Twin turbo Jag V12 mid engined scratch built Zonda

[nicktruman]

Hi guys
A year ago I started my kit car, based on a V12 from an XJS with running gear from a Scorpio I have built a full size "Zonda" replica.
The specs are:
5.3l V12 with twin t28 turbos and intercoolers
Audi transaxle
Audi Quatro flywheel and clutch
Megasquirt ECU running twin Ford V6 coilpack "wasted spark" triggered 36-1 trigger wheel (onboard CarPC for tuning)
.
Same dimension as Zonda C12 roadster
power steering Astra
Windscreen wiper, Merc 190

I am now making the body (slowly as it so cold!)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=oae5AwZIllI
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=d83r2-Z4-CE
http://photobucket.com/NickT

The body will be made of glass fibre and carbon

[Mr Dave]

Yeah thats going to be cool, looks strange from side on in the wireview, but you don't see any pictures of the Zonda from the side for that reason I suppose, the nose is really short on them.

[nicktruman]

My version will appear to have a slightly longer nose because my windscreen is not as raked as the OEM one. I have used an XJS screen, zonda ones don't come up on ebay that often!

Driving the chassis around as it is was quite awesome, feels like a gokart, but if you blip the throttle in 1st gear, you get a wack in the back like nothing I have felt before..


Regards

Nick

[Chris71]

Should be fun! Is the chassis your own design? Any plans to market it?

...And was that a Ferrari 308 in the corner of the video?

[antnicuk]

very interesting project. did you build the chassis your self? is it your own design?

[nicktruman]

Chris71 said:

Should be fun! Is the chassis your own design? Any plans to market it?

...And was that a Ferrari 308 in the corner of the video?

No, no plans to market it, I copied the chassis from the Ultima GTR website, just modified it to fit the dimensions of the C12.
Yep, that's my 308 GT4, had it for 5 years now, nicest car I've ever had!

antnicuk said:

very interesting project. did you build the chassis your self? is it your own design?

Yes, I did, I bought the engine to make a coffee table, but it was way too heavy! So I ended up making a car round it. First it was put in the back of a Scorpio and registered (as mid-engined V12 Ford Scorpio) then I lost the body and fabricated the rest of it. Its made from 1 1/2" 1.5 mm tube, same as the Ultima. Its very rigid, when the V12 was mounted, you could jack up the front corner from the ground and the engine (1/3rd tonne!) would lift too, no flex!
Cheers

Nick

[tegwin]

Awsome project...

You do realise that you cant keep it registered as a V-12 scorpio... unforunately its going to have to go through the government IVA/SVA tests to make it road legal/insurable.... Might be worth getting a test manual now and making sure everything is built to spec so it passes the test!

[nicktruman]

tegwin said:

Awsome project...

You do realise that you cant keep it registered as a V-12 scorpio... unforunately its going to have to go through the government IVA/SVA tests to make it road legal/insurable.... Might be worth getting a test manual now and making sure everything is built to spec so it passes the test!

Yes i guess so, the DVLA have said they want to come and look at it! I have to ring them when it has body. theoretically it should maintain its "G" reg plate according to the rules. The engine, transmission, steering electrics are all Ford (well they come out of a Scorpio). I even have a bit of the chassis left (the bits that holds the steering column in place.
But, if it has to go Q then so be it.

the whole story of the build is here, but you will need to register (free) to see the pictures.
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=...





Cheers
Nick

[singlecoil]

You should join the
www.locostbuilders.co.uk
forum, there's a section for mid-engined cars, the guys there would be very interested in your project

[FM]

Superb project mate...wonderful.

[nicktruman]

singlecoil said:

You should join the
www.locostbuilders.co.uk
forum, there's a section for mid-engined cars, the guys there would be very interested in your project

Thanks for the tip, just registered!

FM said:

Superb project mate...wonderful.

Heh thanks, appreciated!!

Cheers
Nick

[172_bill]

Fantastic work !

Have you checked the wishbone geometry on shareware simulation tools ?
I suspect your hubs have their ball joints quite close together, relative to the chassis mounting points (and much closer together than Zonda). Looks like you might get bad camber change in roll.
Or maybe it could be sorted by a ride-height change.

PS I'm not an expert I could be talking total b******s
Good luck anyway.

[nicktruman]

172_bill said:

Fantastic work !

