Capri GTT... V10, 550bhp

[RS Grant]

This has the potential to be a truly epic build... look forward to the progress.


Cheers,
Grant

[lesstatt]

Fantastic project, I love capris, well done op, bookmarked

Are you going to keep the std type Capri interior ?

[AWG]

Best of luck mate, looking forward to the updates!

[andygtt]

gareth_r said:

andygtt said:

Think in theory at any time VOSA could call the car to be inspected... so even if I do the changes piecemeal and as such slip them under the net an MoT could put in the wrong thing and send warning signs to DVLA and trigger an inspection.

In practical terms that is rare and loads of cars get away with cut and shuts i.e. cutting the body off one car and grafting it on the chassis and running gear of another.... this is not what I want.

I want it 100% legit and legal. I will get engineer's inspections etc and present it to VOSA if required.

Upgrading parts on the car made for the car are OK... I toyed with the idea of going independent suspension at the rear, however it puts me technically too close to being marginal on genuinely retaining the cars identity.

And it is possible to get the live axle working very effectively... OK it won't handle like the Noble, but it defiantly will handle

You referred to the Capri's poor rear axle location, which, I assume, means that you intend to "5-link" it. The problem you may have is that the boxes required to locate the forward ends of the links could constitute major modifications to the monocoque that would trigger an IVA.

The same would apply to any bulkhead/tunnel modification required to fit the V10 and its gearbox.

OK so after me stating you were wrong it was actually me that was very wrong... seems a few years back (2010 ish) DVLA were talking about taking a very hard line on what they classified as significant modifications, it seems one of their clarification statements actually mentioned cutting the tunnel or bullhead to fit an engine therefore ANY car that had this done was not technically legal and if found out would have the V5 revoked and have to submit for an IVA and get a Q plate (if passed).

I have NO idea if it still stands that they are enforcing this rule, it could effect thousands of cars if they were found out... going to take advice on rear end but it has made me completely rethink my plan.

I have checked and the engine WILL fit without any modification at all to the Monocoque chassis... Im almost positive the 7 speed gearbox won't fit, meaning I will buy a 6 speed M3 box and see if that goes. One thing is clear I will have to lower the engine and box down in the chassis to get the clearance needed for the box and the 2 3inch exhaust systems.
Wont be a major issue as I am going to run a larger Diam wheel and tyre package which will raise the chassis, therefore if I lower the car 1inch over stock I will fill the arches very nicely, still have a low centre or gravity as the engine and box will still be low... also I won't be messing the geo up lowing the car.

So taking all this in mind, I am now thinking I might just start completely from scratch and build an all new chassis to my own spec using the roll cage and T45 I have on order, I can then use whatever suspension geometry and axle I want and potentially save myself a fortune... I can then take moulds of the roof (I have already started this) and use the X pack arches that I have.... I then IVA the car and go for a new registration like an Ultima.

Of cause the other option is to do the mods I had planned and accept IVA and Q plate, I hate this idea given the money I am planning to spend on the car.

So I now need to decide between the 2 options....
1. downgrade my spec and retain the original cars ID.
2. upgrade the spec and go for a brand new car.

[TroubledSoul]

Surely if you go option 2, you'd be better off finishing the other car instead?

[gareth_r]

It's unfortunate that a Q plate has the stigma of "badly designed and assembled kit car".

In the motorcycle(ish) world a Q plate and Motorcycle SVA certificate on a trike is viewed as proving that it's built properly and legally.

[wst]

If you go for the Q plate option it'll give you a lot more breathing space to do things as well as possible (but will make resisting the urge to go mentalist-engineer harder). If people look at it and think it's a shoddy kit car then so what? If you are thinking about - ultimately - what people will think when it comes to selling it, just make a folder up showing all of the maths and CAD you'll end up doing for this, and engineer's reports, etc.

As for the more compromised original plate option, well... find out the absolute limits of what you can do beforehand. There might be a number of other ways you might slip into Q territory by accident that you've not considered yet.

[200bhp]

andygtt said:

I am now thinking I might just start completely from scratch and build an all new chassis to my own spec using the roll cage and T45 I have on order, I can then use whatever suspension geometry and axle I want and potentially save myself a fortune... I can then take moulds of the roof (I have already started this) and use the X pack arches that I have.... I then IVA the car and go for a new registration like an Ultima.

I like your man maths logic here.... You've packed up your project supercar into a box in the garden in order to pursue this other project that initially seems simpler and more cost effective. Now, at the first sign of an obstacle, you're thinking of building another one-off car pretty much from scratch

Keep up the good work.

[andygtt]

Ok to clear up this, 'I should build the other car' issue... on one hand I would agree, HOWEVER I have 3 very good reasons to put it on hold for a while.

1. the GTT requires well over 100k to finish to a level I want, it HAS to be better than the noble in all respects so Im not even going to entertain skimping... my budget for the capri is a lot less mainly as I won't be going mad with the engine.

