Dr H Posted September 23, 2015 Posted September 23, 2015 This is the build thread for my Lister Bell Stratos. It will be a long and arduous thread I'm sure!I want to build something like this:Lister Bell is a small company near Newark that build a Stratos replica kit called the STR. The owner is ex-Ultima and ex Gardner Douglas. http://www.listerbell.com/Steel spaceframe chassis:GRP body.It's a very comprehensive kit:Aluminium uprights, double wishbone front suspension, custom exhaust with built in cats, replica 'coffin spoke' alloys, air con and lots of other nicely made bits.Although they do a version that will use a Ferrari V8 and a version that takes the Yota V6 (a la Evora / Exige) the most popular choice is the Alfa V6 in either 2.5, 3.0 or 3.2 guise.So the main donor in most cases is an Alfa 156, or 166. You need the engine, gearbox, wiring loom, ECU, and some other bits and bobs.The secondary donor car is a Fiat X1/9! This is used for door handles, body catches, door catches, steering column and stalks and a few other bits.I've placed an order on a chassis which currently has a 12 month waiting list. So in the meantime I purchased this beauty for £450:Mainly for this:It's got 156k on it and the gear shift is really bad. But no matter as the plan is to have the whole thing rebuilt. The plan is:Strip and check all tolerances on engineSkim head to raise compressionNew head gaskets etc.Bores and pistons checked. New rings or more if needed.New big ends and small ends (if needed but apparently they never wear out).Cams reprofiled to higher liftNew cambelts and re-time cams (standard pulleys are adjustable).Gas flow the head and clean and lap valves if needed.Fit remote oil cooler (prob laminova)New water pump, thermostat, air con pump, alternator, etc. etc.Ultimately ITBs but might just get the car going first and then do the ITBs as an upgrade.Strip and check gearbox, replace any worn pats and install a Quaiffe LSDRemove dual mass flywheel and clutch. Fir GTA clutch and solid flywheel. All balanced to the engine.And whatever else I see fit to do. With a standard Alfa ECU, gas flowed head, hotter cams and an induction kit it should raise the power form 230 is to 280 or more.I'm going to try and get all this done in time for the arrival of the chassis next sept.I've also started to buy X1/9 bits and so far have:2 pairs of targa roof catches (used as clam catches on the Stratos) - £135 second hand!Steering column and control stalks - £35Steering column upper and lower cowls - £14Now need a lot of other bitsOnce all the bits I need are out of the Alfa I'll be trying to make some bag by selling bits of it. Interior is full leather with heat and electric. Front callipers a 4 pots and worth a bit apparently. Tow bas and electrics must be worth a few quid too.The aim is to end up with something like this: So watch this space over the next.............................2 years :lolI'm sad to say the 340R will be going at some point to help fund this and give some space in the garage. I've had it 9 years and think it's time to move one. It will be a sad day when I decide to let it go though :cry . But I might paint the Startos green in tribute (y)
The Cakes Posted September 23, 2015 Posted September 23, 2015 Good luck with this Leigh, you're a brave man! Deep pockets and patience required )
Dr H Posted September 23, 2015 Author Posted September 23, 2015 Hmmmm......I reckon the whole build will end up costing close to £40K by the time I'm done! I just really hope that I don't end up like many other kit car builders who never finish. I'll be calling on MLOCs help, I'm sure of that already
KurtB Posted September 24, 2015 Posted September 24, 2015 I'm sorry Leigh, so very sorry. I'm keeping my big ideas to myself in future!!!! Now I've aired the guilt(!), I'll be watching this thread closely, to see the positives and the pitfalls. I hope the 340R finds an equally caring owner, it's just too nice to be abused. I think 9 years is long enough to own a car, not that I'd know what that feels like! Good luck Leigh, though I think you'll be fine.
Reg Posted September 24, 2015 Posted September 24, 2015 Excellent stuff! I like those exhaust tail pipes on the mean greenie!
Dr H Posted September 24, 2015 Author Posted September 24, 2015 I'm sorry Leigh, so very sorry. I'm keeping my big ideas to myself in future!!!! Now I've aired the guilt(!), I'll be watching this thread closely, to see the positives and the pitfalls. I hope the 340R finds an equally caring owner, it's just too nice to be abused. I think 9 years is long enough to own a car, not that I'd know what that feels like! Good luck Leigh, though I think you'll be fine. I'd been secretly thinking about it - it was your fault for talking about it on here - it sort of spurred me along. When it all goes wrong and I'm sat crying in the garage surrounded by bits I'll be blaming you
Phil S1 Posted September 24, 2015 Posted September 24, 2015 Looks like a real quality piece of kit, apart from that heater fan unit, which looks remarkably similar to the S1 Elise's ;-) Good luck with the build Leigh.
Daveb99 Posted September 24, 2015 Posted September 24, 2015 Great stuff Leigh - looking forward to popping up to see the progress. I still haven't managed to measure up my shed/garage for those tiles of yours, I'll get round to it when I've finally finished our bathroom! Are you going for lime green? Or maybe the Martini / Alitalia livery?
Dr H Posted September 24, 2015 Author Posted September 24, 2015 Great stuff Leigh - looking forward to popping up to see the progress. I still haven't managed to measure up my shed/garage for those tiles of yours, I'll get round to it when I've finally finished our bathroom! Are you going for lime green? Or maybe the Martini / Alitalia livery? don't worry Dave I still haven't used the machine polisher you've lent me. Funnily enough I'm currently doing a bathroom as well!
mambosasa Posted September 27, 2015 Posted September 27, 2015 This is going to be a classic thread! Good luck Leigh.
Dr H Posted September 28, 2015 Author Posted September 28, 2015 Called Gav at Unit 4 today to tell him that he's going to be involved in this I'd forgotten to let him know! He seemed quite calm about the prospect.
DeanB Posted September 28, 2015 Posted September 28, 2015 Loving this Leigh. Are there any better looking cars than a Stratos? Not many that's for sure. Loving Gav's equanimity too - he's getting used to us and our craziness!
Dr H Posted September 28, 2015 Author Posted September 28, 2015 He's up to his eyeballs with cars at the minute so the fact have a year to sort it out probably helped Plan is for Gav to get the engine and other bits needed out of the Alfa. The I'll send it off somewhere to get it completely rebuilt.
cjwjames Posted September 28, 2015 Posted September 28, 2015 Bloody hell i hope Gav isnt to busy to sort my car Awsome thread by the way ! Go green
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