Hello. It has just recently dawned on me that i really need to build myself one of these cars. I have built a few trikes over the years with different set ups and styles fom the mini trike up to a v8.
My problem is this , Do i go with the v8 engine or stick with the 4 potter.
I have noticed on the forrums that people are using the sierra 4x4 lsd diffs. Can these be used in the stock chassis or would the stock chassis suit the escort mk11 better.
If using the v8 what would be the changes to the chassis if any.
Also what gearbox should i use, I have read that the p6 manual has a narrow housing but is to weak. Is there a conversion plate available for different Gearboxes. I have recently aquired a beefed up v8 with kent cams so i would need to have a pretty strong box.
Any info would be very appreciated.
George...
P.S. I am currently looking for a chassis, so if any one out there knows were there is a good cheap chassis let me know Cheers...

Let me be the first to welcome you Clint.... we are all quite mad (well, some of us) but mostly all are willing to help with their own special breed of quick (and slow) fixes. Help and advice by the plenty... a warm ear to listen to you and some even choose to spend time with you (should you so wish! )

Your question in particular I cannot help with apart from one point. MK do chassis' that we have been very happy with and are very reasonably priced. So I'm not being overly biased, there are alternatives...

If you are looking to build your own from scratch then this is where i depart as I don't know the first thing about it...

[Edited on 14-3-05 by Hellfire]

Hi, and welcome!
most people seem to use ford 4 cylinder engines, with a type 9 gearbox. the simplest option seems to be to get a sierra with a pinto engine, and use the whole thing as a donor, but im not sure how well this setup fits the book chasis - i wouldnt think it would be a problem, as so many people are doing it.
as far as cheap chassis go - there are always things on ebay, just search for 'locost' and stuff will come up.
the escort bits are becomming harder and harder to find, as there are not many left now, and as a result, are getting expensive.
there are loads of companies to try, all of which are very similar.
MK
GTS
MNR
Luego
Mac#1
and loads more.....

all the best
Tom

Welcome

To build the chassis 'as book' you will need a live axle/beam axle. Sierra's use IRS and the diff is bolted to the chassis.

You coyuld used a sierra donor and just get a live axle for the rear axle, or use a Sierra donor and make a chassis (or buy) with IRS

the sierra rear axle with a dedion kit from gts, mk etc is a good option, you can use the 4x4 rear end for the lsd and there are only minimal modifications from a book chassis.

If making your own chassis I recon a +4 is probably the best option as the v8's are very tight in a standard width car.

Have a look at craig1410's photo archive/website as he has gone the route described above.

As for gearboxes, you can use an auto bellhousing with an adapter plate to mate to a ford t5 (borg warner) box which will handle the power with ease. There is also the tvr bellhousing as they used rover v8 based engines with the t5 box originally.

Ned.

[Edited on 14/3/05 by ned]

Definitely use the V8! It's worth it for that lovely burble alone. If you've built trikes in the past I'm sure you can handle something a little non-book, so dont worry about that aspect.

Chassis: As Ned says, build a +4. There are some good plans on Jim McSorley's website. My chassis is a +4, with +1" added to the height and +2" inches added to the length in the cockpit. This has given me extra space without changing the suspension geometry or anything complicated like that. The extra height is just as useful as the extra width for the V8. I have also included some other mods as suggested by some of the knowlegable chaps on this forum. Using 2" by 1" RHS for the top rails not only adds extra stiffness, but is also a very convenient way of adding the extra inch in height.

Gearbox: Borg Warner T5 (a la Sierra Cosworth, TVR, Mustang etc) is probably the best option for a tuned V8, and is what I am using (thanks Ned!). I'm not sure how it compares size wise with a Rover LT77, but I found I had to engineer a fairly complicated tunnel in order to maintain what I thought to be plenty of room in the footwells.


Description

My chassis currently looks like this. I'm sure it wont take long for someone to spot the deliberate mistake!

[Edited on 14/3/05 by AdamR]

Your right mate. The v8 does have the most appeal, sound and power. So fitting the Cosworth box I,d need an adaptor plate?
Also what rear axle set up are you using.
i Think i,ll Buil the chassis my self, then i know i will get the engine to fit. Thanks for your info. Very informative...

If you go IRS with the Sierra diff you'll have access to higher (ex diesel) ratios that the escort cannot offer - just a point to consider with a high torque engine that can haul big gears i.e. V8.

Welcome to Locosting.

for a manufactured chassis to fit a v8 i'd guess the gts w7de or the luego viento are the obvious choices, as i can't think of anyone who makes wide/+4 chassis as standard, unless you can find someone willing ot do you a special/one off?!

engine to gearbox as said can be either an auto bellhousing (shorter) + adapter plate or a tvr/other aftermarket type bellhousing.

Ned.

My chassis currently looks like this. I'm sure it wont take long for someone to spot the deliberate mistake!

The headrest mounted Playstation should be rearward facing?


[Edited on 15/3/05 by ReMan]

The asthmatic lack lustre Rover V8 is totally obsolete and a money pit it is also really over the top for a chassis designed for a sidevalve engine 1/3rd of the size.

Most cars these days are built on Sierra running gear, engine wise if you want ultimate performance without spoiling the handling go for a bike engine, if you want a really quick car engined car fit either a Zetec or Toyota engine. For good but sane performance pick up an ex Westie Ford CVH 1600 (lots of Westie owners are fitting Zetecs) not a great engine but cheap and easy to fit. For best handling and good but not ultimate performance pick up an ex Caterham Rover K16 1.4 as lots of Caterham owners are fitting bigger K series or Vauxhall engines.

Vauxhall 8 and 16 valve engines have a loyal fan based and although slightly heavy these engines are a very good choice.
The Ford Pinto is best used as a boat anchor, and the Xflo has had its years in the limelight now like Garbo it should be left alone in a peaceful retirement.



[Edited on 15/3/05 by britishtrident]

Hi n welcome,

Chassis, one of the lads in our fab shop as a chasiss tacked togethor, no transmission tunnel, also 1.6 16v toyota engine and box on 40's, if anyone is interested i can get a price off him. It aint been touched for over 12 months, he's lost interest. He also still as my "book" must get that back some day.