Adrian Cox' V8 hatch

 

We started with a twin turbo 2.0 LET. We came up with this unique engine set up which was primarily designed to look different from the norm, however, when it came to setting it up we had problems. After much deliberation, we decided to remove it and go the V8 route.

Once the engine choice was made, 340 BHP 5.7 Chevy engine and 5 speed 'box was ordered. Once this arrived, fabrication started.  

Since the engine has been run in, it has proved to be a very good conversion, torquey and not bad on fuel either.

The car itself has been owned by Adrian for 10 years, he fitted to 400 arch kit himself and then asked me to find some wheels to fill them, what we came up with was a set of Boyd Coddington Jewel wheels, 17's on the front and a massive pair of 20's on the rear.

ready for collection
ready for collection
where it started
where it started
engine mocked up in the front subframe
engine mocked up in the front subframe
the first fitting in the engine bay
the first fitting in the engine bay
upper firewall
upper firewall
custom, fabricated pedal box to allow mounting of the hydraulic cylinders
custom, fabricated pedal box to allow mounting of the hydraulic cylinders
near complete firewall, note relocated wiper motor and remote servo
near complete firewall, note relocated wiper motor and remote servo
Straight out of the paint booth
Straight out of the paint booth
nearly finished, just the bonnet to fit
nearly finished, just the bonnet to fit
Complete, the ali rad is a dircet replacement for the stock item
Complete, the ali rad is a dircet replacement for the stock item