Saxo......with a difference
Discussion
This puppy was just ripe for a Z-cars conversion. After speaking to the Southern agents 'SWATSPEED'thay confirmed that a Saxo kit was being released so i decided to go for it. Rear wheel drive, Honda Type-R motor mounted in the rear, just like the mini kits.
Chris at Z-cars said it should handle as well as the mini kits and is only slightly heavier so should go as well to
The victim
This shows the front of the cage(ignore square tubing thats the jig), you can see the hump at the bottom which goes over the hump on the floor. You can also see the door bars which link the cage to the front of the car to stiffen the whole shell
This shows the rear view where motor will be mounted.
Side view showing mounting tabs, thay mount to seat belt locations and existing bolt holes around the shell to stiffen it right up.
Engine mounting area
This is a couple of shots of the shell showing how much of me car that is cut out.
Chris at Z-cars said it should handle as well as the mini kits and is only slightly heavier so should go as well to

The victim

This shows the front of the cage(ignore square tubing thats the jig), you can see the hump at the bottom which goes over the hump on the floor. You can also see the door bars which link the cage to the front of the car to stiffen the whole shell

This shows the rear view where motor will be mounted.

Side view showing mounting tabs, thay mount to seat belt locations and existing bolt holes around the shell to stiffen it right up.

Engine mounting area

This is a couple of shots of the shell showing how much of me car that is cut out.



Edited by nobbybombshell on Thursday 8th June 09:20
Afternoon gents.
This is the good bit. So far it has only cost:
1 Saxo £1100
2 Grooved discs £100
3 Z-cars kit £3000
4 Honda Type r Motor £2000
5 Custom ecu £1200
Only other costs i may have is a bit of paint inside, dial replacement and i will be fitting new seats and harnesses.
As for build time a regular spanner monkey could build one at home in 2 weeks, its that easy.
This is the first one off the production line so will keep you posted.
This is the good bit. So far it has only cost:
1 Saxo £1100
2 Grooved discs £100
3 Z-cars kit £3000
4 Honda Type r Motor £2000
5 Custom ecu £1200
Only other costs i may have is a bit of paint inside, dial replacement and i will be fitting new seats and harnesses.
As for build time a regular spanner monkey could build one at home in 2 weeks, its that easy.
This is the first one off the production line so will keep you posted.
Edited by nobbybombshell on Thursday 8th June 14:58
I find this facinating, as I always have the bonkers bike engined minis that Z-Cars engineer.
I wonder about the handling, despite the image as I understand it Saxos handle pretty well, what effect do you expect moving all the weight to the rear to have on handling?
Will you be mounting the fuel tank at the front, or is that a stupid question...
I wonder about the handling, despite the image as I understand it Saxos handle pretty well, what effect do you expect moving all the weight to the rear to have on handling?
Will you be mounting the fuel tank at the front, or is that a stupid question...

Hiya,
Yep fuel tank will be up front with that rad and fan. Suspension setup is being worked on as we speak. Z-cars are trying to go with their mini idea and that is using a stock strut with a new spring. Thay have to do a lot of testing with different springs but thay want to try and keep the package cost effective and easy to fit. The existing mini package works a treat and the Saxo front struts are excellent items so hopefully shouldnt be to much of a headache.
The rear end is completely custom made with new shocks and spings which are then hooked up to these lovely custom made hub carriers
This is a finished mini kit with Turbo Busa engine to give you and idea of the setup and how it will go into the shell.
Yep fuel tank will be up front with that rad and fan. Suspension setup is being worked on as we speak. Z-cars are trying to go with their mini idea and that is using a stock strut with a new spring. Thay have to do a lot of testing with different springs but thay want to try and keep the package cost effective and easy to fit. The existing mini package works a treat and the Saxo front struts are excellent items so hopefully shouldnt be to much of a headache.
The rear end is completely custom made with new shocks and spings which are then hooked up to these lovely custom made hub carriers

This is a finished mini kit with Turbo Busa engine to give you and idea of the setup and how it will go into the shell.

Edited by nobbybombshell on Saturday 10th June 21:16
Very impressive stuff. Had a VTS saxo a few years back. Turbo conversion by Prism Motorsport. Made 222bhp and 214lb/ft - shocked many a high performance car, got loads of attention/magazine features.
Cant wait to see yours finished, keep the pics coming fella - that thing is going to seriously shift. You got me thinking now!!!
Cant wait to see yours finished, keep the pics coming fella - that thing is going to seriously shift. You got me thinking now!!!
Give you some juicy bits now if you like.
Take one Saxo VTR and strip it.
Keep brakes, steering and front struts.
Add one SWATSPEED conversion package.
Mix in a Honda Type R Vtec motor (K20A)with a custom ECU, proven 200+hp.
Basically you got a rear wheel drive, rear engined, pocket rocket. Only just slightly heavier than the existing z-cars mini package so will go like stink.
Caution: Will be hot
Take one Saxo VTR and strip it.
Keep brakes, steering and front struts.
Add one SWATSPEED conversion package.
Mix in a Honda Type R Vtec motor (K20A)with a custom ECU, proven 200+hp.
Basically you got a rear wheel drive, rear engined, pocket rocket. Only just slightly heavier than the existing z-cars mini package so will go like stink.
Caution: Will be hot

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