Ariel Nomad Turbo Conversion

[ol]

Caddyshack said:

What sort of cost is it to do the off-road stuff? I wouldn’t mind thrashing my Cossie 205 round there. I like the idea of being able to slide around…the track days black flag you for “drifting” if you want to play now

We private hired it as a group, so you'd have to ask them direct. Would 100% fully recommend Sweet Lamb.

[PhillipM]

When we run it for competition use it's about 3-4k depending on the tracks you're using.

There's a rally school there though if you fancy that option.

[ol]

ol said:

So scores on the doors!!

We have got 3 maps, and opening the valve on the exhaust makes such a huge difference, that we actually have 6 different settings:


No boost - 250bhp valve closed, 260bhp valve open

Low Boost - 300bhp valve closed, 315bhp valve open

High Boost (10psi) - 355bhp valve closed, 380bhp valve open


This project was never about number hunting (see first post) but was all about making something drivable on the limit and FUN. The drivability is awesome even on full power, and the way it puts on speed is unreal. I'm so happy with it and it has turned out to be exactly what I was hoping for when I bought the car and made the first post on this thread.

High Boost map graph

Untitled by Olly Olly, on Flickr

High and Low Boost map graphs

Untitled by Olly Olly, on Flickr

Quoting this as it will get lost at the bottom of the last page.

Booked a trackday at Croft in 10 days, and then one with Ariel Factory guys at Pembrey in October. Currently trying to decide if I need to get some sticky tyres or just spend the day trying not to be sideways in every corner and getting black flagged for drifting

[jenkosrugby]

ol said:

Haha - where's the track day? I had sevens for a lot of years before the Nomad - it's the logical progression!

Track day was at Abingdon.....There was a brand new fully specced up Atom on track, that was an absolute rocket ship. My big V8 lump actually performed quite well, I desperately need ARB's fitted to it!.

As to your question re getting sticky tyres on a track day...I cant help thinking on a dry day you would miss them over the off road tyes....Probably not so much an issue if you are allowed to drift the car around, but most track days don't allow it.

[PhillipM]

Never had an issue sliding around on knobblies on trackdays - if you're not silly sideways with the tyres squealing, which knobblies generally don't as they're twisting the tread as much as sliding on the surface, they don't mind.
It's the tyre noise for neighbours that's the big issue for 'em.

Don't park up after a session without cooling the tyres down for at least a lap though. We parked up at Oulton once after a morning session for 10-15mins and the tyres melted to the tarmac while we got a burger, big flat spots.

Edited by PhillipM on Tuesday 20th September 13:05

[MDifficult]

ol said:

Booked a trackday at Croft in 10 days, and then one with Ariel Factory guys at Pembrey in October. Currently trying to decide if I need to get some sticky tyres or just spend the day trying not to be sideways in every corner and getting black flagged for drifting

All being well, I’ll be at the Pembrey Trackday too - can’t wait to see/hear/experience your car in the flesh! Fantastic thread

[TheJimi]

ol said:

At 730KG and 380bhp, it gives a power to weight of 520.

That's bananas

I'm impressed at the apparent levels of driveablity.

[ol]

jenkosrugby said:

Track day was at Abingdon.....There was a brand new fully specced up Atom on track, that was an absolute rocket ship. My big V8 lump actually performed quite well, I desperately need ARB's fitted to it!.

As to your question re getting sticky tyres on a track day...I cant help thinking on a dry day you would miss them over the off road tyes....Probably not so much an issue if you are allowed to drift the car around, but most track days don't allow it.

Will do Croft next week and see how it is on the Geolanders. A big issue is actually getting some wheels and tyres in 18" as the Ariel PCD is really random. I could get PCD adaptors or the hubs re-drilled but seems a lot of effort for a few trackdays each year, and I'm not trying to set lap records with it - just looking to have the most fun possible.

