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WCA - Build thread 3

By WorldClassAccident · 282 updates · Apr 2013 to Jul 2018

Read the full original thread (with everyone's replies) in the archive →

June 2014

3 Jun 2014, 1:50pm Mechanical Overhaul Chassis and Body
The overlay sketches? Do you mean this sort of thing? If so, it really isn't anything clever or that technical.


I used MS Paint as it was free and easy to use and then did the following.

1) Find a side on picture of car 1 on the internet and take a copy or screen shot.
2) Open Paint and paste in the picture
3) Find a side on picture of car 1 on the internet and take a copy or screen shot.
4) Open another instance of Paint and paste in the picture
5) Use the square select tool to copy the 1st car and paste it below the 2nd car
6) Use the resize tool to stretch and shrink the car you have just pasted to the right size.

The resizing tool isn't that precise and I didn't bother with any measurements. In fact because I needed the whole car body to be a bit taller when I stretched it I ended up with oval wheels. Also you can see where I cut and paste bits of the car to change the length of the door as the reflection line is broken up into chunks. If you look closely you realise just what a crap job I did and if you look at what I acheived with the interior of the real car you will see I am not much better away from the computer.

It was really just a bit of fun rather than trying anything sensible. I am sure others on here can give you far better advice on doing proper diagrams.
5 Jun 2014, 1:44pm Chassis and Body
Well I dropped the car down to Chris for him to slap a new back end on and not sure what to do. I wandered down to the garage and it all seemed a bit empty.

Anyway, I spotted the remains of my 'Painting plastic Chrome' experiment so I thought I would share some pictures.

First I took an old and unused bit of plastic to try the paint out on. This was the bonnet catch shroud.


I sprayed it with the super chrome paint and...


On closer inspection I an confirm that it looks like plastic sprayed with silver paint


I still decided to do the centre vents and you can see how close (NOT) the colour of the paint is to the colour shown on the lid


I thought it might be because the plastic wasn't totally smooth but interestingly the wooden bench which is definitely not smooth seemed to get a better chrome look finish
5 Jun 2014, 6:02pm General Update
Obviously!

I cleaned the plastic and wiped it with alcohol wipes to remove all grease.

I didn't even sweep the crap of the bench
10 Jun 2014, 9:28am Mechanical Overhaul Interior & Trim
After a few weeks of waiting my shiny steering boss adapter arrived this morning.

What a thing of beauty


The steering wheel is a nice simple wood rim


Now can anyone spot the issue I have?



Hmm, anyone want to buy a steering wheel, new and unused?
10 Jun 2014, 12:27pm Mechanical Overhaul
Link to one?

I was thinking similar but suspect the correct wheel size will work better
10 Jun 2014, 3:39pm Mechanical Overhaul Interior & Trim
From the website Simoni Steering Wheel Hub Kits offer an easy and cost effective way of fitting an aftermarket steering wheel to most vehicles. They feature a multi drilled bolt pattern that allow fitment of Momo, Sparco, OMP, Isotta, Richbrook, Mountney M-Range steering wheels that we sell, and also Nardi, Personal, Raid, Dino and Ital Volanti wheels. This particular type features a polished alloy finish for optimum cockpit appearance with maximum functionality.

It seems that it fits most wheels EXCEPT the Mountey Classic range. Guess what my wheel is.
10 Jun 2014, 8:48pm Engine Mechanical Overhaul
I could but I would make a mess of it.

I have a friend who runs an engineering shop who is having a look on Thursday.

If anyone wants the wheel please let me know. I will dig out the receipt to find out what it cost.
15 Jun 2014, 8:13pm Mechanical Overhaul
Today I decided to go to the Beaulieu custom car show which meant fitting number plates. The car has been reregistered on NI Plates to hide the age but the plates haven't arrived yet. To be fair I only ordered them on Thursday but it meant I had to make my own up. I am not certain if wood and paper plates would get through the MOT but at least I tried


Lots of interesting cars. Lots of men with beards. Not much charge on the phone so only took a couple of snaps.

