Project Sanity

[Maxakarudy]

Ultimate Hawk?, 2 words.......Ali body

[Paul Blore]

And don't worry Paul, he wasn't suggesting the cammer for the Cobra.
It was for the 2CV.

Because that would make far more sense.

[peterc]

Bearing mind the difficulty of finding a 289 are there advantages in choosing a 302 ?
Apart from a small increase in capacity does the update bring improved efficiencies and or power out of the box or is it a better starting point for tuning.
Peter C

[Paul Blore]

I don't think 289's are hard to find, unless you're specifically looking for a 5-bolt block.

Paul

[agnoraan]

Nige,
Not sure whether I would have the opportunity to start again from scratch but here goes for better Cobra spec.
A Hawk FIA again but it would definitely have to have a 289 engine and perhaps fuel injected fake IDF's. Aim for 325-350 BNP but ensure it is still able to potter in traffic.
I would also prefer to have a fast back hard top to make the car more useable when the weather is expected to be wet. I'm sure it's better than a softtop. I'm not sure that I would leave the inside without any trim at all but probably restrict the trim to a few basics.
I would investigate a taller dash like Roger used in order to get the correct spacing of the gauges.
I would have more Ali panels like Andy's FIA and a fully Ali lined engine bay. Of course retain the white footwells. Perhaps some fake front leaf springs.
I would use Gerry's tubular suspension front suspension again but this time persuade Gerry to supply the bits for tubular rear suspension with a Cosworth LSD diff and outboard discs.
Pin drive Halibrand alloys plus the Avons
I already have the largest discs that fit inside the 15" alloys but they ought to be 6 pot calipers as per original.
Paint would be the correct Viking Blue but not bother with any stripes. Correct period Reg plate.
How about that for a minimum.
Of course if money no object I guess it would just have to be a Kirkham FIA.

Of course you are not about to start modifying the current build are you?
Peter C

That sounds like a really nice build Peter and it's all relatively straight forward too. I'd definitely recommend a hardtop. Without the sidescreens on it's just like driving the car without the roof on, as the wind still whistles around the inside of the car, so you get all of the sensations of open topped motoring, but without the flapping canvas of a soft top or burnt head in the sun. Sun??? what was that?? With the sidescreens on it's quite civilised and turns it into something that could be used daily if you wanted to. I'm very happy with the hardtop on mine and can't see the point in taking it off to be honest.

As to modifying the current build, I'm assuming you're talking of the new one at the top of this thread? Yes!! it will be modified and won't resemble the Hawk heritage that much once finished after the IVA test. And yes, I'm still modifying my Viper too with quite a few cosmetic changes planned over the next few months.

Nige

PS if you want a taller dash I might be able to help you out with an aluminium one that would fit a Hawk

[peterc]

Hi Nige,
I had assumed that you had finished the enhancements to the Viper so yes, I was referring to the new project.
I guess that you would prefer to get it through IVA in basic form before enhancing it. Not forgetting that Owain will need to agree to the changes!

I would certainly recommend the Hawk tubular front suspension which allows you to play with shock absorber settings and spring rates. For reference I use 275 x 9" with a Rover lump.
Solid rear axle is a personal choice, some love it whereas some far prefer an independent set up. Of course independent is more akin to the original but if you do chose to change to independant then you could consider outboard discs as Roger created with Wards supplying the necessary parts.
I'm sure given the mods and experience already achieved with the Viper you can incorporate a few things into the current build to save agro later. E.g. The Ali engine bay panels as you say will be so much easier with body off.

Ref the Ali dash please don't tempt me. I don't think that I currently have the patience to start again on that aspect. Interruptions like Christmas have delayed my fitting of a P6 dip switch which in turn affects whether I put back the existing separate dip switch and flasher. I have now decided on the design of the mounting bracket but the switch has now failed! Fortunately the supplier has agreed to change.
I also got diverted to changing the instrument bulbs for LED's but this involved dismantling the dash to access the rear of the instruments so it all became rather frustrating. I think that having proper dash is at the bottom of the 'to do' list.

Best of luck with the new build.
Peter C

[agnoraan]

Hi Peter, yes it'll go through IVA before any of the modifications are done to the body etc.
I had quite a productive day today and managed to get most of the engine bay clad, (first fix) with aluminium. The car came with laser cut panels, but they were absolutely nowhere near like fitting properly. All of the measurements seemed off by a couple of mm and it just looked so wrong. I've ended up having to make new templates for some of it, whilst adjusting, cutting and reprofiling the laser cut stuff to make it fit tight. Not too bad all in all though for a days work and was a damn sight easier than the Viper to do.














Tomorrows task it to give it a final trim here and there, paint the footwells and fit the aluminium panels permanently

Nige

[amulheirn]

Looking good Nige...

Did yours have a couple of tabs at the top of the bulkhead where the bonnet catches go, or did you cut them off? I have this, and pushed the ally behind them. Wasn't sure if that was the right thing to do...

[peterc]

Nige ,
As usual the Ali work is looking superb. Hope this goes on into the nose area for being on show when the bonnet is shut.
I admire the profiled section around the drivers footwell. I assume you have lined the sides of the footwells for heat protection. I think normally it would have been a smaller remote panel e.g mounted on spacers.
Keep up the good work.
I'll try to catch up one day.
Peter C

[Roger King]

Nige ,
As usual the Ali work is looking superb. Hope this goes on into the nose area for being on show when the bonnet is shut.
I admire the profiled section around the drivers footwell. I assume you have lined the sides of the footwells for heat protection. I think normally it would have been a smaller remote panel e.g mounted on spacers.
Keep up the good work.
I'll try to catch up one day.
Peter C

Yes, nice work. Just for information, originally the footwell boxes were plain white fibreglass, no lining of any kind on them. No room because of the exhaust - the Hawk chassis is totally different - so the footbox 'finish' was a fetching brown scorched gel-coat effect.