Tbox56

Mike and Tom, many thanks for continuing this tradition. Put me down for one driver and one guest. Tom

There was a lot to fit in the engine bay as well as making the steering column dog leg around the intake, new motor mounts, new alternator mount, fabricate an intercooler and all the tubing, Ford throttle pedal mount fabrication (the eboost is fly by wire), additional air venting in the nose cone, fabricate larger muffler and more. Will have 195/50 15 tires on the front and 225/45 15 on the rear, 7'' wide front wheels and 8" in the rear. The camera movement is from it being hand held by a brave volunteer sitting on 2 moving blankets without a seat belt where the passenger seat will go. No plans to try a classic size chassis. A turnkey car should be in the low to mid $70's

I have some Clubman chassis in a container due to arrive in Houston on the 27th, thinking one of them might need an Ecoboost, I want the drag race christmas tree next year. Also working on a Miata gearbox fitment as a T9 alternative. Tom

Here is a link to a crude video Tom

Took the Ecoboost Birkin XS for a first drive today. The engine and ECU package is from Ford Racing 252 hp and 360 lb/ft of torque. The first drive around the industrial park was on the verge of scary. The power comes on so strong you can freely spin the rear tires in 3rd gear from between 25mph and 50mph (and probably higher but I want to keep my drivers licence). The delivery is very linear and just pulls harder the higher the rpms go. Still some work to do to finish the car and I need to adjust the tube from the intercooler to the intake, fortunately this is the only fabricated item that did not fit exactly as planed. Will post a link to a crude video after it finishes uploading. Tom

Not real clear in the picture but you might be missing a plastic sleeve that fits between the female and male parts of the hinge. We also use a zip tie to make sure they don't lift off. Tom

The rack is a modified MK1 or MK2 Ford escort, neither of which were sold in the US. I have found a boot for a 1978 MGB (NAPA part PCC150047) fits the left side, have not needed one for the right so have not found one. Tom

The 2003 Birkin on BAT https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2003-birkin-lotus-7-s3/?utm_source=dailymail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2017-09-22 is a new listing not the same car as on San Antonio Craigslist. Tom

Hi Chris, Always good to see someone come back to the madness, we have cars in stock. Tom

The XS Birkin would probably fit. Tom

Hi to all, Thanks again to everyone that attended the event it was great to see all of you again and especially to Tom and Mike for all the work they put into organizing the event. There is little more to be said, that hasn't already, about the event other than it is absolutely hands down the best track event anyone with a seven will ever attend. The cars and the facility are only out done by the people. the 1987 mile drive to get there is nothing, I have done it now for 3 years, it has become our major summer holiday. Many Thanks, Tom PS, we managed to cover 103 miles today on trip home.

Almost there 225 miles to go.

The journey starts this morning, all packed except for a few last minute items. See everyone on Friday. Tom

Here is a copy of my coil dwell map using wasted spark on a duratec. Coil dwell should be the same. Tom Coil dwell wasted spark.pdf

Thanks for the info. The first time I came to the event my GPS took me the same way Kitcat's did and I was just hoping I was in the correct lane. Last year I think I got off I-76 on PA100 and it was easy.

They have different personalities, the 2.0 needs to be run harder but doesn't complain, I run it to 7000 all the time. The 2.0 with just adding the Crower cams is a very reasonable cost the only other things you need to do are change to a Receline wet sump, add throttle bodies and sort out how you want to handle the water pump and alternator belt routing. The 2.5 requires less effort, as far as how hard you need to push the engine, to do what you can do with the 2.0. The 2.5 requires more modification than the 2.0, remove the balance shaft (19 lbs, much is rotating mass), change to the Raceline wet sump, change to a low profile cam cover, AT Power throttle bodies (only company I have found with the shorter direct to head throttle bodies for the 2.5 that will fit under the bonnet, very nice but more expensive than Jenvey) and then sort your belt routing. A note on the low profile cam cover, our cam cover was made for the 2.0 and 2.3, which don't have variable cam timing, the 2.5 has variable intake cam timing which is part of the front camshaft bearing cap, it is one piece that bridges both the intake and exhaust cams. To use the cam cover (needed for bonnet clearance) there is extra machining needed to the head to make everything fit. This is another additional cost on the 2.5. I might have driven the 2.5 50 miles, I have many thousands of miles in a 2.0 and like them both for different reasons. If you like momentum driving over brute force the 2.0 is for you and it makes plenty of power for a 1285 lb car. Tom

Any one have driving directions coming from the west using the commodore barry bridge? I had them last year but can't find them, I think I got them from Kitcat. Tom

Crazy busy here but plan to leave in 10 days. Looking forward to seeing everyone again. Tom

I have driven both, my demo with a 2.0 all stock bottom end with Crower stage 2 .389/.373 lift cams, Jenvey throttle bodies. The 2.5 is a recently completed customer's car with 11.5:1 pistons forged rods 4.10 lift cams and AT Power throttle bodies. Dyno results, converted to sea level from 6500', (where we are located) 260 hp on 91 octane pump gas. At 6500' the 2.0 pulls strong to the rev limit of 7000 and most of the time you can go to full throttle at will without undue tire spin. With the 2.5 it pulls very strong to 7000 and seems to rev as quickly as the 2.0. You must "apply throttle" to avoid undue tire spin. Driving the 2.0 a couple of weeks ago in Austin at COTA the 2.0 felt like the 2.5 at 6500'. I have not driven the 2.5 at lower elevation but I can safely say it will be a rocket with huge amounts of torque and seemingly not revving slower that the shorter stroke 2.0. Both cars are XS (wide body) Birkins with the same tires and gearing. Tom Birkin Direct-USA

Just signed up, look forward to seeing everyone on the 30th. Tom

Yes, I have a probe type that i will have with me, you are welcome to use it. Tom

I stopped and looked at this car on my way home from COTA earlier this week. It is a very nice car and has been well cared for. If anyone is interested or has any questions let me know. Tom

Papak, on this site has an XS (wide body) Birkin in the LA area. Engine is currently out chasing an oil leak but I bet he would welcome a looker. Tom

Richard, Here is a tentative schedule https://www.nasatx.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/May-2017-COTA_Schedule-Tentative.pdf give a call if you make it and I will let you know where I am. Jim, I will keep an eye out for you. I should arrive mid afternoon on Friday and plan to stay in the main paddock with a white Sprinter camper and a black enclosed motorcycle trailer. Tom

Hi Jim, No real level of prep I will just be running in the HPDE with my SS3XS (wide body) demo car. Look forward to seeing some other Seven people. NASA seems to be a user friendly version of SCCA. Tom