jamie077366 Posted March 24, 2021 Author Share Posted March 24, 2021 3 hours ago, Jessopia74 said: Deffinitely looking nice in there. Been able to actually drive it to and from an event is part of the fun 😎 One if the problems with my roll Safety Devices cage in the 400r is that it goes through where the dash should sit, approximately where the air vents sit. What cage is this as it seems to solve that issue? Hi bud, thanks, Perhaps I’d not of chosen the red stuff personally but my nephew is a really good guy and had few ideas so I went with it and I actually really like it, nice family taking some interest. I can’t remember cage make,I bought it second hand from Carl, was out of a hatch that caught fire. I know the cage you mean re going through air vents, if I was to buy a new one I’d of chosen it, must seriously stiffen front of the car, will make a nice triangle with original chasis. 👍👍 3 hours ago, Bonga said: This is looking good pal. This is exactly same route I'm want to go with mine. Track car but could take it out on a nice Sunday night if you felt the need 👍 Did you keep the back seats in it Jamie? Hey thanks, I’m glad a few guys like it, I thought was a bit marmite with red 👍 no back seats. The plans for the car changed as I went along,I really wanted to stiffen the shell and the second hand cage came minus the removable diagonal so I welded in two so back seats are gone. Was going to keep it pretty stripped out for track days but like your self, I actually like driving it so I think il carpet the back and put some light weight sound proofing in. 👍 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamie077366 Posted March 25, 2021 Author Share Posted March 25, 2021 Ahhgg! Bit of a disaster. Been on two mile back road test run, carbs no leaks, sneaked a quick donut in, diff all well, so you’d think we’re all ready for mot and April at Cadwell, except, suspicious water drip from back of engine. New rad hoses look dry...rad cap dry, can only be... core plug.... located behind fly wheel. I’m too emotional (slight exaggeration) to look any further at the minute but I can’t really see what else it can be. I know engine out not a huge job but I really don’t fancy it at the minute. If I’d just of got a few months play first. 🤷🏼♂️ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessopia74 Posted March 25, 2021 Share Posted March 25, 2021 Sod's law mate, felt really deflated when I found the 1.9 block was scrap. Spent ages taking the strip steady and used loads of duck oil to make sure no snapped bolts to find block cracked, I could have thrown said block through the wall !!! Cup it tea and biscuit and you will be right 😎 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamie077366 Posted March 25, 2021 Author Share Posted March 25, 2021 11 minutes ago, Jessopia74 said: Sod's law mate, felt really deflated when I found the 1.9 block was scrap. Spent ages taking the strip steady and used loads of duck oil to make sure no snapped bolts to find block cracked, I could have thrown said block through the wall !!! Cup it tea and biscuit and you will be right 😎 😂 tbh, After the diff drama I pretty much prepared myself for either engine or box problem as they’ve not been touched since was off the road. Engine was hastily rebuilt as it was going to Nurburgring, but I didn’t quite get manta ready and ended up buying an rx8 of eBay the day before I was due to go(had a great time 😂) so manta sat in a garden for a while...not the best place for an un run in engine, so as I said, half expecting it. I guess I could drop box to replace core plugs but I’m thinking at this stage take engine out and have a look at what state everything is in after it’s less than ideal storage in a garden...also iv got some gas flowed heads to put on , get them checked skimmed, composit gaskit. Try and turn this to a positive 😂😂 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessopia74 Posted March 25, 2021 Share Posted March 25, 2021 28 minutes ago, jamie077366 said: 😂 tbh, After the diff drama I pretty much prepared myself for either engine or box problem as they’ve not been touched since was off the road. Engine was hastily rebuilt as it was going to Nurburgring, but I didn’t quite get manta ready and ended up buying an rx8 of eBay the day before I was due to go(had a great time 😂) so manta sat in a garden for a while...not the best place for an un run in engine, so as I said, half expecting it. I guess I could drop box to replace core plugs but I’m thinking at this stage take engine out and have a look at what state everything is in after it’s less