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Dominator TS400 - Ive Finally Sorted One!!
Autoflock Motorsport - 28/3/13 at 12:55 PM

Well chaps, I have made the bold decision to scrap my Fiesta track car build for one reason or another and sorted a deal out on a Dominator TS400.

Really excited about getting it which should be real soon, I am after some feedback about the Dominator, so any advice, tips and comments would be most appreciated, the car curently has a gsxr 100 engine in it with power comander, quaffe lsd, electric clutchless shift and geared for around 120mph.

Jon Ison - 28/3/13 at 12:59 PM

Is it the Dominator that starred in a TV series, you may want to so a little research if it is.

Benzo - 28/3/13 at 01:02 PM

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=133378

blakep82 - 28/3/13 at 01:23 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Jon Ison
Is it the Dominator that starred in a TV series, you may want to so a little research if it is.


BUt more importantly, the one on telly was built by a complete idiot, and went against all the guidance he was given.
No experience in the dominator myself, but I'm sure its a cracking kit. But as with everything, as long as its built sensibly

MK9R - 28/3/13 at 01:44 PM

MK's new Stealth uses the old Dominator bodywork, although Danny has modified it, but if you need replacement panels he's the guy to speak to.

scootz - 28/3/13 at 01:45 PM

Even if it was the car built on the show, then it must have been sorted by now!

So there were (correctable) faults in the original chassis design. Surely these couldn't have been much worse than the other MK derived designs.

russbost - 28/3/13 at 01:46 PM

There was nothing wrong with the original design, strangely when you bung an engine with about 25% more power & around 1/3 more torque into the same frame & don't beef anything up it has a tendency to bend things - shock horror, who'd have thought it! When we first started using the ZZR1400 as opposed to the ZZR1100 we had to beef the diff support structure up considerably. I have every sympathy with the original designer/owner of the Dominator I think he was well & truly shafted - not much wrong with the car itself, should make a great track car! All IMHO of course!

Jon Ison - 28/3/13 at 01:49 PM

But there are two sides to every story with the truth usually somewhere in the middle.

I'm going to be brutally honest and stick my head above the parapet whether it goes down well or not, I experienced the chassis 1st hand and was not overly impressed to the point I wouldn't sit in one on track at speed without serious modifications, secondly there will be zero back up to keep the car on the road, suspension parts, bodywork etc should it ever be needed, I would rather say so now if the guy hasn't committed then I would suggest he does some homework before he does, that said other photos I have seen elsewhere on the Internet suggests someone does have access to the body moulds and is producing a remarkably similar body if its not indeed the same one.

MK9R - 28/3/13 at 02:36 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Jon Ison
But there are two sides to every story with the truth usually somewhere in the middle.

I'm going to be brutally honest and stick my head above the parapet whether it goes down well or not, I experienced the chassis 1st hand and was not overly impressed to the point I wouldn't sit in one on track at speed without serious modifications, secondly there will be zero back up to keep the car on the road, suspension parts, bodywork etc should it ever be needed, I would rather say so now if the guy hasn't committed then I would suggest he does some homework before he does, that said other photos I have seen elsewhere on the Internet suggests someone does have access to the body moulds and is producing a remarkably similar body if its not indeed the same one.


Yes Danny at mk

Autoflock Motorsport - 28/3/13 at 03:43 PM

thanks guys,

the fella who built it is very matriculate and is very handy with the spanners so the build is of a very high standard.
here is the spec
Suzuki GSXR 1000cc K4 (2004) engine with power commanderDrysumped with all aeroquip pipe and fittings
electronic gearchange with buttons on steering wheel
clutchless gearchnges
quiffe L.S.D
heavy duty chain
Alloy A.v.O twin adjustable bump and rebound coilovers
wilwood four pot calipers
290mm grooved discs with racing pads
bias adjustable pedal box
fully rose jointed suspension
revolution 7" front and 8" rear wheels with dunlop racing slicks
hand held fire extinguisher
plumbed in fie extinguisher
small racing battery
light weight seats with 6 point harnesses
G.P.S digi dash

going to have a good look tonight, car also comes with a gig to make another frame, bodywork need attention though but I will be going full carbon with it anyway

daniel mason - 28/3/13 at 05:04 PM

sounds like the one on ebay which had no bids at £5k.

will121 - 28/3/13 at 06:12 PM

quote:
Originally posted by daniel mason
sounds like the one on ebay which had no bids at £5k.


