RE: Homebrew Porsche 917

[guy1]

Didn't they make 25 road going cars for homologation? Just find one of those and ask to copy it.....

[Craikeybaby]

This sounds like a great project, but I'm slightly disappointed there hasn't been a link to a build thread yet!

[daveeatonr4]

Hi everyone, yes I'm the idiot that bought that 917 bodyshell, and on whom Pistonheads ran the article on Dec 20th. Thanks for all the positive comments over the last 2 weeks, and sorry regards not replying earlier. The article was excellent and have to extend my thanks to Pistonheads and Dan Trent for running this.

But one comment on the article, although this project is effectively a homebrew, as I have designed it for the last 2 years sitting in my lounge using Catia and many books. That is where the homebrew aspect finishes. As I’m a professional automotive designer, and the jigs and chassis manufacture has been done by a global engineering company, to my detailed designs and drawings.

Also I have a partner in the project, who is a runs his own supercar repair business. And whom has a very extensive technical knowledge, coupled with considerable track day experience (over 200 laps of the ring) which nest perfectly with my design skills for getting this 917 replica to be very close to the original, and to perform reliably on the track.

The project website is currently under development, and won't be live until end of Jan. But I do have a 60 slide ppt (12meg in size) which documents the project to date. So if anyone is interested in that please let me know, and I will email out.

The aim is to take the first completed car to the Le Mans Classic in May 2014. But not 100% sure if I will achieve this, as I have been on business in Motown, which has slowed the progress.

Regards all the questions posted over the last 2 weeks, I can answer virtually all of these, but have had no time (due to Christmas) and due to spending every spare minute designing the car. But what I will try to do in the next week is list and answer the questions in one reply. But I have added answers to 2 of the major questions below.

First: I can manufacture more replica chassis, as that is the asset of what I have done in CAD. I anticipate each chassis will require 2 weeks to laser cut the 210 tubes and then approx 1 month to build on the jig. Each chassis will be accurate to within 1mm to 5mm, dependent if suspension mountings (1mm) or body frame support (5mm).

Second: The intent is to get IVA approval, so the replica will be road and track legal. The IVA process is a complex issue for such a complex car coupled with the limitations of making her look original, but not insurmountable. And one major asset I have is being an automotive design engineer, so understand what is required.

And if anyone is interested in seeing the chassis jigs and chassis (as shown in the photo in the article) it is being built at an engineering facility in Basildon Essex. Please contact me if your interested to see it.

All the best and thanks again for all the positive comments.

Dave Eaton

[vincegail]

daveeatonr4 said:

But I do have a 60 slide ppt (12meg in size) which documents the project to date. So if anyone is interested in that please let me know, and I will email out.

Dave Eaton

Hi Dave! I wish there were more 'Idiots' like you! Hats off! And yes, I'd like a copy of the powerpoint, if possible! Keep up the good work, thanks in advance, Vincent

[daveeatonr4]

And an image of the chassis design from catia:

[e21Mark]

Great work Dave. I'll be watching and drooling with interest.

[DJRC]

How much is one of these babies likely to cost?

[jnoiles]

Beautiful looking thing. I'd also love a copy of the ppt.

[Polarbert]

Incredible. Would be great to see this progressing.

[dom9]

I have half an eye on a P962 project and would love to think it would get through IVA but I really don't think it will be possible for a number of reasons including the lights being too low, no matter what you do!

[anonymous-user]

Sorry if it's been asked before, but what powertrain is going to go into these cars?

[jp455]

daveeatonr4 said:

Hi everyone, yes I'm the idiot that bought that 917 bodyshell, and on whom Pistonheads ran the article on Dec 20th. Thanks for all the positive comments over the last 2 weeks, and sorry regards not replying earlier. The article was excellent and have to extend my thanks to Pistonheads and Dan Trent for running this.

But one comment on the article, although this project is effectively a homebrew, as I have designed it for the last 2 years sitting in my lounge using Catia and many books. That is where the homebrew aspect finishes. As I’m a professional automotive designer, and the jigs and chassis manufacture has been done by a global engineering company, to my detailed designs and drawings.

Also I have a partner in the project, who is a runs his own supercar repair business. And whom has a very extensive technical knowledge, coupled with considerable track day experience (over 200 laps of the ring) which nest perfectly with my design skills for getting this 917 replica to be very close to the original, and to perform reliably on the track.

