360 Challenge for the Street?

What would be the main technical problems with making a 360 Challenge car suitable for street use?

The exhaust system would need to be modded with cats, the interior is bare, etc...

Do the factory CH cars come with climate control systems? Did they have working lights?

I'm not really concerned with stiff ride and comfort related issues, but more so with what would really be needed to make it work as a street car from a functional stand point.

Thanks,
LS

 

I dunno. I've seen 355 Challenge-owners simply change from raceslicks to roadtyres after the race and head on to the public road.

 

Aside from the mechanical issues 355C cars were the same as 95 US cars in terms of equipment so if they were early production licensing was no big deal. But 360's were not built with any required safety or emmission equip and were all imported with a race only exemption, and unless you found a donor car for vin #'s I think you will raise quite a few eyebrows when you go to DMV.

 

360 CH's have a VIN number and you get a title; at minimum in WA

360 CH's are not EPA/DOT approved and would have to go through an approval process, which they will not pass without extensive modifications such as, i.e. you can not register them

- emission control parts missing including 2nd oxygen sensor, air pump, exhaust etc.
- no dashboard with mileage counter
- no parking brake
- no proper fuel filler plus fume filter
- the rollcage is illegal
- no airbags and the doors are missing impact protection
- the radiator fan is manual
- etc. etc. etc.

… and I only thought about this for a few minutes

the ride height and steering turning radius is ridicules for street usage and for someone to say the noise is not bothersome; ha - I had a ringing in my ear after 2 hours with helmet and no ear plugs; the F1 gearbox /clutch is impossible at low speed and would go up in flames in stop/go traffic

the car is a dream to drive on the track – on the street it will be a nightmare; buy a Stradale – F did know what they were doing

 

Thanks for the info!

So, the manual fan seems easy enough to resolve. Will the fuel filler be that much of a prob? Some of the other stuff seems fairly usable. It needs mufflers...what about the F1 trans?

Would it just be a biyatch to drive or would it require some mods? Different clutch plate? Different software load to ease action or standing starts?

If someone would be willing to put up with a lot of discomfort and make a few mods, could one of these things be driven on the road?????

Thomas, think a few more minutes and give me some more info!

Thanks,
LS

 

Look; we are not talking a few mods - it is a 56+ manual that describes the changes compared to the Modena – someone has gone over that car wit a very serous intend to make it a race car – this will not be undone easily an getting it through EPA/Dot will take serious time if it will ever be successful

Will some one with enough energy and time be able to do it – I would think so based on my limited knowledge but all you will end up is a compromised Challenge – it looks more sensible to me to buy a Modena and a crashed CH and move the parts – in both scenarios however you end up with a car that far cost more than a Stradale (by a mile)

Say for example the fuel filler – it is above the oil radiator if you look at a CH picture – can you replace the quick fill mechanism with a normal cap say from OMP – probably yes – but one spill during fueling at your favorite gas station when the car is hot – puff – again you could only use the left side over the air intake - again one spill and it will run into the engine bay through the water exit holes in the duct – puff; another area while I think about it : try to get the racing fuel cells legalized

Another example if the F1 – it is not the clutch (or at minimum only partly) - the gerabox software program is optimized for the CH – can you change this - maybe - but all that means is that you neuter a great race car and get the Modena street version

Sorry but making the CH in the US street legal is a pipe dream – a very nice dream but nevertheless not practical

 

Yes, I agree. Too hard, although you may be able to fudge it through under some sort of kit car approval process, they usually have less stringent formalities.

By the way though, the fans are not just manual. there is a switch in the RH radiator which comes on at 94, but only on 3/4 speed via a resistor. The driver switch is an override and puts them on full speed.

Main problems would be emission gear...second O2 sensor and air pump etc etc. Safety and Security....no keys required! Doors not re-inforced...but I dont see why a cage should be illegal so that negates the door bars. Visibility...no heater for demisting fogged screen. Parking brake.

I think silencing is not a big problem. Easy to put bigger muffler on. Ride is not a problem, turning circle could be tricky but not too bad (I have driven 360C on road a few times now) Even the clutch is not too bad if set up well. It's only the lack of friction plate tortion springs that make them a bit jerky. the sintered bronze lining would be great in traffic...no chance of burning it out like a road car for sure!

Fuel tanks? F40 use race type cells so that should be ok? Fuel fillers ok too...just hold them open with a plastic bar while filling. Spillage can be collected in the rain channels like a road car.

By far the better proposition would be too simply put challenge front brakes and some stiff springs in a road car though......

 

Hmm...thanks for the great info guys. For the record, I'm not a 12 yr old Road and Track subscriber dreaming on summer vacation.

From the very thorough responses from you all combined with some detailed thoughts from a tech at FoW, it seems that functionally it's very doable (with some capital investment of course), but the hurdle is the EPA/DOT release for the safety equipment.

Thanks again guys!

LS

 

Stop fooling with us, you're a 14 year old getting ready for school to start! Just strip the interior of your 348 and run cherry bombs, it'll be close enough. You can get a set of Magnesium BBS wheels and run Hoosier slicks, when the temps get up, you'll be fine. In the meantime, you'll be sideways on the Whitehurst!

Best regards,
Fangio

 

Fangio, you're almost right...and I could transplant the manual fan switch from the Bronco!!

Hello Whitehurst! How many bananas can you fit into a Ferrari?

LS

 

I just purchased a 360 Challenge car, and sold my 355 Challenge -

The 360 has the quick fill gas cap, were can I find the ends, or cans to fill up ?

Some one had told me they were called "redheads" but I am unable to located them.

Regards,
-a

 

I have a can that fits. I have to look for it, though.

 

Congrats on the sale, that was a sweet package. I was drooling....

Have you tried Summit Racing or Pegasus?

And NO you still cannot Title it for the street...you could bring it to New Orleans.... that's the ONLY place....LOL!

 

Hey buddy

I wasnt worried about it for street, I have enough street cars haha

I will track the hell out of this thing thou.. just need the adapter so I can put gas in her!!

-a

 

*laughing*

I was just amused you brought this thread up to ask the question! Let me know if I need to drop by the dealer, and inquire on the cans...

Don't buy that one from Sam Hornish, Jr and Roger P.....it's too used!
They turned it into a Slinky....

 

The roll cage is illegal in the US. That's why the 360 CS does not come with one in US market. Aside from that no side impact or 5mph bumpers, emissions would have to be upgraded. Racing seats and harness are also illegal on US roads.

You would not have a title, but may be able to get one in some states as a show car or kit car.

 

ok, when I posted in the thread, it was so I would re-state a thread that has been bashed all over again..

please read the dates on these post, they are almost 2 years old!

I found the company that made the Fuel Brake, so I can get it handled..

Thanks
-a

 

why dont you just take a allready legal 360 and convert it to challenge car spec.

 

Or buy a 360 CS.

 

ATL and Fuel Safe both makes the male 2-1/4" dry break connectors. I use the ATL one so I know that one fits.They are about $250, then you also need to buy the fuel dump can which is about $350.

Couple of links below.



http://www.hrpworld.com/index.cfm?form_cat_id=50&action=category

http://www.aaroadracing.com/shop.net/product_category_list.aspx?catid=4

You can always just push open the filler and stick a funnel in it and fill that way, but obviously slow and messy.

 

sent you a PM

-a