Mason’s Build: Superlite SLC

[Mason S]

Big milestone yesterday, I now have a rolling chassis! Picked up Z06 wheels from Oregon and they fit perfect.
My kit came with no suspension attached, so this was a happy day to get it together.
Now I will modify the chassis and start the long journey towards first engine start.
Also, planning out fuel tank and Electric Water pump options.

 

[Joel K]

Big milestone yesterday, I now have a rolling chassis! Picked up Z06 wheels from Oregon and they fit perfect.
My kit came with no suspension attached, so this was a happy day to get it together.
Now I will modify the chassis and start the long journey towards first engine start.
Also, planning out fuel tank and Electric Water pump options.
View attachment 102329

Nice progress Mason, I like this Z06 wheels.

 

[Neil]

Mason, your car looks like it will be a very nice build. Let me put in a suggestion regarding safety- a GT40 replica is capable of high performance and with that comes the spectre of a high-speed crash. You want to survive, so a roll cage is a very good idea even if it is not "original".

In LSR, the rules are very strict; unlike other forms of racing you may crash up to 7 miles from any help at all. The SCTA safety rules are in place to have you be able to survive until help arrives. The roll cage, chassis, fire extinguishers, fire suit, & helmet, etc rules are there to help you survive those precious minutes until you can be rescued. Even on the street, you may crash or be involved in a collision in an isolated place where even a 911 call won't bring help for some time. You need as much protection as is reasonable, a very subjective judgement. I'd suggest adding some sort of roll cage in your chassis. Comparison:

 

[Mason S]

Neil,

There is a full race cage sitting a few feet away from the car. It had to come off for chassis modifications.

I dropped my custom SBI fuel cell back in the car and think that may work as long as I can make a removable service panel on the interior.

 

[Mason S]

Fixing inverted photos. I will need to replace all of the internal foam with fresh fuel cell foam.

 

[Neil]

You are going to have a very nice car when it is finished!

 

[Mesa]

That is a nice, expensive cell you have there, be nice to be able to use it. Do you have to run foam? Isn't that what needs to be serviced? Maybe the foam actually allows it to keep its shape...as well as provide anti slosh properties.

Maybe cut that roll bar down to the needed essentials and use the one you have, at least you know it already lines up with the hole in the chassis already.

Do you have the operating system lined up for the V10? If so, what components will you be using? I have some interest in using the same engine in a different project. Interested in these details.

 

[Neil]

Mesa, the polyurethane coating on the cell fabric deteriorates over time and the whole fuel cell will need to be replaced. They are usually certified for 5 years.

 

[Mason S]

Mesa, the fuel cell foam provides anti-slosh properties and also in turn reduces the likelihood of fuel explosions. The foam only lasts three years when exposed to fuel and then needs to be replaced before it starts clogging up fuel filters.

The bladder is a kevlar/rubber that breaks down after exposure to fuel around the 5 year mark, at this time you can send it in for inspection and get it re-certified for an additional 2 years for a total lifetime service of 7 years.

Regarding the roll cage, I may just cut it up to suit my new chassis dimensions, but hate to waste such a nice full cage build. Do you think anyone would be interested in buying the full SLC race cage? It's $4995 from the factory.

The BMW S85 V10 will be managed by an SC800 Delta ECU from Specialty Components, this ecu can control the can-bus drive by wire throttle actuators on the engine as well as the VANOS variable valve timing system. The ECU is plug and play after they modify the engine harness, and they have default tunes for stock engines. One bonus is a power bump from 507hp to 550hp by running a premium fuel only tune.

The S85 needs a modified oil pan with a physical dipstick, since the ECU doesn't work with the BMW electronic oil level sensor. You also need the RCR adapter kit and custom flywheel/tone ring to mate it with the Graziano transaxle.

I've replaced the rod bearings and serviced the fuel injectors and throttle bodies, but I am mostly leaving the S85 stock until I get it running. If you want big power, you can supercharge or go with a stroker build if you want to invest another $15-30k. Or you can get mild gains by modifying it for E85 and running underdrive pulleys.

 

[Mason S]

More 3D Scanning means more 3D renders! I worked on the engine today, new rod bearings are in and tomorrow I will set the oil pump backlash and button her back up.

I really dig the Ferrari F50 nostrils and rear wing style, I'm tempted to change the body, but only after I get it running and driving.

 

[Mason S]

Acid Green Calipers? What do you think?

 

[Mesa]

That front wheel dish looks a little misleading, I'm thinking the actual wheel will be a little flatter. She's a beaut', like the green calipers and the rear wing end plates. Although you might want to consider moving the wing off toward the back of the car a little as the rear of the body is a little on the short side (visual balance). Kind of cheating with all this virtual reality stuff. Hell, just draw pictures and look at them - way cheaper than building the actual car!

 

[Howard Jones]

I think you should not do anything to that cage. Take a breath and seriously consider using it in your car. It adds a huge amount of stiffness to the chassis and it goes without saying your added safety in a shunt. Think soccer mom in a minivan into the side of your SLC at 30 MPH.

My thinking on fuel tank question: It might be a lot easier to make it in two sections that are linked together with a short piece of hose. Or even pump from one to the other with a transfer pump. That way it(they) could be removed from the inside after taking the seats and access panel out. Just a thought.

In any event the fire wall hole needs to be covered and reinforced structurally with at least one diagonal cross piece of tubing. Really that section needs to be divided into two sections with a diagonal across each and then covered with a sealed panel. However the cage resolves the structural rigidity issue so all you would need to do then is cover the opening with a sheet aluminum at a minimum. I would still add two 2X2X 1/8 vertical sections of vertical chassis tubing as well as the sheet metal cover as a firewall to prevent engine intrusion should you nose into something hard.

 

[Mason S]

Thanks for the feedback.

The full cage with a seat means I can’t physically fit in the car, so it will need to be modified, I’m 6’3 so pushing the seat.

I’m having a race shop build the cage, this will accommodate the chassis arch and match the contour of the A pillar so I don’t have the bulky pillars in the way.

Mesa- the wing is a work in progress

 

[Mason S]

Hit send too quickly... “I’m 6’3 so having the seat pushed forward with the current cage doesn’t work for me”

 

[Matthew P]

Where can I get the 3D model you're using? I'm wanting to see how one would look for me.

 

[Mason S]

Where can I get the 3D model you're using? I'm wanting to see how one would look for me.

You can download it here: Full SLC Race Tail

 

[Mason S]

New Link HERE

 

[Mason S]

Beta for a custom Superlite SLC configurator. Fun project for Black Friday.
This viewer allows you to change colors.

 

[Mason S]

Does anyone know what this part is for?

The kids had fun helping to remove all the foam from the fuel cell.

I'm thinking of using the Holley Hydramat as a fuel pickup, anyone here have experience with this product? It claims to eliminate the need for a surge tank and a pre fuel filter. It's not cheap, but I like the space that it would free up.

Here's a video of the "Amazing Holley Hydramat"