1975 Beta Coupe project QLD Australia

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iano
Posts: 11
Joined: June 25th, 2007, 10:13 am
Location: Jimboomba, Australia (A)
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1975 Beta Coupe project QLD Australia

Post by iano »

Dear All,

I thought it was about time I posted some pictures of my 1975 Beta Coupe which I have been steadily rebuilding/modyfying/competing in, which seems to be transforming from a road car into something more serious....All work performed by myself to date, and has been great fun.

The car has cost less than AU$10000 so far (including initial purchase) and has been competing mainly in hillclimbs, and has proven very successful and reliable, winning the road registered up to 2000cc class in my first year of competition and beating RS2000's, Fiat 124 spider, Alfa GTV, Honda Civic Type R and more! (Much to the annoyance of my fellow competitors who spent much more than the entire cost of my car on their engine alone!)
lancia at mt cotton wheel off ground1.jpg
lancia at mt cotton wheel off ground1.jpg (35.77 KiB) Viewed 10829 times
SAM_0123.JPG
SAM_0123.JPG (54.04 KiB) Viewed 10829 times
Lanci Mt cotton Jul11  big.jpg
Lanci Mt cotton Jul11 big.jpg (125.58 KiB) Viewed 10829 times
Overview so far:

Engine: original 1800 TC unit replaced with 2 litre TC

84.8mm rebore with new cast 105TC pistons approx 10.8:1 static CR
crack tested & polished/balanced std crank
lightened flywheel to 6.3kg, crack tested/balanced with crank & front pulley
std low mileage rods
modified aux shaft
baffled sump with windage tray
Oil cooler/tstat/accusump/catch tank
Ford Focus ST170 radiator
In head Thermostat, heater outlet from head plumbed into top water rail
Goetze head gasket
2 l Beta Head with std 42mm valves/3 angle seats/30 deg back grind inlets (needs more work.....)
42/82/82/42 "Autocross" cams 10.6mm lift from unknown US source (suspected welded up regrinds....)
Twin 45DCOE on GC inlet, 36mm chokes, remote filter
4/2/1 tubular manifold, 2" exhaust system
Wideband lambda sensor & gauge for checking AFR
B9EGV spark plugs
beta oil system s.jpg
beta oil system s.jpg (48.63 KiB) Viewed 10829 times
Suspension:

Spax top adjustable gas shocks, lowered springs, strut brace, urethane bushes, 2 degrees neg camber front.

Wheels/Tyres:

15x7" with Toyo R888 205/50 x 15 or std Beta 14x5.5" 185/60 x 14 Toyo R888

Brakes:

Std Beta with uprated pads/steel braided brake lines -work in progress
GC_47
LanciaNut69
Posts: 61
Joined: June 22nd, 2011, 10:45 am
Location: Newbury, UK

Re: 1975 Beta Coupe project QLD Australia

Post by LanciaNut69 »

Hi there Iano,

Thanks for sharing - that is a very clean looking car and a nice install. Good to see these cars campaigned to such good results. Every time I see a Beta Coupe it makes me hanker after my first Lancia!

thank you

Darren
__________
Book #435
iano
Posts: 11
Joined: June 25th, 2007, 10:13 am
Location: Jimboomba, Australia (A)
Contact:

Re: 1975 Beta Coupe project QLD Australia

Post by iano »

Thanks for the kind comments Darren.

To be honest there have been times when something newer, and/or with rear wheel drive would have been better suited to competition, but I like the challenge, and after all you don't see many Betas on track, especially in Australia!

Latest mods include a strut brace and new coolant header tank.....
engine bay latest RHS.jpg
engine bay latest RHS.jpg (127.62 KiB) Viewed 10774 times
engine latest LHS.jpg
engine latest LHS.jpg (125.31 KiB) Viewed 10774 times
I also have an in car video of my first time out on a race track last year, at the Ironman sprints Queensland raceway: http://youtu.be/XR2jmYLH4JI

Regards

Ian
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fingers99
Posts: 99
Joined: December 9th, 2009, 6:24 pm
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Re: 1975 Beta Coupe project QLD Australia

Post by fingers99 »

Very tidy car.

I can't remember the last time I saw one on the road here.

