 10 years ago. Initially I ran it with a 'Type 5' 4-speed box but was hard work at motorway speeds with the 3.75 diff so I fitted an uprated 'Type 9' which I built out of a late version and a 4x4 one which addressed all the concerns of the early ones fitted to 2.8i's. I was then going to fit a Honda S2000 6-speed which I had (lovely set of close ratios), did the drawings for the adapter plate and input shaft extension, but sold the car before making. Other options are a Cosworth Sierra T5 or an MT75 these may need minor mods to tunnel.
Off the top of my head weights are approx. Pinto 320 lb, Cologne/24V 400 lb & Essex nearer 450 lb, I had a manual quick rack on it, which caused an argument when the MOT tester who failed it because the steering was too heavy. I said it's heavy by design, if your failing it what is the fault you have found, they just gave me some crap about a granny not being able to drive it !!!!
Sump was standard, never had any surge problems on the couple of trackdays I did, but then I only ran it with some old tyres I had as wets for the race car, so had too much tread and were probably a bit hard.

Onto the 32V and the axle, it still has the Atlas fitted at the moment, which will be ok for some testing this year. It has a Quaife LSD with a 4.1 ratio, and Quaife Halfshafts (yes I broke a standard item), also a Gartrac Cover for increased capacity and a brace plate for a bit more strength and a touch more capacity. For racing I did think of a Mustang Axle but wasn't keen on the increase in unsprung weight, just the thought of that huge axle dancing around under the rear, so will be fitting the complete independent rear end from a 2010 E90 M3.
The steering coupler was slightly in the way when I had the standard cast manifolds on, but this was cured by moving the column over a touch where it comes through the bulkhead. In the end decided it wasn't worth getting it mapped with standard manifolds as they're crap. So made the longtube headers which was not easy due to space. A bugger to fit as well, the front right pipe had to be detachable to fit the other side of the engine mount as no space behind. Pipes were wrapped to help keep the heat in.
I have fitted a Canton big wing trap door sump and an Accusump, but would like to change to dry sump eventually.

Image

The 2V had an iron block and was 260hp (also fitted to the MG ZT over here), the 32V Cobra was used in 98-99 and made 320bhp, the 5.0 had 3-valve heads and used in later Mustangs. Mine was a new Sean Hyland modifeid unit meant for an MG SV-R, these were 385hp as fitted to the car along with cats ( MG SV used the standard Cobra 32V), I bought it off Will Riley who bought all the unbuilt MG SV's along with engines, gearboxes etc to carry on production of these cars. But as the Sean Hyland engines cost MG something like $30k a piece he planned to use Rousch Supercharged Modular V8's instead. He also had loads of new T-45 and T-56 boxes, I picked a T-45 as not being close ratio I would never have used all 6 gears in a T-56, especially as the races are rolling starts. Whatever box is used tunnel will need enlarging quite a bit.

A normal strut brace wasn't an option, so did one in front of the engine, it does go down to the radiator crossmember which is 40mm box section. I also added extra corner bracing between inner wing and bulkhead, and boxed in under the inner wings to complete a strong box around the engine to brace the top mounts that way.

Image

It's weight is probably somewhere inbetween the Cologne and Essex V6's, so no more front heavy than before. Not allowed to modify bulkhead so sits about 5mm away from it, if it knocks I won't hear it with my helmet on :)
Not expecting heat to be a problem, have never run a cooling fan as it's of no use in a race, just need to time things right before the race.

It has been running in the garage but hasn't been mapped yet, that will be in the next month or two, so no vid's yet. This year will be some testing to get familiar with the engine, when happy all is ok, M3 suspension and brakes will be fitted. Currently playing with the front suspension which will use E46 M3 Hubs and Struts, hence the different top mount, the standard looking one is not quite what it seems ;) as it has a spherical bearing in and no rubber, I made these for a class where certain items had to be visibly standard. Will look for the invoice for the others and get back to you with a link shortly.

Regards
Simon
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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Craigorypeck
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Re: Mk3 Track/Race Car Build

Post by Craigorypeck »

Love this thread.
:spam:
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Will01
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Re: Mk3 Track/Race Car Build

Post by Will01 »

Very much appreciated and alot of info there :)
Will need to do more thinking engine wise. Funny thing my v6 walking plates had only just arrived in past week or so, these will be fitted next. I had never thought about reinforcing them into the shell aswell!

I like the exhaust work, looks good. Saves moving the rack aswell then.

As for the rear axle, i have an 8mm tarmac escort brace and will be fitting a tickford style aluminium diff cover. Whilst the Pinto is fitted for running in purposes the axle will be relatively standard . However i do plan a plate style lsd and larger halfshafts. Toying with idea of floating or semi floating axle. Although i will only be running a live axle. Hopefully the watts link help keep thing in check. As for unsprung mass i will be removing some by making the rear arb mounted to the car rather than axle, then connect with droplinks. Will do a weight check against the spare standard axle once i have it finished.
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 »

Rear cage spreader plates now fully welded, linished and primered. Now need to get front plates made up.

Hopefully tomorrow i can also get the walking plates welded in aswell. :)

Just need some box section which i can use to cut up ready for strut braces front and rear. Maybe try out the tube notcher aswell.
Plans have changed to just make a good fun Track Car :)
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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 »

Ok so the rear cage is now in. Just attached the front bars and have started making up spreader plates for the front feet. GOing to have something equally elaborate. Will post link to pictures in good time.

Also took the time to clean up and prep the walking plates(v6 inner wing reinforcement panels from Magnum).
Drilled out a few holes with 10mm drill and then clamped into place. Then plug(rosette) welded them in situ.
They have significantly braced the inner wing where the wing attaches to.

Going into town tomorrow so hopefully be able to pick up some box and tube to help with the cage and other chassis/body reinforcement.

