Re: I bought a Rolls Royce and want to build it.
My current plan for holding a heavy thing off the ground on track is the front suspension from a crown Vic, etc. The whole thing hangs on a single aluminum cross member that bolts to the frame.
The 24 Hours of Lemons Forums → Lemons Tech → I bought a Rolls Royce and want to build it.
My current plan for holding a heavy thing off the ground on track is the front suspension from a crown Vic, etc. The whole thing hangs on a single aluminum cross member that bolts to the frame.
For the rear suspension, you could throw all of it out and use a leaf spring set up.
I don't think just adding a universal master/booster under the floorboards will do it. Only one set of the rear calipers (each wheel has two calipers) operates at "normal" master cylinder pressure levels. The other 6 calipers operate at high pressure. I'm don't think Speedy Bill has brake masters that operate 6 high pressure calipers in his catalog. You'd have to come up with a complete new braking system from master to caliper and it would need to be massive so I guess I'd start by looking for something like a NASCAR Bristol brake system from 10 years ago that's big but outdated to make it affordable(ish).
That why you just put some 2 or 4 pots in their place. A set of cobra 13s would do you fine. May even get away with 2 pot PBRs
The second Rolls Royce came in to the equation easy went out the window.
See, I wasn't making it up! It has a master cyl and calipers there just so that it will FEEL LIKE BRAKES. What an insane setup.
If you’ve ever tried to use high pressure hydraulic brakes without some feel system it would be one of the least weird things in that overwrought mess.
I have a 2nd gen camaro subframe that I am going to try and put on the front. I already have most of those parts, and a set of C6 Z06 front brakes that would fit nicely. I can adapt those brakes to a mid 90's Impala/Caprice spindle and it will bolt onto the stock control arms. The 2nd gen subframe keeps all the parts period correct, and since the car had a lot of GM in it, i'm hoping it will work relatively smoothly.
If I can make the 2nd gen camaro subframe work, which I think I can. It would be easier to run an LS engine than keep the RR engine and adapt it to that subframe. I have a LS3, a 5.3L truck engine, and a T56 sitting here so I can use any of those.
That factory RR engine actually uses 3 engine mounts, 2 on each side and one on the front. The transmission actually hangs of the back of the engine and the car doesn't have a trans mount at all.
The rear suspension has me scratching my head a bit. It would be much easier to run a solid axle and fab up a 3 link, but my only racing up until the last Lemons race i did was drag.
Is a live axle worth considering, or does the IFS blow it away?
I'm also looking into trying to find complete rear cradle suspension assemblies that have the arms & diff built in that I could make fit.
I'm also looking into trying to find complete rear cradle suspension assemblies that have the arms & diff built in that I could make fit.
Have you looked at the early 90's T-Bird rear ends? Independent with a subframe. That's what was put in the Race Rambler
I would go truck, that 6 and 3/4 must have some heft. The Jagvair needed Dodge Ram 2500 springs for the front just to keep from bottoming out.
darkostoj wrote:I'm also looking into trying to find complete rear cradle suspension assemblies that have the arms & diff built in that I could make fit.
Have you looked at the early 90's T-Bird rear ends? Independent with a subframe. That's what was put in the Race Rambler
So, I am a little spoiled here. I own a salvage yard and in our vehicle disassembly line I can basically test late model rear subframe assemblies to see which one will fit the body of the RR the best. I am going to keep the RR on a lift and when I get a potential candidate I'll just wheel it over lower the car onto the table the subframe is sitting on and see how it fits.
However, I am really thinking about a solid rear axle with offset 3 link.....It would be much much easier to setup...that also sucks too because If I were to fab a rear suspension, I would put on coilovers. I would not feel like going through all that extra work to mount cups for coil springs and separate shock mounts.... I feel like a Lemons car with coilovers is kind of not what this is all about.
There is also the option of keeping the factory rear suspension, somehow making the factory brakes work, and adding new shocks/struts or coilovers.
Also, I will try and hope this gen 5 camaro rear suspension I have will fit:
If you replace everything but the body, the point is lost that it is a RR, except it looks like one, so why not just put the sheet metal on something else, heck get a VW bug and just put the front end on it, that would be funny.
The weight of the car is the biggest issue. I would think that you'd want to lighten it up as much as possible. There is probably 1500lbs of weight you could take out if not more. (inner structures, sound barriers, seats, power accessories...) 2nd issue would be getting the suspension set up for racing. The car would float all over as is. I'd leave the RR engine and trans, for now. I'm sure once you get all the weigh off the car it would move that thing out. Especailly if it runs well now. I guess you could look and see what transmission will bolt up.
