Crazy track car
Discussion
Okay guys I was re-watching the top gear episode where they take the Transit van round the Nurburgring, and I found myself thinking about how to make a track-day car (or rather van) out of the venerable Transit. I reckon you'd need some serious stiffening measures so that the body doesn't warp over time and for helping cornering. I suppose an engine transplant is mandatory, plus major suspension mods. What else d'you reckon would be necessary?
I know there have been super-vans in the past but they were pretty much Transit shells on top of high end components. I'd like to see an independantly built track-day Transit
I know there have been super-vans in the past but they were pretty much Transit shells on top of high end components. I'd like to see an independantly built track-day Transit
IMO, you would need to space frame it, and ditch weight from high up. Then, mid mount a big V8 or whatnot (aero dictates big power, as light / slippery is not possible!). Big tyres front / rear, on small rims with very, very stiff suspension. Use large tyre sidewalls to aid suspension.
That is how I would guess to do it, no doubt others ahve ebtter ideas!
That is how I would guess to do it, no doubt others ahve ebtter ideas!
Buy one in front wheel drive and fit a new faster engine in the front engine bay. Change the seats for proper race spec ones. Place a second engine same as the one in the front to power the rear wheels in the middle of the van ahead of the rear axle. Get both engines to work together somehow. Cut down the roof and sides to a more areo dynamic shape. Add a stiffer lower suspension setup. Full
roll cage. Front splitter and spoiler. Wider tyres with race spec rubber
That should about do it.
roll cage. Front splitter and spoiler. Wider tyres with race spec rubber
That should about do it.
sherman said:
Buy one in front wheel drive and fit a new faster engine in the front engine bay. Change the seats for proper race spec ones. Place a second engine same as the one in the front to power the rear wheels in the middle of the van ahead of the rear axle. Get both engines to work together somehow. Cut down the roof and sides to a more areo dynamic shape. Add a stiffer lower suspension setup. Full
roll cage. Front splitter and spoiler. Wider tyres with race spec rubber
That should about do it.
That would understeer like a nun being chased by the devil on easter. (yes i did just make that up) roll cage. Front splitter and spoiler. Wider tyres with race spec rubber
That should about do it.
Would one powerful engine in the middle with a 4x4 lambo style driveline not reduce the frontal weight.
Also a couple of nice R8 like side ducts to feed the rads for cooling.
XG332 said:
sherman said:
Buy one in front wheel drive and fit a new faster engine in the front engine bay. Change the seats for proper race spec ones. Place a second engine same as the one in the front to power the rear wheels in the middle of the van ahead of the rear axle. Get both engines to work together somehow. Cut down the roof and sides to a more areo dynamic shape. Add a stiffer lower suspension setup. Full
roll cage. Front splitter and spoiler. Wider tyres with race spec rubber
That should about do it.
That would understeer like a nun being chased by the devil on easter. (yes i did just make that up) roll cage. Front splitter and spoiler. Wider tyres with race spec rubber
That should about do it.
Would one powerful engine in the middle with a 4x4 lambo style driveline not reduce the frontal weight.
Also a couple of nice R8 like side ducts to feed the rads for cooling.
sherman said:
XG332 said:
sherman said:
Buy one in front wheel drive and fit a new faster engine in the front engine bay. Change the seats for proper race spec ones. Place a second engine same as the one in the front to power the rear wheels in the middle of the van ahead of the rear axle. Get both engines to work together somehow. Cut down the roof and sides to a more areo dynamic shape. Add a stiffer lower suspension setup. Full
roll cage. Front splitter and spoiler. Wider tyres with race spec rubber
That should about do it.
That would understeer like a nun being chased by the devil on easter. (yes i did just make that up) roll cage. Front splitter and spoiler. Wider tyres with race spec rubber
That should about do it.
Would one powerful engine in the middle with a 4x4 lambo style driveline not reduce the frontal weight.
Also a couple of nice R8 like side ducts to feed the rads for cooling.
XG332 said:
sherman said:
XG332 said:
sherman said:
Buy one in front wheel drive and fit a new faster engine in the front engine bay. Change the seats for proper race spec ones. Place a second engine same as the one in the front to power the rear wheels in the middle of the van ahead of the rear axle. Get both engines to work together somehow. Cut down the roof and sides to a more areo dynamic shape. Add a stiffer lower suspension setup. Full
roll cage. Front splitter and spoiler. Wider tyres with race spec rubber
That should about do it.
