New Beck Super Coupe

sounds delicious

@barncobob posted:

sounds delicious

@barncobob SUPER delicious 👍🤙🤘

@Joel Roth - Sounds incredible.  I assume you’re going with mid-engine configuration, right?  If so, how are they accommodating the longer 6-cyl engine?

Oh yeah, Welcome to the Beck Super Coupe Madness!

Yes, its a Mid-engine layout. If you go on the Beck Website they have a whole description of the Super Coupe construction with photos as well. The frame is a proprietary custom tube frame with custom suspension. They made the car 2" longer and wider than a "standard" 356 Coupe. They have a number of different engine cradles that allows them to use different engines.

@Joel Roth posted:

Yes, its a Mid-engine layout. If you go on the Beck Website they have a whole description of the Super Coupe construction with photos as well. The frame is a proprietary custom tube frame with custom suspension. They made the car 2" longer and wider than a "standard" 356 Coupe. They have a number of different engine cradles that allows them to use different engines.

Yep, Lane’s is nearly finished. We have all been watching and drooling over his super coupe build for quite a while.

I’m familiar with the car as I expect to take delivery of mine in the next few weeks.  The 4-cyl Subaru is a fairly tight fit (see my build thread) and a 6-cyl Porsche will be a few inches longer.  I was wondering if they were moving the interior bulkhead forward to accommodate the increased engine length, or if the were somehow able to squeeze it in the existing space.

Hi Lane:

Yes, I saw your posts on your car, its beautiful. Use it well. A lot of what I am doing is very similar to your build.

In my conversations/emails with Carey no one every said anything about having to move the interior bulkhead forward. As far as I know they have a different engine cradle for the Boxster Motor.

I’m wondering if they move the engine/transaxle back and angle the half shafts a bit like Intermeccanica does in the opposite direction.  Just engineering curiosity.  I’m sure Carey and crew have it figured out.

I seriously considered the leather hood straps but ultimately decided to leave them off for now.  I figure I’ll live with it for a while before I do more customization.

The only thing that sucks more than you having to wait 2 years for your build is me having to wait 2 years to see it.

Hey Lane I wanted to ask you how is the fit on the interior. I am 6'2". How's the leg room?

I’m just under 6’, and had plenty of room when I drove Carey’s car, but I don’t know if the seat could go any farther back.  I believe he mentioned that he’s squeezed a little more space out of the configuration, but I’m not certain.  If you’re long of torso you should be fine.  If you’re all legs, you might have an issue.  I’ll have mine at Carlisle in mid-May and if you’re there you’re welcome to try it on for size.

Great, I should fit fine then.

By the way my first color choice was going to be something in light Blue (a little lighter than yours) with a Tan leather interior. Then, when I was searching different color combinations I came across the Slate Gray/Oxblood combination and changed my mind.

@Joel Roth posted:

Hi Lane:

Yes, I saw your posts on your car, its beautiful. Use it well. A lot of what I am doing is very similar to your build.

In my conversations/emails with Carey no one every said anything about having to move the interior bulkhead forward. As far as I know they have a different engine cradle for the Boxster Motor.

I believe the Subaru trans is a bit longer than the Porsche 5 speed, which could explain how it fits.

@Joel Roth posted:

Hey Lane I wanted to ask you how is the fit on the interior. I am 6'2". How's the leg room?

I'm thinking that may depend on if one is longer of leg or torso. And the middle matters too for leg room.

280 horses in a 2000-lb coupe should be enjoyable.

Ya THINK?!

Jake Raby said it should be about 280 at the flywheel and 250=260 at the rear wheels.

Speaking of wheels, I plan on going with a 15 x 7 replica Fuchs wheels with 205 65v 15 Vredelstein SportTrac 5 tires or Pirelli CN36 tires. These are the two tires Carey, from Beck recommended and he told me the wheels will fit front and back. I excited, because I love the look of these wheels. Some of the Fuchs replica wheels I have seen look a little funky.

These are the wheels:

MAXILITE Fuchs Style Wheel, 7'' x 15'', 911/930/914-6/944 (70-89)

Lane:

I spoke to Carey about the Porsche Boxster engine/transmission vs the Subaru. He  confirmed that the Porsche transmission is a little shorter, but that he will still need to move the firewall a little forward at the bottom. He said the rear 2 x 2 frame rail will get angled inward at the bottom, but that the top will remain in the stock location. They will adjust the motor mounts as well. He said the seat location will remain the same as well as everything else. He also said that they can adjust the wheelbase plus or minus 30 mm and that since they make their own axels they can adjust everything if it needs any adjusting and can also use different CV joints, including 930 type high angle ones. But that it will not be necessary for my car.

Joel, this is going to be a real jewel. Like you said, it will be worth the wait. Also, like @edsnova said 280hp at the crank in a car of that size should be enjoyable. Stock up on the Depends.

Joel-  It's going to be a BEAST!!  Any idea what it will weigh when finished?

I have no idea what it will weigh, but I can always ask.

Also, 280 HP is the stock HP from a 3.2 S motor. Jake recommended keeping it stock for reliability and drivability, and I agreed. They do some tweaking of the motor when they rebuild it, and it will have a custom exhaust with headers, so the final HP may be a little higher, but I am not looking to increase the HP or get crazy. I want a nice drivable car that has enough HP to back up its looks and that sounds great and that will put a smile on my face every time I drive it.

Joel

Yeah, keep it stock.  Even dead stock that is a LOT of power for that weight.  It's going to be pretty incredible.  Do you plan to ever do a track day with it?  I figure I'll do one or two, just to give the car some exercise, given its capabilities.  That's partially why I had 4-point harnesses and the roll bar added, as well as a brake upgrade.

