SC 540 Build Photos

[paul68]

Hi Warren,just wondering how the progress on your 540 is going,i see peters busy doing a few tests on seatbelts and parking lights at the moment.Im just getting around to fitting the heatshield into the car.

Hi Michael,hows the painter getting along with your car,should be close to the finish line now,how bout a couple of progress pictures on the car in the paint shop.

[Merv and Sharon]

Paul what do those 540's weigh compared to a Cobra, for example? They are certainly becoming very popular.

Merv

[paul68]

Merv,no where near as light as the original cobra shape.The body,chassis unit is around 400kgs,heres some info:
VEHICLE MANUFACTURER : DRB
MODEL : 540 ROADSTER
YEAR OF MANUFACTURE : 2008
CHASSIS No/VIN : SC540-01
TEST DATE : 19/9/2008

LOAD & DIMENSION DETAILS.

Standard Vehicle Unladen Weight 1500 kg

Number of Seating Positions 2

GVM 1650 kg

Vehicle Track Front 1580¬ mm. Rear 1620 mm

Wheelbase 2520 mm

PAUL

[BLWNCOBRA]

Jezzus there bloody heavy.

[paul68]

yeah bit of weight,but a lot bigger car,as boxhead said doors are about as big as his front guard. suppose they make a good sunday cruzer.still go alright but

[BLWNCOBRA]

In all reality there a pig, even if i dropped my alloy blocked boss engine in one it'd still be awfully heavy and handle like a boat.

[WKB]

Hi Paul,
Not much happening at the moment due to work committments, but I hope to get back into it in a couple of weeks. If I can get the parts I require I hope to have it painted by Christmas.

Originally Posted by BLWNCOBRA

In all reality there a pig, even if i dropped my alloy blocked boss engine in one it'd still be awfully heavy and handle like a boat.

A bit harsh.

At the double lane change testing earlier this I heard the handling of the DRB540 made a lighter popular V8 powered kit car, which was also doing the same test, look pretty ordinary.

Warren

[400TT]

Originally Posted by WKB

At the double lane change testing earlier this I heard the handling of the DRB540 made a lighter popular V8 powered kit car, which was also doing the same test, look pretty ordinary.

Warren

Pure propaganda. Why do they even bother. They are talking about an RCR-40 as we shared the track for lane change testing. I will quite happlily put an RCR-40 up against a DRB540 on the track with same HP, same tyres, same driver. But it's pretty obvious the vehicles are designed for different purposes. Actually I will put up any RCR against any DRB of the same spec. As manufacturers we have both taken different engineering approaches and as a result different performance outcomes and most likely appeal to different types of buyers.

We don't even support the Boss 540 engine in any RCR due to the weight, size and location penalty associated with it. But as stated above our vehicles are designed with different goals in mind.

But don't take this as a slur on the DRB 540, it's built for a specific purpose and specific market. One of the key designers & builders of the 540 kit now works for RCR, so we know more about the 540 than most.

[Merv and Sharon]

I am sure there is lots that could be done suspension-wise to lighten and stiffen the chassis, if needed. My WRX STi was 1350kg and it handled pretty well.

Merv

[paul68]

BLWNCOBRA,you have driven one of these then,wished i had the chance to drive one and be able to comment truthfully on how they handle.6-8 months time hopefully i will be able to let you know.

Hi Warren,
work sure does hold up the progress on projects mine is still untouched as of work committments also.The heatshield arrived yesterday as well as the tank.lights andcarpet are ordered and the primer,etch and materials are on there way so trying to take 4-5 weeks holiday and hopefully put a dent in the build time.
Paul

[boxhead]

I think they could get a couple of LS1 blocks from a RCR40

[400TT]

Originally Posted by boxhead

I think they could get a couple of LS1 blocks from a RCR40

As long as it's going to a good cause. We have 3 x LS7's in the shop at the moment. Boy they are popular. One of them is a genuine HSV W427 engine, which is just a 2009 Chev LS7 crate engine.

[Wazza]

Originally Posted by 400TT

As long as it's going to a good cause. We have 3 x LS7's in the shop at the moment. Boy they are popular. One of them is a genuine HSV W427 engine, which is just a 2009 Chev LS7 crate engine.

As Homer would say......

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm.....LS7....mmmmmmmmm !!

Won't be long now !!!!

[macloft]

LS7
Roughly what sort of money are you guys looking at for a full LS7 motor with harness, computer starter etc in Australia now.
Bruce

[400TT]

If you wanted to buy one locally here you wouldn't get much change out of $20k with full controller kit, starter etc. The LS7 crate engine comes a little better equiped than the smaller engines. You get exhaust manifolds, clutch & engine mounts.

[sambo]

Correct Wazza, the LS7 is a beautiful thing. But I'd say the comparison was more like oranges and mandarins.

[Aussie Mike]

Rather than an LS7 I'd probably go for an LSX block with CNC ported LS7 heads and after market rotating assembly. You can easily build 454 cubes with this block and make way more of everything in the HP and Torque department for less money.

The LSX block is an GM performance parts iron block that was designed with 2500HP potential

http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/En...166454&engCat=

There's a few shops offering short block and long block options. There'a also a factory crate motor option now for a GMPP LSX 454.

http://www.vetteweb.com/tech/vemp_09...ine/index.html



How does 620 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque grab you?

Unfortunately the 12.5:1 comp means av gas or race fuel only.

[400TT]

Mike that is beautiful.

Sambo, that is a nice Combo. Great value.

You pay more for an LS7, but you also get it back in spades. With an LS7 you get dry sump, ultimate reliability and that terrific deep sound. And plenty of bragging rights and I expect a much better resale value of your Cobra compared to a cammed L98..

Stock LS7's can produce over 450rwhp with the stock headers. And a mountain of torque.

I'm sure Warren will be running those stock headers. They are very nice headers for factory units, stainless mandrel tube internals.

After seeing, feeling and hearing LS7's, I'm unfortunately a convert as well. My next project will have an LS7. I'm not surprised they are so popular with my customers.

We've also got a Katech LS7 custom spec engine in the shop. It's a big dollar engine. I've seen the engine dyno figures and can't believe the HP & Torque, much bigger figures than Mike's LSX. Will see what it does on the dyno.

[Cameron Parsons]

Alright Craig enough talk about 'the Shop'... photo's please!!

Cameron

[400TT]

Cameron I will start a separate thread as this one is really getting off topic. I reckon Warren(WKB) deserves to have his thread back.