Using a se7en chassis as a basis for a drag car
Discussion
I know I'm probably going to upset some people here but ive had this idea swimming around for a while.
The chassis seems like a good start point to me as it's light, strong and easy to reinforce, as well as allowing room for bigger rear tyres.
The main issue is engine choice. I know all sorts of 4 cylinders will fit but I'm wondering if a slightly longer engine will fit in the nose, like an Audi 5 cylinder, or a VR6 engine. Both are as strong as an ox, both ideal for this application (if they fit)
Anyone got any gen?
The chassis seems like a good start point to me as it's light, strong and easy to reinforce, as well as allowing room for bigger rear tyres.
The main issue is engine choice. I know all sorts of 4 cylinders will fit but I'm wondering if a slightly longer engine will fit in the nose, like an Audi 5 cylinder, or a VR6 engine. Both are as strong as an ox, both ideal for this application (if they fit)
Anyone got any gen?
Gearbox wouldn't be issue really, I'd probably use a supra box with suitable adaptor plate.
I know the biggest problem with the seven bay is width, just curious about length.
Jag engined one sounds interesting, any pics?
The gkd uses an m3 engine does it not? That's quite long iirc.
Might not be as tight as I thought.
I know the biggest problem with the seven bay is width, just curious about length.
Jag engined one sounds interesting, any pics?
The gkd uses an m3 engine does it not? That's quite long iirc.
Might not be as tight as I thought.
If you google "jaguar engined locost" then there are a few links to threads and forums, as well as a few YouTube vids.
Here is the eBay ad
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Locost-kit-car-JAG-ENGINE-Tr...
Here is the eBay ad
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Locost-kit-car-JAG-ENGINE-Tr...
slomax said:
There was a jag straight 6 engined 7 on eBay recently.
You can get a BMW 6 into a GDK legend and I have seen quite a few dax cars with rover V8s in. I think, if you are prepared to do a few mods, virtually any engine will fit, but you need to have a gearbox too!
lengthened and widened though, not standard sevenesqueYou can get a BMW 6 into a GDK legend and I have seen quite a few dax cars with rover V8s in. I think, if you are prepared to do a few mods, virtually any engine will fit, but you need to have a gearbox too!
Of course that is the beauty with a sevenesque, you can do what the hell you like!
If you are serious about it then i would look into a chassis that can take a V8. Something like the Dax Rush with a LS7 in should be pretty impresive. Or get a re-linered LS3 block and bore it to 440 cubic inch. with some nice heads on there you should get over 600bhp out of the thing. Then strap on a 200bhp shot of N2O and you will have over 1000bhp per tone. 
mickrick said:
Why not keep it light, and use a bike engine?
Jack Frost of Holeshot Racing it getting over 700hp from his turbo Hayabusa top speed bike.
No problem with space then.
And you'd be getting 1,400hp per ton with sequential upshifts!
And has already been done. He rebuilt the gearbox in my Megabird and there was a blue westy in at the time fitted with the 700bhp engine - the tubby was nearly the same size as the front wheel.Jack Frost of Holeshot Racing it getting over 700hp from his turbo Hayabusa top speed bike.
No problem with space then.
And you'd be getting 1,400hp per ton with sequential upshifts!
I sure I heard he'd moved to Ireland now though.
Robmarriott said:
LS engines are prohibitively expensive, 5 grand gets you an early LS1 with horsepower in the 300s...
I'm not looking at massive budget here, I reckon I can do something quite epic with the right frame and engine, on the cheap.
with all due respect how much would a it cost to build a Audi 5pot or VR6 engine to make similar power? I know the VR6 you mentioned only make about 200bhp stock. Its going to take extencive engine work (new cams, ported head, ITBs, problably valve work, pos even bottom end work) to get close to 300+ bhp and 300lbsft of torque. Your other option would be to turbo, but that agian is adding alot of cost to the mix. agian for the VR6 you are going to need a turbo (£1500-2000), exhaust manifold fabricated and down pipe (£1000), Wweastgate (£300), coldside pipework and intercooler (£1000-1500), BOV (£200), new intake manifold (£500), New injectors (£500), new Ecu (£1000), tuning (£1000). and thats just the basics. you haven't even thought about oiling the turbo (you need a feed AND a return (into the sump)) or what gearbox you are going to have to use! Also the VR6 plants weigh a ton thanks to the iron blocks!I'm not looking at massive budget here, I reckon I can do something quite epic with the right frame and engine, on the cheap.
