Cyclone Owners...

[Pierscoe1]

To all cyclone owners..

I am selling my GTM K3, and thinking of replacing it with a Cyclone.

Are there any things I should look out for/be wary of??

what is the performance like with the 1.8i 8v engine??
How easy is it to change it over to the 2l 16v ??

Is there adequate ventilation when the roofs are in place??

Any other info/tips would be greatly appreciated.

Piers Coe

P.S. Is there any news on new owners of the company etc??

[grahambell]

Hi Pierscoe 1,

Haven't actually owned a Cyclone but I did visit the company and drive the second prototype a few years back so I can give you some info.

Regarding performance with the 8 valve engine, this understandably depends on the particular engine. The car I drove had a 2 litre 8 valve with high lift cam, big valve head and twin Webers which produced about 170bhp and - once on the cam (semi comp car so really too cammy for road use) - made the Cyclone very quick. Quick enough to beat all the Westfields, Caterhams and everything else including a V12 powered Cobra replica at sprint events. So a tuned 8 valve will certainly produce good results.

Regarding ventilation, that was something they were working to improve when I visited and they seemed to have everything worked out, with a new cold air feed from the front of the car and vent gaps at the rear of the hardtop to allow air to exit.

Haven't heard anything about what's happening with the car lately. Anyone know?

[Pierscoe1]

Thanks for the post..

I was actually thinking of the 1.8i SRi engine..
most cyclone's seem to have this engine (the ones for sale anyway).

I've seen the sprint results.. it's about all you get when you type in CC Cyclone on a search engine, they certainly seem to go.....

Thanks again

Piers

[dangerous B]

See my posts on "Tyres on a kitcar", I may have bought the Co demo car in question- it now has the redtop engine- its frigging brilliant!!! Brian.

[mido]

I've been driving a Cyclone for the past two years, in all kinds of weather.
There is a through ventilation which channels fresh air to your face. However this is totally useless on a warm day and you are stationary in traffic.
Basically if it's a nice day the roof has to come of if you don't want to stew.
Having said that you can fit the standard vauxhall fan in the space just above the fuel pump and this will blow air through the same vents into the car. Me, I just take the roof off.
As for performance, it is decent with the 1.8 SRi engine. Even though I must confess that I fitted the 2.0 SRi engine.
Basically if the car is properly set up you find yourself driving through bends at silly speeds.
The engine can be changed quite easily as the mounting points remain the same throughout the 4 Cylinder Vauxhall range. The main problem you'll find is you have to take extra care not to damage the body, especially the section around the roll bar.

[inkafone]

Mido - would you recommend the cyclone for everyday use - is it reasonably easy to get in and out of,is the hardtop waterproof,do the luggage spaces stay dry when driving in a downpour,is the heater effective - any window steaming up,any inbuilt design faults that you would rectify with a mark2 version,is aircon a possibility,is it noisy at speed,sleeping policeman problems????? - any input appreciated. The cyclone does seem a much better alternative to the various "7" clones - much better aerodynamics (curved screen so fewer cracked windscreens),mid-engined so no silly power bulges/side exhausts,wider cockpit than most,hardtop option that looks good,easily available engines and as most are fuel injected (basically fit it and forget it). Why did the company sell so few and sell up? sorry for the length of this post.....oops

[dangerous B]

Boy thats a lot of questions in a fairly short post, and although not directed at me, I'll give my version of the answer anyway -
would you recommend the cyclone for everyday use ?
Well its as good as any other and far better than most.
- is it reasonably easy to get in and out of?
Yes.
is the hardtop waterproof?
Yes, totally.
do the luggage spaces stay dry when driving in a downpour?,
Yes, totally.
is the heater effective?
Yes, very.
- any window steaming?
Yes with the top up- they all do, if you cant live with that you'll have to buy a tin top.
any inbuilt design faults that you would rectify with a mark2 version,
Yes, better brakes overall, redesign of handbrake.
,is it noisy at speed?
Of course it is,its noisy when its stood still, its supposed to be!!!
sleeping policeman problems?????
No, seriousley, but the live ones are!
wider cockpit than most -
No, its still very tight, it just looks like it ought to have more space as its fat at the back.
Why did the company sell so few and sell up?
Not sure on this one but probably just too expensive initially.
On a very serious note, I would not recommend any kit car for every day use, they a
e for fun!fun!fun!
Get any old tintop for everyday use then go to town on one for the weekend.
I'll ask you one question, Have you heard one bad comment from any cyclone driver, or owner, on this or any other site/ I think not. I'm a westfield SSC member. Its a fantastic club and i will remain a member, but however since selling my 180bhp westy I find that the cyclone with slightly less power is altogether more driveable and predictable, (ie easier)and QUICKER, well in my hands anyway. These are my own honest and practical experiences. THE CAR IS BRILLIANT, I only wish that the project will be ressurected.
Cheers, brian

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>> Edited by dangerous B on Thursday 12th September 22:20

[inkafone]

Thanks for that - I've owned eight kit cars in the last 20 odd years and as the Cyclone was in the "7" mould I've always thought these to be sunny day motors.Went for a test drive in one today and was very impressed especially with the ride/handling and the hard top design - it's even got decent luggage space - look forward to see what the new owners come up with...