From the clip, it was well worth all the effort!
GC_06
LanciaNut69
Posts: 61
Joined: June 22nd, 2011, 10:45 am
Location: Newbury, UK

Re: 1975 Beta Coupe project QLD Australia

Post by LanciaNut69 »

Hi Ian,

Looks like you had great fun out on track! Look forward to hearing more as you progress.

All the best

Darren
__________
Book #435
S&B125
Posts: 30
Joined: November 27th, 2006, 6:57 am
Location: Perth, Western Australia
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Re: 1975 Beta Coupe project QLD Australia

Post by S&B125 »

Hi
Love your car! I had one much the same a 1975 in red in the early nineties and still regret selling it. Well done you for getting a Beta out there and competing. We have a rather quick one over here in WA, though it is the very last of the models and shares the same grill as your car. There is another 1975 Coupe being developed at the moment but is still some time from hitting the track. Funnily enough it was my Beta which led me to the joys of these wonderful engines and at the time I never imagined I would get into old Fiats the way I have. Great Video.
GC_35 Fiat 125T
WhizzMan
Posts: 459
Joined: August 13th, 2010, 8:05 pm
Location: Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Re: 1975 Beta Coupe project QLD Australia

Post by WhizzMan »

That is one sweet looking car you have there. I can totally imagine you're holding on to this, even though RWD is tempting.
Book #348
iano
Posts: 11
Joined: June 25th, 2007, 10:13 am
Location: Jimboomba, Australia (A)
Contact:

Re: 1975 Beta Coupe project QLD Australia

Post by iano »

It has been a while since I posted, but here are a few videos of events last year, first at Lakeside Park racetrack, then Queensland raceway for the Festival of Italian Motorsport, which was great fun, managing 4th place overall against a field of Alfas, Fiats and Ferraris.

http://youtu.be/tEOawdTD6kY
http://youtu.be/a6qjP1uUcLM
http://youtu.be/h-Zx3h02Gf8


Coming very soon is a full race GC engine, featuring HC forged pistons, race rods, full race spec VX head with 4A/3D cam combo, fully revised under bonnet layout with new radiator, 4-1 big bore exhaust etc.....
GC_47
iano
Posts: 11
Joined: June 25th, 2007, 10:13 am
Location: Jimboomba, Australia (A)
Contact:

Re: 1975 Beta Coupe project QLD Australia

Post by iano »

A few pictures of the events last year:
Lancia at lakeside 2012.jpg
Lancia at lakeside 2012.jpg (340.13 KiB) Viewed 9705 times
Ian at lakeside4.JPG
Ian at lakeside4.JPG (67.95 KiB) Viewed 9705 times
Lakeside 2012.3.jpg
Lakeside 2012.3.jpg (116.89 KiB) Viewed 9705 times
GC_47
iano
Posts: 11
Joined: June 25th, 2007, 10:13 am
Location: Jimboomba, Australia (A)
Contact:

Re: 1975 Beta Coupe project QLD Australia

Post by iano »

More pictures, this time from Festival of Italian motorsport last year, which I am entering again this year on September 8th.
Sun setting preparing for the last race of the day...
Sun setting preparing for the last race of the day...
Ian at QR 2012 (1).jpg (298.75 KiB) Viewed 9702 times
Overtaking a Ferrari F355
Overtaking a Ferrari F355
FOIMS 2012 passing Ferrari.png (792.48 KiB) Viewed 9702 times
Pit lane in line for run 3
Pit lane in line for run 3
Ian at QR 2012.jpg (122.76 KiB) Viewed 9702 times
nearly in front....
nearly in front....
FOIMS 2012 9.jpg (155.63 KiB) Viewed 9702 times
GC_47
Guy Croft
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Re: 1975 Beta Coupe project QLD Australia

Post by Guy Croft »

MODEL POST!

Nicely described with tech detail and beautifully illustrated from the start.

Particularly pleased to see the sealed intake!

Thanks Ian!

GC
Guy Croft, owner
iano
Posts: 11
Joined: June 25th, 2007, 10:13 am
Location: Jimboomba, Australia (A)
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Re: 1975 Beta Coupe project QLD Australia

Post by iano »

Thanks Guy,

The sealed intake is a must in Queensland as the ambient temperature reaches 35+ degrees C. I measured the intake air with the original offset radiator and the carb was ingesting air at 50+ degrees C!!! In its current location intake air remains at ambient. I also insulated the air box with self adhesive "armaflex" to further prevent heat transfer.
GC_47
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