I really like the wheels and may consider something like that myself at some point.

I don't plan on increasing the HP over stock. 280 HP is plenty for me. I asked Jake and Carey to make sure that 280 HP is not too much for the car/wheels/tires and brakes. They said it will be fine.  What is the weight of the car?

I am adding a 4 point roll bar as well. Not for the track, but just for added safety. I also like the look of the roll bar. Especially, for an Outlaw Style Coupe. I am going to see if they can add an X brace to it.

Joel

The X brace would have to be removable to ensure the engine cover can still be removed. You wouldn't want to drop the motor to change the oil or air filter!

So 280 hp at the flywheel, huh? That's pretty stout. 260 at the wheels is a bit of a stretch though. You lose 10-15% from drivetrain losses. That means 28-42 less at the wheels. So more like 240-250 WHP is the actual number range. Sorry to be a stickler, but numbers accuracy is a pet peeve.

This sounds like a SWEET, smooth, and VERY COOL car. Good luck with the painful waiting process! You're in good hands with Carey and crew.

I think the x-brace would block access to the engine, which is why I don't have one.  It would certainly add strength.

I did say 280 at the crank and between 250-260 at the wheels. Of course, it depends on what the final HP is.

OK I will ask about the X brace. Maybe they can do a bolt in, removable X brace.

@Joel Roth posted:

I did say 280 at the crank and between 250-260 at the wheels. Of course, it depends on what the final HP is.

Yes, it certainly does. You'd need about 310 at the crank to get 260 out to the wheels. 30 hp is a significant bump from 280.

I had a mid 200HP range speedster it was exhilarating and produced .... Permagrin  Syndrome "

@Joel Roth posted:

Jake Raby said it should be about 280 at the flywheel and 250=260 at the rear wheels.

Speaking of wheels, I plan on going with a 15 x 7 replica Fuchs wheels with 205 65v 15 Vredelstein SportTrac 5 tires or Pirelli CN36 tires. These are the two tires Carey, from Beck recommended and he told me the wheels will fit front and back. I excited, because I love the look of these wheels. Some of the Fuchs replica wheels I have seen look a little funky.

These are the wheels:

MAXILITE Fuchs Style Wheel, 7'' x 15'', 911/930/914-6/944 (70-89)

Those are really nice looking but Have you thought of putting bigger brakes in front and 16 or 17 inch wheels ... just saying

I'm 100% positive that Carey will demand good brakes on a car with that much HP. Carey is no fool and knows and practices SAFETY first.

Probably end up with whatever brakes they use on the 904/GTS which MANY owners track. I'm sure it will have sufficient brakes even with 15" tires at around a 2000 pound weight(lighter than any 911 except maybe a 1968 911R).

I am just going with what Carey told me as to the size of the wheel being 15". I don't know if a 16" or 17 wheel will fit, and if you can get one to fit you would probably have to use a very low profile tire, which would adversely effect drivability and comfort. Remember, this is not a track car.

As far as the brakes go, their standard brakes are 4 wheel discs. I know they offer an upgraded track brake package, but I do not intend to track the car. He has not said anything in terms of needing to upgrading the brakes. But if he tells me I need to because of the increased power, of course, I will follow his recommendation.

Joel

Joel, you're in really good hands as I said above. I consider Carey a friend, I have a lot of respect for him. And I don't even own a Beck car, but some of their parts have found themselves on my ride.

^ What he said.  Carey has become a friend to a number of us.

Actually Joel, many of us have 16 inch wheels and those who have 17 inch of course makes for a harsher ride.  Since I do not know what Carey is using, my point was simply that better brakes might be advisable and asking the question to Carey might be worthwhile.  

The front end of these cars are really light so lock up is a given at times hence the better braking and the most tire you can get on the ground the better for safety even if all you do is cruise at 70mph.  

You are in good hands with Carey but I went through the exercise with my Henry at IM, and in the end I upgraded to a full 911 front end for those reasons.   I had a beam front end before.  Carey's new car has a more modern front end and frame which is excellent. In the end it's you car so you decide what you want and what your dream will consist of.  Feel free to disregard this comment

Carey has been very generous to encourage our hobby and our forum here with his suggestions and help.

I have not yet met Carey or anyone else at Beck in person. However, some people give you a good vibe right off the bat, and Carey gave me that. So, I am already on board.

I welcome everyone's comments, and opinions especially from those who have cars already. They have knowledge and experience that is invaluable. 

Joel

Five legends of the Speedster/Spyder Replica field (left to right): Heidi Gallo (legendary artist), Al Gallo (legendary artist's sweetie), Carey Hines (Beck) and Henry Reisner (Intermeccanica) (both Big Kahuna replica legends) and "Wild Bill" Drayer (also legendary, but for finding really cool driving roads around the greater Carlisle area).  Everyone's hanging out in the Carlisle Hotel parking lot, watching Henry work.

I just found out that there may be a "problem" with using the 3.2 L Boxster motor. The problem is not with the motor itself but with the ECU. The ECU for the 3.2 motor is different than the ECU for the 2.7 motor. Apparently, in order to use either motor they need to deactivate the engine immobilizer on the ECU, and there may be a problem with being able to do this on the 3.2 motor. We are waiting to hear from the company they use to do this to see and make sure it can be done. I will update everyone when I know.

I've got my fingers crossed for you, Joel.  I think I'm going to want a ride in this rocket ship some day.