Twin40
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| posted on 4/6/14 at 11:57 AM |
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Can-Am V8 Race Car
Hey people,
So I’ll get straight to the point, I want to build another car, and I’d really like to base something along the lines of a 1970’s Can-Am racer.
At the moment I’m planning the build around the following components:
Lotus Elise / Vx220 chassis - A lightweight option with good torsional rigidity - slightly extended to suit the new drivetrain
V8 Engine – BMW E39 / 4.2 Audi S4 / AMG M156 Engine (maybe)
Manual Gearbox – Getrag G50 (boxster S or equivalent)
BodyWork – Custom GRP mould / Possibly based from 2-eleven bodywork
I appreciate a lot of the ancillary items will be custom made, and there is a vast amount of time required to fabricate these components etc
However, my main concern is bolting a large capacity motor into the lotus chassis and it being a “safe” design. And I want to use similar width slick
racing wheels like the original cars (15”x 11” for example). So addtional loads placed on the chassis too.
Can you guys point out any other major considerations I’ve missed so far? What would you do to ensure it’s designed + built properly?
Cheers,
CB.
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Dopdog
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| posted on 4/6/14 at 12:06 PM |
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Why don't you just buy a GT40 chassis and make the rest fit? you will fit a V8 into this with ease and save you loads of pain.
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wylliezx9r
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| posted on 4/6/14 at 12:19 PM |
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The Hennesy Venom, (which i believe is/was the fastest car in the world) Uses a modified Exige chassis to house a 1000 + bhp twin turbo v8. So
anything is possible I guess..................but that doesnt mean it's going to be easy.
I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered.
George Best
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coyoteboy
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| posted on 4/6/14 at 12:21 PM |
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Can't imagine you'd fit at large V8 in it, and I suspect it might handle like a wet fish unless you're really smart about your
layout. The Audi V8 weighs in at ~250kg with ancils and an 01E box on the back - it's what's going into my beasty.
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Ugg10
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| posted on 4/6/14 at 12:42 PM |
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On the face of it I would expect you will need to do major surgery on the rear end, lengthening to fit in a longitudinal v8 + transaxle in place of
the transvere I4/V6, remembering the Elise chassis is glued (sorry bonded) together not welded.
Have a look at the Sipire GT chassis, www.spiresportscars.co.uk, this is a well sorted chassis doing well in race series and is alread capable of
fitting an Audi v8 + transaxle. Discussion on Audi Transaxles for GT40 (relevant) can be found here -
http://www.gt40s.com/forum/gt40-tech-powertrain-transaxles/24696-audi-01x-transmission.html
Also have a look at the Chevy LS series engine - the LS3 + powerpack will kick out close to 500hp in a small, all alloy package, plenty of adaptors
available for Porker transaxles.
If you want the ultimate then I would go for a BMW M5 V10 fitted to an audi transaxle and fitted into a Tornado GT40 Carbon tub chassis (may lower
mysefl to the ally tub) with alloy front and rear suspension (my lottery win project !)
Sound like a good project, all the best.
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wylliezx9r
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| posted on 4/6/14 at 01:51 PM |
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[img] [/img]
I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered.
George Best
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Twin40
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| posted on 4/6/14 at 02:10 PM |
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Thanks for the input guys, I chose the lotus chassis as it is more similar to the aluminium monocoque originally used on the can am cars. Plus I can
buy a lot of bolt on goodies for the front end of the lotus chassis already.
The extension is actually not too bad, the rear end is a bolted item, Hennessy had added extension blocks to allow for the increase in engine
length.
I have my reservations about the strength of the rear suspension however!
The Chevy engine is a good suggestion, I'm not familiar with them but I know there is a huge amount of upgrades available!
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jeffw
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| posted on 4/6/14 at 02:36 PM |
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Audi RS6 C5 V8 twin turbo.....like my friend has in his Ultima. 800BHP 
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Ugg10
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| posted on 4/6/14 at 02:45 PM |
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For the Chevy engine have a chat to GD and their sister company who supply the Chevy engines for their Lola/cobra replicas, they have a number of
tuning options and can probably advise on gearboxes.
www.gdcars.com
Or there is PWP that supply the LS3 in two power options and the more expensive LS7. LS3 with 480hp pack looks reasonable value at around £6k.
www.partsworldperformance.com or shop.partsworldperformance.com/ls376-480-v8-crate-engine-19244549
The other alternative is the new Ford Coyote 5.0l V8 that is starting to get some traction, Tornado stock these for their GT40 replicas -
http://www.tornadosportscars.com/GT40/partslist.html
or from here -
www.totalkitcar.com/2012/02/03/simon-scleater-is-a-well-known-man/ (also quotes adaptors for a number of v8's to the audi transaxle
finally, may be easier to get hold of a second hand XKRS supercharged V8 (500hp ish) if you are looking second hand and want keep costs sensible.
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TimC
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| posted on 4/6/14 at 03:29 PM |
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Hello Can Am kit....
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coozer
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| posted on 4/6/14 at 03:46 PM |
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Good luck, I'm pretty sure you'll end up with an awesome tool...
1972 V8 Jago
1980 Z750
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Twin40
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| posted on 4/6/14 at 03:58 PM |
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This is the sort of thing I’m “aiming” towards, I doubt very much it will look quite as menacing though…..
http://www.adatr.it/2011/06/08/mclaren-m8c/
http://www.mclaren.com/formula1/heritage/cars/m8d/
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Wadders
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| posted on 4/6/14 at 04:29 PM |
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Theres a build thread on Vx220.org where a lad fitted a rover V8 to a standard length VX220, although he did mount it
transversely which is probably not what you intend to do.
Al.
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olimarler
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| posted on 4/6/14 at 07:27 PM |
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If you need any pics let me know my uncle and grandfather used to race a mclaren m8e.
Cheers
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Twin40
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| posted on 5/6/14 at 06:25 AM |
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Well i wasn't expecting that! Yes please mate, i'll send you a PM for those pics....
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