Triple F project

[diesel destroyer]

I'm currently working on modding the NAS Sport lambo door kit to get the doors tighter to the car and to open more vertically..

Standard compared to proposed..

[diesel destroyer]

The Autoloc Ultratouch switches now installed to open the doors..

And the new plates are here.. Was a bargain find

[Rob Bell]

It's getting there: what's next?

[diesel destroyer]

The rear hubs and rear brakes are currently being done by my guru.. A fair bit of re-engineering to make the set up stronger..

Mean time I'm trying to get the passenger lambo door done.. Then its body work and get the body painted..

Then I can fit the rear subframe and start putting it all back together

Once the engine/box/loom etc is in and the car is sat on all four wheels and running I can leave it ticking over (to run the new Scholar engine in) whilst I start on the interior

[Rob Bell]

Sounds good, and a simple task when you say it like that! but you and I know how much work all that involves....

[diesel destroyer]

I 'should' get the body work finished and the car into final paint in August on my 2 weeks off..

The rear hub/brake work is being done by someone else so no worries there..

The front end is all back together..

Appart from stripping the box to have the diesel 5th fitted the rear subframe is ready for fitting

Then its coolant, fuel and wiring..

This project might even get finished

[Rob Bell]

Light at the end of the tunnel?

[diesel destroyer]

I was happy with the green until my mate suggested I try white..

And then stripes of all things..



But actually its growing on me

[Rob Bell]

Looks a little too much like Herbie to my mind:



The powder blue/ orange stripe of the GULF racing colours are hard to beat though:



But if you are going for white, then the Racing Heritage scheme is hard to beat:



Just a few thoughts

[diesel destroyer]

In the Ladybird book of 'BHP gains' it clearly states on page 47:

'A single stripe adds 4Bhp, whilst a double stripe adds 12Bhp.. but do not forget colour is important too. Blue being a cool colour is worth 3Bhp whilst red adds 12 Bhp.. the most powerful colour is yellow adding 16Bhp'


So two red stripes add more power than a single blue stripe.. but 3x yellow stripes would be better still..

Its a cracking read

[Rob Bell]

My Top Trumps cards clearly show that Orange stripes are worth 21bhp, which can be squared if black edging is also applied

[diesel destroyer]

The fifth gear is being swapped next weekend hopefully.. That should give me a nice cruising gear (dont use 5th on a track anyway)


Once the body is in final paint the Hellier/Scholar engine and the modded box and seam welded subframe go in..

Cant wait to get it sat back on 4 wheels again

[Rob Bell]

You've not been to Goodwood or Bedford then Allan? Thereagain, you've probably got a much high rev limit on your Scholar engine than I have using the standard K-series MPi engine! What are you going to use? 7.5K rpm? You could also probably look at other final drive ratios (I am sure you have, knowing you and the nature of this build!)

A 6-speed would be the preferable option IMO, but to do this afford-ably is not easy. As it happens I have a Getrag 6-speed from a R50 Mini Cooper S in my garage for when I have time to fit it... it won't be straight forward unfortunately: nowhere to mount the starter, it'll need an adapter plate to mount to the K-series block, a new gearbox bracket will need to be fashioned, and I am not quite sure how to handle the issue with the shorter splined input shaft on the Getrag versus the PG1. Hmm... I'm going to need advise on that one I think

Getting it back onto four wheels will be a real land mark Allan - I'm looking forward to seeing that too! The next biggie will be the first engine start

[diesel destroyer]

Not worked out the ratios..

But 225x40x18 rear tyres.. 8,100 red line.. in 4th (C4 box) will give me a high enough top end without even using 5th

Unless Im doing NASCAR

The engine needs running in first.. so sadly no reving the ***s off it for a while yet

[Rob Bell]

You're right - I wouldn't do too much more until you've got a bit more of a feel of the car and the new engine's characteristics

Bet you're really itching to really explore the rev range though! A bit of incentive, if any were ever needed, to get the project finished!

[diesel destroyer]

Currently on the body work and paint

[diesel destroyer]

Few more pics

[diesel destroyer]

Passenger mirror in primer but needs more work

Bumper needs loads of work yet..

[diesel destroyer]

Bonnet gas lifters now on (VW jetta via e bay)

[diesel destroyer]

On a car that's been de-seamed, handles and locks shaved etc it seemed mad to leave the scuttle panel standard.. With the spare vent, the spare wiper holes and the stupid screw cap things that insist on falling out..

So a bit of modding.. And some primer