So, tell us a little about yourselves

[slowdude]

24 minutes ago, JimSVO said:

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 

My only thought would be, since it isn't a normal engine combo, that something more affordable would be wise.

 

GBS looks pretty affordable since you're going to have to cut the car up. You'll have to run your own wiring harness/ ECU which would lower the value on a more established kit car.

 

I think the GBS kits start around 7k or so. Gets you the bodywork etc. Since you have to run a new ecu and harness anyways, you're not paying for extra like you would on a caterham etc. Birkin/westfield might also offer a kit but they're more expensive.

 

https://www.greatbritishsportscars.com/custom-kit-1

[JimSVO]

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. 

[slowdude]

1 hour ago, JimSVO said:

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. 

I think we have another thread to show off your cars. I used to ride much more, track days etc but got bit by the slower offroad, adventure bug.

[JohnCh]

12 minutes ago, slowdude said:

I think we have another thread to show off your cars. I used to ride much more, track days etc but got bit by the slower offroad, adventure bug.

 

Here you go:  

 

[44 AND COUNTING]

Thanks!

[Croc]

10 hours ago, JimSVO said:

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 ....

 

Excellent!  I think I need to see some photos of your Ford collection, particularly the 1965 Fastback, which I also own one of. 

 

 

[JimSVO]

4 hours ago, Croc said:

 

Excellent!  I think I need to see some photos of your Ford collection, particularly the 1965 Fastback, which I also own one of. 

 

 

 

13 hours ago, JohnCh said:

 

Here you go:  

 

LOL, OK! 

 

Edited October 1 by JimSVO

[JimSVO]

On 9/30/2024 at 4:31 PM, JimSVO said:

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. 

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. 

[44 AND COUNTING]

In the spirit of friendly awestruck competion (jimSVO--congrats on your impressive stable!), I've decided to post some of the 44 vehicles that led to my screen name on this Forum. Most of these I've wrenched myself, from frame-up and frame-off builds to oil and filter changes:

 

In addition to the aforementioned supercharged V6 Sunbeam Alpine, I've enjoyed 2 (two) low-mileage Citroën SMs. One sparked a LONG narrative on construction, specifically hydraulic and electrical systems; no reposting of that wordiness here. (No interest and no surprise at that!), 27 VW Beetles (I used to co-own a VW woodie kit car company back in the '70s); a lovely Diplomat Blue RR Silver Shadow from the "chrome bumper" era; an '85 Maserati Quattroporte--a real beast, Italian-Argentinian redefinition; several FIATs, two delightful Porsche 356s, an "A" and a "C", both coupes, and the Money Pit Trio, two 914s and a 924.

 

Five 1955 chevy Nomad wagons, from a record-setting G-Stock drag car (my first car ever, in 1968) to a show-winning Coral and Shadow Gray restoration, in 1983.

 

(Take a breath...) Two 1960 Chevy sedan deliveries that were parts runners amd semi-beater 6-cylinder reliables; two '64 Corvairs, of which one was a Monza Turbo COUPE; a pride-and-joy, mint restored '54 Ford Crestiline Skyliner glasstop; a gorgeous one-owner '65 Buick Riviera; one each '49 and '50 Mercury woodies--I love flatheads--and my first Jag, a '99 XJ8L in deep Amaranth purple. Those are all kinds of "highlights" that led to my career in auto design and fabrication, especially exterior design, fabrication amd full-sized clay modeling. I taught this when I established and then headed up the fabrication workshops in a university transportation design program for a dozen year prior to my retirement in 2014.

 

All in the Past...

 

Currently in my garage and on my street in Modena are my Final Selection, because I'm 76 and have cancer (in remission, they say...) are my '08 Maserati Quattroporte GTS--the last and only of the Ferrari-V8'powered sedans, faast and utterly reliable since I purchased it in 2014, and my wife's gorgeous BRG 2003 Jaguar X-Type 5-speed, purchased from the non-smoker OO with 40K miles on it, in 2022. I was not fond of X-Types until I bought my first one in '19 after driving it, and, soon after, selling it because the cigarette stench proved impossible to eradicate. These semi-Jags drive beautifully, are reliable and economical, and as everyone knows, they are Fords with better specs and builds, and lavish leather and burl interiors. Then there is my '06 Jaguar S-Type R in Metallic Red. Its supercharger makes it a bit faster (though a good deal quieter thanks to a stock exhaust system), than either QP. Last purchased is the '89 factory-built Westfield with about 21K that transports me here.

 

if you've made it this far, thanks for sticking it out. Thanks to jimSVO for motibation ( "motibation" is a hybrid of "motivation" and another "m" word that I hesitate to use in an automotive Forum, (though we all should know that playing with cars is merely a sublimation of "the m" practice, with more satisfying and permanent results).

 

Before I finish, can anybody on this Forum tell me why, with all of the implied and actual experience hinted at above, I can't get the 1600cc FF dual DCOE motor in my S7 to fire on more than 1 cylinder, since installing a pricey 123+ electronic Bluetooth distributor? Yeah, new coil, primary and secondary wires, tritium plugs, new blueprinted carbs fuel pump and regulator, to cover the obvious. Full workshop, of course.

 

ANY AND ALL help is appreciated, and thanks to all! (To moderators--do I have to start a new thread on 123+ distributors?

Edited October 25 by 44 AND COUNTING
Misspellings, clarifications.

[Croc]

@44 AND COUNTING  I am making happy noises at the list of most of your cars (I will ignore the Beetles - my first and second rollover was in a Beetle).  I have been close to buying a Citroen SM and more than one Maserati a few times as I had serious lust issues and rationalized that they must be cheaper in the long term than women, but managed to back away from the wallet and hold off my "motibation" (a very appropriate word!).  I also managed to chuckle at the money pits reference as I think I share that problem with some of my cars. 

 

As for starting a new 123 distributor post, you do not have to - your 2023 one is still live - post on the back of that one and continue the story as the background is already posted there. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[44 AND COUNTING]

1 hour ago, Croc said:

@44 AND COUNTING  I am making happy noises at the list of most of your cars (I will ignore the Beetles - my first and second rollover was in a Beetle).  I have been close to buying a Citroen SM and more than one Maserati a few times as I had serious lust issues and rationalized that they must be cheaper in the long term than women, but managed to back away from the wallet and hold off my "motibation" (a very appropriate word!).  I also managed to chuckle at the money pits reference as I think I share that problem with some of my cars. 

 

As for starting a new 123 distributor post, you do not have to - your 2023 one is still live - post on the back of that one and continue the story as the background is already posted there. 

 

 

 

The SMs and the Ford glass top were the only cars I really miss out of all of them. The 2 SMs--one a stick k, the other auto, were purchased from Orange County's (CA) only dealer, who was out of business and had several for sale. I paid $2800 each and used one for parts. The finished one was gorgeous with pearl white paint and redone pearl white pigskin interior. The only mechanical work was to re-engineer and rebuild the French distributor with much cheaper American parts ($400 for French point sets, $19 for American ones). It ran in reverse and much better, for 30K miles.

 

 

 

 

 

[bball7754]

@44 AND COUNTING  Is that an aluminum nose cone on your Seven?  
 

There was a great multi-part write up on BAT on bringing an SM back to life.  I found it an entertaining read, and gave me some understanding of the incredible complexity of those cars.

[JimSVO]

On 10/23/2024 at 10:15 AM, JimSVO said:

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. 

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.

Edited November 4 by JimSVO

[vipergeek]

JimSVO:  I've got a Ford 2.3 Turbo crate engine in my Stalker with a Mazda 6 speed and a Cadillac CTS rear end.  It is quick, very quick!  The power to weight ratio is very close to the Caterham 620.  The Stalker has fully independent rear end with pushrod activated inboard coilover shocks at both ends.

[JimSVO]

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 

[vipergeek]

Yes, that's correct, mine is the Ecoboost crate engine which Ford rates on their website at 310hp and 350 lb/ft of torque.  I believe them when I put my foot into it.

[MV8]

5 hours ago, JimSVO said:

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 suggest the miata based USA zero self build, but fit the SVO engine and T5, using a 1994 or newer miata diff and suspension and a cut down upper intake with the throttle body turned to the rear to bring the height down under the bonnet. You can route the tube between the throttle body and the turbo around the rear of the head, or toward the front for a front mount intercooler later. It will be easier to cool if you limit the boost and cleaner under the bonnet. I assume you have the oil cooler sandwich between the oil filter and block that will also help.

[JimSVO]

56 minutes ago, MV8 said:

I suggest the miata based USA zero self build, but fit the SVO engine and T5, using a 1994 or newer miata diff and suspension and a cut down upper intake with the throttle body turned to the rear to bring the height down under the bonnet. You can route the tube between the throttle body and the turbo around the rear of the head, or toward the front for a front mount intercooler later. It will be easier to cool if you limit the boost and cleaner under the bonnet. I assume you have the oil cooler sandwich between the oil filter and block that will also help.

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!  

[anthony1956]

Sorry, I wasn't paying attention: my "me" post is here

 

[JimSVO]

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.