Stratos Evoluzione, Carbon Kevlar body, T45 spaceframe build

[sonus]

Anyone riding a Vmax has to read Joe Bar Team comics



One of the classics is when one of the youngsters test rides a Vmax for the first time arter getting his licens 😅👍

[sean999r]

I have disappointedly been let down by 2 companies on Uprights, it’s a shame being led down the garden path with “ next week “ or “2 weeks”
There isn’t really a problem having custom uprights made if money is no object, trying find race quality in the real world is severely limited.
I am weighing up the options either a set of cast Ford WRC upright all around



Or going for a set of new old stock RS200 upright’s
Which the fronts have same geometry as WRC type




I going get Xmas out of the way then make a decision.

[giuliettaevo]

The company Maturo (MCC) in the Netherlands have just finished building a quite nice 037 replica. I think those things have a rear suspension that's not too far off what you need?

They also build high quality Delta's for rally's and i've seen a Stratos there as well.

They are very helpful and knowledgeable guys. Perhaps they can help you.

[sean999r]

Dec 13, 2023 22:48:34 GMT giuliettaevo said:

The company Maturo (MCC) in the Netherlands have just finished building a quite nice 037 replica. I think those things have a rear suspension that's not too far off what you need?

They also build high quality Delta's for rally's and i've seen a Stratos there as well.

They are very helpful and knowledgeable guys. Perhaps they can help you.

Thanks
I staying with Ford Cosworth WRC type to dramatically keep relevant prices of parts,
brake bells hubs CV flanges etc low and easy to obtain
Italian guy makes all the 037 suspension parts
4 uprights with hubs bearings €7000, then I would have to change my wheels I just bought
Ford pattern race parts are about £4500 and wheels, brakes, disc calipers brake bells etc are all off the shelf available, massively minimizing the amount of machine work and cost
But I do like the 037 stuff, I will be using 037 geometry as close as possible
Instant swing arm length
Roll center height, exact on front but higher in rear
3 hole suspension ride height adjustment

[sean999r]

Lots of mathematical calculations and guideline geometry and aesthetics later, I am ditching my new just bought 15x10 Minilites, due to limited quality tyre availability I will be run a staggered tyre wheel combination, this means in order to run a 12.00” wide rear I have to jump up to 17” diameter wheel for 315/35ZR17 AR-1 Nanking
Bit of loss on what I had purchased but hopefully they will sell at some point to offset cost of the required custom order 3 piece Minilite style rears.
Other decision I have made is to order Group 5 front Spoiler section and Grp4 rally spot lamp pod
The idea is to follow the 037 with its multiple hole suspension mounting so can switch between 2 ride height’s without effecting alignment
170mm and 200mm chassis to ground clearance
Love the look and functionality of both, so why compromise
Next week going to Prestige Motorsports to look at Ford WRC Grp A uprights and associated components put my big shopping list in order

[sean999r]

Diversionary story here

Targa Florio Piccolo circuit visit and drive with additional half of the Grande
All can say it was amazing experience even though I was driving a new modern soulless VW Polo

[sean999r]

Targa continued

[sean999r]

Targa









Rural Scilly is fine but we were extremely disappointed with Palermo
The road is very poor and damaged in places, it was always being repaired before a race many decades ago, still incredibly enjoyable, greatly wish to return in few years with the Stratos

[sean999r]

📸 Watch this video on Facebook www.facebook.com/share/v/f42hk15WutncomL1/?mibextid=KsPBc6&startTimeMs=71000

[rdodger]

I take it uprights from Lister Bell are no use to you?
Or perhaps Ultima?

[sean999r]

LB are macpherson strut
Ultima could work , but I am not familiar with them, probably not as strong as WRC + they would not have the same easy off the shelf component fit easy to get high strength
I’ve worked a colleague Replica Lola T70 MK1 if they are like these ? Not that impressed
Ie bolt on production wheel hub bearing cartridge just will not do
+ they have to be close to 037 dimensions to achieve the required geometry
As I wrote before it’s either WRC RS200 or real 037
Best cost availability is WRC
Thanks for the input and ideas

[sean999r]

Dec 29, 2023 17:09:08 GMT rdodger said:

I take it uprights from Lister Bell are no use to you?
Or perhaps Ultima?

