Just thought I'd post a little update
Still plodding on, date of the 4th march for paint looming but it's getting there. Have done a number of crazing repairs.. basically this consists of grinding any cracks out of the gel coat and filling back in with short strand fibre filler, flat back then finish with very fine filler ready for primer.
Seem to start a panel then find another, then another etc etc. But it needs doing right, it adds strength to the stressed areas where crazing has occurred and means it can't come back through and ruin the paint.
Readers of a nervous disposition look away now
Basically got patches like that all over the car. Well, clams and a little on the doors, not the tub.
Think it'll probably be a month or so yet till I get anything from Z cars too but there's no major rush...
One idea I have been toying with is turboing it, there's an abosulute mass of info out there regarding turbo B series Hondas and I'm quite confident it can be done reasonably cheap and with a good safe tune be able to churn out a reliable 300ish hp.
I was always tempted to do something mad with it once the paint is done and it's handling right and TBH was favouring an NA build but it just seems like a bottomless pit of spending, for what, 250hp? Plus it's the torque that will really be impressive.
There's plenty of guys running low ish boost on fairly high compression, if I pop the 11:1 type R pistons and rods out I can easily fit B18C4 pistons on H beam rods without even removing the engine, that will net 9.8:1. The main difficulty will be fitting it all in such a tiny space...
I've thought about it a lot over the last few days and just found these turbo flange to V band adapters
I think that with 2 of these, I.e one on the manifold and one on the turbo, I can basically just pipe between them and mount the turbo wherever I want it... obviously the shorter the better. It would be a quick and easy way to replicate a sidewinder style exhaust where the turbo sits more over the box where there's more space. V clamps allow everything to be turned too which helps on something custom like this. Then wrap all the tubing and make some support brackets. Bit of a brain fart at the moment but I think it's do able, otherwise there's simply not enough space infront
Of the engine.
This is the normal kind of setup
Maybe a top mount would be better to keep some room below for the downpipe etc.
Possibly something like this bolted to the manifold either on a top or bottom mount manifold with the straight v band adapter on the turbo. This should put the turbine facing upwards which would even make it easier to plumb in but would mean I couldn't use an off the shelf down pipe. But there's going to have to be a compromise somewhere.
Anyone have any ideas?
Theres basically some room around the gearbox and plenty of room above the engine, just not much in front
Another idea I had was a B20 Block with B18 rods and crank, I think that makes around 1932cc, kinda like a poor mans way of making a 84mm B18c.. I know the sleeves are reportedly weaker in a B20 but that only becomes apparent under boost or detonation from what I gather. Plus using a B18 crank and rods at least retains a slightly better rod/stroke ratio. Or there's always the option of just doing some minor work like cams and a proper map... I don't really know what I want to do yet.
I'd love to rotrex it but the problem remains with lack of space.
Will park all these ideas until the car is painted and Z cars kit is on... my mind might change once I've driven it again
It hooks up very well and just tears through the gears, the box is very close.. I'm glad I fitted the 4th gear from my old box into the S80 LSD
