New LBM Racing Logo.. LBM film..? bumper off to MVS..>

To reflect the new collaboration with John Leitch's workshop at Pheonix Honda Grangemouth - I've put together a new team logo - this is already reflected in the shop and will appear in the website and blog template soon.

LBM - the movie?

This google video gives me an idea to do a video diary of the conversion at Pheonix - will speak to John about that. Also need to speak to F&M wghether they'd want to chronicle or feature the conversion. very cool car BTW - twin GT35R turbo Ford GT...

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-3573124479659719523&q=ford+gt

Front bumper section sent off to MVS today - 2 rolls of gaffer tape and yards of bubble wrap. Looking to put a fuel cell in the front which means Martyn (MVS) could close the front intake for lower drag.. will speak to him next week re that - in fact it may be better to use the bumper to make a mould and produce lighter skins redesigned for the smoother front end but depends on cost..

Shakin n Bakin: Project Pheonix-Esprit has started

Well after a chat with John Leitch (www.pheonixcar.co.uk) it's official - all systems go go go..

Eleanor safely down to Pheonix Honda (Grangemouth) Tuesday night thoughat first she was too wide to fit their trailer.. car needs spacers for the rear callipers but we managed by swapping to a small front wheel and a bit of muscle.

- work commencing in earnest Monday.. once done car will also be used for promo work for the workshop/group so will also get tarted up inside and a new Auotecnique livery outside (www.autotecnique.com) but that's all down the line. Initially its about getting the set-up to work but lots to do.. However I'm hoping we'll have some sort of small get together for the unveiling (or at least turning the engine over).. down in Grangemouth.

Very nice premises (prev VAG) and a nice big workshop. Great guys down there who are happy to take jst about anything on and see this project as an opportunity to show what they can do. Going to sort out electrics as well as the conversion - just what Eleanor needs as she's a bloody shambles!!

Engine hopefully over in next 10 days or so. Spoke to Barry last night to finalise and will get figures and bank details tonight as well as give Barry Pheonix's address for delivery..

Shakin n Bakin'

LBM Shop now live.. at last

Click here for to buy LBM racing shirts, caps and goodies - reasonable prices all handled by Cafe Press. Support Team LBM and come and shop securely online.

http://www.cafepress.com/lbmracing

I finally updated everything with the new logos - look good imho - hope you agree!

Update: Thursday

Making some progress -

Spoke to both workshop and Barry over at B&A in San Antonio, Texas.

Final costs/specs for engine coming in on budget - hopefully enough to also source a lsd G50 tranny, which will work well, are strong and rated to 700bhp. Barry also mentioned one idea would be to have the fuel cell mounted in the front compartment.

Great news is that Demon Tweeks stock Sunoco 114 NASCAR grade fuel, which is what Barry has that engine set-up for. It cost £68 + delivery for 25 litres [gulp].. but worth it..

Workshop coming to pick-up Esprit on Monday so they ca start to strip engine in lieu of engine/tranny arriving.

Spoke to MVS - sending front bumper down so they can modify and add front splitter/diffuser arrangement - rear diffuser almost complete.

Full engine spec to follow.

LBM goes NASCAR..?

A fortunate conversation with Gary @ Auotecnique meant talking to his pop over in San Antonio. Texas. Barry is ex-NASCAR and owns a couple of speical 358ci v8s. These are no run o' the mill neither - big power and can rev.. 105 octane, steel bottom ends, special blocks, titanium runngin gear. awesome spec - mouth watering even.. all about crunching figures.. £35,000 in parts for approx £9K.. can't be bad.,

On top of that got to get it across - then cost of conversion of course..

Which led to the second fruitful discussion with a a certain service manager, whom Gary put me onto, at a certain local franchise - they are prepared to take on the project and subsidise the build for the profile - the prospect of a NASCAR engine'd Esprit is apparently..an attractive one - even thanking me for the opportunity. fair enough.

They intend to support the project and work out the particular issues involved with this sort of project - having that sort of suppot is great. 4 main issues being: space, cooling, tranny and weight effect on chassis. All addressable but not without time and money - the garage deal can hopefully make this happen.

Hopefully I can get the Esprit down to the workshop over the next fortnight so work can begin - have engine shipped over in next 2-3 weeks and let the fun begin.. if it gets going then I'll cover progress here wwith pics.. culminating with the first engine tests and finally starting the engine over in car.. wooooooooo!

I also sent MVS an email to keep the aero side moving along. Finally Gary will hopefully bring it all together, make the body mods, fit Martyn's aero bits and finish the car in the sponsored colours come NASCAR racer look.. should be very IMSA looking circa 1990s.. should be awesome

650bhp p/tonne.. !
8000-9000rpm