grabercars.com

Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 11:25 am Post subject: Introducing myself... hello

Hey guys. I am not a newb here, just been lurking for a very long time.
Steve and I have met electronically over the past 5 or so years as I own and run the Toyota MR2 Owners Club (www.mr2oc.com)
I am also the first guy to shove a V8 into the rear of a factory built Toyota MR2.

So here I am. 46 years old. Projects all over the place. My second V8 MR2 at a standstill due to heat issues due to the transverse layout, and the small engine bay.
I also had the misfortune of getting to ride in a Ariel Atom 3 with the supercharged Honda engine. I was absolutely blown away by the sheer speed and the total domination of the Atom over a Ferrari F430 that was on the track with us. That experience convinced me that I was headed in the wrong direction with my V8 projects. So the search began.

All I had to do was look into my in-box. There it was sitting. My plans for the 1600cc 20v La Bala from Steve he sent me last year. The project was put on hold due to my day job at the University of Virginia. The economic issues of the state had made me start to save up my cash just in case my job went a way. Remember, marketing departments are always the first to go!

Then a cool thing happened. Two guys in Britain started working on their own V8 MR2s using Audi parts. Steve saw this and the rest is history, at least on the MR2OC.

So fast forward to a few weeks ago. here I am sitting down at my computer, waiting for some parts to arrive for my 400hp 1986 MK1.5 3sgte powered MR2. I realized that I could probably afford to build this La Bala using a lot of the parts that have in my vast Toyota MR2 inventory. Vast? 8 MR2s of various condition... mostly not running engineless cars.

So the planning began.

Countless emails with Steve. Inventory of my existing parts. Spreadsheet of parts needed to purchase. Permission from wife. Little things like that.
But it will all have to wait until after I finish this years race season. So a October 2009 start date has been ordered. I am co-driving a 1991 Toyota MR2 in the 24 Hours of LeMons. We are entered in two events, one in South Carolina in a few weeks, and the other the first weekend in October at Nelson Ledges Ohio.

So here is the build, what I like to call the Ocho Balas.
Track only car. Built using zero parts that are not required to make the car go fast, only including SCCA GT spec safety features / required items.
350+ hp Cadillac Northstar V8 (probably closer to 400hp, but have yet to get the engine on a dyno)
Audi TDi Transmission with 3-disk 5.5" flywheel and clutch.
Electromotive TEC3 engine controls
Front mounted 10-15 gallon fuel cell.
IRS and Graber redesign front suspension.
Kirkey aluminum Intermediate Road Racing seats.
1995 Toyota MR2 Turbo brake system.
17x12 Kodiak 3-piece Rear wheels / 17x7 Kodiak 3-piece Front Wheels
Tires still to be determined. Probably khumo DOT slicks.

Now the fun begins.

I have everything to get this car going except for the tube steel, the transmission, the Kodiak wheels and the fuel cell.

The current V8 MR2 is getting torn down and all the parts will be reused into the Ocho Balas.

so now the fun begins...
_________________
Bill Strong
Racing Strong Motorsports
http://www.racingstrong.com
http://www.v8mr2.com
http://www.mr2oc.com

Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 2:36 pm Post subject:

Sounds like fun. I look forward to seeing your progress and what you come up with making the La Bala. That's one of the fun aspects of this car is that every build seems to be very different so far!

Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 3:18 pm Post subject:

Looking forward to watching your build. You will need to do some redesigning to get those wheels under the rear of the body. Give me a shout it I can be of assistance.
Jim
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Always remember, ain't nothing is as simple as it seems.

Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 5:48 pm Post subject:

Hi Bill, thanks for giving us a primer on the Ocho Balas project. I can't wait to see the metal start coming together for this one.

Just to let everyone in on what is most unique about Bills' Bala is that it's going to be a Longitudinal V8 and not transverse. We measured it up and it fits. Fuel cell moves up front to make the room. Go figure! What makes this version really REALLY special is that it's going to have a full IRS. Because of the layout there will be plenty of room for the wider rubber required.

This thing will be a monster.
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Components, core kits, premium component kits and rollers now available Smile

Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 7:13 pm Post subject:

Thanks CaptJim. Let me know when you are VIR again. I'd like to take a look at your La Bala. I am only about an hour or so north from there on Rt 29.

I priced up all the metal at Speedy. I want to see what my local supplier can get it for at so I can save on that $100 shipping charge Smile

_________________
Bill Strong
Racing Strong Motorsports
http://www.racingstrong.com
http://www.v8mr2.com
http://www.mr2oc.com