V8 S Chassis

[CTE]

Just thinking about possibilities...does anyone know where I can get a straight V8S chassis from, and will an S1 body fit the V8 chassis? I am thinking about fitting a V8 and the V8 chassis is a bit wider, and I seem to remember has slightly longer front wishbones?

[Scoobimax]

RT Racing in Sheffield would be my first call.

[Roy C]

I think there may also be problems where the top of the rear suspension fits under the body, behind the seats. This is a different shape between S1/S2 body and S3 onwards.

[mikel003003]

Won't a v8 fit in the s1 chassis then ?

[SJS357]

Scoobimax said:

RT Racing in Sheffield would be my first call.

Seconded

[phillpot]

An interestimg priject but one i think could turn into a little "money pit" and end up with a "hy-brid" that cost more than a genuine V8s but "worth" a lot less?

(i appreciate V8s don'e exactly go cheap these days but factor in value of your car as it stands)

[jwoffshore]

The extra width of the V8S is achieved by longer suspension arms. The basic width across the chassis rails is the same for V6 vs V8. There is some extra stiffening on the V8 chassis, but nothing very difficult to duplicate.

The inner wings of the V8 body tub are relieved more to clear the exhaust manifolds.

[CTE]

That`s the best reply of the lot. I was not thinking about putting a wheezy Rover V8 in but a mate has an LS1..complete with everything including gearbox, the lot! Modding the fibreglass to suit is not an issue, and it was not planned for the road, but just as a trackday/sprint car....so financial gain was not a factor. It actually makes no financial sense, other than I have a car sitting there which is not being used and does not meet my dream goal of 500hp per tonne, and never will in its current form (I could spend £4000 and have turbo added to get to +300hp but that would be a complete waste). Also consider how much I would have to spend to buy a car that does achieve my requirement? It is as much for the project as the end goal.

I know there will be comments about the chassis will never cope etc, but have you seen half the Cobra kit cars out there? Most of the issues will be resolved with good damping, and whilst acceleration will be vivid, I would limit top speed to about 150mph....it does that at present ok....down a runway of course.

[Alan Whitaker]

Hi
You won't get the LS1 in without chopping the bottom rail it needs to be wider if you are putting in the gearbox as well, type 9 and MT75 not strong enough for the LS, you won't be able to fit the LS exhausts without cutting the top rail where the exhausts come out, you will have to chop the tub as well to get it back on, the footwells will need cutting back to clear the exhausts. I did look at fitting a LS motor but it was lots of work. It is a project that can be done after all its only steel and fiberglass.
Good luck I want to see the progress, it's not going to be easy

Alan

Edited by Alan Whitaker on Wednesday 19th June 17:15

[jwoffshore]

Yes, I'm involved in a Griffith LS conversion. It's the gearbox which is the killer. You could get away with a T5 with uprated internals. That will probably go in the S tunnel. The other boxes used for LS (TKO, T56 etc) would be way too big. It's a squeeze in a Griff and that has a much wider transmission tunnel. Also, you would need to use a stronger diff, such as a BTR.

The Griffith chassis rails around the engine bay are actually at the same spacing as the S. It's the backbone/tunnel area which is wider. The LS is a little wider than the rover at the heads, but it is just possible to squeeze tight fitting small bore headers in the Griff application.

[v8s4me]

If your ‘S’ is any good why not sell it on to a good home where someone can love it? With the money you raise you could buy something like this ...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1976-Reliant-Scimitar-Ma...

...which has a much bigger engine bay to accommodate the LS lump. You’ll still get awsome acceleration and the BHP/ton ratio you want.

BTW, if you modify the ‘S’ but you’re going to limit it to 150mph and the ‘S’ already does that; what’s the point?

[Alan Whitaker]

Hi
Its not to hard to mod the bottom chassis rails on the S as long as you jig it up first, mine before and after. Used some 38mm cds tube to add a bit of stiffness as well





Had to do a bit of mod work to refit the tub, all in all weekends work

Alan

Edited by Alan Whitaker on Wednesday 19th June 18:12

[mikel003003]

I have thought about putting a 3.5 rv8 in mine a few times possibly running carbs or a zetec or 2.9 cossie lump, I think they will all phisically fit but am put off by the money and headaches involved.

[phillpot]

You've got an S Series that will pull 150 !!!!

Mine wouldn't do that if I drove it off a cliff


Now we have the "fuller" story it all makes a bit more sense, from initial post I took it as you were looking to build a "replica" V8S.

Anything is possible, if you have the resources, skills, commitment (and a bit of money usually helps). Keep us posted on progress.


ETA, one more thought, how about dropping the S body on a Chimaera chassis? stronger diff, rear discs (can be fitted to an S) and double wishbone rear suspension

Edited by phillpot on Wednesday 19th June 19:35

[mikel003003]

phillpot said:

You've got an S Series that will pull 150 !!!!

Mine wouldn't do that if I drove it off a cliff

Proof at last that the s1 is faster


ETA, one more thought, how about dropping the S body on a Chimaera chassis? stronger diff, rear discs (can be fitted to an S) and double wishbone rear suspension

That is a nice idea !

Edited by phillpot on Wednesday 19th June 19:35

[phillpot]

mikel003003 said:

phillpot said:

You've got an S Series that will pull 150 !!!!

Mine wouldn't do that if I drove it off a cliff

Proof at last that the S1 has a wildly inaccurate speedo (did you not think it funny that Ford Fiesta's were still coming past you at 120?}

ETA, one more thought, how about dropping the S body on a Chimaera chassis? stronger diff, rear discs (can be fitted to an S) and double wishbone rear suspension

That is a nice idea !

]

[mikel003003]

Touche! ,well played sir,well played.

Edited by mikel003003 on Thursday 20th June 10:31

[glenrobbo]

I remember last year in the TVR DTEC Challenge Series watching a certain S bodied car on a shortened Tuscan ( or Cerb? ) chassis that put in a good performance at Oulton Park.
I believe it was Straight6 that lovingly crafted this machine, and it was sold earlier this year to make way for the next exciting project.
Han was quite unashamedly lusting after this rat racer ( want! want! )
Just a thought.........
Anything is possible in the World of TVR.

[Roy C]

glenrobbo said:

I remember last year in the TVR DTEC Challenge Series watching a certain S bodied car on a shortened Tuscan ( or Cerb? ) chassis that put in a good performance at Oulton Park.
I believe it was Straight6 that lovingly crafted this machine, and it was sold earlier this year to make way for the next exciting project.

The "S3Erbera" was created around ten years ago. It's a modified (shortened?) Cerbera chassis with a considerably modified S3 body. AFAIK it was never fully developed. I believe Jason acquired it (and developed it) it as a stop-gap for last season until his own car was ready.

[CTE]

I like the idea of the Chimera chassis?