than ideal storage in a garden...also iv got some gas flowed heads to put on , get them checked skimmed, composit gaskit. Try and turn this to a positive 😂😂 So you need to get those heads on anyway, might as well give the rest some TLC too 💪 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H-400 Posted March 26, 2021 Share Posted March 26, 2021 Succes with the rebuild👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamie077366 Posted June 8, 2021 Author Share Posted June 8, 2021 Right, well, I’m a bit of a div.... I may of been a bit hasty with the core plug diagnosis (I saw water pi...ng from back of engine and basically got emotional and thought the worst😂)..anyway... I left it in garrage untouched.... when I went to move it I thought I’d let her run and see what’s what.... no leak... but a weep from top rad hose....so I think I my donuts must of sent water to the back, I also pulled up on a slope...(it’s ok I’m aware I’m stupid,and I should stick to the day job) anyway.... it seams the old girl can In fact hold all her fluids if I actually make sure Rad hoses are tight! 🤦♂️😂 so, mot.... it failed.... mainly cus I forgot to tell mot dude there’s a switch to turn all electrics on (again pretty stupid) but, apart from a long list of non working lights not to much wrong. I had to alter gear box x member to lower back of engine cus stearing column was to close to exhaust, couple of brake brackets for flexi’s that we’re on the to do list anyway. AND TODAY!!! An mot pass! Thanks for everyone’s kind words and encouragement. Literally just back from 30 mile drive, gearbox is a bit sketchy but hay, its BL so never gonna be great. still lots to do but she’s alive and saved! thsnks guys. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessopia74 Posted June 8, 2021 Share Posted June 8, 2021 48 minutes ago, jamie077366 said: Right, well, I’m a bit of a div.... I may of been a bit hasty with the core plug diagnosis (I saw water pi...ng from back of engine and basically got emotional and thought the worst😂)..anyway... I left it in garrage untouched.... when I went to move it I thought I’d let her run and see what’s what.... no leak... but a weep from top rad hose....so I think I my donuts must of sent water to the back, I also pulled up on a slope...(it’s ok I’m aware I’m stupid,and I should stick to the day job) anyway.... it seams the old girl can In fact hold all her fluids if I actually make sure Rad hoses are tight! 🤦♂️😂 so, mot.... it failed.... mainly cus I forgot to tell mot dude there’s a switch to turn all electrics on (again pretty stupid) but, apart from a long list of non working lights not to much wrong. I had to alter gear box x member to lower back of engine cus stearing column was to close to exhaust, couple of brake brackets for flexi’s that we’re on the to do list anyway. AND TODAY!!! An mot pass! Thanks for everyone’s kind words and encouragement. Literally just back from 30 mile drive, gearbox is a bit sketchy but hay, its BL so never gonna be great. still lots to do but she’s alive and saved! thsnks guys. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. That's a slow change gearbox, as you say it is a BL part and just something the SDI owners have to live with. But great to hear it's back on the road 😎👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamie077366 Posted June 8, 2021 Author Share Posted June 8, 2021 1 minute ago, Jessopia74 said: That's a slow change gearbox, as you say it is a BL part and just something the SDI owners have to live with. But great to hear it's back on the road 😎👍 Thanks Jess, box whines when coasting, ok under load, it’s got recommended oil in... might try same spec red line, seams to get good reviews. If can i can potter about with it over summer and it can hold together for a couple of track days il be happy. I can sort something out over winter for next year. Another 30 mile shake down tomorrow and if all holds together and il book a evening track day at cadwelll, il be sympathetic with it 😀👍 now it’s got an mot though if it does fall apart il be more inclined to fix it.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Pounsett Posted June 9, 2021 Share Posted June 9, 2021 I saw on YouTube that an MX5 gearbox works really well with the SD1 V8. