Help Newbie Who's Acquired A Part Built Series 3

[rthomas69]

As the title says I'm a newbie to this & have acquired unfinished series 3 & I'm not entirely sure where to start as I have a few spare panels which I assume are part of it but don't know where they go & also the front suspension was not fully fitted (attached the anti roll bar last night but it has no clamps, even if it did I wouldn't know where to attach them).

I guess I'm after as much advice as possible or even better still a build manual or dvd (for which I will gladly pay for)

 

Thanks in advance

Rich

[theduck]

Hi rich, get some photos up of what you have and what the kit looks like at the moment and we will be able to help with what needs doing.

[rthomas69]

This is the only photo I have at the moment, but will take some more tonight & upload them

[Snapperpaul]

It's al doable but there are some specific things that need changing or modifying, nothing serious so don't worry

I have the original build videos and have dubbed them to DVD

I also have some photos of my build and all the info on what needs modifying

Where are you located? I'm in Essex and your welcome to come over and have a look

[rthomas69]

It's al doable but there are some specific things that need changing or modifying, nothing serious so don't worry

I have the original build videos and have dubbed them to DVD

I also have some photos of my build and all the info on what needs modifying

Where are you located? I'm in Essex and your welcome to come over and have a look

It's not doing the work that is an issue to me as I'm an engineer by trade & used to dealing with far more complex engineering projects, it's more knowing what needs doing. I'm up in Northampton but do travel down to Kent quite a bit. Any chance of getting hold of a copy of the dvd (at my cost obviously)

Rich

[rthomas69]

Just taken a few pics of some of the bits that turned up with the car. I know the second part goes under the nose cone but is there any dimensions of exactly where it should fit?

[rthomas69]

And a couple more.

[Snapperpaul]

First photo is the pedal box cover but you will need to reinforce the mounting

I was not questioning your engineering capabilities however the S3 was designed before the full SVA regulations were released ( now IVA)

I addressed some specific SVA fails and some engineering issues that I considered needed reworking.

The pedal box has been triangulated and the bulkhead braced

The steering column support hoop was inadequate so I ran thick bar from the column where it bolts to the hoop forward to the scuttle bulkhead to connect with the cross bracing that also helped support the pedal box

The seat mounts need at least load spreading plate but I ran angle under the floor running rear to front joining the rear under floor lip to the gearbox support angle

Whilst the inner seat belt mount had a captive but on a steel plate under the floor the outer did not so I used steel sheet and Rally Design captive but plate

The seat belt upper mount which is just a piece of angle under the rear boot lip is not strong enough and to low for current regs

My solution was to weld a tube at just over the correct height across the roll bar and loop the belts over that.

To brace the rear mount bar I ran angle back from the roll bar upright to the rear mount bar and triangulated

The roll bar is just clamped in with exhaust U clamps so I added plates under the uprights to stop it pushing through the boot floor in a roll and had holes drilled through the uprights with crush tubes welded in so I could bolt the roll bar to the rear tub picking up on to the shock mounts

There is a diagram on how to reinforce the rear boot floor as the diff mounts through it.

I would recomend the tie bar modification in place of the anti roll bar, I did this in 2 stages first I had the anti roll bar milled to half thickness, better but not great, then I did the tie bar ( compression strut) modification with Gaz shocks and 125Lb springs soo much better

I ran 50mm x 25mm box between the tie bar mounts as a sort of under floor strut brace.

I have a plan to ditch the Sierra rear end and use a system similar to the Haynes Roadster setup

 

In he photos the third one has the covers for the Sierra A frame mounts, these fit against the rear bulkhead and help form a curve in the side panel

If you use the message function and give me your email and address I'll post the DVD's, just want some blanks as replacements, and I'll email photos and other info gleaned over the years

If your passing we could go to the barn where I keep the car and have a good look at the specific points

[Snapperpaul]

The 4th photo is the under floor inner seat belt mounts

[Snapperpaul]

[Snapperpaul]

[Snapperpaul]

I didn't fit the under nose bar and passed ok, this was designed when a front crush zone was needed, late S3's had the bar welded in place

[Guest mdav1970]

Hi Thomas,

 

I have just completed, IVA'd and registered my Series 3a that was brought as a part build in i would have a guess slightly less of a build as yours. I too had a few pieces of shiny metal that i didnt have a clue where to fit. Asked a few nice chaps on the RHOC stand at one of the shows and it all then made sense. I live in Staffordshire so feel free to visit and have a nose.

 

I never fitted the under nose bar for the IVA, in fact i fitted as less as possible, no windscreen etc. but have since fitted the screen, weather gear, and that nose bar.

 

Thanks...Mark

[Guest v8mk3capri]

Hi,

Like the original poster, I am also new to this forum and have just purchased a part built Series 3A, it is a rolling shell with engine and wiring loom, according to the previous owner it has been driven, but I have yet to try and start it,

It has sat for a few years so I would like to completely strip it, clean it, and start again,

Unfortunately I have no build instructions and wondered if anyone could send me a copy of them, ideally on DVD, plus any suggestions on how to reinforce/upgrade the front suspension weak point I have read about,

Thanks in advance,

Paul

[Snapperpaul]

I have converted the original VHS tapes to DVD

You can have them for replacement blank DVD's and some spares so I can build up a stock.

I need to get on a computer to delete some messages, can't do it from the phone

Try and send a message in a few days and I'll rrply