If you REALLY are serious about doing this then why not buy a pre built car? It would be alot cheaper than trying to build a brand new chassis using an engine that no one else uses!
Here are some Dax examples that, for a little bit more money, could be turned into something you might be after!!!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?s=444
Also might be worth keeping an eye out for a 2.0ltr Cossy turbo one. for not too much money you could have a 350-400bhp example. Would make for a very nce drag setup.
Alternatively, why not just by a drag car? There will be plent of cars you could buy that would eb pretty quick up the 1/4 mile out the box. And then when you get some extra cash you could turn them in to out and out drag cars.....
THanks,
Chris.
Chris, I see where you're coming from, however, I don't really see how on one hand you dismiss the vr6 for weight reasons, the suggest the pig iron twin cam pinto boat anchor in the same breath.
I'm a firm believer that Ford have never actually made a good engine. I worked with them day in day out up until a year or so ago and I just don't think they're that good. The only decent one is Mazda built, and even that has problems making power as it's alloy blocked. As soon as you cram air in, the rods make a bid for freedom, scrapping the block.
I like the Audi 5, it's over engineered from the off, standard components are good for decent numbers, and a set of pistons will allow for 600bhp
The VR6 is more compact (well, shorter) and just as well built, I've seen scrapyard builds make upwards of 400bhp. With the right bits, they'll do the same numbers as the 5 pot.
Don't get me wrong, the LS is a great engine, it's just so damned expensive here, and to get 6-700bhp out of it isn't exactly cheap. To top that off, it's not as light as it's made out to be, it's a big old lump (I know, I've wrestled one into an Omega engine bay)
I can't think of a strong, cheap engine other than the two from tha VAG stable and the Saab 4 bangers, which don't do the same numbers.
I'm a firm believer that Ford have never actually made a good engine. I worked with them day in day out up until a year or so ago and I just don't think they're that good. The only decent one is Mazda built, and even that has problems making power as it's alloy blocked. As soon as you cram air in, the rods make a bid for freedom, scrapping the block.
I like the Audi 5, it's over engineered from the off, standard components are good for decent numbers, and a set of pistons will allow for 600bhp
The VR6 is more compact (well, shorter) and just as well built, I've seen scrapyard builds make upwards of 400bhp. With the right bits, they'll do the same numbers as the 5 pot.
Don't get me wrong, the LS is a great engine, it's just so damned expensive here, and to get 6-700bhp out of it isn't exactly cheap. To top that off, it's not as light as it's made out to be, it's a big old lump (I know, I've wrestled one into an Omega engine bay)
I can't think of a strong, cheap engine other than the two from tha VAG stable and the Saab 4 bangers, which don't do the same numbers.
I bought my Carlos Sainz Celica GT4 from a guy who had a 7-esque Dutton dragster fitted with a 540bhp Julian Godferry Cosworth Turbo ( rallycross engine builder) . And it had a extra 100bhp shot of nitrous which he admitted to never having used as it was plenty fast enough for him. Used to pull wheelies apparently.
Can't comment on a VR6 lump, sounds like an expensive / heavy / tricky solution once mated to a RWD gearbox and in standard guise they arent all that great. But throw enough money at them and pretty much any engine can be made to fire a car up a 1/4 mile dragstrip. Its the corners where a big old lump of iron up front will cause havoc, but I take it you don't want to go around corners.
Can't comment on a VR6 lump, sounds like an expensive / heavy / tricky solution once mated to a RWD gearbox and in standard guise they arent all that great. But throw enough money at them and pretty much any engine can be made to fire a car up a 1/4 mile dragstrip. Its the corners where a big old lump of iron up front will cause havoc, but I take it you don't want to go around corners.
Go here
http://eurodragster.com/classifieds/showads.asp?ca...
Or here
Http://www.racingjunk.com
and fear your bank manager..
Go for a tried and tested combination if you want to go and drag race.. What sort of racing are you considering getting into? Some RWYB? The Saturday night specials? Or some proper MSA competition?
http://eurodragster.com/classifieds/showads.asp?ca...
Or here
Http://www.racingjunk.com
and fear your bank manager..
Go for a tried and tested combination if you want to go and drag race.. What sort of racing are you considering getting into? Some RWYB? The Saturday night specials? Or some proper MSA competition?
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