martyagt4 Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 Due to the current economic climate, our race team is, well, not racing this year. Perhaps we'll turn into a drinking team instead. But I digress. The boss has several vintage cars that are in need of rebuilding, this being one of them. It's a 1973 McLaren M8E/F. Currently powered by a 509ci (8.3 liters) big block Chevy. All aluminum Keith Black block with Lucas mechanical injection. A fresh motor should make in the region of 700 to 750 hp. We're unsure of the compression ratio at the moment, but it's guessed to be, "a lot". Current weight of the car is approx. 1500lbs. We won't be re-skinning the tub, but that's about it. Everything else will be gone through. I've never seen a car with such a mish mash of hardware and components. Pictures link to a Picasa album. Current paint. <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/hL9YCI_E3AqRV_Ejpr2qCA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oaoeS7RhRUc/SYD1oxTkHXI/AAAAAAAAAgw/Ts8Tkh-VrzI/s144/CIMG2664.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/charles.atcher/1973McLarenM8EF?feat=embedwebsite">1973 McLaren M8E/F</a></td></tr></table> <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/B7hY0YxajgbOlG9iIlD-IQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oaoeS7RhRUc/SYD1zyrsbOI/AAAAAAAAAh0/IFPmqyHlX0I/s144/CIMG2672.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/charles.atcher/1973McLarenM8EF?feat=embedwebsite">1973 McLaren M8E/F</a></td></tr></table> Original paint. <table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NC3CdvyZwnUJY03zjoQqsw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oaoeS7RhRUc/SYD7qkFcC1I/AAAAAAAABDw/PvGrw5E8rFo/s144/51_pete_sherman_1.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/charles.atcher/1973McLarenM8EF?feat=embedwebsite">1973 McLaren M8E/F</a></td></tr></table> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingCrimson Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 I hate you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corey Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 Holy crap, that would be fun! Is the mish-mash from previous owners or did McLaren make it that way? The best power:weight ratio car I've driven had 500 hp and 3800 lbs, and that was a bit scary at first. 700 hp in 1500 lbs would make me question my inner strength. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martyagt4 Posted January 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 The mish mash is from previous owners. You had to have a serious pair to race this car. The brakes are tiny, and look fairly useless after a few laps. The fuel cells are on either side of you, and I'm not sure but, I'd say they carry 35 gallons each. I wear a size 7.5 shoe, and I can barely get my munchkin feet into the foot box. There's about two inches between the top of the pedals and the steering rack. The very, very thin fiberglass seat is all that separates you from the harmonic balancer. And the 200 degree water pipe just a few inches from your back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingCrimson Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 This thread is useless without MORE pics. I'd assume you've seen the World's Fastest Citroen at some point or another. They didn't bother with the inches of fiberglass, the engine is in the passenger compartment. (plus it's easier to time it that way) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Bird Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 Please tell me that it will be driven at high rates of speed when you have it done.. Just looking at it makes my board longer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinecure Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 Looks like a batmobile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martyagt4 Posted January 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 This thread is useless without MORE pics. There are about 270 in the album. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Gendzwill Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 That was a Can-Am car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eajracing Posted January 29, 2009 Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 homina homina homina..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martyagt4 Posted January 29, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2009 Yeah, Can Am. Before they went to the odd single seater with body work look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BryanZ Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 I'd give an organ to drive that car why go with a BB chevy though? Even with the aluminum block it must weigh a ton compared to what it had I would have personally chosen a small block, not that can ever dream to have that decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martyagt4 Posted January 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 I'd give an organ to drive that carwhy go with a BB chevy though? Even with the aluminum block it must weigh a ton compared to what it had I would have personally chosen a small block, not that can ever dream to have that decision. They all had big blocks in them from new. Some were Ford, some Chevy. Porsche did a turbo Flat-12 that made about 1000hp in race trim, and 1500hp for qualifying. That was truly a monster. 917/30K I think it was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BryanZ Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 raced the 917 many times.......in forza mclaren used a BB chevy? I never new that. I thought they were all 3-4 litre motors with 40 pounds of boost back then, must have been after that era. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Gendzwill Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 The Porsche Can-Am cars were legendary. I don't think even modern F1 cars have the kind of brute power they did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
refried Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 Vintage Can Am cars are always fun to watch, tiny cars with big blocks :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trailertrash Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 This is why we voted martyagt4 as having the coolest job on the forum. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
refried Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 I would even go back to work If I could have his job:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powdahbonz Posted January 30, 2009 Report Share Posted January 30, 2009 There should be a "tighten your sphincter" vinyl wrap on a car that light with power like that-forget the paint-I'm assuming wrecks would be catastrophic w/ fuel cells on either side of you-Looks like a super fun project-you have an exciting gig and I have car envy. They all had big blocks in them from new. Some were Ford, some Chevy. Porsche did a turbo Flat-12 that made about 1000hp in race trim, and 1500hp for qualifying. That was truly a monster. 917/30K I think it was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martyagt4 Posted August 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2009 Well for an update, we finished the car last month. Didn't repaint it, just a little claybar action and some buffing. Everything except the aluminum skin was replaced. The engine was rebuilt, and dyno'd approx. 750 hp. Finished weight, empty, was 1958 Lbs. It's for sale now, $300,000. Negotiable of course. http://www.southardmotorsports.com/M8E_sale.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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