help terrapin info!!!

[alfa_terrapin]

hi in a newbie so be nice

me and my dad are looking to build a terrapin or monopin type single seater as raced in england, but cant find any info about any of the two at all on the internet and b***** all in books . could any body help with info or might have a car in nz which we can have a look at?

thanks

richard hainsworth

wellington
new zealand

[David McKinney]

If you're talking about the Mini-based Terrapins as hillclimbed in NZ by Jon Warring, Kevin Ingram, Darryl Seymour etc, you should be able to track one down without much trouble.
I'm sure I've seen a website on them, but danged if I can find it now...
I think Darryl Seymour still uses his: he used to be based in Wanganui. You could find Kevin Ingram via Bruce Turnbull at info@sakercars.com
(Now tell me your Terrapins are different from mine!)

[Steve Wilkinson]

Further to my post on the other thread the choice of motive power should NOT be limited to mini engines.

In the South West of England Ed Hollier terrorised the 1100 class by installing a Kawasaki ZZR engine in an ancient Terrapin. The records he set throughout 2000 and 2001 still stand.

A few years back Alan Aucote did a similar conversion and beat all the then new 1100s.

A Terrapin with a good bike engine (Suzuki GSXR 1100), new tyres and a stiff chassis would be a handful!

Go for it!

[listernoble]

Richard,
Terrapin designer,Alan Stanniforth,lives in Yorkshire UK
telephone-01423 711228

He is a really nice bloke and very helpful,but don't call hin too early in the morning,UK time!
Lister

[gfm]

Keep in warm tank, with just a enough water to keep shells damp ... oh no, terribly sorry. Thought it said 'terrapins' ...

[listernoble]

Originally Posted by gfm

Keep in warm tank, with just a enough water to keep shells damp ... oh no, terribly sorry. Thought it said 'terrapins' ...

Get a life mate!

[alfa_terrapin]

hey thanks guys

i have heard of the books and i know there are quite a few we have one but it isnt that technical it is more theory. Is there one kind of like the locost books by ron champion? also we have a couple of alfas and a spare engine sitting in the shed, they are the boxer flat 4 type so would be quite good for c.o.g. but they are relitively heavy, this one is 1712cc's quad cam 16valve and puts out 140bhp standard but we will modify it. i have no idea how much it weighs but alfa experts say it is heavy (cast iron block, aluminium heads) i would run a alfasud or hewland transaxle alfasud is cheap and i have one but not strong for over 220+bhp. do you think it will be a winner

thanks in advance

richard

[Steve Wilkinson]

Sorry to say there has been a guy in the North West who has occasionally been seen out in an Alfa Sud powered Terrapin. He has great fun sprinting but his only challenge is to beat his previous time at a venue as the car is not competitive.

The only way to go to have a chance is the bike engined route. The Alfa may well be a challenge and it will certainly develop your character BUT it will not be a winner! Trust me!

If you can't afford the Suzuki GSXR route then go for a Kawasaki ZZR - relatively cheap and there are plentiful tuning bits to develop the power as the money becomes available.

Have fun and be safe!

[alfa_terrapin]

thanks for that youve saved me a couple of years of wasted time in a **** car how much would one of those bike engines cost and would it be chain drive or shaft and how would you do it?

richard

[Steve Wilkinson]

Both engine are normally installed using Chain Drive. Not sure if I have any pics of the rear end layout by Mini Diffs rings a bell.

Allan Staniforth (aka Mr Terrapin) would be able to advise best.

[Beetle62]

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/index.php

This site seems to have heaps of advice, including a section about bike engined cars, and there is a thread on a Terrapin transmission to suit a bike engine, including photographs, but I can't find it again!

I hope this helps a little.

Beetle62
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

[Jim Lamb]

Try the 'Race and Rally Car source book', Author Allan Staniforth, there are some details in there.

regrds Jim Lamb

[Fsaetech]

Hi Alfa T,
Do a Google search for FSAE and you will find more technical information on bike powered single seaters than you will know what to do with.
Alan Stanniforth (Stanny) is a design judge at Formula Student in the UK and Formula SAE in the US. His current car (Yep, over 60 and still competing) is a bike powered Megapin.
The University of Auckland had a pretty good SAE car last year. Im sure you can find a link to their website.
PDR

[listernoble]

Originally Posted by Fsaetech

Hi Alfa T,
Alan Stanniforth (Stanny) is a design judge at Formula Student in the UK and Formula SAE in the US. His current car (Yep, over 60 and still competing) is a bike powered Megapin.
PDR

Lots of us are still competing over 60,I think Alan is nearer 80!
Smashing bloke,good driver and he is brilliant for setting up car suspension.
Lister

[Steve Wilkinson]

In June 2004 at the Westmorland Motor Club hillclimb at Barbon Manor Allan Staniforth was allocated the number 80. Apparently the penny didn't drop until he arrived to find a special place reserved and no one else with a number in the 80s. This was in honour of his 80th Birthday later in the week.

Allan is one of many seasoned campaigners on the hills and the flat where age is hardly a barrier.

Long may it remain so!

[fia289]

Hi Guys,

Here two sites for you to look at Both are mini powered.

Rob Macknay Terrapin build, http://groups.msn.com/Locost/terrapinracecar.msnw
Rob is the one responsible for rerpinting Allan's Terrapin book Hi Speed Low-Cost

As well as Wayne Guile http://members.optusnet.com.au/~wayneguile/gallery.html

The plans are available from Allan. All three are very friendly and are willing to help you in your endeavour. Allan had mentioned that he had plans available for a bike power version of the Terrapin.

I have started my Terrapin but I'm only frame stage.

Fred