Wow thanks for all the replies
I actually paid £425 for it with all the spares, I managed to convince the seller to end early hence the lower price. I still think its reasonable as the parts alone that I wont end up needing should pay for the car and sort out a new windscreen (incidentally does anyone want to swap any coupe parts for a windscreen?
).
Its going to be front engine RWD, I've had the tape measure out today and I'm thinking that space-frame chassis incorporating a rollcage would be the best route to take, using the Jag front and rear subframes as they're engineered rather well IMO. Trying to morph the Jag floor into the beta looks a little over complicated and probaby too long winded. The engine should fit ok in the bay & I'll just add the Jag tunnel for the gearbox and prop. Although this is all in my head and subject to change when I get the grinder out though lol!!!
It's actually a really light engine, 200kgs...all Aluminium block and head so for the displacement its rather quite light, the Jag weighs in at 1700kgs versus the 1000kgs of the beta. I hope to be around the 1000kgs weight when finished which should leave me with a damn good power/weight ratio when the Jag engine's been fettled and is on the weber 45's I have waiting for it, aiming for something like 300bhp
Also a point to note is I've been in the cosworth game and owned other high powered rwd cars over the years and they all require too much mechanical sympathy...even on uprated diffs, gearboxes etc... So this time it's kind of scrapheap challenge with a bullet proof Jag and a Beta to 'hopefuly' make something I can hit the limiter with and step off the clutch to get a smile on my face without it costing thousands each time I do. The Jag running gear is good for stupid power and will take my abuse quite easily. It also has LSD, inboard brakes and a getrag 265 gearbox so should hold up nicely (fingers crossed). I'm also going to add some rosejoints and in-situ adjusters to tweak the geometry once its been converted. I've seen far too many conversions fall at the last hurdle because people underestimated geometry setup and create a dog to drive.
Anyhow, enough of my ramblings....you all seem like a decent bunch on 1st impressions and reading through the forums, roll on the project thread (although I'm restoring a G-wagon Mercedes atm but its nearly finished).
Cheers
Dan