I did look at Ultima, they look really good, unfortunately they are designed around 17” -19”
Wheels the rear in particular I would not be able to either sink inside the wheel deep enough but more importantly I would not be able to achieve the ideal RC roll center height + it still looks like Ford WRC has the proven super strong wheel bearing package
If it wasn’t a Stratos type car they would be a really good option

[rdodger]

I hadn't realised you weren't doing Macpherson strut.

Is it going to be an out and out competition car?

I must have missed that, I tend to be more interested in pictures :-)

[sean999r]

Dec 31, 2023 12:04:32 GMT rdodger said:

I hadn't realised you weren't doing Macpherson strut.

Is it going to be an out and out competition car?

I must have missed that, I tend to be more interested in pictures :-)

I wouldn’t say out and out race car but definitely hillclimbs and the odd tarmac rally
Our roads are horrendous and B class roads can be worse still

[Darkspeed]

The way its going at the moment you will be stretching the wheelbase and going North-South before too long.

I am putting on the Rose coloureds and hoping that the roads get improved - I'm at 40mm lower than your lowest chassis height.

[sean999r]

Dec 31, 2023 23:19:28 GMT Darkspeed said:

The way its going at the moment you will be stretching the wheelbase and going North-South before too long.

I am putting on the Rose coloureds and hoping that the roads get improved - I'm at 40mm lower than your lowest chassis height.

Yes my ride height will not directly relate as my whole base floor is raised over the Litton ie no lowered seat pan area
Just as a reference John runs his car 200mm from lower edge of the Sill front to rear, he has deeper seat well than the original Litton, lower than that sill measurement, I’m short and the Tillet seat is layed back more
End of the day the body is in height range that the original Stratos used , wheels will be centered and look right in the wheel arches
Definitely not stretching or turning the engine 😀
170mm is standard chassis height on a 037
Original drawing of the Stratos showed lowest point
130 that’s were the 40mm difference is in measurements

[sean999r]

After months of avoiding the door hinge / door fit
Finally got around to it, my lightweight solution is definitely race car V sturdy road car, but it works.
4130 hinge receiver Stainless rivnuts with Ally shim spacer and matching Ally plate inside to sandwich clamp the door shell, secured with Ally 7075 Allen head screws, the Ally shim will be eventually painted body colour






Beautiful billet 20mm Velocity Stacks arrived to correct the tuned length intake
Work in progress throttle linkage mounting bracket, that will be triangulated brace to cam cover mount

[sean999r]

I found retired robotics mechanical engineer Dave to help me with Solidworks CAD work
Dave drawn up a name plate for the cam cover, and filter box carb top flanges to support to be made moulded see through polycarbonate air box





These have been sent to my local waterjet cutting firm

Getting close to completion of the throttle linkage, bracket needs bracing to cam cover bolt hole, profiling etc
The throttle arms came with optional pivot holes, I cut off the long section so they are the same length arms as the Weber links, but had cut the clamping slit.








Reason only 2 carbs and manifolds is due to sending 1 assembly to Dave
He is 3d scanning my fabricated manifold, transfer to CAD, he is then going to perfect taper inlet tracks and radius, shorten the manifolds 20mm then 3D print manifold in hi temp carbon reinforced plastic as I have decided to go 48mm TBI and Fueltech FT550 EFi route

[sean999r]

Just return from Essex and back drive to inspect Ford Motorsport WRC Grp A Cosworth Escort Uprights, Hubs, CV drive stubs, steering arms, Lower front A / control arms, adj' anti roll bars etc
Quality as to be expected with real race components.
Repeat the journey again in 4 weeks to collect the parts, then I can finally get on with completing the chassis fabrication.
Just a few pics

[giuliettaevo]

Just need to sand a little off right here...😅