Doc Watson
Lifetime Supporter
OK first post so hi to everybody, I've been looking at the site for over 2 years now and its a great source of info on the car, thumbs up to Ron........
So, I want a GT40, but what kit to buy?, what engine?, what colour? It all started with many many questions.
I finally decided to build a car based on the Mk1 Gulf Mirage car which for a brief period had a 351W engine (I think it won Spa and a few other races before the 5ltr rule came in).
So this is where I am at the moment with regards to a very early stage of build.
Engine - Due to SVA regulations in the UK you are allowed 1 used componemt on a kitcar. If you choose the engine then pre 1993 means no catalytic converter is required. Pre 1983 requires less severe emissions test and pre 1973 then its a visible smoke test only. So after 4 months searching here in the UK I finally found a 1972 351 Windsor block bored 28 thou oversize ready for 2 thou honing. £500 pounds and a bit of a risk as it needed pressure testing and crack checking. My motor machinist (who builds 1000+ HP V8's for Santa pod 1/4 mile stuff, I think he's british champ at the moment) did the tests and today I found out that everything is OK... phewww....... Forged crank with standard stroke to keep the rod ratio numbers ok and H beam rods with forged pistons are also waiting to be fit. The heads are Air flow research (New Zealand I think) and will arrive in the next week or two. The plan is to have the motor at a point where the internals can be balanced and then stripped down and shipped to me for storage until the chassis is ready. I want a reliable engine to be able to do the Le Mans thing and a few track days and expect about 400 HP with good tickover. Total spent so far is £3500 on the main engine components.
Gearbox- I want the car to be as 'original' as possible so this is a no brainer I will order a ZF transaxle, inverted for gt40s from RTB transmissions, about £8000 a go. Should have this by the end of the year.
Bellhousing - Ordering an ERA bellhousing (quoted about $500) should give good ground clearance but needs a 157 tooth fly wheel (Fidanze aluminium flywhell on order).
Tilton super started (unless I can find a genuine ford starter) and the Aviaid (spelt wrong?) pan 6.5" deep as per original. I will have Stainless exhausts and weber 48 IDA's on top. I'm considering using a MOTEC injection system but undecided as yet - needs more research.
The kit.........
Ahhh which kit to buy?
ERA - Would love an ERA kit but 2 years wait and around £30,000 for just the chassis plus import hassel put me off.
MDA - Went to the Exeter kit car show (just up the road for me) and saw the MDA chassis and sat in to check leg and head room (i'm 6'2") fitted in no problems and was very impressed with the kit. MDA are based in Exeter and this helps as its only 40 miles from me.
Roaring 40s - They were at Exeter also, and again very nice kit.
So, I want a GT40, but what kit to buy?, what engine?, what colour? It all started with many many questions.
I finally decided to build a car based on the Mk1 Gulf Mirage car which for a brief period had a 351W engine (I think it won Spa and a few other races before the 5ltr rule came in).
So this is where I am at the moment with regards to a very early stage of build.
Engine - Due to SVA regulations in the UK you are allowed 1 used componemt on a kitcar. If you choose the engine then pre 1993 means no catalytic converter is required. Pre 1983 requires less severe emissions test and pre 1973 then its a visible smoke test only. So after 4 months searching here in the UK I finally found a 1972 351 Windsor block bored 28 thou oversize ready for 2 thou honing. £500 pounds and a bit of a risk as it needed pressure testing and crack checking. My motor machinist (who builds 1000+ HP V8's for Santa pod 1/4 mile stuff, I think he's british champ at the moment) did the tests and today I found out that everything is OK... phewww....... Forged crank with standard stroke to keep the rod ratio numbers ok and H beam rods with forged pistons are also waiting to be fit. The heads are Air flow research (New Zealand I think) and will arrive in the next week or two. The plan is to have the motor at a point where the internals can be balanced and then stripped down and shipped to me for storage until the chassis is ready. I want a reliable engine to be able to do the Le Mans thing and a few track days and expect about 400 HP with good tickover. Total spent so far is £3500 on the main engine components.
Gearbox- I want the car to be as 'original' as possible so this is a no brainer I will order a ZF transaxle, inverted for gt40s from RTB transmissions, about £8000 a go. Should have this by the end of the year.
Bellhousing - Ordering an ERA bellhousing (quoted about $500) should give good ground clearance but needs a 157 tooth fly wheel (Fidanze aluminium flywhell on order).
Tilton super started (unless I can find a genuine ford starter) and the Aviaid (spelt wrong?) pan 6.5" deep as per original. I will have Stainless exhausts and weber 48 IDA's on top. I'm considering using a MOTEC injection system but undecided as yet - needs more research.
The kit.........
Ahhh which kit to buy?
ERA - Would love an ERA kit but 2 years wait and around £30,000 for just the chassis plus import hassel put me off.
MDA - Went to the Exeter kit car show (just up the road for me) and saw the MDA chassis and sat in to check leg and head room (i'm 6'2") fitted in no problems and was very impressed with the kit. MDA are based in Exeter and this helps as its only 40 miles from me.
Roaring 40s - They were at Exeter also, and again very nice kit.