I for one was watching it with interest, Had a few bids in end. It appears to be well specked with dry sump motor etc would like to think if had that much done to develop it as a track only car there may also been some investment in chassis development.

will121 - 28/3/13 at 06:14 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Autoflock Motorsport
Well chaps, I have made the bold decision to scrap my Fiesta track car.


What model fiesta were you using?

Autoflock Motorsport - 28/3/13 at 06:39 PM

just got back from viewing it and have sorted a deal, yes its the one off ebay. He has done loads of modifications, chassis has been strengthened, all the wishbones have been replaced for tubular cd somethings etc, himself and another chap have builts two, I must say by the viewing the level of build quality is superb!!! Really chuffed, just got to settle all the money thgen its game on.

The body is a very simple one as well so moulding it should be a doddle although there are a few things I will be changing on it. Can't believe the body is wet lay grp though instead of infusion, is this the norm for kit cars bodies? excuse my ignorance but im from a track car (road car style) back ground where everything is made as light as possible.

The fiesta I was building was going to be a 450 - 500 bhp mk3 rsturbo zetec, but the engine itself was going to cost near 10k, but the body was pretty much full carbon, ive been wanting a kit car for years, even though this one isn't built by me im sure after a year I can begin to start putting my stamp on it.

Exciting times ahead

daniel mason - 28/3/13 at 07:07 PM

however light your road cars were which you raced. id imagine youll get a serious shock with 160bhp of bike power in a 500kg aero body like that. it will be seriously quick!

PAUL FISHER - 28/3/13 at 08:17 PM

quote:
Originally posted by will121
quote:
Originally posted by daniel mason
sounds like the one on ebay which had no bids at £5k.


I for one was watching it with interest, Had a few bids in end. It appears to be well specked with dry sump motor etc would like to think if had that much done to develop it as a track only car there may also been some investment in chassis development.


Me too, I took a punt on it aswell, good spec with the dry sump and push button gearchange etc complete running car for £6000 ish grand you can't go wrong, its going to make you a nice quick track car. Although I would also agree 100% with Jon Ison, as he knows his cars, the original chassis was poor, I would have got the chassis checked out before I took it out, even on a trackday And I am sure Danny at MK would sort you a bit of bodywork" if you did happen to bin it on a track/race day, but please everyone, do not confuse this with MKs new race chassis as the "Stealth" MK has a completely new chassis design, it has nothing to do with the dominator chassis, and only this years RGB will see how good the new MK chassis is, but like Jon, I too will stick my neck out like I did a 3 years ago when Danny started racing with his MK Indy Busa, I think Danny Keenan will be the driver to watch in this years RGB, and the MK Stealth, it will suprise a few people, and after a couple of seasons will be up in the top 2 or 3 cars I think, but anyway what ever happens, even if I am wrong, lets hope for a good years racing in the RGB , and either way:, I can't wait cool:

SCAR - 28/3/13 at 09:09 PM

TS400 can be made to go really well, I think one was run with great sucess in RGB some years ago, it may have even won a season although I cant now find the web page of the guys who ran it.
Looking forward to the stealth joining the grid in RGB this year but the reality is the front runners are hugely developed. I will be amazed if the stealth gets anywhere near the front in its first season, but it might, thats what makes racing interesting.
With the front running RGB class R cars now capable of beating £60k Radicals with just the addition of slicks and a drop in ride height getting a result in RGB for any new car is going to be a massive task.

austin man - 28/3/13 at 09:13 PM

Agree with Paul, as long as the car drives and goes well I can see Danny progressing in the series as he has done in the BARC, no doubt it will take a season to fully fettle the car and get it set up right

ceebmoj - 28/3/13 at 10:28 PM

quote:
Originally posted by MK9R
MK's new Stealth uses the old Dominator bodywork, although Danny has modified it, but if you need replacement panels he's the guy to speak to.


I was under the impression that the Dominator bodywork was very similar to the GT1 if so that completes the circle so to speak.

