 |
      |
Click each image to enlarge
1980 VW Scirocco:
“Monster Rocc”
Owner: Scott F. Williams
Most parts of the “Monster Scirocco” project have followed a steady
evolutionary path with frequent changes in purpose and direction. What
was originally intended to be a mildly-tuned daily driver with all the
amenities has morphed literally into a fire breathing terror, a
show-worthy rallycar built to menace the twisty, rural back roads of New
Jersey and Pennsylvania.
It is important to note that most attributes of the car’s specification
have been built with rally competition in mind. With many lessons
learned in race prep and driving technique, this Scirocco has a real
motorsports pedigree.
Accordingly, it was decided that the car be built with a priority
towards the driving experience over all other concerns like comfort or
aesthetics. Major modifications performed and pending include:
Engine: 2032cc 16v (83.5mm bore x 92.8mm stroke)
11.3:1 compression ratio with forged pistons
ported/polished/extrude honed 16v hydraulic-lifter cylinder head
Schrick 268/276 cams
Schrick valve springs w/titanium retainers
Jenvey individual throttlebodies
Supersprint tri-y header w/resonator
TT 2.25” stainless steel resonator-back exhaust w/Borla muffler
custom nitrous oxide injection system
custom water/alcohol injection system
Magnecore 8mm Spark Plug Wires
electric power steering pump w/speed sensitive assistance
electric water pump w/temperature sensitive output management
Management: Electromotive TEC-II programmable engine management
Racelogic traction control system
Nitrous Oxide Systems time-based progressive control system
Trans: custom-geared hybrid 6-speed
4.25 r&p/ 1: 3.45, 2: 1.97, 3: 1.44, 4: 1.13, 5: .89, 6: .75
Kennedy 6-puck race clutch w/16V pressure plate
Quaife torque sensing differential
spherical bearing shift linkage
lightened flywheel
Rally-type driving puts a priority on the availability of maximum torque
in all gears. Also critical is the ability to drive the car through a
turn without lifting to shift, thus upsetting the balance of the car
when it is on the edge of adhesion. For this reason, a large
displacement 16v engine was chosen. The usable rev range begins at
approximately 3500 rpm. However, the power delivery becomes explosive at
4500 and remains urgent until an 8000rpm redline. The hot cams do soften
up the thrust on the bottom end, but the 4.25 ring and pinion and close
ratio six-speed gear set augment the lower rpm response nicely.
The individual throttle bodies were selected as the best means to
achieve a near 200hp all-motor goal and maintain low vehicle weight,
component simplicity, and unparalleled throttle response. Forced
induction ultimately delivers more power, but they are complex systems
with drawbacks and compromises of their own. To bridge the gap in
performance, a custom multi-port nitrous oxide injection system was
designed.
Although untested to date, the power goal “on the squeeze” is no less
than 275hp. Primary insurance against detonation will be provided via
careful programming of the TEC-II engine management system. However, a
custom-built water/alcohol injection system has also been factored into
the package. Atomized water solution sprayed into each velocity stack
will slow the combustion process with an effect similar to that of
high-octane racing gasoline. Meanwhile, the 50% proportion of alcohol
will provide extra fuel enrichment. A side attraction should be the
flame balls that will erupt from the tailpipe between shifts!
Suspension: Ground Control camber plate w/spherical bearing mounts
Ground Control coilover sleeves/adjustable perches
custom-wound progressive rate 2.5" x 8" springs
Bilstein Sport struts (front)
Koni Yellow 5-way adjustable (rear)
Autotech 19mm front anti-roll bar
Shine Racing Service rear anti-roll bar
thin-wall aluminum sheet upper strut-tie bar
delrin bushings
front alignment: -2deg camber, 1.5deg caster, 0deg toe
rear alignment: -.5deg camber, 0deg toe
Just like the drivetrain design, the suspension was built for a specific
mission, to allow maximum handling on imperfect country roads. Much like
a purpose-built hillclimb or tarmac rallycar, this Scirocco’s
underpinnings provide a relatively large degree of suspension travel
even at a lowered ride height. Careful attention to spring and damping
rates, anti-roll bars, and bushing material result in a package that is
extremely firm, yet still soaks up bumps, camber changes, and the
inevitable impacts when landing small jumps.
Wheels/ O.Z. Superleggera 15x7" rims (street)
Tires: Bridgestone Potenza S-03 195/50/15
Panasport UltraLight 14x7" rims (motorsports)
Kumho Victoracer 205/55/14
The rolling components are the only parts that connect to the ground and
thus posed a critical choice. Getting both maximum traction and
reasonable longevity out of one package proved to be an impossible
compromise. So, it was decided that the car wear two sets of wheels and
tires. The 15” set up will be used for street driving and in the rain.