We run an e28 with the BMW Hydroboost, so this just looks like a more complex version of that to me. There was so much trashing of the hydroboost and fanboy commentary of lack of brake feel that I started gathering vacuum swap parts. Since then, we've gone through a number of races with the hydroboost system. Using good fluid and race pads, and we're all happy there. Report on the brakes in the wet this year was that they were fantastic.
That to say, don't do it out of fear. Maybe you can get some of the big brake items from a 7 series in there if race pads don't exist? There's not shortage of that stuff floating around. And, if you drop a half ton (literally) or more of weight from the luxury items in the car the brake system might become pretty adequate.
I agree to separate it out from the ride height system and get something more simple there though.
Nothing like it.
Think Airline Brakes. It's a constant 3,000 PSI brake system using Mineral Oil Hydraulic fluid. The brake pedal operates a flow control valve that allows the 3,000 psi Hydraulic pressure to run to the caliper causing breaking force. The Regular brake system tandem on the rear wheels is just to give pedal feel. It's Psychotic for anything under 10,000 pounds.
The BMW system just uses a hydraulic pressure system to aid in pushing the brake master cylinder. Like a vacuum system does in most cars. Only using the pressure difference of the power steering system, not intake suction.
RobL wrote:Check with HQ. I believe that 3PM were asked not to bring the back since it was slow. It sound like, with the swap, you might not be that slow, but check to be sure.
This is your best bet. You will need a plan. Aside from it being slow, it will most likely be overweight and require a waiver. They love stuff like this but they have to balance things out. A very, very slow car can be a hazard, especially if not driven properly.
I do like the other suggestion of using the RR body on another vehicle frame.
I thought the Rolls got wrecked?
Build has started!
Just arrived off the truck
Vinyl top removed
Getting dissasembled at my salvage yard.
Some speedholes in the floor.
Rear full floater axles with a single WOODRUFF key, not splines...
Front Brakes
2nd Gen Suspension. I need to cut the mounts off the RR subframe and weld onto the camaro one.
I mean If i'm going through the trouble of swapping something in....might as well right??? I was planning on doing a 5.3L LS, but that's so boring.
I mean If i'm going through the trouble of swapping something in....might as well right??? I was planning on doing a 5.3L LS, but that's so boring.
Build has started!
2nd Gen Suspension. I need to cut the mounts off the RR subframe and weld onto the camaro one.
I mean If i'm going through the trouble of swapping something in....might as well right??? I was planning on doing a 5.3L LS, but that's so boring.
The engine will save you some time. You won't need to worry about stripping as much weight. 8-)
darkostoj wrote:Build has started!
2nd Gen Suspension. I need to cut the mounts off the RR subframe and weld onto the camaro one.
I mean If i'm going through the trouble of swapping something in....might as well right??? I was planning on doing a 5.3L LS, but that's so boring.
The engine will save you some time. You won't need to worry about stripping as much weight. 8-)
I though you were going to say "[it] will save you some time, you won't need to worry about winning since you'll be filling up the tank half the race weekend."
Carry On with Gods Speed you mad bastards!
Make it a Brian Blessed/Vultan the Hawkman theme and I'll be your best friend forever!!!
I find your ideas intriguing and wish to subscribe to your newsletter.
A few too many brake lines
#emptyinside
darkostoj wrote:I mean If i'm going through the trouble of swapping something in....might as well right??? I was planning on doing a 5.3L LS, but that's so boring.
Build has started!
Just arrived off the truck
Vinyl top removed
Getting dissasembled at my salvage yard.
Some speedholes in the floor.
Rear full floater axles with a single WOODRUFF key, not splines...
Front Brakes
2nd Gen Suspension. I need to cut the mounts off the RR subframe and weld onto the camaro one.
I mean If i'm going through the trouble of swapping something in....might as well right??? I was planning on doing a 5.3L LS, but that's so boring.
DO IT. You could also try using the brakes/suspension off the Viper.
DOESNT FIT
FAB TIME
You do know you'll have to paint it viper red right???
So this will be the first car that should have been a default IOE to actually get penalty laps?
So this will be the first car that should have been a default IOE to actually get penalty laps?
There is a first for everything!
The 24 Hours of Lemons Forums → Lemons Tech → I bought a Rolls Royce and want to build it.