Sagaris Rebuild
Discussion
Hi folks
I am about to embark on a Sagaris rebuild, and so I wanted to see what owners initial thoughts were regarding upgrades. If you were going to build a sag from the chassis up what are the little niggles you would replace/upgrade along the way. Anything i should be mind full of?
I completely refurbed the Chimaera, and loved it. So here goes.....
I am about to embark on a Sagaris rebuild, and so I wanted to see what owners initial thoughts were regarding upgrades. If you were going to build a sag from the chassis up what are the little niggles you would replace/upgrade along the way. Anything i should be mind full of?
I completely refurbed the Chimaera, and loved it. So here goes.....
Modrich said:
Nice project Dave will be following this with interest, a Sagaris would be top of my list to build from scratch.
I'm currently restoring a Tuscan and the way my thought processes work, I find it almost impossible to put things back together exactly as they were done in the factory without looking at ways to make improvements and simplify.
For example, I've never understood why the starter motor/alternator to battery cable runs from the rear RHS of the engine right round the front of the engine back past the exhaust manifolds to the battery which is about 3m of cable. To me the glaringly obvious route from the starter motor is straight up through the bulkhead into the cabin across behind the dash, drop down into the passenger footwell and back through to the battery saving at least a meter of cable and no close shaves with the exhausts. Similar story for the lambda cables that go from the ECU into the engine loom out into the engine bay, across the engine piggy back the coolant pipe back past the manifolds, past the battery to the exhaust when it could simply stay in the cabin and take the same route as the power cable and not go anywhere the engine bay.
Things like this will help simplify/declutter the engine bay and make some obvious improvements to cable longevity and no sign of itch inducing fibreglass wrap…
Saying that, I do find working on the Tuscan a refreshing alternative to modern mass produced cars…
Thanks Modrich, I have been watching your Tuscan - great work! Good point on the electrics! Im not familiar with T cars, but on my Chimaera the electrics/loom and positioning never made the most sense! I'm currently restoring a Tuscan and the way my thought processes work, I find it almost impossible to put things back together exactly as they were done in the factory without looking at ways to make improvements and simplify.
For example, I've never understood why the starter motor/alternator to battery cable runs from the rear RHS of the engine right round the front of the engine back past the exhaust manifolds to the battery which is about 3m of cable. To me the glaringly obvious route from the starter motor is straight up through the bulkhead into the cabin across behind the dash, drop down into the passenger footwell and back through to the battery saving at least a meter of cable and no close shaves with the exhausts. Similar story for the lambda cables that go from the ECU into the engine loom out into the engine bay, across the engine piggy back the coolant pipe back past the manifolds, past the battery to the exhaust when it could simply stay in the cabin and take the same route as the power cable and not go anywhere the engine bay.
Things like this will help simplify/declutter the engine bay and make some obvious improvements to cable longevity and no sign of itch inducing fibreglass wrap…
Saying that, I do find working on the Tuscan a refreshing alternative to modern mass produced cars…
non_linear said:
Biggest change from standard I would make is better protection of the chassis, but I'm guessing you have already done that. What is the finish on the chassis? Is that epoxy?
Chassis was treated to hot zinc bath before powder coating. Im in Northampton and found a great service with one of the locals! 
BIG DUNC said:
Dave, you are a glutton for punishment. I remember seeing photos of the Chim when you started.
This looks like a very nice project. Good luck and I will follow it.
As an aside, are you keeping the Chim as well, or will that have to go (or already gone)?
Hi Duncan, good yo here from - hope all is well?This looks like a very nice project. Good luck and I will follow it.
As an aside, are you keeping the Chim as well, or will that have to go (or already gone)?
No still have the Chimaera, with no plans to let it go.
Here she is now …
Clockwork Cupcake said:
non_linear said:
What are you plans for engine management? Definitely room for improvement over the original.
Syvecs is the way to go in my direct experience. They were the first to crack the problem of fitting knock sensors to the S6 when everyone said it couldn't be done, and then others followed suit.
Obviously others are available but you won't get any better that Syvecs in my opinion.
Some interesting points here...
I never intended to re-engineer the Sag. For me, I am happy with the internal roll cage, side bars etc - it is what it is and if safety was my agenda, I wouldn't of gone down the route of TVR. However,. looking back I do regret not doing a bit more work with the Chimaera build on this front. I do find myself thinking about the what if's when it gets twitchy. - so great points to raise!
ECU, looms, fuse boards etc will be the areas of change.
I never intended to re-engineer the Sag. For me, I am happy with the internal roll cage, side bars etc - it is what it is and if safety was my agenda, I wouldn't of gone down the route of TVR. However,. looking back I do regret not doing a bit more work with the Chimaera build on this front. I do find myself thinking about the what if's when it gets twitchy. - so great points to raise!
ECU, looms, fuse boards etc will be the areas of change.
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