JimSVO

Drew - that's cool. Last year I went to the WWABFM in my 69 Triumph TR6. I'm in the Tyee Triumph Club. I don't think I will have my SVOZero street registered by the 2026 meet so I'll be there again in my TR. Here's an OT snapshot from 2025.

I'm still fairly new to the PNW and am building a se7en now. Maybe see you at the 2026 WWABFM in Kenmore?

Thanks, Andy. I am looking for a TFI distributor, one of the later ones with the slip-on rotor, not the screw-down rotor. I would prefer to have a matching aux shaft and dist but I know that's asking a lot! - Jim

Interesting suggestion about the front crossmember. I could also just put a kink in the diagonal rail to get it out of the way of the dizzy. I'm betting that the two-groove pulley will be enough to get everything where I want it. I'll find out later this week. Yes, that F803 is what I was looking at. Good idea about using a large capacity remote oil filter. I remember Accusump also.

The Lima is a personal choice. I owned a 1984 SVO Mustang that I bought new. I would still have that car but it was totaled in a T-bone accident. I kept the engine and drivetrain. I'm leaning towards a PimpXs and running sequential. I could run a stub or cam synchronizer, I'm still considering options. I am actually working on a two-groove pulley and finalizing the engine position after that. I will have to run a shallow pan regardless. Are you familiar with a Kevco pan? I probably won't run an I/C initially and I do plan to route around the back of the engine. I think we are on the same wavelength there. There's a nice space there between the bonnet and the scuttle to run a nice scoop for an I/C. Scoop would be offset from centerline kinda like the original SVO. Thanks for the input, guys!

I took delivery on 12 Dec 2025 in Auburn, WA. Now that I have it home in my shop I began a blog to keep track of my progress at https://jimssvozero.blogspot.com/ I am currently working out the details of the engine and transmission fit. It's all going to fit except the distributor, which has an interference with the diagonal frame brace. I am looking at distributorless solutions for the turbo Ford engine. I hope you check out my blog!

Not sure yet about delivery but I will be getting another update soon. Thanks for the link!

My GBS ZeroGT build is under way. I just got the first photos of my actual chassis before going to powdercoat. I have had one modification to the basic chassis; I needed extra clearance on the RH side of the engine bay to clear the turbo package on my SVO 2.3l engine. When I met Richard Hall of GBS last month at Sonoma, CA, and we discussed my goal of fitting this engine combo and we arrived at the solution of creating a "dogbone" diagonal strut as part of the top chassis tube on the exhaust side of my engine. I've also mocked-up the location of the chassis tubes around my engine as it sits on the stand. Hopefully I can keep my metric and SAE measurements correct! Yesterday I drove down to Oregon to pick up the build trolly so that I can keep the chassis at a comfortable height and roll it around in my garage while I build it up. As I was driving down the Hood Canal on US 101, which is a particularly beautiful drive, I was dreaming about driving it in my new 7.

I wish I had been able to take one for a test drive but their display cars were pretty boxed in to the paddok, so no. It was good to be able to sit in both the standard and GT chassis, though, and get a real feel for the ergonomics. I definitely prefer the bigger toe box in the GT so I was able to make an informed choice. Also great to meet Richard and Paul and a couple of the owners that were also there. My powertrain choice really is the reason for my project in the first place. I owned a 1984 Ford Mustang SVO and I would still own it except it was totaled in an accident, I got T-boned by a teenager running a red light. I kept the engine and transmission with the hope of some day being able to build a new car around them. That day is almost here!

I met the GBP guys at Sonoma and got to try on a Zero. These are well engineered cars. I ordered a GT with slightly more room.

MV8 - yes, you nailed it. I do still have the oil cooler sandwich. For the intercooler/crossover I have not decided which way to go but both options are reasonable. The boost is limited to 14 PSI IIRC - it's been a long time!

Hey, that's cool vipergeek. I think your crate engine is an EcoBoost, right? Do you know what HP it's got? Mine is a long generation older, SVO 2.3l turbo, 1984 vintage. Only 175 HP in stock form. Still, a fun engine and I am looking forward to the build! - Jim

I am back from Sears Point after visiting with Paul, the west coast rep, and Richard. I did some test fits with both the standard Zero and the wider GT Zero and I definitely need the extra space in the toe box of the GT. The cars on display looked great and it was good to meet Richard and Paul, as well as a couple of other owners. I am going to proceed with a build order! We are going to work on some dimensions for fitting my 2.3 liter SVO turbo based on a 2.0 OHC Pinto-engined car they have at the factory.

I've been doing some talking with Richard at GBS about the Zero. I like what I see! They are going to be at a Miata club track day at Sears Point, Sonome, CA on the first weekend in November so I've made plans to go down there and get a test drive. If that turns out well then I'm going to go all-in and build a Zero around my 2.3 turbo SVO engine using the custom self-build kit.

My 65 Mustang is a K-code 289 HiPo, mostly stock. Came originally with the Toploader. The Shelby GT-350 was upgraded to the T-10.

I've been asked to show you all some of my cars so I hope this will be OK. Present 2018 Mustang GT, 1969 Triumph TR6, 1966 Plymouth Valiant Signet, 1965 Ford Mustang 2+2, 1970 BSA 441 Shooting Star Past 1984 Ford Mustang SVO, 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302, 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302, 1970 Triumph GT6+, 1962 Triumph TR4 1985 Yamaha FZ750, 1984 Suzuki GS550ES, 1974 Suzuki 125 Duster, 1969 CZ 250

LOL, OK!

Thanks, slowdude, GBS looks interesting. The product literature lists Pinto as an engine source - but not specifically the 2.3 - so i will contact them about my combo. I've looked at some of their videos with a summary of the Zero Gen 2 upgrades, which is a pretty good tour of the whole car. I'd like to hear from some of the GBS builders about their experiences. So, about me? I am a retired aerospace engineer and overall grease monkey. I have a long history with small British sports cars and still drive a TR-6. I also did motocross and motorcycle road racing, and still have a BSA 441 Shooting Star. I autocrossed with my TR-4. Later in life I did open track with my 69 Boss 302 Mustang. Besides the 84 SVO I've also restored a 70 Boss 302 (from a desert hulk), and currently drive a 65 Mustang K-code fastback, a 1966 Plymouth Valiant and a 2018 Mustang GT. I've maintained and modified all my toys on my own terms but I really want to do a full kit build-up now.

Hello all, I've just joined. I live in the PNW, Olympic Penninsula, WA. I've had a long standing desire to build a Seven that will use my 2.3l OHC Ford engine. It was from my 1984 Mustang SVO, which sadly no longer exists. I have the engine and T5 trans combo and would like to get started on a build. I wondered of any folks here have experience using that combo and what kind of feelings there are for the result? Any particular kit that would handle that combo? - Thanks - Jim