Croc Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 Many of you know I have been pursuing the restoration of a BMW CSL race car for the last 6 years. It started like this when I pulled it out of storage in Australia It was then a complete back to bare metal body shell strip down Taking it back to bare metal allowed us to work out what previous colors the car had been to decipher it’s history. The BMW Heritage folks were very helpful in this respect. The CSL aluminum panels had to be fabricated from scratch. New fiberglass body work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted August 13, 2020 Author Share Posted August 13, 2020 At this point then a correct gearbox was found with the close ratio 2-5 gears. An LSD diff was sourced. A few test sessions took place at this time to see where we were. Engine was known to be sick so it was more to assess progress on what we had changed There was a pretty big list - steering, suspension, and engine. So it went to Korman Autoworks in Greensboro NC to get the engine built and installed. Sadly the first one melted down on the dyno thanks to a faulty batch of dry sump pumps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted August 13, 2020 Author Share Posted August 13, 2020 Second engine was eventually built - took forever to source the rare period correct internals. I think I have waited a collective 3 years just for camshafts from Schrick in Germany - two lots! Dyno’ed the 3.5L straight six makes 350hp at 8000 rpm. Exactly where I expected it should be. So now it’s test day for real. Doing the VIR Club event Friday to Sunday. I am giving first drive duties to Ray Korman, who has raced these and so knows what they should drive like. Slightly apprehensive to throw something this expensive out on track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted August 13, 2020 Author Share Posted August 13, 2020 I see a Caterham R400 is signed up for the same event? Anyone on here? I brought my Caterham too since I suspect Ray will be hard to extract from the BMW.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panamericano Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 So, since watching F1 Friday practice is a waste of time, we will just wait for your posts. Will you be in conflict with the F1 race? 9:00 in Virginia? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted August 13, 2020 Author Share Posted August 13, 2020 Probably. I guarantee I will be slower than an F1 car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 Please tell me you brought the video gear? I would love to hear that straight six running up to 8000rpm! Is that the factory air filtration setup or did they use a cold air induction box? -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted August 13, 2020 Author Share Posted August 13, 2020 (edited) Redline is 8500. But really no point going much beyond 7-7500 based on the power and torque curves. Normal intake would have been different as the quick ones ran Kugelfischer fuel injection. These are unobtainium now so the workaround is Weber carbs. Better mid range and more flexible but not as good in the top end as the fuel injection. I have the video gear. Plan to put a camera in with Ray. Edited August 13, 2020 by Croc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SanderGA Posted August 14, 2020 Share Posted August 14, 2020 What a car. Congratulations on the restoration and enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitcat Posted August 14, 2020 Share Posted August 14, 2020 Great work Croc! All it took was a keen eye, tons of time, and even more money:). It looks like it was worth it as you have a true piece of history. As to the test day on track, in all honesty, I will be more interested in your Caterham experience, tho will be keenly following any BMW updates as well. What track configuration will you be running? I think you may discover your Caterham's top speed there. I will be interested in how fast you go thru the "Up hill" S's, AKA, the "Climbing "S's". One of several places the track separates the men from the boys. Have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SENC Posted August 14, 2020 Share Posted August 14, 2020 Looks fantastic, can't wait to hear about the drive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokey Posted August 14, 2020 Share Posted August 14, 2020 Beautiful and a really nice restoration to racing livery to include Alf's name on the door. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted August 14, 2020 Author Share Posted August 14, 2020 Wow - what a track. Very technical. Lots of blind sight lines coming into corners. Three sessions in and still learning the lines. Taking it easy. Old school and loads of fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted August 14, 2020 Author Share Posted August 14, 2020 Ray and Allen have driving duties today. We have a list of items to remediate but not a bad list all things considered. First session saw us puzzling with what looked to be coolant under the rear of the car. It turned out the oil catch tank valve was open which was fun to clean up. The dry sump tank and oil catch tank has to be mounted in the trunk given the size of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted August 14, 2020 Author Share Posted August 14, 2020 So I have been happily playing with the Caterham. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted August 14, 2020 Author Share Posted August 14, 2020 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted August 14, 2020 Author Share Posted August 14, 2020 Beautiful and a really nice restoration to racing livery to include Alf's name on the door. Alf is still around living in Topeka Kansas and is involved in bringing along the next generation through his involvement in a karting Center. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panamericano Posted August 14, 2020 Share Posted August 14, 2020 Great update, Croc. More interesting than Barcelona practice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted August 14, 2020 Author Share Posted August 14, 2020 Meanwhile at VIR.... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted August 14, 2020 Author Share Posted August 14, 2020 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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