Mk1 trackday project - Help with spec

[Davemk1trackcar]

Hi All

I'm about to start building a Mk1 Escort (1969) track day car and would welcome advice on what bits to go for.

I can trailer to the track (mainly Brands Hatch so tight and twisty, relatively low speed).

I am certain on Duratec + Mazda 5 speed.

Any tips for:

Rear suspension set-up; Atlas? 4/5/6 link?, Watts linkage?, dampers/springs?, half shafts?

what length axle, ie 52inch would that work with wide wheels and extended fenders or does it have to be shortened?

Brakes: discs source and callipers/pads?

Diff? heard about gripper and tracsport but I'm sure there are others

ARBs?

Similar really on front, have no clue what I should go for, nice big brakes would be nice, what spec struts/dampers/springs, ARB?

Will be running soft tyres, probably not slicks but something like Avon ZZRs

Have a good budget for chassis set-up and will skimp on the looks for the time being.

Cheers

[Baron von Teuchter]

I went through all this on my mk2 build


Atlas and 6 link - strong axle and a 6 link will keep it in place really well. What power are you planning? You might want to go up to 18t. Think about specs, good article here:

https://www.classicfordmag.co.uk/wp-...assic-ford.pdf

52" should be fine if you are using bubble arches. i have a 52" with grp4 hubs and 8" minilites (think they're et-5) on my mk2 with tarmac arches and it's perfect. Definitely doesn't need shortened.

Diff-wise, not really too sure what people use for track cars. Plated type for rally cars definitely, I'm putting an ATB in my road car though.

Out of interest, why mazda 5 rather than 6 spd?

Consider wheel size, 13 or 15? That will impact your decision on whether to tub arches or not. It will also affect brake choice. Oh and work out your tyre size with the gear ratios you have and the speeds you want in each gear at max rpm to choose a diff ratio. drop me a pm and i'll send you an excel gearing calculator I made

I think people tend to use tension struts for track cars, compression strut (and ARB) for rallying.

Turret the shell and get coilovers - a track car lives and dies by the quality of its suspenders. I'd focus the budget on these. Nitrons maybe - not Reiger money but if you can afford those go for it!

If you have a decent budget what are you planning on doing to the shell? Firewall? Cage? there are kits you can buy of all the original-type strengthening plates.

[Davemk1trackcar]

Cheers Baron, will pm you re gearing calc

I'm going for 5 speed as that is what I have on my Caterham (also Duratec + 5 speed mazda) and that works well for me on the track, 6 speed is as bit bigger as well, I think.

Actually as I'm going for 13 inch wheels I can just look at the Diff ratio on my Caterham! its a 3.92:1

Welcome advice about order of upgrade for the rear axle.

Should I locate the axle under the car first before putting in the turrets/Watts linkage or does it not make much difference? Also is it better to have the engine mounted first before setting up the rear axle, do I need a custom prop shaft?

[Davemk1trackcar]

What it looks like now,

Decided to do the engine, drivetrain, suspension first, get it on the track and sorted and then get the bodywork done.

I realise I'll have to take everything off again to do the bodywork but for me that's half the fun, give me some thing to do over winter.

[Davemk1trackcar]

Engine and gearbox out now

[Davemk1trackcar]

2.5 Duratec to go in, need to swap the sump and a few other things


MX5 gearbox


hopefully fit in here

gearbox tunnel needs modifying

huge balancer shaft coming out

[Davemk1trackcar]

In with the 2.5 Duratec

Bit tight at the back as expected, retroford or raceline water rail needed

Generally not too bad a fit

[Davemk1trackcar]

New rear axle, atlas, floating hubs etc, great job by 2Spec Transmissions.

Going under rather than over easier now the gearbox is attached (or will be)

need to sort out a new gearbox tunnel and mounting for the gearbox