Have you checked the wishbone geometry on shareware simulation tools ?
I suspect your hubs have their ball joints quite close together, relative to the chassis mounting points (and much closer together than Zonda). Looks like you might get bad camber change in roll.
Or maybe it could be sorted by a ride-height change.

PS I'm not an expert I could be talking total b******s
Good luck anyway.

Hi, what shareware tool???

I have never done anything like this before, (1st and last time). I copied the dimensions of the wishbones off my Ferrari, but could be acres out!

Just come in from the cold, finished the last rear wing. Next I have to carve it to shape then start plastering!

Regards Nick

Edited by nicktruman on Sunday 1st February 17:17

[V8 GRF]

nicktruman said:

172_bill said:

Fantastic work !

Have you checked the wishbone geometry on shareware simulation tools ?
I suspect your hubs have their ball joints quite close together, relative to the chassis mounting points (and much closer together than Zonda). Looks like you might get bad camber change in roll.
Or maybe it could be sorted by a ride-height change.

PS I'm not an expert I could be talking total b******s
Good luck anyway.

Hi, what shareware tool???

Forum here with links to software

http://www.eng-tips.com/faqs.cfm?fid=768

[andygtt]

Ive spotted you thread on locost havong not been on there for about a year until today.... only to find you were here all along.

Awsome project which I will be following for sure.

[nicktruman]

andygtt said:

Ive spotted you thread on locost havong not been on there for about a year until today.... only to find you were here all along.

Awsome project which I will be following for sure.

Hi Andy
For the full story.. http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=...

you get th whole sory saga from there, and some very nice cars as well!

Cheers

Nick

[rhdv8]

Hi Nick, long time no hear. Glad to see you still have the GT4, but still a shame you haven’t got the proper wheels :-) even after I sent you that link when there were some for sale. Ok, ok it was some 3 yrs ago now I guess. From the youtube vids you look like you’ve been on some kind of elixir of youth???

I finally did get my RX7 and yes it now has a 5.7L LS1 V8 in it.
Guessed who I am yet??
Phil from the OCC help at all?

Good luck with your project

PS say Hi to Mike C for me.

Edited by rhdv8 on Tuesday 3rd February 21:20

[nicktruman]

rhdv8 said:

Hi Nick, long time no hear. Glad to see you still have the GT4, but still a shame you haven’t got the proper wheels :-) even after I sent you that link when there were some for sale. Ok, ok it was some 3 yrs ago now I guess. From the youtube vids you look like you’ve been on some kind of elixir of youth???

I finally did get my RX7 and yes it now has a 5.7L LS1 V8 in it.
Guessed who I am yet??
Phil from the OCC help at all?

Good luck with your project

PS say Hi to Mike C for me.

Edited by rhdv8 on Tuesday 3rd February 21:20

Hi Phil,
How's things? I hated the standard Ferrari wheels, the next owner can put them back on. I always think, If Enzo had been around today, would he have fitted 205/70 14 wheels/tryres... Don't think so.. the ultra low profiles have transformed the car in many ways..
Yes, a mid life crisis, Ferrari not quick enough so lets make a twin turbo V12
Don't work for Mike anymore!

Regards Nick

[V8OWNER]

nicktruman said:

No, no plans to market it, I copied the chassis from the Ultima GTR website, just modified it to fit the dimensions of the C12.

I cant see any resemblance to the GTR chassis?!

Full marks to you Nick.. looks like a great project, with alot of thought gone into it.. I think the zonda is a great looking car , but why after all that work dont you go with your own body design?

[nicktruman]

V8OWNER said:

nicktruman said:

No, no plans to market it, I copied the chassis from the Ultima GTR website, just modified it to fit the dimensions of the C12.

I cant see any resemblance to the GTR chassis?!

Full marks to you Nick.. looks like a great project, with alot of thought gone into it.. I think the zonda is a great looking car , but why after all that work dont you go with your own body design?

Oh, I certainly copied lots of the detail, never made anything before, so had to rely on these websites for inspiration, also the parallel design site.

It will be my take on a Zonda (I guess), for instance I want gullwing Lambo style doors, the bonnet will have ti be a different shape because of the windscreen. It will be my tribute

I treated myself to some new seats, I also added a bit more to the rear. The dash is now semi clad in red leather. -