andy.gte.400 Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 (edited) hi guys. recently i have got my dads sprint mante gte exclusive which he has had for 20 years. he was the second owner and gradually modified it to super modified spec. but then he stop competing been dry stored for the last 1o years or so. now my task is to get it back on the road!!! here is a few pics... its set up for redtop engine, got a volvo axle and need a type 9 box, will be getting it uncovered soon to start seam welding. already ha a cage in. will post more pics soon!!! also got this lot for sale.... Edited October 8, 2012 by andy.gte.400 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johno Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 WoW... she had lots of love over the years!! be nice to see you both at billings this year have you much to do for an m.o.t? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy.gte.400 Posted January 23, 2012 Author Share Posted January 23, 2012 erm yeah quite lol a bit all it is at tho moment is a bare shell. going to start preping it for seam welding then painting it all over. may be on the road for next year . in search of a red top and type 9 gear box to get it running for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy.gte.400 Posted January 29, 2012 Author Share Posted January 29, 2012 unwrapped it this weekend. actually made a start! i spent 5 hours preparing the axle ready for painting. using a volve 740 rear axle as the are quite heavy duty. i have found a LSD for £750 for it (but that can wait for a bit!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy.gte.400 Posted October 4, 2012 Author Share Posted October 4, 2012 Right have been away for a while been busy getting married etc lol. Update: volvo axle has been pushed aside for a mustang axle, takes alot more grunt through them and parts are easier to get. also got an engine.... 3.7l Nissan 370z engine with 6 speed gearbox, 320bhp standard. Got the shell on its side to do some fabrication work, and also to do seem welding next few months will be finding some 3way suspension and some nice big AP brakes. Pics will follow soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy.gte.400 Posted October 4, 2012 Author Share Posted October 4, 2012 Right have been away for a while been busy getting married etc lol. Update: volvo axle has been pushed aside for a mustang axle, takes alot more grunt through them and parts are easier to get. also got an engine.... 3.7l Nissan 370z engine with 6 speed gearbox, 320bhp standard. Got the shell on its side to do some fabrication work, and also to do seem welding next few months will be finding some 3way suspension and some nice big AP brakes. Pics will follow soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Abbott Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 Very nice. Hope to see it up and running one day :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy.gte.400 Posted October 8, 2012 Author Share Posted October 8, 2012 getting ready for seem welding and sanding down ready for painting need to do get new mounts ready for 370z engine as these are set up for a red top Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy.gte.400 Posted October 8, 2012 Author Share Posted October 8, 2012 here is the 370 engine, actually quite light and compact especially after all the power steering pumps, inlet etc are taken off. i know it looks big compared to the dog behind but he is only a puppy! gearbox again is light but a bit bulky, some tunnel widening is neede i think! hopefully axle will be delivered the next few days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Power Posted October 9, 2012 Share Posted October 9, 2012 are you going for throttle bodies on that engine? Will sound lovely, cracking engine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy.gte.400 Posted October 10, 2012 Author Share Posted October 10, 2012 yes throttle bodies. wanted a decenct ECU for it any way, had a look at bike carbs but thought might as well do it proper. cannot wit to hear it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retro Power Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 bit of inspiration for you, one fitted in a grasser: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy.gte.400 Posted October 14, 2012 Author Share Posted October 14, 2012 think we got the wrong engine!!!!!!!!! been speaking to someone regarding tuning the 370z engine and they said the engines are so advanced we would struggle to do anything to it. apparently its got electric motors running the cams and as for ECU an aftermarket one would be hell to set up as there are so many sensors..... should of got a 350z engine, 20bhp less as standard and .2cc less capacity, but more tunable and A LOT cheaper..... so its either swap the engine out of my dads 350z with the new engine and use the 350 in manta, or sell it, unless any one knows of a company who deals in jap/nissan tuning?!! lesson number 1 - do some research first lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upk Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Andy, is your dad known as budgie?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy.gte.400 Posted October 15, 2012 Author Share Posted October 15, 2012 yes he is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy.gte.400 Posted October 20, 2012 Author Share Posted October 20, 2012 the axle was delivered this week. it was off a 2010 ford mustang that had done 20k. 9" diff, lsd as standard 1/4" tubing, its going to take a lot to break it! only problem is the the ratio is 3.1, will suit it when we take it to the 'ring, but will have to get an other crown wheel and pinion. so cleaning it all down at the moment ready to sort out brackets etc. in search of some 3 way suspension and some Ap brakes next..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy.gte.400 Posted March 23, 2013 Author Share Posted March 23, 2013 quick update. the manta has been sent to our mates for fabrication. offered the engine and gearbox up to the manta, and it fits! well, sort of, had to chop some of the alloy sump away so we could move engine back 40mm and lower it 50mm. have also taken off the 400 arches and paint stripped the whole car. the arches on it were cheap and nasty so we got a new high quality kit from someone who people suggested on here. quality and strenght of them are amazing! will get some pics up soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy.gte.400 Posted April 5, 2013 Author Share Posted April 5, 2013 engine in... new mounts.... reshaped sump to go past rack.... had to chop a bit of tunnel next is to get axle mustang axle on and front hubs on to get it rolling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy.gte.400 Posted August 12, 2013 Author Share Posted August 12, 2013 bit of an update! engine and gearbox is all in secured. mustang axle is on. got a lightweight flywheel, competition clutch and a made to measure propshaft on the way. front brakes are on. 3 way avo's are ready to go on the back of the car. rear brakes are ready to fit. exhaust has all been made to measure in 3" stainless steel. took the roll cage out and re-designed it. adding extra diagonals in the back and the door bars rather then going straight and being bent to a way of its easier to get in and out of the car. ford motorsport anti roll bar has been hidden behind engine with the blades dropping down hopefully will be running and rolling roaded in the next few months Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy.gte.400 Posted August 12, 2013 Author Share Posted August 12, 2013 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy.gte.400 Posted August 12, 2013 Author Share Posted August 12, 2013 and just to mention, only rust on shell/chassis that we have found are 2 pieces about the size of 20p!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTREA Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 Great conversion! I love this guys R31 Skyline, have a look at his videos, sounds fantastic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChryRbWB97g 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy.gte.400 Posted December 8, 2013 Author Share Posted December 8, 2013 been busy the last few months. got her rolling. axle is on. suspension an brakes are on. roll cage strengthened. seam welded. new gearbox tunnel. fuel cell in. engine in next is to take it to Silverstone for a specially made ecu and then we can get her running will try and get some more pictures of the running gear up soon 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Barrett Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 Crikey! That is tasty. Not much room left in the bay! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiney_norman Posted December 9, 2013 Share Posted December 9, 2013 Jesus! You don't mess about do you? Excellent work there, hope to see it in the flesh at some point! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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