TwinTorino - Lateral-g Forums

SVTforme · #1 11-27-2008, 09:36 AM

Finally getting around to getting some real progress done on this project - so I figured it was time to start a thread. I have been a member of the site for a while now trying to get ideas of how to go about doing this project myself, and what parts to use.

This project is slightly different than most.. in that myself and a friend are both building similar cars at the same time, hence the "twin" Torino name. It took a couple of years to find two cars, round up all the moderns parts for both the cars, build a chassis fixture, etc. To date, one car has 95% of the parts needed, and the other is 85% there. For additional info on the cars and our builds - you can visit our site at www.twintorino.com

The goal is to have something that could be driven daily and hit open track road course days on the weekends. We also did not want to have the fuel mileage of a big block Ford.

The cars started life as 1968 Torino GT Fastbacks. Both were 289 cars with FMX auto transmissions backed by a Ford 8". They are not rare vehicles to start with, nor did they have desirable color combos or options, so they are perfect candidates. Both cars were bought on Ebay and are southern cars.. as we gave up early on the rusty northern cars.

We are building these cars on a pretty tight budget and are doing everything ourselves.. so it just tends to take a lot of time rather than money. We have been busy buying and sellings cars and parts to pay for most of the project to date. Keeping in the cost effective theme - most of the parts are used and came from Ebay, Craigslist, Kijiji and forums like this one.

The engines are 4.6L DOHC ones from a 2004 Mach 1 and the transmissions are T56 6-speed from a 2004 Cobra. We went with a Mach 1 as the engine is all aluminum, and are a lot cheaper than the Cobra supercharged motors. The supercharged motors use iron blocks. The rear ends are 2004 Cobra 8.8 (31 spline inner/outer) as part of the IRS assembly. Cooling comes from 2004 Cobra aluminum radiators (36mm core) and Mustang 2-speed cooling fans. Exhaust will use Bassani stainless steel headers, and a complete 2004 Cobra Bassani stainless steel system to start (modified to fit of course).

The front suspension is a modified 2004 Cobra McPherson strut setup. The rear suspension is a modified 2004 Cobra IRS. The steering rack comes from a 2004 Cobra. Front sway bar is a 35 mm Roush bar, and the rear is 26mm stock unit from the IRS. Koni DA's will be used at all 4 corners.

Front brakes are 2004 Cobra PBR front calipers with 13" Brembo rotors, and will have Carbotech AX6 street/track pads. Rear brakes are 11.65" disk from a 2004 Cobra. Brakes will be powered by a Cobra hydroboost unit. 2004 Mustang pedals are used under the dash.

Wheels for one car will be Ford FR500 18x9 front, and 18x10.5 rear. The other car will run Axis Hiro 18x9 front, and 19x10 rear. Tires are Michelin Pilot PS2 275's in the front, and 315 in the rear. Track tires are yet undecided, although they will be 18x9 and be 275's all round and road course slicks.

Seating will be modified 1969 Torino buckets for daily driving, and Sparco Torino's for track days (although they will likely stay in all the time). Interior will appear mostly stock looking. The gauges will be custom (using a Mustang gauge clsuter to start) with silkscreened faces to mimic the original ones. A/C and heating system will be based on a modified 2004 Mustang system.

Wiring will be modified 2004 Mach 1 harnesses. It is much cheaper that way in comparison to aftermarket setups. Also more complicated this way though.

Cars will retain the Cobra ABS brakes, traction control, PATS theft system (with key in the dash), keyless entry, and basically any other major electrical function a 2004 Cobra would have. We are getting rid of things like air bags, power mirrors and lots of other things that are not needed.

That is all for now.. here are some pictures:

Day 1 for both cars:

Powertrain:
2004 Mach 1 Engine

2004 Cobra T56 6-speed

2004 Cobra IRS

SVTforme · #2 11-27-2008, 09:38 AM

2004 Cobra quick ratio steering rack

Sparco Torino Seats

2004 Mach 1 wiring (ouch)

Stock wheels/tires beside FR500 wheels/315/30R18 Michelin Pilot PS2 tires

SVTforme · #3 11-27-2008, 09:39 AM

Custom chassis fixture we ended up building for setting up suspension and powertrain:

IRS cradle fixture:

Vehicle in rough position:

IRS moving into place..

SVTforme · #4 11-27-2008, 09:42 AM

This build required several donor vehicles along the way for parts..

2004 Cobra roller (this side makes the car look like it is in good condition).

2004 Mach 1 Powertrain

SVTforme · #5 11-27-2008, 09:44 AM

Got tired of trying to mock up the underhood area with a complete heavy engine, so I decided to make something a little more lightweight. A heavy engine was even more annoying to work with the car on a jig that is 18" off the ground. Since I am on a tight budget, I opted to use an old shipping crate and about $10 worth of fasteners from Home Depot. After careful measurements of the block and tracing out various components, a CAD model was created. This was then used to make up 1:1 scale prints, which were in turn pinned to 3/4 plywood and cut out. This allows the headers, cam covers, trans, front cover, upper intake manifold, manifolds, A/C compressor and power steering pump to be installed in the car.

The shaker on the 2004 Mach 1 sits very far forward when in the Torino, so I had to take it apart and shift it back about 8" to make it look right. Not sure if I am going to keep it on the car or not. Engine does not like the factory shock towers as you can see - the cam covers won't fit. The plasma will make them go away so a pair of 2004 Mustang shock towers can be installed.