voteshanequinn
|
 posted on 27/2/11 at 02:50 PM |
|
|
mid engined Mercedes
hi ther im new to this site so apolagies if this is in the wrong forum topic.
im thinking of building a mid engined open wheel formula styled car from a 1995 automatic mercedes c220
any advice or your opinions would be verymuch appreciated
Regards
|
|
|
|
|
zilspeed
|
| posted on 27/2/11 at 03:10 PM |
|
|
The donor car, as ever, has little to do with the outcome.
You can't use the gearbox.
You can't use the final drive.
You might be able to use the rear hubs, but they'll be heavy.
The front hubs are less likely to be suitable.
The engine might be okay, but won't set the heather on fire.
None of the springs or dampers will be any good to you.
Are you seeing a pattern here yet ?
Choose the dtyle of car you want to build, which you already know.
Then cherry pick the bits to make it feasible. to do so.
If you want longitudinal engine, mid engine and you don't want to buy a Hewland, you're pretty much using a VAG engine or possibly a PSA.
along with the transaxle it comes with.
I'll leave others to elaborate, I've already said enough.
|
|
|
Kwik
|
| posted on 27/2/11 at 03:16 PM |
|
|
there is a lot to designing your own car. what i your previous experiance?
i recommend allan stanniforths book "high speed low cost" as it talks you through the design and build process of his single seat car.
also a good book is "how to build motorcycle engined racing cars" by tony pashley as this will talk you through different construction
methods he has used.
if you know what your doing and are comfortable designing and welding a chassis together then i dont see anyhting stopping you. pick a suitable donner
car for uprights and breaks etc and then go from their...
good luck
|
|
|
dilley
|
| posted on 27/2/11 at 04:21 PM |
|
|
I am a big merc fan, would love to see it!
|
|
|
Steve Hignett
|
| posted on 27/2/11 at 04:28 PM |
|
|
VSQ, Save yourself a SHED load of work and hassle... Buy this!!!
http://locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=144265
Then, whilst you're enjoying it, start your project on the cheap and take as long as you want over it!!!
|
|
|
scootz
|
| posted on 27/2/11 at 04:33 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by Steve Hignett
VSQ, Save yourself a SHED load of work and hassle... Buy this!!!
http://locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=144265
I'd buy that if I had the spare pennies!
It's Evolution Baby!
|
|
|
voteshanequinn
|
| posted on 27/2/11 at 06:04 PM |
|
|
zilspeed Contributor. when you say many of the parts will not be any use , engine etc. I don't intend to enter the car into any competitions or
anything like that its more of an experiment so they don't have to meet any standards or be competitive . I doubt if i get tgis project finished
it wont do many miles
i have alot of general engineering experience with welding building trailers & boats etc
thanks for the link, greatly appreciated but 3k is a bit much and id have bother getting it home as im from Ireland
i have posted a sketch of what i intend to do in my pictures, but as im new here im not quite sure how to post it on the forum
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/photos.php?action=showphoto&photo=mercedes.jpg
|
|
|
designer
|
| posted on 28/2/11 at 12:17 AM |
|
|
Good on you, do whatever suits you.
You will have a very long wheelbase if you mount a diff behind the gearbox, even with a very short connection in between. You may be better getting a
different gearbox to use.
I think some people use a Renault box with an adapter plate.
|
|
|
ettore bugatti
|
| posted on 3/3/11 at 10:42 PM |
|
|
Mid engined Mercedes can be pretty
But using a W202 as donor would be only logical when building a pretty small roadster (so you better buy a SLK, eeekkkk!)
|
|
|
voteshanequinn
|
| posted on 3/3/11 at 11:23 PM |
|
|
hi i appreciate all your posts posts, some very good information
my main problem in my preliminary design, as mentioned is the wheel base.
I would like to use a smaller gear box and adaptor plate but im trying to stay away from tampering with the electrics as much as possible.
I don't know if anyone can see from the plan view i might try to lengthen the drive shafts and pull them forward. would the CV joints be able to
operate at am angle, is there a maximum angle of operation for a CV Joint?
also would it be possible to remove some electrical systems e.g. Elec windows by following the circuit back to the Dis board and then removing it?
thanks
|
|
|
ettore bugatti
|
| posted on 4/3/11 at 04:52 PM |
|
|
You could install the engine and gearbox like the Lamborghini Countach/ Panter Solo, the engine reversed with the attaching gearbox between the
passenger. The gearbox is connected to a propshaft by some gears and runs to the differential (besides the engine).
This would give a more compact (albeit wider) setup.
But why would you? The C220 engine not really special, powerfull and light.
A Ford Zetec installed transverse behind the passengers would be a far simpler build/ design and offer the same or even better performance.
|
|
|
Greg_OR
|
| posted on 6/3/11 at 06:46 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by voteshanequinn
my main problem in my preliminary design, as mentioned is the wheel base.
I would like to use a smaller gear box and adaptor plate but im trying to stay away from tampering with the electrics as much as possible.
just
type "renault UN1 gearbox" in google and have look at images
the solution is not in the size of the gearbox but it have differential built in and axles output close to engine mounting.
So you then don't need rear differential and drive shaft which make the length.
quote:
I don't know if anyone can see from the plan view i might try to lengthen the drive shafts and pull them forward. would the CV joints be
able to operate at am angle, is there a maximum angle of operation for a CV Joint?
look at the suspension full drop/bump - i think this would be the optimal operational range for ones you already have.
|
|
|
