trackdayweapons

And with a little over two weeks to go the damn gearbox falls to pieces. Just as we’re about ready to test the car after some minor garage work and we find the diff carrier main bearing is dead. Annoying as fk. It’s damaged (killed) the gearbox casing and taken the Ralliart diff with it - these diffs not being the most common of items So, ordered a Kaaz diff through Coordsport and now it’s a little bit of a race against time to get the spare box rebuilt, new diff put in and then all back in the car in time to test.

Bodywork painted and on, lawd if I had the time to make the front bumper quick-release…

Oil cooler has a leak, so that’s being replaced, pads, fluids and windscreen next…

That’s the interior done :-

• Carpets out
• sound-proofing out
• clean
• paint
• clean again
• carbon centre console
• carbon gauge pod
• carbon roof vent
• carbon door cross covers
• carbon foot rest x2
• refresh extinguishers
• install remote LAN-C line for video
• intercom in

And now onto the exterior!

So, the nice, tidy, reliable Group N Evo RS rally car sold and moved on to it’s new home and it’s time for the next project. In December we picked up a tired looking Group A Evo III RS. Originally built by Ralliart New Zealand it showed some excellent build quality in places and some clearly rushed jobs in others (most likely by the subsequent owners). The car has done the RAC amongst (many!) others and to me, requires a bit of aesthetic tidy up and then we’re good to go, the spec speaks for itself :-

Fully seam welded, professional prepared (Ralliart New Zealand) Evo III RS Chassis.
Multipoint T45 cage

Seasoned block
ARP head & main studs
JE Forged pistons 8.5:1
Carillo rods
all balanced with flywheel
new oil pump assembly and cover
new water pump
Head flowed and ported
magnesium bronze valve guides
new stem seals
Stage 3 Comp cams
Fidanza Cam Gears
Greddy timing belt
Titanium retainers
double springs
evo 6 rocker arms
Big Hole lash adjusters
Alternator recon’d
Greddy take off plate
GEMS ECU running 34mm restrictor and a jacked throttle.
Switchable anti-lag.

5 speed close ratio RS gearbox
Ralliart diffs front and rear.
Hydraulic twin plate clutch.
Profles 3-way adjustables all round.
Fully braided brake lines, running Castrol SRF and Pagid pads.
AP bias adjustment with AP hydraulic handbrake
Kevlar seats
Racetech ancillary gauges.

Engine was reported to be 550bhp in non-restricted form!

So, first action was replacing the dead turbo, regulations mandate you have to maintain a standard housing so despite running 2bar of boost a replacement standard turbo went back in (best carry a spare!). This then turned up a significant oil leak from the sump, so this was resealed (Evo’s don’t use gaskets, just sealant!).

And then the aesthetic tarting started…

All the guards can come off the car (with exception of sump), they’re not need for tarmac running.
Carpet out (fire hazard, why were these still in here?), along with the KGs of gravel hidden underneath.
Soundproofing out.
Fire extinguishers refreshed.
Wheels off to be refreshed.
All oils changed.
Air filter refreshed.
Bumper and wing off so they can be painted.

When I’m done, the car will unrecognisable from when it arrived

Here we have Mr Roger Skeete’s cosworth being built , please enjoy the pics.