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Sylva Riot ZZR / J15 body conversion.
wirestriker - 3/3/13 at 02:36 PM

After a quick search, http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=178412 , I found in UK and imported in Italy a well built ZZR Riot, with the intention to fit a J15 body on it.

Here she is, ten days ago, on the way from the transporter company to my home.




Now I am working on it, it has been built professionally in 2007, but some issues were never resolved, so it has been driven for just some hundred miles, less than 500 I think.
First problem is the exhaust manifold flanges, which seem to be a bit too small for the recess in the head, thus leading to intense leaking. But it will be fixed soon, I hope.

The biggest work will be fitting a complete J15 body on it. I am waiting to collect the body from Sylva facility.

I spoke to Jeremy, and he told me that the central tub will need to be "stretched", because Riots have usually longer wheelbase than J15s.
Then, I am planning to keep the original Riot rollbar and sidebars for better protection, even if this will require some modification to the bodywork.

By chance, is there a good chap able to take some measurements on a genuine J15 chassis for me? I'd like to start preparing myself for when the body will be here.
Or maybe I am very lucky and my Riot is not longer than a J15. I can't really evaluate the difference from all the pics I found online.

Here is a basic drawing:



I'd need A, B and C , which once summated, will result in wheelbase.

Thank you
Matteo

[Edited on 3/3/13 by wirestriker]


theprisioner - 3/3/13 at 03:58 PM

Unfortunately my car is almost finished and the centre tub is bolted down. See: http://sylvabuild.blogspot.co.uk/

I have however measeured the following:

1) Centre of wheel to start of central tub: 510mm
2) The roll bar in my case is 45mm in diameter and fully occupies the first part of the tub as it rolls round the rear of the seats.
3) The length of the tub at the top surface from the engine opening edge to the bonnet closure point =1110mm
The Closure point to centre of front wheel is 650mm

The distance between the front of the tub and the top chassis rail is about 100mm but I could not measure that at present. It could be done if it helps but is very aukward just now..

Tub to chassis front
Tub to chassis front


If I can help in any other way do not hesitate to ask.


wirestriker - 3/3/13 at 04:42 PM

Thank you very much. I already knew your build blog, it is very important source of information for me.

The distance between the front of the tub and the top chassis rail is not needed, thanks.

So, with your measurements, the wheelbase of the car (A +B +C) is about 510 + 45 + 1110 + 65 = 2315mm?


theprisioner - 3/3/13 at 05:07 PM

I make it 2270 as roll bar is part of second measurement.


minitici - 3/3/13 at 05:32 PM

Hi Matteo,

I have visited Trento several times (on The Italian Job charity event in my Mini).

Your Riot/J15 should be good fun on the Trento to Mt.Bondone road


wirestriker - 3/3/13 at 05:54 PM

quote:
Originally posted by theprisioner
I make it 2270 as roll bar is part of second measurement.


Ok, perfect!

Thanks


wirestriker - 3/3/13 at 06:38 PM

quote:
Originally posted by minitici
Hi Matteo,

I have visited Trento several times (on The Italian Job charity event in my Mini).

Your Riot/J15 should be good fun on the Trento to Mt.Bondone road


Happy to meet you next time!

Trento/bondone is my "testing" road... just a couple of kms from my workshop... been up there with any British sportscar.

We're completely surrounded by incredible roads here


minitici - 3/3/13 at 08:09 PM

quote:
Originally posted by wirestriker
quote:
Originally posted by minitici
Hi Matteo,

I have visited Trento several times (on The Italian Job charity event in my Mini).

Your Riot/J15 should be good fun on the Trento to Mt.Bondone road


Happy to meet you next time!

Trento/bondone is my "testing" road... just a couple of kms from my workshop... been up there with any British sportscar.

We're completely surrounded by incredible roads here


Only driven the Bondone road in a couple of Minis - was always passed by locals in tiny Fiats with Abarth badges!
(Only vehicle I managed to pass was a Piaggio Ape)

First time coming down Mt.Bondone I totally burnt out a set of front disc pads - but it was good fun.


matt_gsxr - 3/3/13 at 09:29 PM

If you do need to stretch the J15 bodywork then this has been done before.
Here is a blog that might be of interest (it is always a good read)

http://www.hoverd.org/Tim/my-baby-done-gone/


theprisioner - 4/3/13 at 09:50 AM

When I purchased my kit from Jeremy he supplied a CD with all his build pics at that time. In that CD is a folder called Chets Chassis which documents stretching the centre tub. It was done to give more room for a BEC. You can either get a CD from Jeremy or I could put them on Dropbox for you to veiew till you down load them.

Here is a sample pic:

Chets Chassis
Chets Chassis


Chet - 5/3/13 at 12:51 PM

Jeremy extended the bodywork on my J15 due to our decision to use a longer wheelbase for the Hayabusa powered J15 US demo.

His method shown above worked out fine.

Chet


deeceee09 - 5/3/13 at 06:16 PM

I have an outline sketch of the Riot chassis from JP. It shows standard wheelbase as 2,260 mm and the LWB version at 2,320 mm. The standard version agrees with my J15 at 2,260 mm with no need to lengthen the bodywork.
Hope that helps.


wirestriker - 7/3/13 at 02:12 PM

Thanks for all the replyes.

Finally my doubts about the sizes are cleared.


inkafone - 14/3/13 at 11:35 PM

Pic from totalkitcar site



I think this is still an attractive car and it looks like some small doors could be cut out. Don't like the twin roll bars though.

[Edited on 14/3/13 by inkafone]