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamie077366 Posted June 9, 2021 Author Share Posted June 9, 2021 1 hour ago, Jonathan Pounsett said: I saw on YouTube that an MX5 gearbox works really well with the SD1 V8. Thanks Johnathan, ya iv looked into it a little. Rpi do a kit, it’s over 3k though which is more than I want to spend. I’ve emailed them to ask how much for just the bellhousing, awaiting reply...,Someone’s done an rx8 6 speed conversion, not an easy swap though, bell housing doesn’t fit over flywheel. They shaved a bit out the internals, il look into it over winter. At present It’s got the r380 box from a Sherpa which has a much better rep than the lt77 I used to run, I blew 2 of those in the past....ratios are pretty poor for track. thing with the mx5 and rx8 box’s is they are a nice box, lighter, plentiful and best of all cheap. I thinks it’s the way to go 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Pounsett Posted June 9, 2021 Share Posted June 9, 2021 I’ll be watching what you do with interest. I have the LT77 box but haven’t done enough miles to test it. I’m not flying round a track so mine may provide reasonably good service. If it does fail I’ll deffo be going down the MX5 route as I have an MX5 as a daily runabout and I think the gearing would be hard to beat. (I won’t be spending £3K either!) Good luck with whatever you choose. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonga Posted June 9, 2021 Share Posted June 9, 2021 I can 2nd that. I've got an mx5 and the gearbox feels really good. Similar feel to ep3 civic type r I used to have . Tight with short throws. Mine is the 6 speed one and the ratios nice. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamie077366 Posted June 9, 2021 Author Share Posted June 9, 2021 27 minutes ago, Bonga said: I can 2nd that. I've got an mx5 and the gearbox feels really good. Similar feel to ep3 civic type r I used to have . Tight with short throws. Mine is the 6 speed one and the ratios nice. Iv an rx8 I used as a daily and for track, as you say, great box. I’m going to break the rx8 soon, it’s quite tatty and needs some welding. Il be keeping the box To see if possible to lash something up over winter, would be a great conversion 👍 39 minutes ago, Jonathan Pounsett said: I’ll be watching what you do with interest. I have the LT77 box but haven’t done enough miles to test it. I’m not flying round a track so mine may provide reasonably good service. If it does fail I’ll deffo be going down the MX5 route as I have an MX5 as a daily runabout and I think the gearing would be hard to beat. (I won’t be spending £3K either!) Good luck with whatever you choose. If not knackered the lt77 isn’t a terrible box, it’s just they’re all old now and finding good ones seams hard and or expensive. The box I used to have was from a vites, not sure if ratios closer than standard but They were spaced really nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessopia74 Posted June 10, 2021 Share Posted June 10, 2021 (edited) Posted sone pics of the length and shifter location of the RX8 6speed (5 is a tiny bit shorter). I think I would be going for a cut & weld bell housing to mate to the V8, far cheaper. I found (can't find now ofc) a locost method was to put the gearbox onto a spit so it rotate around input shaft and a fixed output tube over the splines for output. Then a frame to carry the angle grinder and once started clamped down. Just rotate the whole gearbox to get the cutting disc to chop off the RX8 bell housing. Think it was about 3" but it's best to match the best place based on both bell housings diameter as to match the best place to cut. Edited June 10, 2021 by Jessopia74 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamie077366 Posted June 15, 2021 Author Share Posted June 15, 2021 wax and polish, come up nice for a track car. Been out and about with no drama....track evening booked for 29th, Fingers crossed so, black or white wheels guys? Temporarily I’m going for white cus iv only one more for a diy refurb but x4 black for a refurb. I’m actually preferring the black though... friends and relatives differ on opinions. And...stickers on back but would you put on sides? I know personnel preference as it’s not a show car but I honestly can’t decide... Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessopia74 Posted June 15, 2021 Share Posted June 15, 2021 White with red 😎 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trooker Posted June 15, 2021 Share Posted June 15, 2021 If it was normally a road car I’d probably go black but since you’ll be having track fun somehow the white makes more sense, maybe it’s more a rally associated thing in my head. Don’t think I’d put stickers on the sides either. