MCNSPORT: D-Mac86 The Evolution

[MCNSPORT.com]

Okay, so we mentioned the steering going over-centre above, and here we have the solution to getting mega steering angle and not getting the steering stuck on full lock. We have a pair of offset rack spacers available now for the AE86, and also pictured above is our prototype steering knuckle we will be testing at Gatebil.


This was the engine two days ago still awaiting a turbo, etc. We have a pretty trick water pump delete on the front which routes the coolant pipes rearward. We have concentrated a lot on weight distribution for the second evolution. Small things like this make all the difference.


All the aluminium panels from last year have been replaced with carbon fibre and the silver on carbon of the inside looks really great I think.


. Again, everything just works so much better this time around.


I love this car minus all the exterior panels just as much as I love it with them. I don’t think an AE86 chassis can get much better than this… time will tell I suppose!


The car is a bit lopsided as the ride heights haven’t been set, but this is the rear. It doesn’t get more purpose-built than this.


Another shot of the rear brakes with adjustable anti-roll bar added.


I’m not in love with the shape of the turbo to intercooler pipe, and thinking of reworking it when we return from Gatebil. It looks like Fred Flintstone’s telephone at the moment…


The engine bay is now complete and I’m loving it. It would have been nice to have a bit more time to paint some stuff, but so be it. We really concentrated on moving as many things as possible to the passenger side (right-hand) of the engine as rotaries are very right side heavy and we’ve done such a good job it’s now a pain in the ass to change plugs.


I really wanted to make the exhaust manifold as short as possible to increase response this year over the long runner equal manifold we had last year. We are also using a Tial stainless steel exhaust housing, which should increase response further and lower the power band on the Hayward Rotary Bridgeport. The turbo oil and water lines are now very short, simple and easily accessible. I’m going to put a 120-degree fitting on the oil feed when we return though.


Here is the obligatory steering angle shot with the D-Mac arms and knuckles fitted. We will be capable of making more with a few tweaks, but more importantly the geometry has remained correct and ackerman hasn’t been deleted like so many other brands out there. We will push the limits of the D-Mac steering setup when we return to Ireland, but overall the driver feel and feedback has been given preference over just getting as much steering angle as possible for the sake of it and ruining the car. We are also using the front of the car to generate rear grip, so this cannot be forgotten.


Here is a closer look at the dry sump oil pump and AN lines. There is also an alternator hidden under there. Alternators aren’t really sexy are they, so we mounted it out of sight. We are also using a tiny alternator which is a significant weight saving over the stock Mazda one.


A good thing about AE86 front struts is they can be mounted on the left or the right and it allows you to put the brake calipers in front or behind of the wheel centre. We mounted the calipers on the rear, again for weight distribution. We are not using the original brake hose mount on the struts, which would be the only problem with mounting the right strut on the left-hand side


Finally this is the passenger footwell as we finish the interior wiring. The OBP oil tank sits as low as possible in the chassis and is also off-setting the weight of the driver on the left-hand side.