First Wide Body Birkin Arrives

[Tbox56]

Direct-USA

 

Press Release 12/13/13

 

The first example of the new SS3-XS (wide body) Birkin has arrived. This is a newly designed car from the ground up using over 80% new or re-engineered components as compared to the original S3. Birkin will continue to offer the S3 with all of the updates from the new SS3-XS incorporated into the new cars. This is the first major update since 2009. We expect the arrival of the first of three containers of new cars and replacement parts in the first quarter of 2014

 

Some of the features of the new cars are:

• 3” longer and 4” wider cockpit (S3SX only the S3 remains the same)

• Redesigned billet aluminum uprights, the same for both front and rear

• Uprights offering 2 ride height options

• New suspension attachment

• New inboard front anti roll bar

• New rear wheel attachment using studs and nuts rather than bolts

• More aerodynamic nosecone

• The option of spherical bearing wishbone to chassis mounts

• Both models available as track specific cars with integral full roll cage

• Additional bracing for a stiffer chassis

 

From this time forward all Birkin sales of new cars and replacement parts will be factory direct via our US Showroom and Warehouse facility, Birkin Direct-USA, located in Colorado. This new distribution facility is a joint venture between the Birkin Factory (John Watson) and Rocky Mountain Motor Works (Tom Carlin). This venture allows the customer a direct link to the Birkin factory and full factory support.

 

For further information or to schedule a visit to our facility please contact Tom Carlin at 970-376-5188

 

We look forward to working with you,

 

Birkin Direct-USA

John Watson

Tom Carlin

[scannon]

Tom,

 

Congrats on becoming the USA Birkin distributor. The new wide body car should be a good seller.

 

Can you post some pictures of completed wide body cars for us to drool over? Does the above picture show the stage of assembly that the cars arrive in?

[Tbox56]

Skip,

 

Thank you, yes that is the chassis and all of the parts as they come from the factory, after being uncrated. I will continue to post pictures as the car gets assembled.

 

Tom

[Paul Hill]

What engine/trans did the designer/engineer have in mind?

[Croc]

Or maybe better said, will the wide chassis take larger engines like an LS V8?

 

 

Congratulations on your new responsibilities for Birkin USA!

[Kitcat]

Cost parameters for a kit and a turnkey? Will the SC Duratec engine be available?

 

Given my personal history of oil starvation/engine failure in my Birkin at the track, will dry sump option be available (mandatory?) for dedicated track cars?

 

Best wishes: looks like a great car and you look like a great fit as distributor.

[Tbox56]

We are supplying install kits for the Duratec or Zetec however the engine bay is large enough for one of the motorcycle based V8 engines. The typical gearbox is still the T9 and the rear differential is either Sierra or Subaru STI R180.

 

There is plenty of room for a dry sump oil system and one would be recommended for a car that is dedicated for the track.

 

The basic kit you see in the picture is around $26,000 FOB Eagle, Colorado. You still need the typical owner choice items like drivetrain,wheels, tires, dampers, fuel delivery system and instruments. As we all know beyond the factory supplied kit parts you can spend as much as you want to complete a car.

 

Thanks,

 

Tom

[sdaddy]

Tom, What is the weight difference between the Wide Body and S3? You knew someone would ask....

[Tbox56]

I don't have a weight on just the chassis but I bet the weight difference is only about 20 lbs. There has been weight savings in some of the new components to offset the increased materials in the chassis. I will post a weight when the car is completed.

 

Tom

[sdaddy]

Thanks Tom, Interested in hearing about the weight. Another thing I'm wondering about... the size of the exhaust from header to outlet. My Birkin was only 2". Had to replace several items to make it 2.5"...

Edited December 17, 2013 by sdaddy

[Automoda]

I want a picture of it with the nose cone, fenders, and hood/cowl on.

 

Sitting next to an S3.

 

Come on! Yer killin' me ;o)

[Tbox56]

I will try to get some comparison pictures of the 2 cars prior to sending the wide car to the paint shop.

 

I will get the exhaust header tube sizes Wednesday and post them.

 

Tom

[oilteq]

Given my personal history of oil starvation/engine failure in my Birkin at the track, will dry sump option be available (mandatory?) for dedicated track cars?

 

It does not make sense to me that a Zetec engine functions just fine with a wide open ARE oil pan, but the Duratec engine starves during cornering and braking in the same car with a well baffled Raceline oil pan. Regardless, I think your engine was experiencing a different problem.

 

The Raceline oil pan has a built-in pickup pipe that stays in the pan, rather than attaching to the oil pump. There is a wedge-shaped aluminum block that bolts to the oil pump and seals against an O-ring on the oil pan. Take a look at the attached picture, and notice that the mark left by the O-ring indicates it was not properly aligned on the pump inlet (the big hole in the middle). The pump probably cavitated and drew air around the bolt hole every time you wound it up.

 

There is no means of adjusting the position of the oil pump, wedge-shaped block, O-ring fitting the goes in the oil pan, or the oil pan. I sent an email to Raceline a week ago, and then again over the weekend, asking for advise. I am sure they will respond soon.

 

Of course, a dry sump would fix the problem. If the parts aligned properly to eliminate sucking air, a sump accumulator would be a cheaper alternative.

[jlumba81]

Can you just modify the part and put a ramp/angle?

[Tbox56]

I checked the tube sizes on the new style header today and the primary tubes are 1.625". these 2 feed into 1.625" and then those 2 feed into 2".

 

Tom

[oilteq]

Can you just modify the part and put a ramp/angle?

Yes, and I may use a rubber washer instead of an O-ring.

[sdaddy]

I checked the tube sizes on the new style header today and the primary tubes are 1.625". these 2 feed into 1.625" and then those 2 feed into 2".

 

Tom

 

Thanks. If the factory is looking for feedback, I think a reasonably "hot" Zetec or Duratec needs 2.5" from header to exit. Just MHO based on the outcome of changing my exhaust.

[scannon]

I stopped by Tom's shop last week to say hello and see the new Birkin widebody. I was impressed with the quality of the chassis and parts. The link below will take you to some more detailed pictures of the kit.

 

http://s1261.photobucket.com/user/scannon929/library/Wide%20Body%20Birkin

 

If you get a message telling you it doesn't exist, click the Library tab on the upper left and scroll down to Wide Body Birkin.

[MightyMike]

Any updates on the wide-body?

[Tbox56]

I have the car back from paint and have started assembly. There are pictures of the painted body here http://birkindirect-usa.com/gallery/ under the SS3XS Build tab.

 

Tom