AP2289 build log - Page 2

Gav · #21 (**permalink**) 05-19-2015, 01:16 AM

Is that one of Brucey's hard tops I see in there too?

He does lovely work, and is a top guy to boot.

xb-60 · #22 (**permalink**) 05-19-2015, 03:54 PM

More pictures?

Here's a shot of AP2289's body in the AP workshop. Comparing the body straight out of the mould with the next shots of COB6008, you can see the cutback door shape in AP2289's body, and the amount on the rear wheel arches that will need to be trimmed back (not a huge amount). You can also see the amount that will be trimmed off the front wheel arches. The fronts are very close to being standard roadster (aka slabside) flares.

And of course, here's that other favourite of mine, the CSX2259 gravel rash picture, which shows up the 'cut' of the guards rather well:

and for some extra interest, this one is an ERA 289FIA. I've included this one as it shows the front guards in the more common FIA configuration:

Cheers,
Glen

albanycobra · #23 (**permalink**) 05-19-2015, 06:42 PM

Great to see Pace getting stuck in. I bet the body will be near perfect by the time Pace finish with it. COB6008 is a real nice car to copy.

OnyxCobra · #24 (**permalink**) 05-19-2015, 06:44 PM

So when do PACE start offering a 289 on their menu?

xb-60 · #25 (**permalink**) 05-20-2015, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnyxCobra

So when do PACE start offering a 289 on their menu?

Well, they are doing mine, so I can't see them refusing other orders. There's a lot of enthusiasm at Arundel about doing an FIA replica.

Cheers,
Glen

xb-60 · #26 (**permalink**) 05-21-2015, 03:48 PM

What's been happening?

AP2289's body has been fitted onto a chassis to check the body accuracy to AP's set of drawings. The body has come up so close that any differences that are actually measurable are within millimetres of the drawings. Even though the 427 and 289 shapes look quite different in detail, the basics of both are identical....so AP dropped a 427 bonnet and boot onto the FIA body, and they fitted perfectly.
What that means is that all of the PACE hardware - bonnet & boot hinges, door hinges, door shape except for the cutback part, so intrusion bars....all fit extremely well. All very reassuring for me when I think of how far -literally - that body has come.
For added strength, a complete layer of structural carbon composite will be added to the underside of the body. The carbon composite is a double bias structural grade, so will add considerably to the body's strength. Also to be added are what in effect are angle strips for reinforcement, the same as what is done on the AP427s. The doors will also get a carbon/kevlar lining as well as the intrusion bars.
I have got to say, I am impressed.

Here's the body sitting on the chassis for measurement:

Cheers,
Glen

Dimis · #27 (**permalink**) 05-21-2015, 04:07 PM

What a bonus that it all seemingly will fit, plug and play style, rather than plug and pray... followed by negotiation by hammer and pray somemore...

Really happy for you to see this thing gaining momentum! Awesome!

boxhead · #28 (**permalink**) 05-21-2015, 06:06 PM

Will be following with much interest.

xb-60 · #29 (**permalink**) 05-21-2015, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dimis

....plug and play style, rather than plug and pray...

Correct Anth, no plug and pray here. At this point I would say these guys really are professionals

Cheers,
Glen

750hp · #30 (**permalink**) 05-22-2015, 10:42 AM

Looking great! The fact the 427 bonnet and boot fit will mean you have an AP alloy panel upgrade option in the future too.

xb-60 · #31 (**permalink**) 05-23-2015, 03:03 AM

Hmm.....possibilities...

xb-60 · #32 (**permalink**) 05-27-2015, 08:49 PM

At the last update, AP had the FIA body on a reference chassis checking the accuracy of the body. The body came out of 'scrutineering' with excellent marks. What also came out of that exercise is a list of what needs changing on the body and what changes are needed to the standard 427 chassis to accommodate the new body. All minor stuff, but all needed to be documented, and now those changes need to be actioned.

The most major visual change - but I'm assured, an easy one to execute - is the decision to modify the front flares from the roadster style (as on COB6008 and CSX2259) to the more suitable 'typical' FIA style front flares. Measurements showed that the roadster front flares would limit the width of the wheels and tyres (and also limit the front track) and importantly, would result in the front of the car not sitting low enough. The limiting feature on the front flares is the vertical flange. Also important, AP have enough data to reproduce the FIA flares accurately. All things considered, a logical decision.

No point showing pages of co-ordinates, so will have to wait until next week for pictures.

Cheers,
Glen

tkb289 · #33 (**permalink**) 05-27-2015, 09:19 PM

Glen,

Given the parameters of the build, an excellent choice.

I suspect the end result will look very close to CSX 2323, depending of course on factors such as how the ride height is set, and the size of the tire that is selected. Keep those updates coming!

- Tim

xb-60 · #34 (**permalink**) 06-17-2015, 03:54 PM

All of the chassis sub-assemblies have been manufactured, and chassis no. 289 is next on the build order for one of the main chassis jigs. There will be a number of differences in the chassis....the roll bar location and bracing and the need to accommodate my Toploader as a couple of examples.

I need to acknowledge the amount of work that's been done so far on the body, and that quality and quantity of basic prep work doesn't become evident until much further down the track.

Cheers,
Glen

albanycobra · #35 (**permalink**) 06-18-2015, 03:53 AM

Thats great Pace are keeping you in the loop so well with changes and updates. I didnt know there was a chassis change needed to run a top loader?

xb-60 · #36 (**permalink**) 06-18-2015, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by albanycobra

Thats great Pace are keeping you in the loop so well with changes and updates. I didnt know there was a chassis change needed to run a top loader?

Hi Dave,
Maybe I should have said "maybe". The Ford Toploader isn't on the list of standard gearbox installations that AP currently support. Craig thought it might be tight with no tunnel mods, so he has pictures and dimensions from me to check if any mods are needed. If there is any interference, it would be from the shifter linkages on the side of the 'box.
Cheers,
Glen

xb-60 · #37 (**permalink**) 06-23-2015, 03:30 PM

Milestone pictures for me....and for AP.
This is the bones of the semi-monocoque for AP FIA no.1, aka AP2289

Cheers,
Glen

albanycobra · #38 (**permalink**) 06-24-2015, 12:07 AM

Woohoo.....love the chassis start pics.....mine just came off the jig so maybe yours went on next....keep the pics coming....

xb-60 · #39 (**permalink**) 06-24-2015, 03:14 PM

Reassuring to see the triangular section running along the sides of the chassis...

....so it's not just fibreglass separating me from other road users

Cheers,
Glen

xb-60 · #40 (**permalink**) 06-28-2015, 03:56 PM

A major milestone recently with the completion of my Toploader's rebuild....

Here's what it looked like when it came to me:

There are four David Kee agents outside USA and one of them, LA Motor repairs, just happens to be here in Adelaide, so that's where it went for its rebirth. Full marks to them so far.
Here's a shot of what it looks like now:

With the shifter offset significantly from the centreline, I was a little concerned that the lever would dip significantly when going from the 1-2 plane to the 3-4 plane, but the transverse movement at the knob is less than 20mm, so the 'dip' is minimal.

Another thing that surprised me about the Toploader is that it is slightly lighter than the most commonly used alternative gearbox.

Cheers,
Glen