356A with Midmounted Audi V8 (not safe for purists)

[crafty888]

Hi Folks,

Yes, an Audi V8… but first a little introduction. My name is Grant, Im an Australian, living in Hong Kong. I’ve been in Hong Kong for 16 years and have had little opportunity to scratch my car-building itchy spots. I’ve had a few nice rides, but that aint the same as building stuff now is it?

In 2005 I found myself a house with a one car garage, (that is a HUGE ask in Hong Kong) and in 06-07 I built myself an Ultima GTR. It has a 580hp supercharged LS2, Porsche G50 trans, AP racing brakes, etc etc. That certainly got the car building juices flowing.

I also own a 1965 Pontianc Tempest that lives in Chicago. I had it built for last year's Hot Rod Power Tour with the intention of leaving it there so I can come back a few times per year and race it. Its in the November issue of Car Craft and in the coming issue of Hot Rod magazine. You'll also start to see it feature in Tremec ads in magazines etc. It is a "pro-touring" style car, full mandrel bent chassis, coil overs all round, 13.5" Baer Brakes, 550hp LS3/LS7 hybrid, Tremec 5 speed... I had it built by Jeff Schwartz... there's a build page here http://www.schwartzperformance.com/projects.aspx?projectid=27 he built it in 8 weeks!!! Have a look around his site, he builds some cool stuff, including a 1000hp twin turbo Ultime http://www.schwartzperformance.com/projects.aspx?projectid=18 I drove that for about 350 miles on Power Tour.. I thought mine with 580hp was fast... 1000-twin-turbo horsepower is in a TOTALLY different league... my power delivery is linear, when his comes on boost its like being hit by a truck. It spins the wheels at 150mph!!

I’ve just managed to find a place with a 6000sqft garden and a TWO car garage!!… so now its time to build something new. The Tempest really is a blast, modern drivetrain in an old style car is awesome. I was over there in September, its had nitrous fitted since then, Ive never driven a car with nitrous and im very keen to try that out. Anyway, it handles like a racecar.… so those thoughts led me to the plan for something unique. A mid engined 356.... its somehow I guess a mix of the Ultima and the Tempest

A few of the Ultima guys use the Audi V8. The engine is very short …the centerline of the axles to the front drive pulley is only 690mm. Compare that to 800mm on a G50 with Porsche flat 6…. Its also very light at only 180kg! The Ultima guys have worked out the ECU issues, one of the common setups is to use BMW M5 throttle bodies… tasty stuff hey!

In order to make this work in the 356, I am going to have to move the wheelarches back about 4”, and possibly run a little bit if driveshaft angle. The lengthening of the wheelbase, along with moving the engine in front of the rear axles is going to completely transform the 356. Here’s a before and after photoshop of moving the rear wheel arches back. Im sure I can do this in a way that doesn’t ruin the proportions of the car.

Now here’s a photoshop with the Audi engine + trans scaled to the same scale as the body…. it certainly looks like a plan.

I have a construction company here, and we own a Leica Scanstation... so I am going to do a full laser scan inside and out and will have a proper 3D CAD file of the 356, all the surfaces, inside and out. Im going to design the chassis in that CAD model. I'll be glad to provide copies of the CAD files of the body to anyone that wants them.

It will be a full spaceframe chassis, with double wishbones front and rear (similar to the Ultima), and with Air Ride suspension, modern disc brakes, rack and pinion steering.

My plan is to flush mount the front and rear glass (no trims) and to modify the side glass so its a pillarless coupe. The door glass will be frameless and rear 1/4 windows operational, with seals on the leading edge and using mechanisms out of a modern coupe (like a BMW 3 series for example). Headlights will be modern and flush mounted, as will the rears.

[superleggera]

You have a LOT of work ahead of you! Definitely keep posting build pictures as this is definitely a one-of-a-kind 356 Porsche Outlaw.
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What did you build today?

[hpw]

Dam....


Link



Link

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SLIzSCt_cg&list=FLIX26sGa8__1F1loczLPTtg&index=2

[crafty888]

If I can get the little 356 to sound like my Ultima I will be stoked.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COZYdldOPgs

[Formcar 179]

Hong Kong is a great place to build a guitar, but they wont let you plug it into an amp, if you know what I mean. The place is covered with cameras, police and newbie drivers, not to mention it is really really small.

It would, however be a blast to take over to Zhuhai for track days.

I am planning a RHD 356 to keep in Hong Kong one of these days.

[crafty888]

The project is underway! Here's the donor, its from Roy Smalley over at www.eurowerks.com. Thanks to all the other guys that offered me cars, there were some good offerings there. I chose this as the bodywork is all done, so I can jump straight into the fun stuff.

Ive bought the shell only. He's taking all the suspension, steering etc off the car and putting it on a dolly for me before shipping over to Hong Kong.

Ive got a couple of guys in Europe pricing up the drivetrain. I really need the car here and scanned before I pull the trigger on the engine+trans. From research I have done so far I am 95% sure I can make the V8 fit.

We're using CAD model of a 356B I found on the web to rough out the design while we wait for the car to get here so we can scan it.

Stay tuned...

[Lee Ivatt]

Brave man.

May upset the purists.

But when faced with a bare shell, id do the same.

Restoring the car to original would be a nightmare and costly, with so many bits missing.

Cant wait to watch the progress.

[eddiemoney]

dont be shy of taking pics. lots of pics.
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Will

instagram im_eating_pizza

[crafty888]

OK.... how's this for a start

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[EverettB]

It fit!
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[Merlin]

I am usually a purist...but F*ck - that is just about the kewlest thing I've seen.

Where's that drool smiley gone to?
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[Speedsterboy]

You are awesome...forget those boring purists

[TC/TeamEvil]

This is gonna be one of those unbelievable builds that yields up a world famous car, isn't it ? ! ? ! ? !

I better fix some popcorn and iced tea right now and just sit down and watch, 'cause it's going to be WONDERFUL ! ! ! ! !

[M-Owen]

Awwwwesome!!!!! that's all I have to say!

[Da TOW'D]

[r39o]

Don't forget the air conditioning. It IS going to be hot in there.

Why did you pick a steel car to cut up, rather than a frame with a body (Carbon fiber or Fiber glass) over it?

I remember just what a major pita it was to get old cars smogged in China too. They did not know what to do. We told them and paid them and it was all fine after that.

Keep having fun, they can make anything over there these days.....

[356_outlaw]

Great project, keep us updated.

Out of interest what wheels are they? I have been looking for a split rim just like those.

[germanx]

My friend has an 356 just like yours in good shape - all original. And hopefully he will sell it to me once he does not want to drive it anymore...

I was just wondering with all the engine metal and auxiliary units, oil cooler, water reservoir and driver stuffed inside the car... will there be space for the gas tank (Just Kidding)

Outstanding built - keep us posted!

[algg]

i know how expensive it is to own that kind of house in hongkong, coz i am here too!

hope u see your car in real!

['61transporter]

Wow, I love the Schwartz Performance Runs!~
-'61transporter
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