That would understeer like a nun being chased by the devil on easter. (yes i did just make that up) roll cage. Front splitter and spoiler. Wider tyres with race spec rubber
That should about do it.
Would one powerful engine in the middle with a 4x4 lambo style driveline not reduce the frontal weight.
Also a couple of nice R8 like side ducts to feed the rads for cooling.
FRA53R said:
Okay guys I was re-watching the top gear episode where they take the Transit van round the Nurburgring, and I found myself thinking about how to make a track-day car (or rather van) out of the venerable Transit. I reckon you'd need some serious stiffening measures so that the body doesn't warp over time and for helping cornering. I suppose an engine transplant is mandatory, plus major suspension mods. What else d'you reckon would be necessary?
I know there have been super-vans in the past but they were pretty much Transit shells on top of high end components. I'd like to see an independantly built track-day Transit
Supervan 1 wasn't a race car with a van body iirc.I know there have been super-vans in the past but they were pretty much Transit shells on top of high end components. I'd like to see an independantly built track-day Transit
Also Ford did that Rally type one a number of years ago.
As for the body, not too sure, are new Transits still ladder frame chassis? If so then the body doesn't matter.
This idea was No.2 on my list of bonkers cars to create once i win the lottery. The list is currently:
1. Toyota Prius, with Dodge Viper V10, on carbs, somehow still retaining hybrid setup so it's congestion charge free...
2. Transit Supervan, maybe using similar engine to Prius (maybe i could buy a job lot). Full race spec, no expense spared, looking as standard as possible outside.
3. New shape Clio V6 - Clio 197/200, with Nissan 370Z engine mounted in the middle. Wide bosy etc, just like the earlier V6 Clios. Yum.
4. There are more but they may be considered a bit OTT even by PH standards...
1. Toyota Prius, with Dodge Viper V10, on carbs, somehow still retaining hybrid setup so it's congestion charge free...
2. Transit Supervan, maybe using similar engine to Prius (maybe i could buy a job lot). Full race spec, no expense spared, looking as standard as possible outside.
3. New shape Clio V6 - Clio 197/200, with Nissan 370Z engine mounted in the middle. Wide bosy etc, just like the earlier V6 Clios. Yum.
4. There are more but they may be considered a bit OTT even by PH standards...
Atomic Gibbon said:
IMO, you would need to space frame it, and ditch weight from high up. Then, mid mount a big V8 or whatnot (aero dictates big power, as light / slippery is not possible!). Big tyres front / rear, on small rims with very, very stiff suspension. Use large tyre sidewalls to aid suspension.
That is how I would guess to do it, no doubt others ahve ebtter ideas!
I agree in principle, but wouldn't that take away everything about it being a van?That is how I would guess to do it, no doubt others ahve ebtter ideas!
If you're going to that effort, you might as well make it small and light. Surely the laugh is not just sort of looking like a van to a 1 eyed blind person at 3 miles distance, but for it to actually be a van??
XG332 said:
Massive breaks are mandatory for tea and maybe bigger brakes too?
Hi all, I've been lurking for quite a while but thought I'd finally sign up just so I could quote this - made me chuckle anyway!There are a few clips of a Transit with Jaguar XJ220 running gear on YouTube - not sure if it's still around but it is rather rapid!
Edit: The Transit with the rally-style decals was on Top Gear doing a lap a few years back, it wasn't a particularly pretty sight!
Edited by dirtbiker on Monday 14th June 16:19
300bhp/ton said:
Atomic Gibbon said:
IMO, you would need to space frame it, and ditch weight from high up. Then, mid mount a big V8 or whatnot (aero dictates big power, as light / slippery is not possible!). Big tyres front / rear, on small rims with very, very stiff suspension. Use large tyre sidewalls to aid suspension.
That is how I would guess to do it, no doubt others ahve ebtter ideas!
I agree in principle, but wouldn't that take away everything about it being a van?That is how I would guess to do it, no doubt others ahve ebtter ideas!
If you're going to that effort, you might as well make it small and light. Surely the laugh is not just sort of looking like a van to a 1 eyed blind person at 3 miles distance, but for it to actually be a van??
I think that engine-wise a high powered diesel would be best (Keeping with the commercial vehicle theme) I know that some serious upgrades would be needed to create a decent handling vehicle, d'you reckon there's a bolt on suspension upgrade or would one need to be made? Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff