ottocycle Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 Hello all, After the fun at NJMP I am considering selling my car and building a lighter faster unit this winter, rather than modify what I have. I am putting this feeler out there, as my car is so unique I have no idea what the interest will be. It has been tailored and modified so much from where I started that I will give a general overview as impartially as I can and if any members who have seen the car in person want to ad their own impartial observations I would appreciate it. I think it is the only way to give an unbiased assessment of the car. Now to the details: It is road registered in Maryland as a historic vehicle and I built it as a learning tool for track days that I could drive on the road (mainly to test its reliability before taking it to the track). I bought the car in the UK with a Rover V8 engine. It was a brochure cover car for Fisher, in silver. It went like a scalded dog but was very tail happy and unbalanced when I got it. It also had very little leg room. I am 6'3" and it was impossible for me to fit the car comfortably. I knew when I got it I wanted to do a bike engine conversion so it did not bother me. I modified the front end to accommodate the Hayabuysa engine and put 12" into the foot well. The engine is basically stock except it has a modified oiling system and a different intake and exhaust. It also has heavier duty clutch springs. I had it dynoed (145 HP at the rear wheels) to ensure my air fuel ratios were in a safe zone. I modified the hood to fit the engine. It has 4 piston brakes up front with lightweight rotors and stainless lines all round. I put special hardened shafts and needle roller bearings in the upper rocker arms (to minimize stiction). The gear shifting is done via a paddle shifter behind the steering wheel. It is like flashing your headlights to change gear. After the engine swop I would still get sudden sudden over-steer issues and I thought it was an alignment or shock issue. It turned out that the existing axle was cracked and flexing under certain loads causing toe out at the rear. I replaced the Ford Cortina axle with a Toyota unit and installed a different diff ratio, 2.90. The rear axle is located by 2 Watts linkages running front to rear and laterally by a Panhard bar. The Watts linkages ensure the axle goes up and down in a straight line (as against an arc with trailing arms), getting rid of the potential for roll steer. I also converted the axle from drum brakes to lightweight discs with Willwood calipers. I got a pair of custom made Bilstein shocks for the rear. There is a removable roll bar with 5 point belts for both seats. The last time I weighed her she was 1,395 lbs. gassed up with me in her (I weigh 235#). The car is not show quality, I built it to use hard. It is very presentable but I would say an 85 to 90%. That is just my opinion. It comes with a trailer and a set of 14" real Minilite wheels with Hoosier A6 track tires. I have owned many cars over the years and can honestly say this is the most fun vehicle I have ever owned. It is a blast to drive. Those who know will tell you that having all the right bits and pieces is all very well but if the car is not developed and set up well it will break your heart, or even kill you. If I may boast a little here I have this car set up beautifully. It took time but it was worth it. It has given me enough confidence in my fabrication, engineering and development skills to want to build my own clean sheet design. (Foolish hubris perhaps!!!). As an aside, when I did a track-day with the Ferrari club a few years ago I got behind a 355 Challenge car and could stay with him. On the long straight he had more top end than I and would pull away at about 125-130 mph but I could brake later than him at the end and be on his tail the rest of the way round the track. Do not get me wrong, I am not a great gifted driver. I enjoy the process, but I have to work at it. I remember saying to myself: "This is heresy. I should not be able to do this with this little car." After that I called the car the Heretic. I consider $25,000.00 to be a fair price. If you are seriously interested you can call me at 301 758 3341. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blubarisax Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 I can say for sure that this car flies on the track. I pointed it by more than once. You may want to check the brake lights because when I was on the brakes in the corners behind you your brake lights did not come on! Maybe it sticks to the road so well you didn't even have to brake... This is a very pretty car in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ottocycle Posted July 17, 2011 Author Share Posted July 17, 2011 I screwed up with the photos. Here is my 2nd attempt. If they do not come through I will get them on tonight (Thanks to Mazda!!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 For anyone wondering why a Fisher Hayabusa should be posted on a sevens forum, you have to see this thing fly on a track. It surprised the hell out of me a few times at the NJMP track day with its speed. It handles just as well as a seven with the benefit of an stylish aero body. And that Hayabusa.....hearing it scream out the top of the rev range is just spine chilling. Now I know why Hank got a Westfield Megabusa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ottocycle Posted July 17, 2011 Author Share Posted July 17, 2011 "BRAKES!!! We don't need no stinken brakes. They only slow you down". Karl, it must be my driving style. I went to a lot of trouble to have powerful brakes. You have twice the HP I have so you were probably on your brakes harder and longer than I scrubbing off more speed. I have an in line pressure switch that activates the LED brake lights. Before they let me on the track that morning the tech guy checked to see that they were operating, so I believe they are. I will check them the next time I am at my shop. Thanks to you and Croc for your feedback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 Dermot, looks like you got the pics working. I've gone cruising with Dermot a few times, and this little car is a beauty. Now if we could only find a buyer in the DC area! LOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blubarisax Posted July 17, 2011 Share Posted July 17, 2011 Seriously, your brake lights work fine, you just never seemed to have to use them. The car sticks like glue and you hit the curves full blast... Heretic is proof positive that HP isn't everything. I was very impressed with your car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestTexasS2K Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 I always wanted to do a Lotus 11 with a Busa engine. I think that would be a riot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11Budlite Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 Beautiful car Dermot, good luck with the sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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