Whereas, the 14” rims will be outfitted with DOT R-rated race rubber for
more extreme activities like autocrossing or track days. The taller
sidewalls will also be of great benefit on New Jersey’s inconsistently
smooth rural roads.
Braking: Wilwood Dynalite II 4-piston front calipers
VW rear calipers
Brembo 10.1" (front), 8.9" (rear) rotors
Carbotech Panther compound brake pads
Corrado G60 22mm master cylinder
stainless steel brake lines
The brakes were a relatively easy system to tune. This is the same
rally-tested package that the owner has trusted for years on the forest
rally stages. Pedal modulation and stopping power are impressive and
fade is essentially a non-issue. Retrofitting an ABS system is under
consideration.
Interior: Autopower 6-point rollcage
Sparco race buckets
Sparco suede steering wheel
OMP aluminum pedals
Cabriolet dashboard (to be swapped with a Corrado G60 unit)
battery behind passenger’s seat
Willans 6-point harnesses
The “Monster Rocc’s” interior is purpose-built like the rest of the
machine. The cage was installed for obvious reasons, to keep the driver
and passenger safe in case of an accident and to keep the suspension
geometry from distorting under cornering loads. The other components
update the ergonomics, improve “feel”, and attempt to provide at least a
modicum of comfort.
ICE: Sony Walkman
Terraphone rally intercom
Brantz International 2 rally computer
VDO gauges
DIGIFIZ instrument cluster
ICE abbreviates the terms “in car entertainment” and is usually
associated with stereo systems and associated electronics. The only such
equipment that this Scirocco has been endowed with is a portable Sony CD
player that has been tied into a rally intercom with headphones and boom
microphone. This permits conversation at normal volume levels while
isolating the crew from high engine and road noise levels.
Finally, the simple and rugged rally computer is a navigational aid that
will help the crew on the TSD road rallies in which the car will
compete. Like the intercom, brakes, and transmission, the computer was
extracted from the owner’s previous rallycars.
Exterior: BMW M3 projector beam headlights
Rally light bar w/Hella 4000 driving beams/ Hella 500 fogs
custom fabricated grill
euro bumpers
custom fender flares
Bonrath cup spoiler
Kamei rear wing
tinted taillights
OMP motorcycle-style gas cap
Audi door handles
shaved rear hatch
Excepting the featherweight euro bumpers, the exterior configuration is
probably the only part of the car that was chosen for good looks alone.
The idea was to emulate a factory look that never existed. If the
owner’s goal is achieved, admirers will ponder whether any Mk1 Scirocco
actually rolled off the assembly line in this level of trim.
Sophisticated tastes will recognize the harmonious blend of Italian
flair and mature German restraint.
No boy racer wet dreams here, this car is intended to impress on
technical and engineering levels. Primarily, though, it is meant to
evoke a passionate response from the driver.
*******************
Updates:
DIGIFIZ:
An interesting and unique new modification to Scott’s car is a coveted
“DIGIFIZ” (Digital driver information center) instrument cluster.
Volkswagen of Germany introduced it in the 1988 Golf GTI 16v. The hefty
price tag was one of the main reasons why the DIGIFIZ was not very
popular among buyers. Not surprisingly, VW dropped it shortly after its
debut. Thus, it is a rare and sought after item among German enthusiasts
today. Elsewhere in the world, however, it is hardly known at all.
Installed inside the otherwise dark and serious interior, the
retro-modern display offers a rare glimpse of exotic German technology.
Rain tray removal:
Any mechanic working under the hood of an A1 chassis car curses the lack
of room in which to wrench. It seems like there is always something in
the way. Removing the Scirocco’s rain tray opened things up greatly
under the hood and adds to the engine bay’s tidiness. A custom air box
has been fabricated to bring clean air into cabin.
Racelogic traction control system:
One of the most exciting systems to be debuted this year is the traction
control system. With so much torque available, only extremely judicious
use of the throttle can keep the tires from turning to smoke. The launch
control system will optimize drag-style takeoffs with repeatable
performance. More importantly, though, mid-corner power understeer
should be cured, with the system setting the correct level of power to
finely balance the vehicle.
The manufacturer claims that they have fitted the system to a number of
front wheel drive tarmac cars, and that in the wet they even outpace
some 4wd vehicles. That level of performance has yet to be confirmed,
but the promise of greater drivability is very exciting, nonetheless.
The great technical challenge is integrating this system with the
nitrous oxide. If implemented incorrectly, it will be a sure recipe for
disaster!
