Ghost 66 Alpine

[mgb260]

John, Cool! Checkout the electric power steering that our friend Dan on the SAOCA board offers.

http://forum.sunbeamalpine.org/index.php?threads/electric-power-steering-eps-for-your-alpine.25948/

[nakedhacienda]

A few more Pics, I'll think about the Electric Steering, We're working towards a Wifeable, Streetable Race car, so not sure whether the Raceable side would work with an electric Steering...  Clean system he came up with though!

[mgb260]

John, A lot of autocrossers use the electric steering. Check out this 510 front spoiler for the race car look:

[TR6-6SPD]

I highly recommend power steering of some sort for autocrossing.
Ken

[nakedhacienda]

Nice looking front end.. We're talking about something similar for the Ghost...
Mentioning the Ghost..
I'm trying to think of vanity plates...  
66GHOST
GHOST
SUNBEAM
NERVOUS
TGRKLLR
TGRHNTR

any ideas?

[Orange Alpine]

The electric power steering is continuously adjustable from Pinky steer all the way up to Armstrong (no assist).  Or so I've been told, but I have no reason to doubt.  Am in the process of installing one now.

Bill

[nakedhacienda]

Some recent pics if anyone is interested..

[nakedhacienda]

[mgb260]

John, Pretty Wild! Are you going to use floor mount pedals? What front end is that?

[nakedhacienda]

Basically a Mustang 2 parts for the Frontend, Wildwood Drilled Disk Brakes.  Here are some more pics.. They are going to town on it.. We haven't found an engine yet.. And the Seats will be difficult.. Not much room.

[nakedhacienda]

Rear End 4 link Suspension, Front End, and Body Work.. If anyone is interested.. Still have to find an Engine..

[Tiger2Dan]

My Sunbeam Alpine has a bit of what I'd call an aerodynamic problem at really high speeds:)  The fender flares might prove even worst.  Hope not:)

Lots of talk about the different engine mod's for an Alpine led me to the Ford (Cologne) 60 degree Engines (2.8 & 4.0 V6's).  Absolutely no "torch" work!  Only time for any welding are the two bottom engine mounts!  Tight, YES!  But, It fits rather nicely.

I started with the 2.8 V6 Conversion "kit" I purchased back in 2012.  Good quality, poor design IMHO, so I started my own!

First was the Headers sticking out the side (I did not like having to reroute the exhaust), so Mine are straight back similar to the Tiger system.  Then, the engine mounts hanging off the rear of the crossmember was not to my liking either, so a new design with built in stops for setting the engine in position so there was adequate spacing between the radiator and fan ( I even have enough space to run dual pulleys for Air Conditioning)!

AND John,  Your comment about: Quote: "I'll think about the Electric Steering, We're working towards a Wifeable, Streetable Race car, so not sure whether the Raceable side would work with an electric Steering... Clean system he came up with though! " Unquote
 Leads me to the fact that the EPS can be worked with the power on or off.  Off is normal steering, On is a choice you can select.  In other words your wife can make it as easy as she pleases:)

Love them Sunbeams - Keep'em on-the-Road.  Best of wishes to you and the Ghost,

DanR

[mgb260]

John, Your front spoiler may be too low. When your car is on the ground with the motor in, a good rule is nothing should hang lower than the bottom of the rim. Shocks, oil pans, front spoilers, etc. If you have a tire blowout it could create a lot of damage.

[nakedhacienda]

Great point, it is, above the loaded Rim and Rocker Panel, but it is low, I'll have a custom oil pan, all my packeage should be above the low water mark..
I also agree it's a bit blocky to be really fast, but with the BHP we are putting in it, north of 600 I think I'll still have a fast little booger.

[nakedhacienda]

[mgb260]

John, Like the Quick Jack bumpers!

[Tiger2Dan]

Maybe we shall meet up one day me and my V6 , you and your LS ?  

My Uncle Billy (99 years) likes to run'em too!
Love them Sunbeam's  Keep'em-on-the-road,

[nakedhacienda]

Thanks I thought the Quick Jacks were a good idea, someone else used on theirs.I hope to meet up with all you folks!     I can't wait to dry my little ghost..  I think I know my vanity tag now.   It's gotta be GHOST.

[nakedhacienda]

We're still sourcing an LS but it's coming along.

[nakedhacienda]

I finally found and Engine. An LS1 5.7 should be pushing 500 BHp at least that's the idea, I can add a Stage3 cam if I need to get up to around 600,  we'll start airb this.....  I've just ordered a low profile front end  for it and a Tremec  5 spd..  I hope to have it on the road by the spring.  I'm considering putting in an IPad station for music/nav etc...  ideas are always appreciated!!

[Charlie Cheap]

I have driven Bill's Alpine with the 2.5 Duratec, and it runs as well as any Alpine engine swap. The Tiger has lots more torque at lower RPM, but in the Alpine...WHO NEEDS IT? Bill drove this car all over the US this summer and stopped by my place, giving me a chance to see his work and how it turned out. Very well and well balanced, which some overlook in an effort to make maximum Horse Power. A lot like trying to put a Harley Twin on a bicycle.

[nakedhacienda]

Well I guess the short answer is.. I do..   Or maybe I don't..  No one really needs any of these cars.  

The little bugger beat my buttocks 40 years ago when I had my E-type..   I always wondered what it had under it's hood.  Ford Small Block 289 and Mustang Automatic Transmission and Mustang Rear End.  It was a rocket.   This is the car  that stomped me flat.    So when I happened across it, I decided to build something special.

Why the LS..?

It's cheap HP and performance, easy to work on with regular tools, it's in 1000s of cars out there, aftermarket is full of fancy upgrades, chips etc.  

It's compact, and I should get about 20 mpg.    

The Car is built to Autocross and be what I call "Streetable".  

It'll have power steering and removable cores for the side pipes that are going on it.   The underneath was so far gone, that I had nothing to do but gut the inside.  So if I'm going to spend the money to have a Race Shop build a custom frame I'm going to stuff a clean high performance engine in.  

This is NOT your normal Alpine, it only has the body of one.  

Resale I feel will be better with something unusual in it.    If/When I sell it to a CONSENTING ADULT ONLY.

In this case, it's not putting a Harley Engine on a Bicycle, it's keeping the Bicycle Seat and building a frame for it that one hangs a Harley on..  If I hadn't had to cut the frame out, I would not have the foundation for the engine.

and maybe lastly

Because I wanted it.

Cheers...

[nakedhacienda]

So it's begging it's final stages. Long time since the start!  I think it'll be worth it..

[mgb260]

John, Good to see you're still at it!

[nakedhacienda]

Anyone know where I can buy Glass for my 66' We're one the home stretch....