Superformance MKII, Riverside Racer 289 FIA vintage race car

[peterpjb]

Originally Posted by 1795

Hello everyone. I am in the process of ordering the Girling brakes and should have them here in a few weeks hopefully. I have received the siring diagrams and some parts of the maul from Blas, thanks. As I was looking over some of the installation instructions it was stated that the transmission support was deigned for a Tremec transmission and that the use of a top loader would require some fabrication.

Has anyone out there with a SPF MKII FIA installed a top loader in their car, and if so, would you please post pictures of how you fabricated the transmission support cross member so that I have an idea of how to modify the support when I receive the roller?

Thanks, and hope that everyone had a happy new year and the god weather will be upon us in a couple of months, or so....in the north east.

Jim

what I don't understand is:

why can't you get get a race ready roller with correct brakes and differential from spf, while spf is promoting their 289 mkll cars for vintage racing?

Originally Posted by Mark IV

Jim's chassis has been ordered from the factory and will be expedited to allow time for the build-out and race prep needed.

As Jim indicated Ross Henry and others prevailed upon SVRA to allow the composite body cars to compete. Vintage racing is facing an issue in that many of the original race cars have reached values that have caused the owners to pull them from competition thus reducing the grids in the most spectator popular classes. Realizing that a viewer can't tell the body material from the stands, SVRA has decreed that we can run our MK II 289 series cars so long as the powertrain and brakes are of period type. We have developed an option for the Girling calipers and solid rotors that may be owner installed on the existing chassis to meet the regulations now in effect. This means there will be several new "old" cars to compete. We have had inquiries from owners of original vintage Cobras about duplicating their race car in a new Superformance MK II and fully expect that within a year there will be several more competing. In fact if we get enough cars, we are looking at a "sub" class that will have their own placing and awards with sponsorship from us.

Currently Jim is the first of two Superformance FIAs destined for SVRA competition. We welcome inquiries from anyone interested in racing on of our cars.

[peterpjb]

understand, thanks guys

[byronpete21]

This thread is really making me want to open my piggy bank and go vintage racing. So many dreams, so little time and money.

[1795]

Wait till you see the in car race videos, you will be grabbing the sledge hammer to bust open that piggy bank

There is nothing like vintage racing. It is thrilling going around a track in direct competition with others and pushing your limits. In addition, for the most part you could not ask for a better group of people to be hanging with. One minute you are chasing them down on the track, the next you are in the paddock helping them fix their car so that you can get out on the track again competing with them. Later that afternoon/night you are having a beer with them and laughing about the days events.

[byronpete21]

It truly sounds amazing. I noticed there is an event at VIR which is relatively close to where I live. I am going to do my best to make it out to see the cars in person. It is great to see that Ross's creation will be able to race with the originals. I had the privilege of meeting Ross years ago, when he unveiled his first car at The Carlisle show in Pennsylvania. He was a wealth of knowledge, and took a lot of time to show me all the details of his amazing car. Best of luck with the build. Will be following closely.

[1795]

Originally Posted by byronpete21

It truly sounds amazing. I noticed there is an event at VIR which is relatively close to where I live. I am going to do my best to make it out to see the cars in person. It is great to see that Ross's creation will be able to race with the originals. I had the privilege of meeting Ross years ago, when he unveiled his first car at The Carlisle show in Pennsylvania. He was a wealth of knowledge, and took a lot of time to show me all the details of his amazing car. Best of luck with the build. Will be following closely.

I was looking at competing at that event, but am not sure if I will be able to make it, as I probably will have already run 4 race weekends prior to that and I have promised my wife (pit crew chief) that we would take a trip this fall to Italy. Would be nice to see you if I can make it.

Watkins Glen is not that far away, maybe you can make a trip up there for the US Vintage Grand Prix. It is a huge event and there is a lot going on in the area and lots of wineries nearby for wine tastings.

Jim

[byronpete21]

I will look into the Watkins Glen race. Congrats on getting your transmission. Reminds me of an old Johnny Cash song about building it One Piece at Time. I am pretty sure it will cost a bit more than a dime though. Stupid inflation.

