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Dirtbikes Project... Volvo'd Mk1 Escort

whats a lot of money ?

ive got a getrag , with adapter plate and bellhousing , will definitely fit in that small hole of yours.......
 
Surely there would be more work in converting back from auto to manual later though, including pedal box, trans cooler, prop shaft, etc, etc.....


Why not just fit the manual box using more 'stock' parts for setting up, and switch to uprated clutch parts etc once the rest of the drivetrain and chassis is fully proven?



Tremendous project.
 
Dave: I've got a T5 manual box which I've already got mounted and ready to go but I don't have a flywheel, clutch or slave cylinder.
so I'm not really interested in another manual :(

However a very cheap AW71 complete with flexplate, torque converter and oil cooler would be a simple bolt up job aside from the rotating the bellhousing. If I can snag that from someone breaking a car for little money then it's a cheap way of getting the car moving especially as people in full bodied 240's are running 11's with them I'm sure that the Escort will be a little easier on them due to the lower weight.

Turbeam: Regarding the switch back to manual at a later date the only additional cost would be new propshaft. I've already got an aftermarket pedal box that includes a clutch pedal. But it does save me buying/making a steel flywheel and expensive clutch. I'd still have to buy a stock volvo clutch and a drive plate suitable for the T5 input shaft which I think will ultimately not live up to the abuse of the strip...
 
As much as I'd like to give you the credit for my use of the YB inlet I can't... I decided to buy one cheap on ebay about 3yrs ago, just for mock up and testing and was pleasantly surprised by the relatively close match on port sizes. I'm curious to know if you welded up the mismatch in the ports or did you use epoxy?
 
So I bought a GM auto, 4L60E...

I borrowed a glide to test the bulkhead clearance and I couldn't really tell so I decided to just get the 4L60E and work with it.

The 4L60E I have is an early variant with the integral bellhousing, I'm going to take the grinder to the ears around the bellhousing bolt circle to narrow the width a little but hopefully it'll fit without too much clearancing work needed.

I modified the bulkhead where I could see that there was going to be a clearance issue but I still can't be sure so I'm going to have to make or buy a GM to volvo vertical adaptor and test it with the engine in place, I'm hoping that I can use the tabs on the tunnel for the T5 but with a quick measure I think they may foul :(

Anyone got any info on a good standalone controller for these, I know the GPIO board will work standalone but I don't know how good it is and how well proven it is.

Laters
Nick
 
Cleaned up the trans tunnel area where I previously had an M46 mounted as well as a couple of other little bits and pieces.

Gonna roll the car back the other way next weekend so that I can do the same on the otherside.

I also took some more measurements regarding the new trans and basically it doesn't fit. I've decided that I'll just have to rework the trans tunnel and while I'm at it I think i'll build an exhaust tunnel to keep good ground clearance.

That's it for now
 
Is it too early to utter the words "Hilmerson Manta"...?

Awesome Nick, just awesome. We're long overdue for a catch-up over a pint...

cheers

James
 
Thanks James,
Next time you're travelling past give me a call you're always welcome to stop over as well (Spare beds is the inflatable type but who cares).

The Auto project is gathering momentum, I've picked up a 4L60E and I've measured up a volvo bellhousing and a chevy bellhousing the block is with my machinist friend to 100% verify the BH pattern on the volvo, he's offered to make up an adaptor to mate the 2 so that I can start cutting the tunnel around.

Observations, the sump on the 4L60E is very wide and is going to eat into a lot of floor but I already intended on building some sort of exhaust tunnel anyway so that ground clearance isn't too much of an issue. I already have this feeling that I'm going to lift the whole drivers side front floor... oh the joy :)

Cleaned up some of the old trans mounts while the car is on it's side, much better than weilding a grinder 4 inches from your face with no escape route for the swarf underneath the car.

Once the Auto is in and all the fabrication is complete I need to sit down and make a plan on what to do next as I think that I'm getting to a stage where I can start some mock up assembly. I need to write a detailed plan and order of how I'm going to finish this.

I guess the next logical step would be to mount the fibreglass panels (which I should be collecting next weekend) then correct the geometry on the front suspension before finally getting the brakes working. At least at this stage I would have a complete rolling shell that stops and steers.

Then I guess I need to contemplate the whole dipping process... Argh! the list is endless!
 
now then mate wicked projected how u gettin on with it
was lookin in 2 it 2 fit 1 in my escort
 
a few but not a lot...

I'm trying to finalise the steering setup, in the middle of making a Corsa EPS column fit.
Need to make some new lower control arms, to fit the new front suspension setup.

Contempleting having the chassis dipped to treat the surface rust.
Fibreglass front end is now mounted in a fashion but needs to be finished off.
Intercooler and rad setup needs finishing but is pretty much where it needs to be.

As soon as I've got something more interesting to show/say I'll post it here.
Laters
Nick
 
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