Maverick F600 conversion by NovaRace & Piontek Engineering
Final assembly of Fred Edwards Maverick conversion is happening. All the frame mods are complete, belly pans and other sheet metal is on. This particular car will essentially be a brand new car as it is being TOTALLY REBUILT.
Designed by NovaRace, all fabrication and machine work by Dave Piontek of Piontek Engineering.
Here are a few of the key elements of the conversion:
1. Uses all the existing rear suspension. This is the 1st car that we have been comfortable with using the existing rear suspension and axle. This dramatically reduces the cost for this conversion as you do not have to cut the back of the car off.
2. We are using the new Maverick 50mm left side drive axle assembly. If your car has this you will not need to get one.
3. The chain final drive is direct to the axle using our newly designed and machined output shaft extension using a splined motorcycle sprocket.
4. No chain idler or tensioner required as we have optimized the chain geometry for this package.
5. Any final drive ratio you want you can get. Short tracks, long tracks etc.
6. Totally stock rear suspension, rubber canisters, WOB link etc. Adjusts exactly like your current Maverick.
7. Suzuki GSXR600 engine with NovaRace wet sump & 4 into 1 exhaust with side exit muffler for that F1 screaming sound.
8. Uses existing 2 radiator setup with additional oil cooler. This baby will cool properly.
9. Simple fuel cell mods for fuel injection system. Baffled fuel well in fuel cell.
10. Frame mods are relatively simple with a bolt on top of frame structure and 5 tubes and associated brackets welded to the chassis. To remove the engine you remove the bolt on top top frame structure and lift the engine straight up.
Please see the attached pictures to whet your appetite for really cool F600 cars.
See the removable top structure. Also note the aluminum bolt in headrest.
http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/p...m/DSCN0818.jpg
Rear view, note that the back of the chassis is totally unchanged except for the added bungs for the bolt on top. This keeps the costs low for a conversion.
http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/p...m/DSCN0819.jpg
Front side view of completely rebuilt and powder coated frame.
http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/p...m/DSCN0824.jpg
Fuel cell
sheet metal etc.
http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/p...m/DSCN0825.jpg
Fuel pump/filter/regulator
http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/p...m/DSCN0829.jpg
I will be posting pics and status every couple of days. We plan on delivering the car to Fred around October 1st.
Once we finalize all the costs we will be posting a complete price list for a Nova-Maverick F600 conversion.
Thanks ... Jay Novak
Maverick/Scorpion F600 Conversion
While Jay is burning the midnight oil to get ready for the run-offs I'll take over and try to post the update photos myself. We have had a number of problems with new parts that were supplied for the build. It seems that there are a couple of levels of steering arms, brackets and upper control arms. We had a mixture of levels and is was confusing to say the least. The brake pedal had to be moved over to make room for the clutch. This is a very tight pedal package. Only 10" side to side.
Dave Piontek
Piontek Engineering Inc.
more pics of the Maverick F600 conversion
Hi Everyone, the Maverick conversion to F600 for Fred Edwards is nearly done. We put the car on the ground and it is VERY close to being ready to test. Test days are next Saturday and possible Sunday.
Here are some additional pics of the chassis.
This is a good shot of the output shaft extension used to place the sprocket inline with the rear axle sprocket. Now everyone will ask "how can the chain length be so different from the control arm lengths?"
Remember that the total suspension travel of an F600 or an F500 is about 2.5" to 3" maximum. By carefull placement of the engine and by adjusting the geometry of the trailing arms we can keep the sprocket center to center distance well within reason for the total range of the wheel travel. All of this geometry work is completed in SolidWorks before the car is built.
http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/p...m/DSCN1010.jpg
Here is a picture of the oil cooler. This is a $90 B&M (Long Industries) oil cooler that we have used with great success in many cars including our Runoffs winning F1000 and our ARRC winning F600. Very low cost solution.
http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/p...m/DSCN1015.jpg
Rear view of the chassis with all the engine stuff in place. Note that the exhaust goes out the back of the car. Our typical side outlet exhaust will not fit on the Maverick.
http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/p...m/DSCN1013.jpg
Another right side shot. You will note that the car has 2 radiators. Our new NovaKar F600 will have 1 radiator and 1 oil cooler to simplify the plumbing. We could not go the single radiator for the Maverick as it would have required much modification to the side pods and ducts so we stayed with the Maverick package.
http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/p...m/DSCN1006.jpg
Left side front view. Note that the radiators and the left side duct work is standard Maverick. There is a mod to the right side exit duct to fit the oil cooler but everything else is stock. Note that we are using the stock GSXR airbox as it fits very nicely in the chassis. We will eventually be doing a dedicated airbox that can be used on any F600.
http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/p...m/DSCN1008.jpg
Front view that shows the new right radiator exit duct which integrates right into the existing radiator package. Also note our newest version of our paddle shifter. Very slick and it also has our mechanically operated throttle blipper that works on downshifts. The only time you need the clutch is when starting from a stop.
http://i399.photobucket.com/albums/p...m/DSCN1007.jpg
Tomorrow we hope to drive it around a bit for a systems check. More news and perhaps a short video in the next day or 2. Full body shot of the completed car tomorrow so stay tuned.
Thanks ... Jay Novak
Pics of Fred's Maverick at Gingerman