84 replies to this topic

[vxr36]

I have been toying with upgrade options for some time now.

My ideal solution would be the Huyabusa H1 V8 option but I fear it will never happen as the cost is ludicrous.

I have also considered alternative cars but it is just not the same as doing a project. Some of you will sympathise with me here, I'm sure.

So, most recently, I have been looking at the Caral offering.... http://www.caral.co.uk/Caral_V8XS.html

I have not approached them yet but would like to see if there is any similar interest from members before I do. Some good ol' fashioned 'Group Buy' bargaining power would not go amiss here. I guess there are few other off-sets to the cost: Clams, engines and some other parts can be sold separately. I have quite a few parts that I could sell to mitigate some of the costs.

If you are interested in joining me in this project can you express your interest here please?

Andrew

[Duncan VXR]

Interesting conversion - good engine also

[james141]

Do you have any ballpark figures?

[rsg]

Do you have any ballpark figures?

Price list

13K + vat + engine

Edited by rsg, 27 November 2009 - 10:59 AM.

[rabidh]

Do you have any ballpark figures?

The page mentions £13k [but yes, no engine! ]... but then it seems you get new wishbones, uprights, brakes etc.
To be honest I'm not sure why the front clam/wishbones - maybe they widen both the front and back, or maybe it's just uprated to deal with the power?

There was also some other company offering Elise S2 conversions with a choice of V8s. The subframes would probably be the same as the VX - but obviously then you have to worry about stretching the rear clam

You might not get as much stuff - but wasn't the hyabusa engine conversion for the elise near £15k?

Edited by rabidh, 27 November 2009 - 11:06 AM.

[siztenboots]

GM LS9 supercharged 6,162 cc , power output is rated 638 bhp (476 kW)@6500rpm and 604 lb·ft (819 N·m)@3800rpm.

[vxr36]

That price excludes engine and gearbox, painting and labour. I have no idea of final price but I reckon I could get 6k for all the parts on my car that I would no longer require. What I do know is that the Jag engine is a fraction of the H1. The turn key H1 engine is £20k alone. In answer to Steve: I would say 450BHP with 550NM would be more than enough for our cars. I think anythink more would be difficult to use and bloody scary.

Edited by vxr36, 27 November 2009 - 11:35 AM.

[Yellow_or_black?]

What would you do with 450 bhp other than drag races ETA: to make the most of it, I mean

Edited by Yellow_or_black?, 27 November 2009 - 11:38 AM.

[siztenboots]

I know the GM LS4-v8 5328cc is a transverse option 303 hp (226 kW)/300 hp and 323 lb·ft (438 N·m)

Edited by siztenboots, 27 November 2009 - 11:56 AM.

[VIX]

What would you do with 450 bhp other than drag races ETA: to make the most of it, I mean

Tssk! Women!!

[SteveA]

If your looking for a straight line speed car, surely an M5 with few turbos would be a quicker and more cost efficient route.

[G-Bob]

What would you do with 450 bhp other than drag races ETA: to make the most of it, I mean

He fancies trying to give that Joe guy with the twin turbo'd GT40 a run for his money!

[vxr36]

I would quite like to visit Caral before Christmas (to give me something to think about over the break). The project could not start until next Christmas for me (no finance yet). What I am really looking for is other people who would consider this route so that we can take advantage of quantity discounts. FYI, I intend to leave the interior of my car completely as is. I didn't like the example in the PDF.

[Exmantaa]

Is it pure V8 raw power you're after? Or the looks, hopefully handling & rarity of a this? (Longer + better weight distribution is a big plus, but I don't fancy the Caral's shape...) Surely you can tune the 4 cilinder (I see VXR?) to that power for a lot less money. => Vmax.de. But it will be an interesting project

Edited by Exmantaa, 27 November 2009 - 01:07 PM.

[vxr36]

Surely you can tune the 4 cilinder (I see VXR?) to that power for a lot less money. => Vmax.de.

Cough cough, let's not go there again. You might be surprised how much it costs for reliable power above 330BHP

I've always had a soft spot for V8s. I have a V8 in the wife's car and my last car was an Esprit V8

[rsg]

Plus the Jag AJV8 sounds like thunder when unsilenced

[vxr36]

Hi YorB, If you try hard enough you can always find a way of using all of it. A

[peterg]

So, £13k + vat = £15,275 Secondhand Jag AJv8 engine £2,500? Secondhand Getrag gearbox (reconditioned) £1,500? Set of wheels and tyres (Audi fitment) £2,000? That makes it over £20k on top of your own car... That reminds me, must buy a lottery ticket

[rcvaughan]

Ageeed that V8 power, but more importantly sound, is awesome and that it is a very good jag engine. If I were you, on both a finance front and a VX heritage front I would be selling the VXR (at the usual VXR premium) and buying a much cheaper donor car. I hope you do it! I'd love to see one at the national meet one day!

[rcvaughan]

Sale of highly tuned VX. +£17k (at least) purchase of a half decent NA VX -£7k Sale of clams etc etc etc +£3k Amount towards caral V8 project already = +£13k!!!! Could easily get 2nd hand wheels and tyres for £500 not £2k!