Project 2002
| by Adrian Burford / Pics: Ross van Schalkwyk
Step on the gas
Momentum is a lovely thing, and the mechanical build of Project 2002 is finally building up a head of steam!
Recent developments at Evolution 2 Motorsport have been exciting - although they have brought about their
own challenges too.
F
or example, it
became apparent
the first time
we lowered the BMW
M44 engine into the
engine bay that it was
an impossible task, due
to the proximity of the
steering box.
Project 2002
cause all kinds of
vibration issues
not appropriate
for a road car.
It could potentially
lead to component
failure further down
the road, with the
forces traditionally
absorbed by the
The only solution
flywheel simply
in this regard was
being transferred
to make a fairly
elsewhere, including
into the crankshaft
radical change:
or differential.
we will replace the
A matched LuK
steering box with
flywheel/clutch
a rack and pinion
assembly will
➲ Alec Ceprnich, main man at Evolution2 Motorsport, guides our M44 powerplant into
setup - which will
unquestionably
the BMW 2002’s engine bay
require some careful
stand us in good
stead as far as refinement and long-term
Grandmark will also supply a BMW E36
re-engineering and fabrication
reliability are concerned.
generation radiator, a cooling solution which
- but will be a better long-term
requires relatively little modification to the
solution.
The other major development is the
front of the car.
“signing” of Bilstein as a project partner We mentioned LuK - our clutch partner a deal brokered by Autobarn’s Terry Brand
As these kinds of issues
last month and based on advice from their
- and this will give us the very best shock
developed we have been
technical manager, Cavin Hearne, we’ve
absorbers in the world to go with our
privileged to be able to call on
had a rethink. We’ll now use the M44’s
set of used H&R springs donated by car
our retail partner, Autobarn, and
original dual-mass flywheel instead of a
and motorsport lover extraordinaire, Dick
through one of their suppliers – in
custom-made solid one. Cavin pointed out
Sorensen. With this hardware combination
this case Grandmark – sourced
that the engine was designed to work with a
at each corner, we’re going to have a safe
a suitable steering rack from
dual-mass flywheel and changing that could
and very sporty car!
a VW Citi Golf as it turns out.
By the time you read this, the
engine crossmember will have
been modified to accept the rack
and pinion, powder-coated and
rebuilt with new bushes, ball
joints and tie rod ends prior to
being re-installed to await the
engine/clutch/gearbox assembly.
If we’ve done our homework
right, none of those items will
need to be removed again for a
➲ LuK, Bilstein, K&N and Jonnesway tools are some of the quality
brands we’re lucky enough to have as project partners.
| words in action
52
april 2014
very long time…