I liked the ride height on this and the general demeanour


This also caught my eye. Check out the age of the numberplate and the rear lights





I had to look at the J-Gate gear stick to confirm it is a Jaguar underneath. Not totally to my liking but a good transition from an old XJ
22 Jun 2014, 11:02am Chassis and Body
Car is back from the paint shop and is looking very pretty again


July 2014

15 Jul 2014, 2:17pm Engine Mechanical Overhaul
I finally got the wheel boss plats back from my mate the engineer. To be fair, he does have to fit my jobs in among the paid work so I can't really complain about the wait. Especially when you spot what he engrave into the face



The first bit of the interior to look any good...
15 Jul 2014, 7:04pm Mechanical Overhaul
He has 1/2 a bottle of scotch coming his way. He just doesn't know it yet.

Weird how different the thin rim wheel feels. Same diameter as the one it replaces but you hld the wheel with your fingers instead of wrapping the hand around it.

All adds to the driving experience which is good as it feels less and less like a modern
15 Jul 2014, 8:57pm Mechanical Overhaul Interior & Trim
Evening Nick the horn push is really well hidden!

It is actually a wire hanging down behind the steering wheel with an on off switch that I have to touch against the metal sterring column to activate.

This might get changed when I do the interior
22 Jul 2014, 8:20am Engine
Stuck at home alone last night I started to wonder what I could do to answer the lower problem on the Barchetta. 200bhp is fine for pootling about but feels somewhat lacking when I press on.

Obviously I have promised the wife not to spend any more money on 'that pretty but pointless toy' so I didn't read this thread : http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=17281

and definitely never googled this page : http://www.partsworldperformance.com/chevrolet-ls3-engines
22 Jul 2014, 10:54am Engine Mechanical Overhaul Interior & Trim
The weight isn't too bad so no need for major changes to suspension and my shocks could do with changing anyway.

Brakes are interesting upgrades. Again there isn't much weight difference so the mass is the same. I will be mainly on public roads so the speeds won't be above what the 2.8 is capable of, I just might be getting there a bit quicker. Might get away with just sticking better pads in the standard unit.

Chipped and supercharged donors have been considered but I do like the grunt of the V8.

I used to have an Honda Integra Type R which was incredible between 6,500rpm and 9,000rpm and I loved the engine but you had to work to keep it on the boil.

I now have the supercharged Merc and it is just 'press and go' at any speed and any situation. Watching the traction light flicker as it kicks b=down at 90mph, on a private track of course, always makes me smile just before I get pinned to the seat.

Also thinking a second hand engine rather than box fresh to keep the prices down. Really depends on what the money fairy leaves tucked down the back of the sofa.
22 Jul 2014, 1:17pm Mechanical Overhaul Chassis and Body
Have you measured the wheelbase and track on the Merc and checked if the body panels unbolt?

Yes

Twice

:-)
22 Jul 2014, 7:07pm Engine
Have decided the V8 conversion is best attempted AFTER i learn to weld. Don't hold your breath. It might be a different car I do it on by then, or a supercharger kit...
22 Jul 2014, 7:26pm Engine Mechanical Overhaul
Checked out (a lot of) forums and the LS3 fits in quite nicely and actually moves the weight back inside the wheel base. Easy power up to 400 with hot cams etc. Cost is surprisingly close to engine swap if you ignore the work involved.

You can wring the last few tenths out of an engine of get a bigger one and leave it unstressed and running happily for longer.

At least that's the theory
22 Jul 2014, 8:06pm General Update
Lexus has the advantage or being cheaper but I will check out the Audi as I hadn't thought of that.

I need something short, light and capable of mating to an auto box. Hmm Mclaren...
23 Jul 2014, 1:07pm General Update
Just been chatting with someone who has a 350 V8 and a man that can make it fit. Just need confirmation that it will really fit and get a price. I will wait until winter to do it but I think it might actually happen...
23 Jul 2014, 7:52pm Engine
Agree about the weight, still considering options.

I have a real soft spot for V8s though and the M5 V8 doesn't fit a Z3 because its sump and stuff is the wrong way round.

Looking for a small leight V8 ain't easy.

Anyone got views on the Lotus V8. I haven't googled it yet but seem to remember they were compact