In answer to your bad press on the 85 Reynard. I have found only one informed(first hand knowledge) reply at all !!
From this thread:
http://www.apexspeed.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1172
I'll weigh in with my two cents worth:
To cure the rear end problems, we built a front motor mount that tied into the cylinder head and the ears on a cast Titan oil pan. We replaced the honeycomb aluminum cockpit side panels with round cross tubes to stiffen the chassis as well. I was able to install a rear sway bar of about 3/4 o.d. and then went to a blade adjustable type rear bar. Man that was an improvement!
We changed the routing of the water, we made the flow go from one rad to the other instead of being split between the two. No cooling problems in the Midwest during the hot, muggy summer months!
My driver won the Mid Div Regional Championship in 1995, won a National in 1996 plus ran up front in National during both seasons.
Biggest problem we had was the bolts that held the bell cranks in place up front kept unscrewing themselves! I never did figure that one out...
Each and every car has it's low points and it's high points. Many cars got a bad rap back in the day cause they were different and not every Joe Speedy could make it go fast.
Me? I love odd, weird but wonderful cars!
So, in closing, if you want to be like everyone else, buy a 1990 and newer Van Diemen, or a Swift DB1 or convert a DB-6. You prove something to yourself and others? Then buy that 85 Reynard, or that 85/86 Van Diemen or a 87-89 Reynard or a Crossle 60 F or a Mondial or a Ray.
I know what I'd buy, but then I've pretty much owned all of the above!
Good luck and have fun!!!
bryan
__________________
Bryan Cohn
bryancohnracing@yahoo.com
Someone won a National in one back (1996) when they would get 10 to 15cars for Nationals!!
I have an 85 and did a torque test with bare block and head in the car and the stock thin front engine braces flex way to much!! This car without stiff front engine braces like mentioned above would not handle very well at all. 2 very solid front engine braces would make a world of difference !! I have seen these braces on a few 85 Reynards.
Lee
http://metroevents.com/jordaneng/index.htm