[1795]

UPS just delivered my new close ratio top loader from Dan Williams Toploaders (2.32, 1.69, 1.29, 1.0). Brought it inside to sit in the den until the weather breaks. The barn is a little leaky and I do not want to let the transmission get rusty during the thaws. If anyone is wondering, 1795 is the year that my house was built and the barn is about that old too! Everybody had taken most of the good monikers and I was getting frustrated with having to think up new ones, so I settled on 1795.

I will keep things updated as parts come in, probably should have waited a little before starting this thread, because there will not be a lot to post for a while until the roller gets here. I will be purchasing a race seat, fuel cell, fire system, fuel pump, tires, etc. along the way so that once the body is here I can go to town.

Dan does nice work and is a fund of knowledge. Just remember, if you call him to have a nice comfortable seat because you will be on the phone for a while; he does like to talk. A really friendly guy.

Jim

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by 1795

UPS just delivered my new close ratio top loader from Dan Williams Toploaders (2.32, 1.69, 1.29, 1.0). Brought it inside to sit in the den until the weather breaks. The barn is a little leaky and I do not want to let the transmission get rusty during the thaws. If anyone is wondering, 1795 is the year that my house was built and the barn is about that old too! Everybody had taken most of the good monikers and I was getting frustrated with having to think up new ones, so I settled on 1795.

I will keep things updated as parts come in, probably should have waited a little before starting this thread, because there will not be a lot to post for a while until the roller gets here. I will be purchasing a race seat, fuel cell, fire system, fuel pump, tires, etc. along the way so that once the body is here I can go to town.

Dan does nice work and is a fund of knowledge. Just remember, if you call him to have a nice comfortable seat because you will be on the phone for a while; he does like to talk. A really friendly guy.

Jim

Great choice of transmission Jim (I'm using one in a 289 as well). What tailhousing did you specify?
There are a lot of us here who look forward to build threads like this! Looking forward to the rest of the story as it unfolds.

Cheers,
Glen

[1795]

Originally Posted by xb-60

Great choice of transmission Jim (I'm using one in a 289 as well). What tailhousing did you specify?
There are a lot of us here who look forward to build threads like this! Looking forward to the rest of the story as it unfolds.

Cheers,
Glen

Glen,

I was not quite sure what tail housing to specify, so I described my project to Dan and he has a lot of experience building top loaders for race applications, and was also familiar with Superformance cobras. He suggested using the tail housing that is on this transmission. It is a 17" tail housing for a 28 spline application. What length tail housing do you have and what is the length of your driveshaft? From what I can see the extra length (as opposed to a 14" or 15 1/2" tail housing) is at the end of the tail and should not greatly effect shifter location.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts. What reared ratio are you running and are you using a close ratio or wide ratio top loader?

Jim

[Bill D]

How did I ever miss this build thread? This is surely one I will be following. Can't wait for more pics of the progress.

[1795]

Bill,

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this build. Have thoroughly enjoyed following your build thread.

Jim

[Bill D]

Does this build use original style 6 pin wheels?

[1795]

Bill,

Yes, we will be using the original style 6 pin drive wheels. The wheels will be wider than the originals, at 8 1/2" instead of 7 1/2", as the original size wheels are very difficult to find and the vintage group, SVRA, has recognized that and will allow for 8 1/2" wheels.

Trying to keep as period correct as possible, but will be updating some features such as a more substantial roll cage and a fire system.

Jim

[LMH]

Those rotors are on my eventual buy list too! I'll be using the 3 piston calipers though.
They sure look sweet!
Larry

[Mark IV]

Very nice Jim!

I will be contacting you in a day with chassis info. Your chassis will coming direct to me with a GSM Flamingo sharing the container as Ross is bringing over one of his old race cars.

[1795]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

Very nice Jim!

I will be contacting you in a day with chassis info. Your chassis will coming direct to me with a GSM Flamingo sharing the container as Ross is bringing over one of his old race cars.

Rick,

Thanks! Looking forward to hearing that information. That means that I have to start clearing room in the workshop

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by 1795

Rick,

Thanks! Looking forward to hearing that information. That means that I have to start clearing room in the workshop

As I relayed to you the car in the body shop being smoothed and prepped for paint which will be late next week/early following week.

On to final assembly and then into the container........

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by Mark IV

As I relayed to you the car in the body shop being smoothed and prepped for paint which will be late next week/early following week.

On to final assembly and then into the container........

Jim - what colour?

[Riverside racer]

You putting rondels and number on now or once you have it at home Jim?