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamie077366 Posted June 16, 2021 Author Share Posted June 16, 2021 7 hours ago, Trooker said: If it was normally a road car I’d probably go black but since you’ll be having track fun somehow the white makes more sense, maybe it’s more a rally associated thing in my head. Don’t think I’d put stickers on the sides either. That’s my thoughts, prefer the black but as you say, more in keeping with its job in white.... if that’s the only thing iv to worry about with it all summer il be doing well 😂 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Pounsett Posted June 17, 2021 Share Posted June 17, 2021 I’m a big fan of white wheels but I think black will look better on your car. Black looks good with the black trim and black decals. As you say “nice thing to worry about”. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamie077366 Posted July 1, 2021 Author Share Posted July 1, 2021 (edited) Hi guys. So.... first track day in 8 years! lots of positives, few negatives.. everthing Opel on the car went really well. When she used to track before the shell was quite tired and rotten, now stiffened and caged she handles like a different car, feels much more solid with less roll, I guess all the wheels keep pointing in the right direction. Lsd is quite savage, it could be set up a little different but can stay as is for now, if not going into corner fast enough she skips a little. things to resolve... the r380 box ratios are pretty poor on track and change is very slow or not at all if to quick, it is what it is, il look at other options in winter, il just have to put up with it for now... rover v8... went really well and can easily keep pace with a 230hp Alfa (I’m 150kg lighter) but....at the end of day, oil light came on....my brother was with me and is a lot less Stupid than me...he tuck out sender unit and indeed there was very little pressure...he’s hoping it’s pressure relief valve stuck. He said drop the oil and cut up the filter and see if any pieces of v8 are in it (I hope he was exaggerating a little) . On a hopeful note I was near the pits when it came on and engine remained quiet so hopefully quick fix. Well pleased with pics 👍😀 Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Edited July 1, 2021 by jamie077366 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bris jas Posted July 1, 2021 Share Posted July 1, 2021 Glad you had a great day, i loved my manta V8 track car. Hopefully the oil pressure will be a straight forward fix, as mentioned try the pressure relief valve, also check the pump gears are ok not to worn, also the bottom of the dissy that pics up the pump gear isn't split, this happened on mine after i sold it, luckily cheap easy fix by the current owner, although i hadn't heard of this happening before. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamie077366 Posted May 26, 2022 Author Share Posted May 26, 2022 Hi guys, not been on for a while. sorry to hear your sad news. I actually started the first thread and learnt to weld from losing someone to keep me busy, I’m not gonna expand further but my thoughts are with Danny’s family and his palls. been steady with hatch, not sure if any one remembers but had oil pressure problem at track day. turned out to be oil pressure relief valve. Thought over winter best to take a look inside. Shell’s weren’t happy, crank suvived, cam and followers good, cam didn’t turn over smoothly so we bearings. whike in bits thought I’d have a go at flowing heads, iv read few books and it’s quite complex, but, when had a look at heads I shouldn’t of worried, there’s no way I could of made them worse, they weren’t even the same, serial numbers lined up so I guess some castings are just better than others. also, had lightened flywheel, original was 32lb, v8 specialist John eales got it down to 19lbs, should be noticeable. just on with lapping valves atm, steady job. oh, painted rocker covers at Xmas, got bit bored but fancied an easy job 😂 all the best, Jamie Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. IMG_1059.MP4 Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. Project images are available to Club Members Only, Click to become an OMOC Member. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trooker Posted May 26, 2022 Share Posted May 26, 2022 Good to read of the progress. Not sure how the horse jumping vid relates but it seemed very controlled 👍 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamie077366 Posted May 26, 2022 Author Share Posted May 26, 2022 Ahh dam…. Must of clicked by mistake…. That’s me, that’s part of my job….. cars good escape from the job 😂😂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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