GD : Euro v Jag

[VinceBailey]

Ive been trying to decide if I should be contemplating the EURO or JAG based chassis for the GD427 I will (hopefully) be starting sometime soon.

I had made my mind up to go for the EURO, but this does mean trying to find the thick end of £10K in one go. This means it would be at least twelve months longer before I could start the project. On the other hand, I could start the construction of a JAG based car for half that, and have the fun of screwing it together myself.

For those of you that have had the benefit of driving both, may I ask just how much better the EURO chassis is over the JAG, bearing in mind that my car will be used 99% of the time on-road, and I'm not one for worring about my track day lap times.

Also, can the "one refurbished component" rule within the SVA guidelines apply to the front and rear suspension as a whole. Eg. as long as I use a new engine and gearbox, could a JAG based car still be registered as "new".

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

[robert]

Vince

There is no difference between the Euro and the Jag chassis other than the suspension pick-up points. They are both very strong backbone chassis.

The key difference is in the use of Jag components and Ford Scorpio Cosworth with custom uprights.

The Euro only really comes into its own if you are putting a good amount of HP through it (450hp plus) and if you will be driving on the edge.

If you want the car for touring as you have detailed in your post, then the Jag system will suit.

The other point which the Euro scores well is the unsprung weight. The jag system has to carry the weight of the wheel and hub carrier, and also provides the drive, whereas the Euro has custom uprights and a driveshaft.

AFAIK the jag cannot be registered as new, however can be re-registered on an age related plate.

HTH

Robert
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[STEVE T]

Am I right in saying if you want to register it as new or if you use a new engine you will have to have catalysts exhausts .


Regards Steve T

[robert]

If you use a new engine, then yes you will have to conform to the emissions and cat regulations.

Robert
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[VinceBailey]

OK, looks like I should be concentrating on a Jag based car.

I am assuming that a new Chevy small block fitted with fuel injection can be used with catalysts and some form of engine management system to meet current emissions regs. Does this make it less "tuneable" though (I'd like to aim for about 350BHP)? I guess it would also open the door to the possibility of running it on LPG.....

Thanks for all the advice thus far.

[robert]

Vince

Is there any particluar reason you want a "new" engine, as a seasoned block would enable you to run without cats etc, however you could still have the injection for driveability?

Also, you would probably be better speaking to Andy at GD regarding registration, as if you do go JAG, AFAIK you cannot get a new plate, just an age related plate.

Robert
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[VinceBailey]

Robert,

No, I understand from your previous response - thanks - that I can't register a GD-JAG as new, only age related. Fair enough.

The reason I would like to try for a catalyst equipped car is that I would just like to keep the emissions as low as possible - its personal choice. I've nothing against cars without cats - my 1990 MR2 dosen't have one - but if constructing a "new" car I feel I should make an attempt to cut out the emissions.

I sure there is an argument here for not putting a 5-odd litre engine in the car in the first place if emissions are a concern, but I never said all my arguments made sense!

Any comments - for or against - welcomed.

Regards,

[robert]

Point taken, however you have said you want about 350hp. I presume this is RW hp, which means that you will have to build or buy a reasonable engine to get that hp figure due to the drivetrain losses and the cat losses.

The second issue is space, which you would need to talk to Andy about.

Just my ramblings as usual.

Robert
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[StuartH]

You could consider a modern engine like a BMW 4.4 - Tony Davies has fitted one to his AK, cats, low emmisions, multitude of computers, tiptronic gearbox and all - it allegedly now even works!! Should be pretty awesome when it's finished as it's a really good engine (should make at least 350BHP no problem and looks superb). If I started again from scratch I would have one of these (or the 5litre V12 which is apparently even better)

Stuart

[kdavies3]

Guys,

I think I'm right in saying that if you were to buy all new Jag Parts you would then be able to register as new. I don't believe that reconditioned parts qualify.
I know that the car Dave Brookes registered as new wasn't 100% new but had a few reconned as new parts.
So I guess it's down to the inspector at the end of the day.

Kev Davies