PDA

View Full Version : Track car dreaming.


Aradon
27-06-16, 07:51 PM
Howdy.

So having killed my old Mk1 recently, I have been toying with the idea of converting it to a racer.
I'm not the most tech savvy but my train of thought was basically this;

Strip it down, sell anything of value, bin the rest.
Buy in decent parts.
Whip out the hydrolocked engine and get in something else.
Rebuild.

Engine wise I've read somewhere that audi blocks work well?

How realistic is it to do something like this? Not fussed money wise, prepared to splash out. But is the Mk1 a good frame to build upon. Do you guys have any info on suitable engines that give good power returns?

Cheers 👍

Mark S
27-06-16, 07:56 PM
zs is a great basis for a race car

I'd drop in a Honda k24, lightweight and will tune to 300hp nasp, 6speed box where you can really play with the ratios

Aradon
27-06-16, 08:00 PM
zs is a great basis for a race car

I'd drop in a Honda k24, lightweight and will tune to 300hp nasp, 6speed box where you can really play with the ratios

Nice, 300bhp is kinda the magic number I have in my head really.
While I'm thinking I imagine converting to AWD or RWD should be considered too?

Mate of mine always sneers at FWD, says they never perform as well because they can't get the power down properly. Any merit in that?

JOHNDQ
27-06-16, 09:00 PM
Nice, 300bhp is kinda the magic number I have in my head really.
While I'm thinking I imagine converting to AWD or RWD should be considered too?

Mate of mine always sneers at FWD, says they never perform as well because they can't get the power down properly. Any merit in that?

Without a trick diff very much so, when my 160 was stock with full race slicks still had bad wheel spin out of tight corners. Lot of it is down to management of the throttle, I came down for tracking my Mitsubishi Evo which was 4x4 so had to get back to fwd thinking

Mark S
27-06-16, 09:13 PM
no problem with fwd if the chassis is sorted properly
btcc cars are kicking out over 400hp fwd

Aradon
27-06-16, 09:14 PM
Without a trick diff very much so, when my 160 was stock with full race slicks still had bad wheel spin out of tight corners. Lot of it is down to management of the throttle, I came down for tracking my Mitsubishi Evo which was 4x4 so had to get back to fwd thinking

Trick diff? Like a quaife or would it be something more specialised?

Aradon
27-06-16, 09:35 PM
My mate is suggesting sticking with MG engines. Are there any that are worth using in a track car?

Mark S
27-06-16, 11:15 PM
the v6 is well worth using, the v6 race cars are quick cars, sadly people get too hung up over hp numbers and internet tuning to realise just how good these are on circuit, engine numbers don't always make fast cars, its lap times that count, even the 190 1800 ZS is quick enough but would cost more to piece together.

JOHNDQ
27-06-16, 11:17 PM
Trick diff? Like a quaife or would it be something more specialised?

That should be good enough thats what race ZR's use. As for engines a tuned K series is what you need :p

stamford
28-06-16, 07:04 AM
If money is not an issue then go for something different. However as already said a healthy KV6 is still a very capable choice. Why upset a well balanced set up? A well cared for and free breathing V6 can hold its own, chuck in a lightened flywheel as well as a LSD and you will be on your way. I've thought about many changes myself but can't justify the costs. Happy with what I've got.

Lukeus101
28-06-16, 08:08 AM
A ZS track car has always been a dream for me, I hope when funds allow it will become a reality. I would keep the KV6 ;)

Aradon
28-06-16, 09:37 AM
Awesome gents, thanks for all the input so far, I really appreciate it.
As I'm probably going to be asking many questions relating to this, does anyone know if there is a good source for guidance? I don't want to be pestering you lot all the time haha
If there are documents etc available, I'm happy to do the reading etc

Oh engine wise, you think I should stick with the ZS KV6 or use a ZT version? Old engine HAS to come out anyways (hydro locked) and I assume it wouldn't be worth trying to save it?

stamford
28-06-16, 03:05 PM
Unless told otherwise stick with the ZS unit, ZT I believe is not a straight drop in but easily done with swapping parts. Not 100% sure what the differences are when it comes to the spec but believe it runs a different exhaust cam and ecu as the breathing is so different between the two cars. I'm sure someone will step in and give us the facts as my memory is fading!

Post your questions and we'll help where we can, it's no problem.

grimmy
28-06-16, 03:12 PM
When smokey used to have the track car it was pretty much standard apart from interior removed and buckets with harnesses installed and it was a hoot to play with .

Lukeus101
28-06-16, 03:59 PM
Might be worth you looking at Phils thread

http://www.themgzs.co.uk/vb/showthread.php?t=29050&highlight=track+car

Or Pauls for Inspiration :)

http://www.themgzs.co.uk/vb/showthread.php?t=22424&highlight=reyland

Mark S
28-06-16, 05:17 PM
Awesome gents, thanks for all the input so far, I really appreciate it.
As I'm probably going to be asking many questions relating to this, does anyone know if there is a good source for guidance? I don't want to be pestering you lot all the time haha
If there are documents etc available, I'm happy to do the reading etc

Oh engine wise, you think I should stick with the ZS KV6 or use a ZT version? Old engine HAS to come out anyways (hydro locked) and I assume it wouldn't be worth trying to save it?

I don't think I've ever seen a documented build for a v6 start to finish.

The guys who race them can be useful, pete at vulcan racing is a lovely guy, very helpful as are others.
I mention the race cars because they are restricted in what they are allowed to do, meaning you don't need barrel loads of dollar to build an epic car.
You will find that the ZS race cars have all been developed in very different ways, with each person putting emphasis on what they believed to be important at the time, not everything works and things are often re-developed.

Personally, I think its all in the chassis.
Find a nice scrap yard motor, if your having cams reground into 270 profiles there's not much point in choosing the 190 motor over the 180. Do a leak down test on any used motor before buying it.
the cheapest way to make it accelerate is by gearing it right, quaife cogs are availble but I'd just build a hybrid box from a zr160vvc and kv6 bellhousing, you can still win races by a country mile with a box built from scrap.
Keep the motor simple, cams and a remap.
The intake and exhaust headers are dire, the janspeed make a marginal improvement but is not cheap.

I wouldn't waste money on hp figures.
Spend it on the chassis and tyres.
Use only quality, or better custom componants, cheap ebay tat is known to fail.

Aradon
28-06-16, 11:03 PM
Yeah see this is where I'm going to come unstuck.
I'm a total noob really and the amount of different approaches I can take will likely lead to an abomination being born haha