PhillipM said:

Never had an issue sliding around on knobblies on trackdays - if you're not silly sideways with the tyres squealing, which knobblies generally don't as they're twisting the tread as much as sliding on the surface, they don't mind.
It's the tyre noise for neighbours that's the big issue for 'em.

Don't park up after a session without cooling the tyres down for at least a lap though. We parked up at Oulton once after a morning session for 10-15mins and the tyres melted to the tarmac while we got a burger, big flat spots.

Edited by PhillipM on Tuesday 20th September 13:05

Great advice. Will make sure to do a cool down lap each time, and keep an eye on them melting

MDifficult said:

All being well, I’ll be at the Pembrey Trackday too - can’t wait to see/hear/experience your car in the flesh! Fantastic thread

Great! You're welcome to come out with me in it, and I look forward to seeing all the Atoms. Yours looks great. Should be an awesome day. Wonder if the Hipercar will make an appearance...

TheJimi said:

ol said:

At 730KG and 380bhp, it gives a power to weight of 520.

That's bananas

I'm impressed at the apparent levels of driveablity.

Thanks! Me too. I was expecting the wheels to just spin up, but the Geolanders are actually pretty sticky when warm.

[MDifficult]

ol said:

Great! You're welcome to come out with me in it, and I look forward to seeing all the Atoms. Yours looks great. Should be an awesome day. Wonder if the Hipercar will make an appearance...

Thanks! You read my mind (on both wanting a passenger ride and hoping the Hipercar will be there). I was down at the factory yesterday and there’s lots of excitement from the lads in the service team about the trackday, the Hipercar… and your Nomad!

[ol]

MDifficult said:

Thanks! You read my mind (on both wanting a passenger ride and hoping the Hipercar will be there). I was down at the factory yesterday and there’s lots of excitement from the lads in the service team about the trackday, the Hipercar… and your Nomad!

Great! Really looking forward to it and seeing what they bring. Come say hi on the day

[ol]

Did some Nomad-ing last weekend - had a drive around our local forest (Kielder) with another local owner, to meet up with another new local owner with this awesome matte green car. It looks unreal in the metal, great colour combo. We did dome skids and then went for lunch

Untitled by Olly Olly, on Flickr

Untitled by Olly Olly, on Flickr

Untitled by Olly Olly, on Flickr

Untitled by Olly Olly, on Flickr

Untitled by Olly Olly, on Flickr

Untitled by Olly Olly, on Flickr

[ol]

I then spent the afternoon at a friends farm playing in the fields. All the kids loved it

Untitled by Olly Olly, on Flickr

Untitled by Olly Olly, on Flickr



Little skid video here

Untitled by Olly Olly, on Flickr

[ol]

Gave it a thorough wash to get off Wales, Kielder and the fields.

Considering going into grass sales...

Untitled by Olly Olly, on Flickr

Untitled by Olly Olly, on Flickr

Untitled by Olly Olly, on Flickr

Untitled by Olly Olly, on Flickr

[ol]

Did some investigating into hooking up an A-frame to tow it about. Decided it's probably better just to trailer it..

Untitled by Olly Olly, on Flickr


Then just a gratuitous photo of the turbo while the air filter was off for washing.

Untitled by Olly Olly, on Flickr

[Pugaris]

Incredible work and fantastic photos. Would absolutely love one of these.

[ol]

Pugaris said:

Incredible work and fantastic photos. Would absolutely love one of these.

Thank you, much appreciated

[gareth h]

MDifficult said:

All being well, I’ll be at the Pembrey Trackday too - can’t wait to see/hear/experience your car in the flesh! Fantastic thread

What date is that? I’m up the road, might pop down to spectate.

[jenkosrugby]

I just love this thread.......So good to see these sort of cars getting used for what they were intended. I was going ask about keeping them clean, but I can see how you do it now :-)..

[likesachange]

Any updates young man....

[jenkosrugby]

likesachange said:

Any updates young man....

Yep....I'm missing the updates too....This is my 'go to' thread for inspiration and just generally making me feel good about the internal combustion engine....