The project website is currently under development, and won't be live until end of Jan. But I do have a 60 slide ppt (12meg in size) which documents the project to date. So if anyone is interested in that please let me know, and I will email out.

The aim is to take the first completed car to the Le Mans Classic in May 2014. But not 100% sure if I will achieve this, as I have been on business in Motown, which has slowed the progress.

Regards all the questions posted over the last 2 weeks, I can answer virtually all of these, but have had no time (due to Christmas) and due to spending every spare minute designing the car. But what I will try to do in the next week is list and answer the questions in one reply. But I have added answers to 2 of the major questions below.

First: I can manufacture more replica chassis, as that is the asset of what I have done in CAD. I anticipate each chassis will require 2 weeks to laser cut the 210 tubes and then approx 1 month to build on the jig. Each chassis will be accurate to within 1mm to 5mm, dependent if suspension mountings (1mm) or body frame support (5mm).

Second: The intent is to get IVA approval, so the replica will be road and track legal. The IVA process is a complex issue for such a complex car coupled with the limitations of making her look original, but not insurmountable. And one major asset I have is being an automotive design engineer, so understand what is required.

And if anyone is interested in seeing the chassis jigs and chassis (as shown in the photo in the article) it is being built at an engineering facility in Basildon Essex. Please contact me if your interested to see it.

All the best and thanks again for all the positive comments.

Dave Eaton

Hello Dave,

Id love to see your work so far! If you can email it Id appreciate it. Ive also been involved in the design/build of a few cars (Mosler MT900, Spano GTA) so would really enjoy seeing the project from the start. My email is [e-mail]

Thanks

[markCSC]

Max_Torque said:

Sorry if it's been asked before, but what powertrain is going to go into these cars?

from the front page

"powered by a flat-six from a 964 era 911."

[wickedmotorhead]

daveeatonr4 said:

And if anyone is interested in seeing the chassis jigs and chassis (as shown in the photo in the article) it is being built at an engineering facility in Basildon Essex. Please contact me if your interested to see it.

All the best and thanks again for all the positive comments.

Dave Eaton

Dave,

Amazing work! I just stumbled across this in a search to see if anyone was making their own chassis. I am also an automotive design engineer and greatly appreciate your work! I would be VERY interested in your powerpoint and any other information you would be willing to share. Please email to [e-mail]. Thank you!

Shane Wagner

[robinessex]

Aluminium chassis? If it's a exact copy of the steel one, it will be 3 times more wobbly ! Not what one wants really.

[anh165]

Super thread revival!

I have been contemplating over shipping a RCR 917 kit to the UK along with a M64 & 4 speed box from a 930 Turbo - just need some more work space really!

The original frame wasn't exactly a very strong design, and one of the early 917's snapped in half racing in Le Mans.

The fuel tanks sat right next to the driver!

[shoestring7]

anh165 said:

Super thread revival!

I have been contemplating over shipping a RCR 917 kit to the UK along with a M64 & 4 speed box from a 930 Turbo - just need some more work space really!

The original frame wasn't exactly a very strong design, and one of the early 917's snapped in half racing in Le Mans.

The fuel tanks sat right next to the driver!

When you say 'snapped in half' are you referring to the aftermath of big high speed accidents to Piper and Woolf or the tendency for frame elements to break? I STR Porsche pressurised the tubes and put in a gauge for the drivers to see if the latter had happened.

SS7

[Hugo a Gogo]

dunno if it's in the thread already, but you can find updates on FB, look for icon engineering

[anh165]

shoestring7 said:

anh165 said:

Super thread revival!

I have been contemplating over shipping a RCR 917 kit to the UK along with a M64 & 4 speed box from a 930 Turbo - just need some more work space really!

The original frame wasn't exactly a very strong design, and one of the early 917's snapped in half racing in Le Mans.

The fuel tanks sat right next to the driver!

When you say 'snapped in half' are you referring to the aftermath of big high speed accidents to Piper and Woolf or the tendency for frame elements to break? I STR Porsche pressurised the tubes and put in a gauge for the drivers to see if the latter had happened.

SS7

Yes - you seem to recall this in much better detail than I have,

Still a beautiful race car - especially in the Austrian flag red Porsche Salzburg colours , and I'm not particularly a Porsche fan.