Countach, the ultimate supercar

Going to want to hear that when it is done.

 

Let be perfectly clear, I am NOT having concours paint work done (I'll save that for if I ever sell it). I am having a repaint and bodywork done. I want to drive the car and not be scared of the paint. So enjoy.
Here, Travis is installing the manifold after receiving new gaskets. Starter has been rebuild and reinstalled. They will do a finally check on the headgasket on that side.
More work to come.
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Final Tuning of John Houghtaling's Downdraft.

HP numbers to follow...
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Interesting, all four wheels in the air. No tie downs needed on the car?

 

Perhaps you should have a closer view to the pics...

 

A couple more old Australian pictures - Wolf tribute LP400 - I have the Bravos off this car - pm me if anyone is interested!
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Drive-line horse power loss varies from car to car and most are happy with a 15-20% loss to the wheels, splitting the difference at 17%

The factory was being honest about the power of the Downdraft @ 455HP at the flywheel
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Tony how does that compare to what a 4 liter or 5000s should do?

 

I was thinking the same!!!


Because 455 hp isn't that far from a standard diablo at 492 hp ...

 

We just ran a 1995 Porsche 911 on the Dyno and it had only a 10% loss to the wheels so I'm still learning what the correct % of drive line loss is for different cars.

Then there are the car manufactures that under or over state their HP numbers so calculating the percentage off an incorrect number can be tricky.

When Ford got in trouble in the 90's for overstating the Mustang Cobra HP, they made up for it with the 05 & 06 Ford GT with a stated 550HP that was closer to 600HP

Fortunately I have other Countachs here and will build a data base so we will know for sure the Countach % so owners can know when their cars are really running right.

This is based off the most accurate dyno on the market the DynoJet brand chassis dyno set at the ASE Correction Factor.

Going by the 17% number:

311 WHP..........LP400.............45DCOE
311 WHP..........LP400S1/2.......45DCOE
293 WHP..........LP400S3..........40DCOE
311 WHP..........5000S.............45DCOE
270 WHP..........5000S....................F.I.
348 WHP..........5000QV..................F.I.
377 WHP..........5000QV...........44DCNF

 

Oh no, I see the HP and Countach model debate.
Just try to remember, Countach are sooooo not about the Hp.
An early lp5000 is absolutely fine.

 

Here's some of my baby 0122 in her former glory! I'm restoring her now she should be ready in about 6 months!
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+1

Fun and fast but not a race car.

 

So your LP400 was the car that appeared in the Australian Motor Manual Article (at least I think it was that magazine) against the silver Porsche Turbo. Correct?

 

That's the one! How dare they compare her to a mere Porsche!!!

 

No debate...

The truth is in the numbers. I will have all types hear I'm sure within the year and the numbers will speak for themselves.

And if the Countach is not about power then you wont mind if yours is running on 9 instead of 12 cylinders.

But at my shop and in the Countachs I've owned it matters to me

 

I grabbed this quote from raymondQV in the Reunion Island thread and thought I’d include it here:

“The 5000s is the rarest of all, almost all of them have problems with the casting sand destroying the engines sooner or later, that's the real pity.”

Can anyone (including Raymond) expand on this a bit more? My understanding is the 5000S engine might be the most durable due to it being relatively unstressed. Any thoughts?

 

There is quite a bit of variability in the aluminum castings from that era and it's not uncommon to see inclusions and pits. I am not aware of any particular propensity for this in the LP5000S engines.

 

Out of the 321 LP5000s we had alone in Switzerland 3 engines with that problem, I know of more in Germany. The symptom is mainly a failing oil pressure, then you open the engine and see the mess... I think NSX-R's 5l has also the same.

It's a fact that the 4,7l engine is the rarest since they built more LP400/400s with the bullet proof 3,9l engine and more then 1200 QV engines (QV and 25th).

 

I went out last saturday with some friends and took some pics of my and the other two cars at a location in glasgow

Predictably a lot of people stopped to chat about the cars and look at them. The general view being the old white one was the most dramatic!!

Hope these pics work!

Paul
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Very nice pic!

 

When we opened up my 1984 LP5000S engine, three of the bearings, one main and two rods were wiped out from casting sand left in the engine. Fortunately the engine had such low mileage at around 3,000 that the damage was limited to just the bearings and crankshaft.

 

Has the engine been rebuilt ?

If so, did the engine receive several internal enhancements and modifications, to help produce additional power ?

 

The engine was not rebuilt, no internal enhancements.

There is no additional power, that's what this one should be making.

 

Not to argue with your assessment but after so many years how can you be sure where the dirt came from?

The LP5000S engine is in most ways the same as the earlier ones and I suspect the castings were made by the same people. Why the supposed difference?