So decisions, decisions, decisions! The way forward is this, well I think that it is today but I reserve the right to change my mind by lunchtime, or tomorrow whatever suit me better!
I have decided to develop my Mk2 bit by bit, cheaper and actually more likely to happen, rather than plan for a complete overhaul and radical change. I will try and source a cheap second / spare 8v engine and will work slow time on getting that built and ready to fit. I was thinking that lightened and balanced internals combined with a port matched manifold and free flowing air filter, with ducted external cold air feed, will provide sensible and reliable power nicely towards the top of the Class C 90-120 BHP range.
The car is already stripped out and lightened, as much as I can / want to do so there is little benefit from trying to remove the last few ounces. I am undecided about the whole seam welding thing, both in my ability to weld and the benefits it would bring, but have decided that one of the first jobs will be to remove the sunroof and when I do this I will seam weld everything up in the roof / a & B pillar area. This should provide a little more strength here and cannot hurt. I am going to try and strip back the sunroof panel so that I can weld it back in place and create a single skinned roof once again. This will achieve two things, it will remove some weight (and from the top of the car always a benefit) and it will clear the area for the roll cage to be fitted. The roll cage will be made early next year in Germany and I will base it on the one here:
http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/p/322822/2220902.aspx#2220902 a great thread with lots of pictures on how to do it correctly. I cannot guarantee that the CDS will be FIA compliant but at least the design and fitting should make me safe, and that is the main effort. I am also going to get off my, rather smaller backside (post Afghan heat and lots of phys), and get the poly-bushes fitted to my wide-track arms and then finish the conversion. I also have the anti-roll bar from the Passat so I will look and see which is thicker and fit that. I am not sure if my brakes will be sufficient but unless the consensus here is to change them I will continue with the 16v items I have. I need to fit the polycarb windows that I have sitting in the garage as they are a requirement of the race series. I will also need to fit a cut-out switch and was thinking that now would be a good time to relocate the battery as well. What I was thinking was moving the battery to the boot on the passenger side and then run the power cable forward to the front wing, external cut-off switch for marshals, and then into the dash for the main cut-out switch in the cabin. I also need to fit a fire extinguisher, but the rules allow for a portable one to be secured in the cabin. A mate did mention, a few months ago, that he had an old plumbed in system that I could have so I might get that fitted but if not then it will be a hand held one in with me.
Other than that I will just try and get it ready for the first race and see what breaks or how far off the pace I am! Comments suggestions always gratefully received and if anyone wants to help then I’ll be in Kent up until Xmas!
Jon
