Inside Team TNT

pablo · Post by **pablo** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 2:39 pm

This is basically my project, what I mean by that, is that it is my role to sort out the planning stage for our new build. I thought that I wouild share aspects of this with you, if nothing else it will help me to get some of my thoughts out for discussion.

The new project may seem like we are taking a long time to get on with it, but there is method in our madness:willy_nilly:.
The project has been split into 3 stages or sections.

1. planning
2. The car (sierra xr4x4)
3. Engine

& drivetrain.

This may seem all very straight forward but remember there are 2 people involved who hardly ever agree on anything to do with the car:cuss:
We started by deciding on what we wanted to do with the new car, simple track days and to be a lot more competitive in the Time Attack. Then it was what power figures did we want. Alan felt that xxx bhp would be enough but I wanted zzz bhp:smash:

Most of the spec has been sorted but that was the easy part, until I had a chat with our new sponsor I had no idea of the problems and decisions that lay ahead. The spec. of the engine is being planned by me, I then let Alan know what things are before taking it to the sponsor who says yes, no, you idiot, are you mad and generally things like that:smash:

The last main things to be decided upon is what header / manifold at present we have 4 options

and what turbo again we have 3 options

. It's all about what power levels and how we want that power to be delivered.

I use to think it was just a case of bolt it on, wind it up and go go go.

Oh, whilst over at his garage yesterday sorting a few bits out I managed to drop my mobile phone between the rollers of his rolling road...Doh:leaving:

Gerry H · Post by **Gerry H** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 3:18 pm

Come on then, get on with it:driving:

Post by **Stuart** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 3:29 pm

I bet Gordon loved you dropping that 'phone!

Another consideration for your plans is the commitment to fixing things. Assuming your sponsor is helping with the upfront costs is he prepared to continue this throughout 2010? There will be a fair amount of tuning and adjustment as the season progresses so, will he stand by you as and when Alan kills things, as this will inevitably happen.

My only contribution at this stage would be to say the balance between power and grip is where I would be concentrating. As we discussed at Snetterton, the amount of power you have now bears little to no bearing against the power level you were talking about (the lower figure) Best, in my opinion, that Alan and the car are optimised at that level before you start going for far more power. Lower power will be cheaper, probably more reliable and most importantly, it will enable Alan to really dominate the car as it builds up in power rather than plonking him into something far faster than he can drive properly. The only thing to do if you were going for the higher powered option is to allow a good budget for proper, professional driver training. It's made a perceived World of difference to a few faces in TA and would serve your team well also.

Best of luck. As Gerry says though, action speaks louder than words

Gerry H · Post by **Gerry H** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 3:56 pm

stuart wrote: Best of luck. As Gerry says though, action speaks louder than words

That's not quite what I meant though

Get on with the build and get it documented on here

It should be a rather exciting 2010 for camp TNT

(and that's not meant how it sounds either :limpwrist: )

gary@apt · Post by **gary@apt** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 4:25 pm

a v8 thats what you need!!

pablo · Post by **pablo** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 4:26 pm

Alan is chomping at the bit to get started, but with this build we need to make sure that we are all singing from the sheet before we start.

It's hard to know if I have covered all the bases without speaking to others who have done it before. Woth reference to grip and the need to get use to it, the plan is to do track days increasing the bhp at around 50 bhp a time.

The whole aspect of grip is being tackled with, better suspension, wider tyres and hopefully, a wider track.

We have backing at present till the end of the 2011n season.

pablo · Post by **pablo** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 4:39 pm

gary@apt wrote:a v8 thats what you need!!

That would sooooooooo nice,, maybe one day:auto:

gary@apt · Post by **gary@apt** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 4:40 pm

tell us more what you planning?

pablo · Post by **pablo** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 4:54 pm

The spec of the engine is in the members only section. 'The time has come'. We don't want to go public with it just yet. The car will be stripped and seam welded, then we are planning to have a wide arch kit fitted to allow for a wider track, New suspension and bigger brakes.

drifter · Post by **drifter** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 6:28 pm

gary@apt wrote:a v8 thats what you need!!

Not you as well.....