2. I've built the Noble... I made moulds of the entire car, tuned the engine to over 700bhp and made it handle like it was on rails (yes much better than it did when stock), in some respects this is the car the GTT was going to become... I won't be selling the Noble therefore even when the GTT is finished so I kinda don't need the GTT yet.

However the biggest reason is:

3. My wife is VERY enthusiastic about building the capri, and in truth Im much more excited about doing this than my GTT at this stage... Mrs GTT helped a lot with the noble, even coming out to laminate the tub for 6hrs on Boxing day one year. She really does want to be involved and we are building this as a car she can and will drive.

[Megaflow]

It is possible to get an age related plate after an IVA test. I'm not fully clear on the rules, but in think it goes something like if you use enough of the donor car to proves it age or something.

I suspect because the age of the Capri know, as is the age of the engine, you get an age plate based on the Capri.

[chuntington101]

Andy, I say sod the IVA. Just remove all the BMW badges from the engine and put some pinto or better yet Essex badges out on there. Only mention the engine on here as the engine and who will be the wiser? Simples.

It sounds like you needs to build the Capri if only to keep the wife happy. What's your wife's thoughts on you building a new chassis? This would be the 'Best' solution but it's if it meets your (read wife's) needs.

[Nigel-u7wa1]

Good to have some advanced manufacturing/engineering input still lavished on a Capri.

To get around any axle points penalty maybe consider this tried & tested racing circuit mod designed and built by Quadcamcapri who's been racing Capris for years. With coilovers on the back and leaves there should be negligible body roll. Could also get a spring manufacturer to make you an upgraded anti roll bar for it if the front is stiff enough. Simon might also be able to advise on geometry.

http://www.fordcapriforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?...

[n90acc]

andygtt said:

3. My wife is VERY enthusiastic about building the capri, and in truth Im much more excited about doing this than my GTT at this stage... Mrs GTT helped a lot with the noble, even coming out to laminate the tub for 6hrs on Boxing day one year. She really does want to be involved and we are building this as a car she can and will drive.

Relationship goals right there. She sounds like a great find!

Good luck with the build OP, very much looking forward to following your progress.

[em177]

andygtt said:

3. My wife is VERY enthusiastic about building the capri, and in truth Im much more excited about doing this than my GTT at this stage... Mrs GTT helped a lot with the noble, even coming out to laminate the tub for 6hrs on Boxing day one year. She really does want to be involved and we are building this as a car she can and will drive.

Importantly, where did you find said wife? Is there another one?

[PhillipM]

Or a spare sister? Cousin?

[andygtt]

Sorry Mrs GTT is the sister, I was already friends with her sister and that's how we met... I'm also fortunate that she is much cleverer than me and a local GP so can fix the inevitable injuries, like the time I got a 1cm carbon shard in my nuckle lol

Regarding the Capri, I now have a plan.

Basically the Capri will be no more in DVLA's eyes as I had planned at least 3 mods that mean the monocoque is no longer standard....however I have new quarter panels, wings and roof, nearly a brand new entire body... I also have the complete M5.
So under DVLA rules I CAN make a new chassis for the M5 as it will be a donor car and after IVA I can apply for an age related plate based on the M5... The condition I must meet is that 2 major components from the donor must be used.... Well I'm using the engine and box, and will now use the diff... That's 3 components. I might also use the axles, steering etc etc as I no longer need to restrict myself to ford.
This is a better plan than my original so I am very pleased now, time for a celebratory meal out and some beers :-)

[grkify]

When its done you can always get a personalised plate thats the correct age for the Capri as you can make a car look older but not newer I think.

[davepoth]

andygtt said:

Sorry Mrs GTT is the sister, I was already friends with her sister and that's how we met... I'm also fortunate that she is much cleverer than me and a local GP so can fix the inevitable injuries, like the time I got a 1cm carbon shard in my nuckle lol

Regarding the Capri, I now have a plan.

Basically the Capri will be no more in DVLA's eyes as I had planned at least 3 mods that mean the monocoque is no longer standard....however I have new quarter panels, wings and roof, nearly a brand new entire body... I also have the complete M5.
So under DVLA rules I CAN make a new chassis for the M5 as it will be a donor car and after IVA I can apply for an age related plate based on the M5... The condition I must meet is that 2 major components from the donor must be used.... Well I'm using the engine and box, and will now use the diff... That's 3 components. I might also use the axles, steering etc etc as I no longer need to restrict myself to ford.
This is a better plan than my original so I am very pleased now, time for a celebratory meal out and some beers :-)

So a 2000 and something or other BMW Capri GTT special then? That's going to be very confusing.

[wst]

grkify said:

When its done you can always get a personalised plate thats the correct age for the Capri as you can make a car look older but not newer I think.

If the Capri no longer exists, according to the DVLA, does the registration get freed up for reuse? Could the "M5" end up with the Capri's plates?

[Baryonyx]

This sounds like a top project. The car that defined my youth, fitted with one of the best road car engines of all time.