new member with 2.3 cossy

[Owdeeman]

Hello all,

I have aquired a 2.3 Cosworth which I plan to transform into a track car.
Can any of you guys point me in the direction of some 190 track build threads?

As a new owner and the upcomming project starting soon I will have loads of questions which I hope you will help with much needed advise.

Many thanks

Terry

 

[bolide]

Exactly what do you mean by track car? What do you plan to use it for? What do you aim to achieve?

What's your budget?

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[Will]

I think Nick has hit the nail on the head - what are your requirements and what is your budget?

Before you begin to modify or uprate anything, make sure the rest of the car is A1 - engine, suspension (link arms, bushes), body (rust) etc etc.

Any more details of the car? Recent work, history, mileage etc?

Pics would be nice

Will

 

[Joe_SP]

Sounds a great project! Do you have any pictures of the car?

 

[Owdeeman]

Hi,

I'm looking to use the car on local track day circuits to start with the possibility of low level competition racing in the future. So basically I'm looking to create a well sorted car.

I have tracked cars from E30's to Euro cars but never built one myself so this project will be a first. As its a fairly long term project with a few involved the budget is whats available as we go along. As I already have sorted the car we're probably looking at about 3-4k to get it ready.

As mentioned, if there are any build projects you can link me to it would be appreciated.

Terry

 

[A210AMG]

Hello

Demon tweeks is a good source of parts.

Are you using it as purely a track car or do you want to use it on the road (Ie how much can you take off it / MOt etc..)

As Mentioned I would make sure what you have now is sorted first then start..

Roll cage would be high on the list.

I've learnt that the right set up with suspension, antiroll bars, engine braces makes a huge difference on the track, Then larger or better discs / pads.

Taking out most of the interior will of course save weight.


Post up some pics it would be nice to see the work in progress

 

[bolide]

If you're going to race it I'd choose a series to race in and make sure the car is prepared to be legal in that series

If you do an ARDS course to get a licence you'll get an MSA Blue Book which details the required safety equipment (battery cutout, rear red light, firewall between fuel tank & car, etc) but each series has their own dos and donts

Pretty much any track car strip thread (there are lots on Northloop here) will detail the basics and I don't think there's anything specific to a 201 that would change basic prep

As Will said I'd replace lots of bushes. Certainly the engine mounts, gearbox mount, front ARB bushes, prop doughnuts, diff bushes, leading rear subframe bushes and front balljoints should be changed. You'll end up doing them all in time so I'd do them all up front - it'll reduce the chances of something breaking

You should be able to lose 100 Kg or so by losing the interior. If your race series allows it, perspex windows will save a lot of weight. Glass is weight that's high up in the car so there's a big benefit to removing it

If the car has a steel sunroof I'd consider removing it and plating over the hole. Those sunroof cassettes are heavy and the weight is as high up as it could be. You won't be able to race with a glass sunroof

I'd leave the engine well alone and concentrate on weight loss & handling tweaks. Wheels, tyres, brakes & pad compounds will end up being dictated by your race regulations & race conditions

It'll cost you £1000 for basic safety kit (seat, harness, gloves, suit, boots, cut-off, etc), probably £1000 (fitted) for a decent rollcage and £1000 (fitted) for the bushes & etc so what's left will have to do for wheels & tyres

The HSCC is planning an 80s Road Sports series for 2009 (see here). I know from experience that the HSCC is a great club and that the racing is well-managed and extremely professional

You could also race with the Classic Touring Car Racing Club in their Classic Modified Saloons or Classic Group One Touring Cars series

It'd be nice to see photos of the build. There are far too few Mercedes out there on Track Days & Race circuits!

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[Owdeeman]

Hello

Demon tweeks is a good source of parts.

Are you using it as purely a track car or do you want to use it on the road (Ie how much can you take off it / MOt etc..)

As Mentioned I would make sure what you have now is sorted first then start..

Roll cage would be high on the list.

I've learnt that the right set up with suspension, antiroll bars, engine braces makes a huge difference on the track, Then larger or better discs / pads.

Taking out most of the interior will of course save weight.


Post up some pics it would be nice to see the work in progress

No intention of having it road legal, were looking to make this as light as poss.
I collect the car this weekend and hope to start stripping away next week.

Terry

 

[Owdeeman]

If you're going to race it I'd choose a series to race in and make sure the car is prepared to be legal in that series

If you do an ARDS course to get a licence you'll get an MSA Blue Book which details the required safety equipment (battery cutout, rear red light, firewall between fuel tank & car, etc) but each series has their own dos and donts

Pretty much any track car strip thread (there are lots on Northloop here) will detail the basics and I don't think there's anything specific to a 201 that would change basic prep

As Will said I'd replace lots of bushes. Certainly the engine mounts, gearbox mount, front ARB bushes, prop doughnuts, diff bushes, leading rear subframe bushes and front balljoints should be changed. You'll end up doing them all in time so I'd do them all up front - it'll reduce the chances of something breaking

You should be able to lose 100 Kg or so by losing the interior. If your race series allows it, perspex windows will save a lot of weight. Glass is weight that's high up in the car so there's a big benefit to removing it

If the car has a steel sunroof I'd consider removing it and plating over the hole. Those sunroof cassettes are heavy and the weight is as high up as it could be. You won't be able to race with a glass sunroof

I'd leave the engine well alone and concentrate on weight loss & handling tweaks. Wheels, tyres, brakes & pad compounds will end up being dictated by your race regulations & race conditions

It'll cost you £1000 for basic safety kit (seat, harness, gloves, suit, boots, cut-off, etc), probably £1000 (fitted) for a decent rollcage and £1000 (fitted) for the bushes & etc so what's left will have to do for wheels & tyres

The HSCC is planning an 80s Road Sports series for 2009 (see here). I know from experience that the HSCC is a great club and that the racing is well-managed and extremely professional

You could also race with the Classic Touring Car Racing Club in their Classic Modified Saloons or Classic Group One Touring Cars series

It'd be nice to see photos of the build. There are far too few Mercedes out there on Track Days & Race circuits!

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

Thank you for the reply, I have seen the Northloop E30 build, it was that thread that inspired me to create my own car.

My friends and I are happy to take our time and do it properly. The end result will be worth it. I'm sure I will be less optamistic after a week of removing the sound deadening!!!

 

[bolide]

Before you make it so it can't be street-legal think carefully. There's a real benefit to a car that can be run down the road legally to get fuel, to get tyres fitted, to check brakes, etc

Once you remove the lights, loom & etc it's difficult to get it street-legal again. I'd leave it legal and keep it MOTd. Harnesses, cage & etc aren't a problem for the MOT but no lights & handbrake may well be!

Also for most circuit racing you don't need the world's biggest brakes as you spend your time trying very hard not to use them. A Nurburgring car needs good, big, fade-free brakes. A Track Day car or circuit racer doing 15-minute races doesn't

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[grober]

http://www.2phast.com/190E/default.htm
http://mb190.tripod.com/