Ross’ build thread in Minnesota

[ROSSDC]

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My favorite car since 2005. It all happened very quickly I was in the habit of watching Great Cars on PBS when in May 2005 the episode on the Meyers Manx aired and it was all over, I was hooked. A few months of searching went by and I found what looked like a Manx II that I purchase November 23 2005.

Every year it gets some kind of modification typically over the long Minnesota winter and driver as much as possible over the short summer. I lover the car because if I want to change something or try something I can and do. It’s not my fastest, nicest, best handle or best of anything car but it feels like it is and gives me the biggest thrill to drive and build. My favorite Car.

It has had 3 transmissions and 5 engines and a ton of other mods. These are some of the modifications I've done over the years.

November 23 2005 my sun and I drove it home. It looked better than it was the tunnel was broke in half and held together with (not exaggerating) 3/16 thick steel floor boards, a couple bolt and about 5 gallons of silicone rubber. It had been painted more times than a person could count and holes cut all over in undesirable place. First step was a complete tear down.

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[ROSSDC]

Patched the holes, moved the rear tubs up for shock clearance.

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Outer cage

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Inner cage

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[ROSSDC]

2" wider X 3" longer rear trailing arms.
Bus transmission. I started with a 3 rib that would pop out of 2nd gear, then a 5 rib that developed a noise and now a 6-rib (hopefully the last)

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Engines
1. 1600 dual port
2. 2.2 Subaru with factory computer (this is now in my Westy)
3. Subaru 2.5 with 2.2 heads
4. 2.2 Subaru with Megasquirt
5. 2.5 Subaru with Megasquirt (No more please)

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[ROSSDC]

Radiator
First version use the stock fan and radiator. I was never happy with this because the fan would run constantly when at 60mph. Core is too small and air flow is poor. Ground clearance is also compromised and doesn't look that good.

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I got this idea from the Manxter. It cools great and shortens up the rear end.

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[ROSSDC]

Reinforced spindles with Porsche 914 spindles

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Custom spacer to use 911 bearings and hubs.

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This is poor planning.
VW link pin
Porsche 914 spindles
Porsche 911 hubs and vented rotors
Spacers to widen the Porsche 914 calipers to fit on the 911 rotors

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[ROSSDC]

Rear brakes are CB Performance.

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Bus axles and CV joints

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Front beam is 6" wider, adjustable, trailing arm shock relocation kit with rear Vanagon shocks.

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[ROSSDC]

Wheels are real one piece forged Porsche Fuchs 16x7

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Yakima roof rack bars

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[ROSSDC]

Speedometer is from a bicycle.

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Speedometer pickup is just a magnet mounted to the inner CV joint.

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[ROSSDC]

Aluminum fuel cell with Subaru pump mounted inside.

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Aircraft sun visors, Ford bendy dome light and Honda motorcycle mirror.

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Ugly but Yes I have heat and window defrosters.

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[ROSSDC]

Front window hinges

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Wiper motor support was bonded to the bottom side of the hood. Very solid.

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[ROSSDC]

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[joescoolcustoms]

Cool build!

I like that tube chassis. Did you do the chassis and cage yourself?

[ROSSDC]

I did build it. I started with the original roll bar that I think is 2" and used the Trick-Tools tube bender and made the rest from 1-3/4 x .083 wall. I use 2x2 around the base to lift the body 2 inches.

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[manxvair]

Nice looking set up.