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October 01 Powerplant and TrannyAs promised in the last blog entry, this is an update on the power train!
After two years of searching for a adapter plate to mate a BMW M60 V8 540i motor to a Audi 016 transaxle (gearbox/tranny), I have found someone that could do it in Johannesburg! (No it wasnt GILO Engineering, after MANY attempts at begging and pleading, they just refused to do the job.) The gearbox and engine were put together with a custom flywheel and a VW 240mm clutch/pressure plate. The plate was milled from an aluminium block and looks just stunning. If you need an adapter lake this give me a shout and I will help you organise it.
The pictures in the blog show the engine going in, and two shots of the engine from the side and top. Everything matches up quite nicely and there is ample space for the engine. The rear frame was measured out perfectly to accommodate the suspension pickup points and the size of the engine block. The gearbox uses Ford V6 mounting block and the front mounts are from an Audi lying on custom made brackets (4mm steel). The bottom of the engine (sump) is nearly level with the bottom of the chassis.
Since the engine has gone in I have completed the brake lines, clutch lines and master/slave cylinders, repositioning of the oil filter, handbrake lever and cable, pedal box, gear shifter and fuel balancing pipe (between the two fuel tanks). On the to-do list is the water expansion tank, gear linkage cables, petrol pump and filter. These should be quote easy in comparison though.
Check in again for more close-ups as the rear fibreglass goes back on and final changes (Like engine lid modifications) are made. My aim is to complete all fabrication and initial assembly before the end of the year. January I would like to strip the entire vehicle and send chassis for welding. Time marches on...
May 17 And so the build goes on...Time for the latest update... a lot has happened behind the scenes since the last blog entry. In short a lot of work was done on the fibreglass, as every nook and cranny needed attention. To add/modify the fibreglass sometimes takes 3 days, as the preparation, waiting for the fibreglass to set, sanding and filling takes a while.
I am now waiting for the adaptor plate to be finalised and the car is ready to receive the engine!!! That is the largest and last engineering component that might be difficult in this build... provided I didn’t screw up something of which I don’t know yet...
Last weekend I have managed to have all the brake piping fabricated and supplied. I now have all the components I need to have the brake/handbrake system working! Must say that the piping which the guys made up for me all look perfect. Should look nice in the final product.
A very nervous part of the body modification was the cutting of the front windscreen to make space for the door lip. Must say I put it into the hands of my very proficient brother who made it all look so easy. Now I can extend the doors to properly close up the gap between the door and windscreen.
The side vents are also now complete. Needed to build up new fibreglass to channel the air towards the radiators. The gaps are mostly closed up so that the radiator only sucks up cold air from outside and not "recycles" the warm air in the engine bay again.
Well, the next update should have some pictures with the motor going it... so till then!
August 15 The Doors... updateI have now been working on these doors for well over 5 months! Time surely flies, but the progress is painfully slow. Even with so much work, the car looks pretty much the same for the last year.
The doors required a lot of work as I pretty much build them from scratch. The only part I reused was the outside skin. I had to build new hinges, window frame, window winder, door lock, door striker, door hinge supports, side impact bar, interior door cover and solenoid. The item that took the longest was the door frame as I had to re-enforce it and ensure that there are no gaps between the door and the new door rubber.
The gaps in some places were so wide that you could stick your finger in them. I t took many layers of fibreglass to build up the required thickness. Body putty on doors is a big no-no as it would crumble away when the doors flex.
While I am now waiting for John Botha to build the rear suspension for me, I will use this time to finish off the doors to the point that they are perfectly functional and only require paint! Maybe, just maybe I will fetch the fibreglass nose and put that onto the car in the meanwhile as well… This should make it seem like there is some more progress… May 26 The work has commenced!The Work on my dream has started... Since the early days of high school, I have been fascinated with the fantastic Lamborghini Countach which appeared on magazine covers way back in the 80's. The car has somehow managed to make its way into my "desirables" list and has stayed there ever since. At the moment it does not look like I will be able to afford a real Lamborghini anytime soon, so I decided to do the next best thing. This will be my site to document the progress of the build of my dream car. I have taken over this project from a long line of people who have unsuccessfully tried to finish this car. It was standing for a very long time and it became necessary for me to strip it completely and start from scratch. The current progress is at the chassis level, where I am trying to modify and strengthen the chassis. The mounting of the suspension will be next and I am still looking for a proper rear suspension that I can use. Give me a shout if you have done something similar! "The best way to become successful is by faking it first!" |
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