13 replies to this topic

[moneyhunster]

well ive fancied doing a proper project for some time now but never managed to complete it without something comming up that gets in the way. 1) bought a rover 4.6v8 to fit in my hilux at the time, business picked up fast and i needed a more capable larger vehicle so ended up selling everything to buy a lorry. 2) started to gather bits to put a 2.0 red top in my girlfriends corsa, saved up a bit then ended up buying our first house instead. 3) bought an r1 to strip and fit the engine into my quad, decided to pass my bike test then that was the end of that! 4) sold my quad and bought my 1st vx (project sxy) enjoyed it so much i sold my bike and bought zoobeef's poorly car. (project beef) i think im finally where i want to be, for a minute anyway! After reading "something different" and Nev's monster build im feeling the V8 vibe again. Not sure whether to use one of my finished vx's or look for something damaged again? plus side of using my current car would be the resale of the engine, gearbox, drive shafts, arms, subframe etc but i dont know if i could strip back all the hard work ive done on them? i have the space for it and now a little spare cash but unsure whether to try after the past attempts have failed. im thinking of using the LS3 6.2L v8 (as its short) mounted in a new subframe to a new gearbox which will lengthen and widen the car. my fiberglass chap is well up for widening & lengthening the clams to fit. and i have a painter at close hand. my local garage next door albut built a fiberglass vauxhall tigra with a hiabusa engine in the back from scratch so ive kinda got people around me that could advise. what do you guys think? where might i get stuck with something like this? i wont say i must be mad, been told that many times!

[Ormes]

Sounds like it could be a chuckle

[slindborg]

LS3 twin terbow and woooohooo you could have 1200bhp like the hennesy's

[Hark]

Sounds like a lot of fun. Two things from someone knowing bugger all about stuff like this. 1. Wouldn't a big V8 make it 'interesting' in the corners. 2. Would any of the power be usable? Or would it just spin up in every gear?

[moneyhunster]

it would be wider and longer and not a lot heavier either. its probably a stupid idea but the more i think about it the more i want to do it.

[moneyhunster]

LS3 twin terbow and woooohooo you could have 1200bhp like the hennesy's

just watched the hennesy elise accelerate on pistonheads home page, 70-215mph mental

Edited by moneyhunster, 12 September 2011 - 07:54 PM.

[Rosssco]

Hmmm,well I guess you have to decide whether you want to build it because 'you can' or build it because its a car you want to drive fast... I think unless you know some people who understand the structural and suspension side well (perhaps yourself), then it has the potential if not done properly, to be an unweildy bar steward at best, or worse a waste of your time and cash, which as you've noted before, there's been a few projects that haven't quite reached the lauch pad, never mind lift off.. However, its a good idea and you should try Personnaly though, if you must have longditudinal , you want a nice short V8 from a modern Audi (and one of their FWD gearboxes that bolts on), and hopefully get away without stretching the chassis / bodywork My 2p of poo

Edited by Rosssco, 12 September 2011 - 08:11 PM.

[moneyhunster]

i like the idea of keeping the GM engine but bolting on the audi gearbox, i have chatted with a chap at Caral who put this engine/gearbox combination in their elise so i would have an idea on suspension and brakes plus some other bits from their build. the vx looks amazing compared to most cars, i think personally it needs a big brother. I like the idea of having something different more than anything else. better speak to Nev and see how 500bhp+ handles in the vx before anything else i guess. but a big V8 would just sound

[slindborg]

power != handling and vice versa.

[moneyhunster]

this is on the elise, its the s1 i think. could so easily be a vx

this has got to get you excited!

Edited by moneyhunster, 12 September 2011 - 08:24 PM.

[moneyhunster]

Would a damaged NA make a better doner car than a tubby? they seem to be about £2k cheaper damaged. dont really want to strip a good tubby back. None of the rear will be used apart from the clam and lights etc, i know some of the parts on the NA are not the same as on the tubby but will it matter as most of it will be replaced anyway? or are there other bits that make a tubby a better choice?

[Mangham54]

I can't see there being enough of difference to justify the £2k higher value. That would be a reasonable amount of fabricating of the rear subframe and bodywork adjustments.

[FLD]

It doesn't look too bad a job to do if you've the time and inclination. AFAIK the late LS1 block is the one to go for though. people are finding that you can retrofit parts into it to make an easy 7L and the block doesn't break apart like some of the later ones. You should speak to my friend Mike at Boost performance (01159196160). he can get all the LSx stuff and suitable transaxles etc He's also the UK distributor for darton liners. Getting the subframe made will be the biggest challenge IMO.

[Nev]

Sounds like a really challenging project to me HoneyMonster, because you are principly doing 3 major things: 1: Change of engine + ECU. 2: Change of GRP bodywork. 3: Change of chassis and general dynamics. It's a really laudable aim but I really think it sounds like a big job, I hope you have lots of time and patience and money. I think 450 BHP is about right for the VX on the road with the standard wheel base and suspension. However, if you lengthen the cars wheelbase and possibly widen the track you will sensibly be able to put more power down, particularily if you fit much wider wheels. Car's like the Ultima can easily accomodate 600 to 800 BHP and can use/plant it all successfully down, so maybe you should aim higher than 500 BHP. You will inevitably add weight to the car I am sure, try and shift the engine right up to the bulkhead to get more weight over the front axle if I were you. Feel free to ring me if you think I can help with something. Good luck !