Blue PFL V8 conversion

8thumpers · March 19, 2018, 18:16

Quote from: StuC on March 19, 2018, 18:06
Just thinking out loud. You should be able to calculate backwards from my previous measurements, as hey were to the subframe mount. This is only viable of course if you still have your subframe.

@8thumpers

Yeah I did do that and have made the decision to junk all standard suspension arms in favour of rose joints so that gives me some flexibility in dimensions.
Cheers mate.

StuC · March 19, 2018, 19:09

I hope that gives you enough wiggle room.

tomaky · March 23, 2018, 12:04

That looks like its going to sit pretty low?

StuC · March 23, 2018, 14:14

@tomaky Not as low as your standards though mate, so it will still run OK.

Call the midlife! · March 23, 2018, 15:49

Quote from: StuC on March 23, 2018, 14:14
@tomaky Not as low as your standards though mate, so it will still run OK.

Harsh! But probably fair...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

8thumpers · March 23, 2018, 16:34

Quote from: tomaky on March 23, 2018, 12:04
That looks like its going to sit pretty low?

On a technical note.. I will have 125mm ground clearance so should be ok

tomaky · March 23, 2018, 20:21

Should be fine

8thumpers · March 24, 2018, 17:30

Picked up some Audi wheels on FleaBay today for £100... only need two for the rear at mo, but as they are similar to the 2 I couldn't resist!
Also sorted a comfy garage seat and cracked a beer open!
It's not all about getting oily! [emoji23]🤣

8thumpers · March 26, 2018, 21:12

Re-fibreglassed the garage roof today in the sunshine. No more leaks!!
Also, my rose-joints arrived for the suspension arms [emoji106]

8thumpers · March 29, 2018, 21:43

The first trial fitting of the engine mount x-member. I'm pleased with the result, it will put a lot of cross strength back into the chassis.
Next job is to get the mounts themselves designed and fitted to it....

8thumpers · March 29, 2018, 21:51

The other part that FleaBay gave up was an A6 gear shift linkage. This mates directly to our Jedi box.
I think with some minor engineering I can utilise it quite nicely.

8thumpers · March 30, 2018, 13:26

The Audi shifter is attached to its original gearbox selector and is so simple. A direct rod that rotates slightly to cross the gate and pulls back and forth to select gears.

I thought I'd see if the Audi gearstick mechanism could be used at all...
It looks like it will almost drop right in place - needs a small bracket or two to locate it but it even fits inside the 2 tunnel trim!

Sometimes things just happen right! [emoji3][emoji4][emoji4][emoji4][emoji41]

MrT · March 30, 2018, 14:30

What are you planning for subframe? I'd understood that gearbox mount was part of subframe. Didn't realise it was not.

StuC · March 30, 2018, 15:23

Nice progress, especially to see the "engine cradle" in place.

Looks like the route for the gearshift is going to be "interesting".

8thumpers · March 30, 2018, 15:26

Quote from: MrT on March 30, 2018, 14:30
What are you planning for subframe? I'd understood that gearbox mount was part of subframe. Didn't realise it was not.

Rear subframe is independent to engine mount subframe. Rear one will support gearbox and all the suspension pickup points too.
Currently the engine is supported on wooden blocks...

8thumpers · March 30, 2018, 15:28

Quote from: StuC on March 30, 2018, 15:23
Nice progress, especially to see the "engine cradle" in place.

Looks like the route for the gearshift is going to be "interesting".

Yeah it should pass up the side of the engine and route between the alternator and block via some small UJs....

MrT · March 30, 2018, 23:05

Oh ok, sorry. I'm confusing the 2 subframes. You will need some sort of transverse torque brace across the top of the engine, otherwise I'd worry about the block mounts just twisting that engine subframe in half.

But making great progress.

8thumpers · March 31, 2018, 05:50

Quote from: MrT on March 30, 2018, 23:05
Oh ok, sorry. I'm confusing the 2 subframes. You will need some sort of transverse torque brace across the top of the engine, otherwise I'd worry about the block mounts just twisting that engine subframe in half.

But making great progress.

Thanx

The Audi has an offset torque mount at the front to deal with the twisting ... I'll get a pic later....

8thumpers · April 8, 2018, 11:16

Currently taking a week off in sunny Cornwall.... plenty of time to order those parts I need for gearchange and suspension arms! [emoji6]

BahnStormer · April 8, 2018, 12:40

This build it utterly mental!! Good work, I'm loving it!

8thumpers · April 8, 2018, 12:57

Quote from: BahnStormer on April 8, 2018, 12:40
This build it utterly mental!! Good work, I'm loving it!

That's me! Mad as a box of cranks!
Cheers!

8thumpers · April 14, 2018, 21:02

A few parts arrived this week..
UJs for the gear linkage complete with correct size tube.
PU engine and gearbox mounts - for Landrover and Capri!
The threaded inserts for the Spherical joints. These will be welded into tube to fabricate the suspension arms.
Automotion Components do some great deals on stuff like this - well worth getting one of their free catalogues!

Oh, and I also got my £56 mig working with little trouble - Fleabay Bargain!

8thumpers · May 12, 2018, 10:56

A bit of an update so you know it's still going on....
Finally got the rear subframe fabricated and offered up.
Next job is to finalise the pu gearbox and engine mount positions.
I'll also get the suspension arm positions and weld on the brackets to locate them on the subframe.

StuC · May 12, 2018, 13:04

That is a big step fella. Well done.

Are you going to brace the corner points of the subframe?

MrT · May 12, 2018, 20:31

That subframe shouldn't need any bracing given the size of the tubing. Very well engineered. Only thing I'd suggest is capping the top mount tubes, but it might cause an issue for powder coating. You could drill a breather hole in the crush tubes before capping it though.

Nice work.