PAUL FISHER - 28/3/13 at 10:47 PM

quote:
Originally posted by austin man
Agree with Paul, as long as the car drives and goes well I can see Danny progressing in the series as he has done in the BARC, no doubt it will take a season to fully fettle the car and get it set up right


Thats it Andy, it may take them a season or two, but only time will tell, and we will have to wait and see, but what ever, its got to be good for the RGB and the 750mc, to have another manufacturer racing on the grid, but either way I am sure it will make the racing even better to watch for us racing fans

austin man - 28/3/13 at 10:56 PM

quote:
Originally posted by PAUL FISHER
quote:
Originally posted by austin man
Agree with Paul, as long as the car drives and goes well I can see Danny progressing in the series as he has done in the BARC, no doubt it will take a season to fully fettle the car and get it set up right


Thats it Andy, it may take them a season or two, but only time will tell, and we will have to wait and see, but what ever, its got to be good for the RGB and the 750mc, to have another manufacturer racing on the grid, but either way I am sure it will make the racing even better to watch for us racing fans


I think its the right move, Danny proved the indy R is a competetive car, next move has to be aerodynamics and power plus ne competition as you say it can only be good for the series

Autoflock Motorsport - 29/3/13 at 12:04 AM

Thank you everyone for your advice and comments, it is soo welcome!!! need to learn as much as I can. In regards to the chassis, the two blokes who have built this are very very capable, one is ex rally tech as well, they have added extra triangulion etc which was above my head. When I asked about a few kit car forums and meets, he wasn't interested, he just builds race acrs and improves them. Its quite refreshing to speak to a fella who doesn't follow the crowd and just does whats needed with proper motorsport knowhow, a rare thing these days.

In terms of the body I specialise in light weight panels, for example the heaviest bonnet I made was 3.4kg for a mk3 escort which you could stand on, that got binned as we deemed it not suitable for purpose, it was for a track spec'ed car and was far too strong, we are now aiming for a 2kg bonnet for this.

As for the dom, im thinking a carbon/aramid body for road use with lights moulded into the front wings similar to the koningseg or zonda (not too sure which) and a superlight cored carbon body for track, the centre body section will be carbon aramid as that wont be interchangeable due to ease.

Only thing putting me off is the 125 top speed, I was building a 500bhp sub 800kg fiesta which going on the fiesta it was going to be based on hit 184.9 at marham, im open minded so will see what it is like to actually drive but I have a gut feeling that a blower and taller front sprocket may be added ;-)

A qtr mile time of 12sec + or a terminal of sub 115 us unacceptable to me as that's what my mates 1600 rsturbo's and zetecs are doing

scootz - 29/3/13 at 01:28 AM

If the drag strip is your 'thing' then you're looking in the wrong place. I have a mate with a nutter-spec super-charged Busa Dax which should theoretically see him arrive at the end of the strip before he's set-off, but its an apparent nightmare to launch properly (even with fancy electrickery).

Seems the big HP Jap 4x4's are the daddies.

A race track will be a different ball-game altogether though.

Autoflock Motorsport - 29/3/13 at 01:33 AM

Hello Scootz,

yes I totally understand, im just worried that although the car will be able to break a hell of a lot later, be uber quick out of the corners, just worried that once on the straight top speed is reach far too quickly if that makes sence, I would be willing to sacrifice a bit of acceleration to gain a bit of top end, would rather always be accelerating that reaching a top speed then holding it till it was time to break. This car is on the limiter at 125 which is reach at tcroes Anglesey which is one of the smaller circuits.

Im just being sceptical lol just after as much info as poss.

SCAR - 29/3/13 at 07:56 AM

I assume its still running chain drive so changing ratios will be cheap and easy.
Given the power, weight and aero I would try gearing for 145 top end as best compromise. Most uk circuit straights would appear pretty short at that speed.
The car is designed for circuit racing so top speed is balanced against corner speed, braking and acceleration (on smooth tarmac) and the top RGB cars can lap some circuits close to BTCC times with nowhere near BTCC power.
The body panels dont need to be any lighter as some RGB cars require added weight to achieve minimum race weight (cant remember the minimum limit but about 500kg)

Autoflock Motorsport - 29/3/13 at 03:34 PM

that's a very informative reply and gave me something to think about so thanks. I wont be using the car for any official racing but im now thinking if the car is made too light then it may affect the handling? Can add weight elsewhere though I suppose, is there any threads on here about the pro-s and cons of boosted bike engines? did a search but couldn't find much or even any specialists that do the conversions

progers - 29/3/13 at 03:39 PM

I wouldn't gear the car for that high a speed. The fastest track in the UK is Snetterton and at the end of the Revett straight you'll be doing well to nudge over 135mph. The max I have seen is 139 when slipstreaming in a race... These cars are all about corner speed, braking and acceleration not Vmax. You'll still be much faster than a turbo nutter saloon on a timed lap.

Most circuits you'll be hard pushed to do over 130mph, the straights are just not long enough. Plenty fast enough though :-)

As a previous poster mentioned, its easy enough to change gearing by changing either front or rear sprocket.

