Hi there!
This project blog is about our Xsara VTS 2,0 16V -99 car. First something about the class we are building this car for. It is called Endurance Saloon class, which means 3-24h (usually 6h) races on track. In one team there must be 3-8 drivers. According to Saloon rules, all the cars must be at least 15 years old. Maximum allowed power (reported by manufacturer) is 177hp. The bigger engine your car has (cc), the heavier your car must be. For example our 1998cc Xsara must weight 960kg without driver. The only allowed tyre is Hankook RS-2. Max width is 205mm and min. profile is 50. Wheels must be either 15 or 16''. Brakes, suspension, cylinder head and ECU are 'free' to modify. Inlet- and exhaust manifolds, dashboard, bumpers and many smaller things can't be modified. The required safety things are roll cage, FIA approved bucket seat, 6-point harnesses, FIA main power switch and 2kg fire extinguisher. BMW e30 325's, e36 323's, Honda Civic's and Opel Astras represent about 90% of all cars. Some cars are built with just few thousand euros, some with over 30k€. We are doing our car with low budget.
First task was to choose the 'best' car to start building with. All my 5 cars have been either pugs or citroens, so the only question was, which model to choose. I have had a few 106's including one GTI. That was good car, but maybe bit too small. Next idea was 306GTI. Unfortunately those 306GTI's are quite rare here in Finland, so we decided to look for Xsara 2,0 VTS. Soon we found one, which was in quite good condition. It has been driven 290,000km (=180k miles), but engine has been completely fixed a few years ago. Price was very low, 700€ (=600£). So this project really started. Here's a picture of car in the condition we bought it.
First we ripped off interior. Then we welded two bars under driver's seat. On those bars lies OMP rails and OMP RS seat.
Picture about ready driver's seat below.
Last week we continued the project with installing coilovers. They aren't best ones but they'll do their job and they were extremely cheap. (90€).
Picture of them.
Next things on 'to do' list are:
- Brakes (removing ABS system, new lines, better discs, better pads, new seals to calipers..
- Removing the AC system.
- Roll cage installation.
- Installing powerflex bushes (to wishbones and rear beam)
- Installing upper strut brace
- Finding adjustable damper top mounts..
Engine wont be modified this year, we'll just do the original maintenance for it.
I'll try to update all the progress we make with car to here. All tips and hints are welcome.
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