Found i have runout of primer, so will have to order up another batch. Now the weather is improving we are going to have a few days of priming and painting of parts and the car very soon :)
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 »

Sounds like your getting lots done, you'll have to put some pics up.

Top mounts I bought from this seller, they are nicely machined...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alloy-Adjusta ... 8FdEr69OUg
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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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Location: Dumfries & Galloway

Re: Mk3 Track/Race Car Build

Post by Will01 »

All little by little, have soo little time these days with 2 young kids(babies).
Had the past week off on holiday so i could get stuff done, the last little bit today was to get the strengthening panels welded into the inner sills to start allowing me to fix the front of the cage in situ. It is quite a complex setup, but i thing it will prove itself to be nicely strong.
I have taken the spreader plate that comes with the safety devices cage and welded thick wall tube to the back. Then i have drilled holes through the floor to pass the tube through. This plate is then welded into the inner sill strengthening plate and welded into the floor. Once than it done further plates will be welded into the floor and the spreader plate to box it in.

Pictures will follow, i just need to set it up properly. :)

Thanks for the link, i had seen them before and forgot where i saw them. Yes they look like they will do the job nicely.
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 »

Ok big change of direction..... I have sold my XJ8 and therefore this definitely means no Jaguar V8 install from me anymore!
I will be looking at going Pinto power to shake the car down until i go the Ford engine route to meet rules and regs. There might be a few incarnations but the end goal is a V8 like Quadcam has shown.
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 »

Front roll cage feet and stiffners welded in. Just a case of giving everything a good clean up and start getting ready for paint.
Next job and last job for welding........ i hope is the bucket seat weld in frame rails, but still need to find and then chose a good seat for my wife and I.

Will hopefully be painting alloy wheels soon aswell as i have another set to do for the daily run around.
Plans have changed to just make a good fun Track Car :)
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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 »

Hydraulic handbrake attachment welded onto to standard handbrake today. So it will run a combined cable and hydro brake.

Also made up a rear strut brace for the rear towers today. I will be using 25mm thick walled tube, although that could be changed to something lighter at a later date.
Also made up reinforcement plates for welding in the boot above the rear chassis rails. These will be for welding on tube mounts which will connect into the rear strut brace. Effectively stiffening up the whole rear section.

Compomotive alloy inner and outer rims sprayed up in primer and aluminium silver paint. Next week i need to rub back and prep the inners ready for paint. Then just for sealing the 3 pieces together and torquing up with new bolts.

Next weekend we should also be stripping the axles done once again, but quickly applying high build and getting these painted in black paint.
Rocker cover, arb mounts, rear spring hangers, steering arms and front modified crossmember all were painted in high build aswell.
Desperately need to crack on with radiator setup and front converted struts so i can get the car close to rolling and running!!!!!!

I appreciate the lack of photos, but i will be starting up a photobucket account soon :)
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 »

Interior of shell stripped back, cleaned and painted Satin black today!
Also painted a load of other parts ready for bolting on. Still a long way to go, but she is looking good. Pictures will follow i promise
First bit of Yellow will be hitting the shell tomorrow so can't wait to see how she will look.
Cage is also now bolted down for the last time. Just got to finish off the bracing and fit the door bars
Plans have changed to just make a good fun Track Car :)
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MattMe
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Re: Mk3 Track/Race Car Build

Post by MattMe »

Sounds like it'll be a really fun track car when it's finished.

Looking forward to seeing the pictures :)
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Will01
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Re: Mk3 Track/Race Car Build

Post by Will01 »

Engine bay turned yellow on SUnday so it is starting to realy take shape. I love Signal Yellow :)
Plans have changed to just make a good fun Track Car :)
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Will01
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Alfa 2.4JTD Sportwagon
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 i tried creating photobucket account tonight, it took me 20mins to try and enter a new account and i gave up it was soo slow to load the page properly.
Is there not another photo site i can use to post pictures?
My net connection is 7mb which isn't what i would call slow. pics will have to wait even longer now
Plans have changed to just make a good fun Track Car :)
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Andrew 2.8i
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Re: Mk3 Track/Race Car Build

Post by Andrew 2.8i »

Will01 wrote:Is there not another photo site i can use to post pictures?
Hi,
Photobucket is a pile of pants, Flickr is much better.
https://www.flickr.com

I've only got 4.5MB/s of pure internet speed here, and it works fine for me.

Andrew.
Last edited by Andrew 2.8i on Tue Apr 26, 2016 1:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Will01
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Re: Mk3 Track/Race Car Build

Post by Will01 »

Haha, i just created account at work as connection better! Got photobucket uploading pics now to album. Should be able to share some in few days.
Why is flickr better?
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 »

Does this work?

This is how i bought her a few years back!

Image
Plans have changed to just make a good fun Track Car :)
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Andrew 2.8i
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Re: Mk3 Track/Race Car Build

Post by Andrew 2.8i »

Hi,
It's great to see your track car build really making progress now, by the way.
Will01 wrote:Why is flickr better?
I find it generally much more user-friendly than Photobucket, plus Flickr allow you 1TB of free storage, as opposed to only 2GB on Photobucket.

Andrew.
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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 »

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Plans have changed to just make a good fun Track Car :)
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Will01
Posts: 534
Joined: Tue Oct 23, 2012 12:23 pm
Car(s): Ford Capri 1.6GL 1981 (Track Project) & 2.0 GL 1979(Gone to Capri Heaven)
Alfa 156 GTA (Daily Driver)
Alfa 2.4JTD Sportwagon
Mini Cooper S (Wife's)
Old Jags & Riley's for fun
Location: Dumfries & Galloway

Re: Mk3 Track/Race Car Build

Post by Will01 »

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