- Paul

[Edited on 29/3/13 by progers]

SCAR - 29/3/13 at 03:51 PM

Agreed a bit lower for a race car but I thought 145 might be better as this would be track day car and the slightly higher gearing might make it less "manic" to drive

Autoflock Motorsport - 5/4/13 at 11:36 PM

quote:
Originally posted by SCAR
Agreed a bit lower for a race car but I thought 145 might be better as this would be track day car and the slightly higher gearing might make it less "manic" to drive


I agree 145 would be more usable I think, im tempted to see how a zetec would fit though, gearbox would pose a massive problem though as I would imagine it would dictate the position of the engine within the chassis.

40inches - 6/4/13 at 09:21 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Autoflock Motorsport


im tempted to see how a zetec would fit though, gearbox would pose a massive problem though as I would imagine it would dictate the position of the engine within the chassis.


Before you commit to big changes, why don't you try the car as it is? You may be surprised

Autoflock Motorsport - 7/4/13 at 01:49 PM

quote:
Originally posted by 40inches
quote:
Originally posted by Autoflock Motorsport


im tempted to see how a zetec would fit though, gearbox would pose a massive problem though as I would imagine it would dictate the position of the engine within the chassis.


Before you commit to big changes, why don't you try the car as it is? You may be surprised


That is very true, sorting a track day out at oulton hopefully a week Tuesday :-)

40inches - 7/4/13 at 01:52 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Autoflock Motorsport
quote:
Originally posted by 40inches
quote:
Originally posted by Autoflock Motorsport


im tempted to see how a zetec would fit though, gearbox would pose a massive problem though as I would imagine it would dictate the position of the engine within the chassis.


Before you commit to big changes, why don't you try the car as it is? You may be surprised


That is very true, sorting a track day out at oulton hopefully a week Tuesday :-)


We need video, or it didn't happen

eddie99 - 7/4/13 at 03:17 PM

Agreed with some of the comments earlier, you'll be doing very well to do 135mph at any circuit. We tend to be geared from 125 to 135 depending on circuit.

Autoflock Motorsport - 7/4/13 at 05:29 PM

quote:
Originally posted by eddie99
Agreed with some of the comments earlier, you'll be doing very well to do 135mph at any circuit. We tend to be geared from 125 to 135 depending on circuit.


in the summer my mate was hitting 150 at Silverstone, in the wet he was hitting 140 at donnington, bare in mind this is a fully trimmed mk3 front wheel drive fiesta rs turbo with baby seat in the back lol. it did have a zetec turbo with around 350bhp but none the less that's still covering some serious ground on track.

Here is a link as well to my new daily driver build if anyone is interested

http://passionford.com/forum/restorations-rebuilds-and-projects/442197-fiesta-mk1-st170-popular-plus-freddy-27-03-13-new-custom-engine-mount-by-crazyc age.html

eddie99 - 7/4/13 at 05:32 PM

Yep however these cars arent about straight line pace, lap times will be much quicker even though you're not at 150mph. Top radicals i dont believe hit 150mph and thats with 250bhp hayabusas.

Autoflock Motorsport - 13/4/13 at 02:21 PM

quote:
Originally posted by eddie99
Yep however these cars arent about straight line pace, lap times will be much quicker even though you're not at 150mph. Top radicals i dont believe hit 150mph and thats with 250bhp hayabusas.


Understood eddie mate, so excited about getting it now, got so many plans, main one being iva preperation over winter.
On another note, a good friend of mine has just had his 2.0 Zetec on itbs on the dyno, 312bhp and 202ftlb. The car it is going in weighs about 600 - 700kg, going to be a flyer.

Autoflock Motorsport - 5/7/13 at 07:06 PM

Well a small but big update, car is arriving at the workshop next week!! hoohoo, going to get it sprayed first then hit oulton park, then the refresh can begin. Spoke to spire and they have said blatently that this car is not fit for the road due to its track orientated nature, so its going to stay as a track car. Next year should see a 220bhp+ turbo/super charged power plant with a full carbon body laid on a freshly powder coated chassis with all ancillaries to match.

Can't wait now, really looking forward to getting into the kit car scene and meeting a few of you folk, will be a massive change to what I am used to :-)

Autoflock Motorsport - 10/7/13 at 10:08 PM

right chaps I have started some mods to the car, is it worth me starting a fresh thread as a bit of a build diary to show my progress and to allow people to comment and help me along the way or shall I just tag onto this thread? I cant seem to change the thread title you see

twybrow - 10/7/13 at 10:29 PM

Start a new thread Raj... I for one look forward to hearing all about it!