The next SW20 Hardtop circuit car build

Some people will recognise this car from the 'racecar for dummies build' which has been hanging around for a little while now.
If you havent seen the thread, the car was a point venture with a fellow SW20 owner who had a dream of owning a SW20 race car. After a few conversations and a moment of impulse buying on ebay, we picked up a SW20 shell with no wheels,running gear.
As its a track only car, weight reduction is priority. All brackets were removed from inside and out, spot welding instead of seam welding where possible to save weight on mig welding but mig and tig welding has been used in many area's. Couldn't use the tig in most spots due to too many impurities but managed with the mig although it suffered a similar fate. It is half way through the chassis prep as of today.
Mark(the owner), has organised a chrome moly cage installation by a friend for a well discounted price. As soon as the chassis is ready, it will be sent up the road for install. I plan on being there to make sure it has a few tweeks carried over from my car and a few extra's. A major point will be using smaller light weight tubing anywhere outside the main crash structure for weight reduction and improve on picking up the front and rear strut towers and underbody bracing.
Im planning to make improvements on seat and pedal installation too. Expect to see my spare race seat installed.
My old rear wing will be installed but not on or through the boot.
Standard metal panels will be fitted with possibly something more in the future. Lexan windows, lightened panels where possible.
Side skirts will be sourced then modded in a similar way to a particular manner which a U.S. track car was done.
It will have a full rewire.
Echo steering column. We have plenty of steering wheels so this is not a issue. Quick release will be used.
Brakes are still undecided but nissan looks like the likely option.
Engine package is still up for discussion but its looking like a 2.2ltr with a GT28 on a std manifold with adaptor, modified intake manifold and a few other bits but its a low budget program so no crazy engine package. The V6 is the other option but will have to wait and see. I like the simplicity, weight and drveability of the V6 but cost and power are the advantage of the turbo but its still up for discussion.
I have a spare gearbox with standard gearset and 1.5way kazz which will be used.
Fuel system will be set up for E85, surge tank installed( thats already there), new fuel pump, front mounted fuel filler, relocated battery due to surge tank.
Suspension will be grab what you can and make it work and manage costs. Standard links with poly bushes looks like the likey option.

It would be great to have it ready for the MTC 2014, but will just have to wait and see.

What's the idea behind using an Echo's steering column?

IMR22C, its a great weight saving over the standard unit and allows better location of the wheel.

That is true but the local driving instructor stated the 2gr (which he drove)is capable of a 1.05 which is the same as a high power turbo. The car/driver at MTC 2013 is stock engine/ecu, over 1100kg, bad brakes, completely worn tyres and driven by a 60+ year old man just driving quick for the third time since the 70's so not a real comparison.
Also, there is far less work keeping the a V6 on the track.
Its possible to have a 3.0 V6 with 160rwkw with a curb weight of 980kg. Take another 50kg+ off with fibreglass panels.Add 30-40kg for a 2gr.
That makes for an excellent package for low maintenance trackdays and perfect for the 300km endurance races at Winton/Wakefield and QIR which is expected to have one online in the near future.With what I learnt from the W300, it really makes you think of other options to the point I would sell my engine package and build a serious 3.5ltr and plug into my ECU. Still. its just a thought.
At the end of the day, its up to Mark which way it goes and I expect he will go with a 2.2/massaged cylinder head/GT28/1.2bar/improved intake manifold/ecu to make high torque/220kw all day long. He is not interested in the 2zz, Honda 2.4SC, Honda V6 ( I would have any of these) and does have a soft spot for the 3S engines.
Right now, its about having a solid well prepped chassis, strong light cage, the right steering rack/steering column and wheel package, suspension/linkage system. Paint it, make it weather proof then start on brakes and electrics with electrics wired to suit a 4 or 6 cyl application.
We are going the extra step over my car in weight reduction which is the number one way for cheap performance gains.

I see the potential and thanks for info , but what has been made from the 3.0 NA? 325rwhp? Thats a magic number. Can the VVti be fitted to the non vvti head? Can you fit the vvti cams to the non vvti head? Less torque but more up top.
The turbo spec sounds great but will have the same issues as the 3S engine with weight,heat, build costs and with more than likely too much power for the application.

TBH a race car driver could get anything out of anything.

dont forget im a amatuer at best just like Pete :-)



with hundreds of driveline options the simplest will always be the engine it left the factory with as you know.

Thanks for the input on the engine guys and its great to have something to think about. I will keep you updated on the progress.
Im looking forward to seeing the completion of the chassis ready for paint. Expect it will be black.