Jimmy's '99 Birkin S3

[JimmyHilton]

Hi All,

 

I have very much enjoyed lurking this forum, and have learned a lot. I've still a lot to learn, but that is all fun! I have dreamed of having a 7 since 1968, and finally have a keeper.

 

I bought Bob Kansa's ( http://usa7s.com/vb/member.php?u=504 ) '99 Birkin S3 1600 CF a couple of months ago. Bob supplied a very nice, and very well maintained car. As I have yet to take the steps to get it titled, I have somewhat limited drive time. I am far more impressed with the Kent CF than I thought I'd be. Several MG friends did some drive time in it a couple of weekends ago, and I'll bet there will be some new additions to our Seven group!!

 

Part of the plan was to drive, and fully know, the Kent CF for a year or so. Then to do an engine upgrade. I had already bought a brand new in the box ZX3 that is sitting on a pallet at my office. The more I studied, the more I thought I should go for a Duratek (but what about everything on the wrong side?). Then I started drooling over BDA's. Then out of nowhere, Craig Chima lists a BDA on USA7s: (http://usa7s.com/vb/showthread.php?t=8117). Uh boy, timing sucked big time, but I really knew that is where I wanted to go. The vintage heritage is magnetic to me, so that is to be installed in the near future.

 

I'll post a couple of current photos.

 

Thanks so much for the inclusion,

Jimmy

 

pic page: http://britcarfun.com/images/birkin/

 

http://britcarfun.com/images/birkin/1.jpg

 

http://britcarfun.com/images/birkin/2.jpg

Edited December 19, 2012 by JimmyHilton

[JimmyHilton]

So now I have to beg answers for questions (imagine that!):

 

15K miles are currently on the car.

 

What else should I be concerned with while the engine(s) are out?

- I'll reuse the Electromotive ignition

- lightened flywheel and comp clutch are currently installed. OK, or should I sweat about the 13.5# flywheel?

- Current trans is Sierra 5 with stock gearing. OK?

- Is there anything about frame strength that I should be concerned with?

- Will ultimately upgrade to wide front end. (any reason not to wait?)

 

What is a fair price to ask for the new in the box 2004 ZX3?

 

It has been suggested that my complete Kent CF with carbs and ancillaries should be worth about $3500. Is that fair?

 

TY for any, and all, thoughts!

Edited December 19, 2012 by JimmyHilton

[Automoda]

That is a great looking car. I've always liked the black fender, bright body look.

 

Flywheel is fine, I'm sure.

 

I dont think you can do anything to improve the trans. I heard that Ford stopped making the close-ratio gears. You're not going to blow it up with a 4 banger in a 1200 lb car so you're good there.

 

Birkin frames are plenty strong for what you're doing.

 

Wide front end is a minor improvement that you probably wont notice that much on the road. There's no rush on that. I have to say it looks like a better design, though, and if I had my way I'd upgrade mine too.

 

The best thing I ever did to my Birkin was the limited slip. Hard to come by these days!

[JimmyHilton]

Ok most is apart, and figuring out how to fit the following:

 

Ordered dry sump tank: http://www.ebay.com/itm/360530587960?item=360530587960&viewitem=&sspagename=ADME:L:OC:US:3160&vxp=mtr

Remote filter mount: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CMIZV2/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

 

I think that I can use the Caterham 4-2x2 header, 2-1 collector, and (should I use?) the super trap that came with the engine. All of this (in just steel) weighs a good 20# less than my current SS exhaust setup. If that all works out, I'll get it jet hotted.

 

I think I'll have to modify the RH motor mount to clear the scavenge pipe going from the dry sump to the oil pump.

 

Dick Brink has a better ratio 5sp gearbox (2.5, 1.81, 1.26, 1, .87) to go with my 4.11 rear, so I think that will be a part of the transition. My current setup likes climbing poles in first (3.36, 1.81, 1.26, 1, .825), even with the XF.

 

Dick also has one last LSD in stock, and I suppose that I should snag that while available.

 

What else am I missing?

 

Ahh yes, the transplant:

 

http://britcarfun.com/images/birkin/beasty.jpg

Edited December 19, 2012 by JimmyHilton

[Kitcat]

Oooooohhh!

[Automoda]

Get the limited slip. Its the best mod you'll ever make for your car. I love mine.

[JimmyHilton]

Thanks for the confirmation, Automoda!

[maurice1]

http://www.bghgeartech.co.uk

 

Hi Jimmy

Have a look at the above company for gearsets for your T9 gearbox. I have one in my Birkin that is running a Duratec here in Brisbane. There are alot of guys here in Australia who have Birkins running BGH gearboxes.

Cheers

Maurice

[rzempel]

Get the limited slip. Its the best mod you'll ever make for your car. I love mine.

 

As much as I like my Quaife (and wide front end), the biggest improvement was putting the heim-jointed radius rods in the back end.

[JimmyHilton]

Updates, and what's next:

 

Progress has been slow due to a really torn up right shoulder. I'm trying to delay surgery until my house project and the engine swap are done, and surviving on a couple of steroid shots every couple of months.

 

Kenny Anderson bought the Xflow to put into his Buckland B3. Engine came out yesterday.

 

I traded Dick Brink the NIB ZX3 for parts credit.

 

It will take a bit of calculating to figure out what all parts I can/want to reuse.

 

My biggest quandary (so far) is how and where to mount the dry sump tank. There is excess length in the passenger footwell. Dare I just start drilling out rivets to find a shorter footwell? It seems there may be another set of braces about 7" back. The hoof end of the footwell is just a molded plastic piece. Can it be removed individually?

Edited July 7, 2013 by JimmyHilton