36 replies to this topic

[UH Project VX220]

Hi All,

 

My name is Alex - I'm currently studying Automotive Engineering With Motorsport at the University of Hertfordshire in Hatfield.

Last year I spotted three VX220's in our university car park and did a bit of digging - they'd been sat for nearly five years without turning a wheel! This year, I've started a new project at the university to convert one of them into an endurance racing car to compete in the 750MC Club Enduro (so two hour races, one three hour race at Anglesey and a foray across to Spa) in 2018. I've spoken to a couple of people about these cars (Neville has been a great help to get the project going, and DS racing have helped too) so have a basic idea of their shortcomings but any tips will be massively helpful!

 

There are fifteen of us working on the car, all running our own projects that make up dissertations so it should be a competitive car by the end of the project! We've got to get as close to 300bhp/tonne as possible, but I'm also aware that braking, cooling and fuel capacity are just some of the things that we'll struggle with.

 

We've got a pretty slim build budget from the Uni too, so it's up to us to gather as much sponsorship as possible. So we've pulled in a few but I'm shamelessly going to suggest that if anyone here is interested in helping us out I'm more than happy to talk about the project at length!

 

I will start a build thread soon too - there are some interesting ideas and concepts going into this car, so I'm sure we'll need some pointers from those with VX experience...

 

We've also got a Facebook Page, UH Project VX220, and an Instagram Page, @uhvx220, so give us a follow to see how we're getting on!

 

I guess that's all for now - it's really a hello and a short intro to the project plan, I'm very excited to get it going!

 

Cheers,

Alex.

UH Project VX220.

[james_ly]

Cool. If you could make youtube videos too that would get a lot of interest. I can't get my head around how a student could fund this though

[siztenboots]

what powertrain?

[UH Project VX220]

Cool. If you could make youtube videos too that would get a lot of interest. I can't get my head around how a student could fund this though

Luckily we're not funding it ourselves - the Engineering Department have given us £6k to build the car.

 

 

what powertrain?

We have one that is rocket powered and one that is powered by a forklift motor. These are being stripped for parts and scrapped (they're pre production models so the Uni can't sell them), but the car we're building is a 2 litre turbo (ex Club MSV ARDS test car)

[Johnboyhgt]

I will be following this with interest.

 

I teach Motor Vehicle for York College, though more main stream maintenance and repair than engineering.

 

Good luck with your project and keep the updates coming.

[Andrew aka Stuwy]

whats happening with the other 2?

[UH Project VX220]

Unfortunately as they're pre production models I'm not too sure - everything is stamped "Prototype" on the cars so not a lot is usable!

[Foxy]

You have our interest!

 

We've got a pretty slim build budget from the Uni too, so it's up to us to gather as much sponsorship as possible. So we've pulled in a few but I'm shamelessly going to suggest that if anyone here is interested in helping us out I'm more than happy to talk about the project at length!

 

Just be aware that many of the parts you're stripping off the car may have substantial value. Look after them and don't throw them out - you could easily double your budget by selling bits off. Lights are worth £££ and even things like wheel arch liners and rear 'spats' might seem like junk to you but are worth £££s.

[quimbles]

screw, turbo and sc ..... a rocket powered vx 

[chris_uk]

Well, if its an endurance car.. whatever powertrain you use it must be reliable.. a 250bhp sc would get my vote.

[Nev]

Nice one Alex.

 

For the 2 hour and 3 hours races what are the regs on fueling? Is there 1 (or more) compulsory fuel stops, or are you going to need a massive tank to last the entire race?

 

A reliable 300 hp/ton is easily achieved from the Z20LET, doubly so with the expertise that is going into your build.

 

Looking fwd to seeing some unique and insightful designs, especially your aero.

[hairy]

Alex,

 

Well done for this - there is a wealth of knowledge on this site and possibly £. Keep in touch with your aims and progress and I'm sure you will get much support here.

 

Cheers!

[Dan r]

This sounds great, what a fantastic opportunity for you all.

[Rusty789]

Cool. If you could make youtube videos too that would get a lot of interest. I can't get my head around how a student could fund this though

 

Ask Jacob, he's done pretty well!

[UH Project VX220]

You have our interest!

 

We've got a pretty slim build budget from the Uni too, so it's up to us to gather as much sponsorship as possible. So we've pulled in a few but I'm shamelessly going to suggest that if anyone here is interested in helping us out I'm more than happy to talk about the project at length!

 

Just be aware that many of the parts you're stripping off the car may have substantial value. Look after them and don't throw them out - you could easily double your budget by selling bits off. Lights are worth £££ and even things like wheel arch liners and rear 'spats' might seem like junk to you but are worth £££s.

 

The Uni are a bit funny on selling stuff - we will definitely try to shift on as much as possible that we don't need. I have three sets of suspension, three sets of clams and three sets of wheels to name but a few parts!

 

Obviously cash sponsorship is amazing, but product in kind is just as useful!!

screw, turbo and sc ..... a rocket powered vx 

 

Unfortunately a bit crap - I think it only did 65 mph or so!

Nice one Alex.

 

For the 2 hour and 3 hours races what are the regs on fueling? Is there 1 (or more) compulsory fuel stops, or are you going to need a massive tank to last the entire race?

 

A reliable 300 hp/ton is easily achieved from the Z20LET, doubly so with the expertise that is going into your build.

 

Looking fwd to seeing some unique and insightful designs, especially your aero.

Cheers Nev - thanks for your help so far!

 

The two hour race has one mandated pit stop (minimum stop time of three mins) and the three hour race has two stops. With this in mind a 60L tank should do the job nicely - I see you can buy them, but where would be the fun in that?!

 

The guys doing aero have got properly excited about it - they've got plans for vortices on the edge of the splitter to change the underfloor pressures and all sorts of weird bits and pieces so it should be quite a sight!

 

Alex,

 

Well done for this - there is a wealth of knowledge on this site and possibly £. Keep in touch with your aims and progress and I'm sure you will get much support here.

 

Cheers!

 

Cheers - I will stick up what I can remember to do so!!

This sounds great, what a fantastic opportunity for you all.

Thanks Dan, it's great we have the chance to get some real motorsport experience!

[JG]

You have our interest!

 

We've got a pretty slim build budget from the Uni too, so it's up to us to gather as much sponsorship as possible. So we've pulled in a few but I'm shamelessly going to suggest that if anyone here is interested in helping us out I'm more than happy to talk about the project at length!

 

Just be aware that many of the parts you're stripping off the car may have substantial value. Look after them and don't throw them out - you could easily double your budget by selling bits off. Lights are worth £££ and even things like wheel arch liners and rear 'spats' might seem like junk to you but are worth £££s.

 

and sills...

[Foxy]

:finger:

[JG]

[hairy]

Quote: The guys doing aero have got properly excited about it - they've got plans for vortices on the edge of the splitter to change the underfloor pressures and all sorts of weird bits and pieces so it should be quite a sight!

 

This will be of great interest - are you doing any physical testing?

[UH Project VX220]

Quote: The guys doing aero have got properly excited about it - they've got plans for vortices on the edge of the splitter to change the underfloor pressures and all sorts of weird bits and pieces so it should be quite a sight!

 

This will be of great interest - are you doing any physical testing?

Mainly all through CFD, however I should like to think we'll get some models printed up to use in our scale wind tunnel to validate, unless we can beg/borrow/steal some proper wind tunnel time that is!