Results 1 to 18 of 18

Thread: Banshee numbers

  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    11.03.20
    Location
    North East Pennsylvania
    Posts
    23
    Liked: 3

    Default Banshee numbers

    Hello, does anyone know how many Banshee BTF's were produced? Maybe how many are left?

    Just curious

  2. #2
    Member
    Join Date
    11.27.06
    Location
    Someset NJ
    Posts
    55
    Liked: 8

    Default Banshee BTF-1600

    Hi,
    To the best of my knowledge 6 or 7 were fully assembled and actually raced, There were I believe 3 more chassis fully welded
    awaiting completion which never took place. There were suspension parts that were made also as well as other bits and pieces
    and there was a jig available for the suspension and the chassis itself, Hard to say how many of these cars are still around though.

  3. The following members LIKED this post:


  4. #3
    Member
    Join Date
    11.03.20
    Location
    North East Pennsylvania
    Posts
    23
    Liked: 3

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by zcars View Post
    Hi,
    To the best of my knowledge 6 or 7 were fully assembled and actually raced, There were I believe 3 more chassis fully welded
    awaiting completion which never took place. There were suspension parts that were made also as well as other bits and pieces
    and there was a jig available for the suspension and the chassis itself, Hard to say how many of these cars are still around though.
    Hello zcars, thank you very much. I've only seen a few posts on here with information about these cars. I own one and was curious to how many exist. I guess there is no way of telling what chassis you have since there is no serial number plate. At least not one I've found yet and I've had the whole car stripped to bare chassis. I'm from PA and I know of 1 other in PA too who is a member here. I think I saw a thread started here with a chassis in AZ where the guy was going to swap in a Subaru engine and powder coated the frame but I didn't see any more progress on that thread.

    Anyone have an idea of where the other survivors are located? I'm assuming that none of the still race with the FRCCA?

    Thanks

  5. #4
    Member
    Join Date
    11.27.06
    Location
    Someset NJ
    Posts
    55
    Liked: 8

    Default Banshee BTF

    You're welcome and now you have me curious - may I ask what you plan to do with that car ? Hillclimb events maybe if
    you are contemplating an engine swap such as a Subaru unit like the other guy, wonder how far he got with that project.
    If your car's bodywork is/was painted orange then it belonged to John who ran the FRCCA for a few years and no one has
    raced a banshee with the FRCCA for some years now. I think there was one other guy from PA who had a white one who
    did a few races with the FRCCA about 10 years ago. It's too bad there are no serial numbers on these cars so hard to trace
    what little history it has. Anyway best of luck with whatever you're doing with that car and in case you're wondering the
    BTF designation after Banshee stands for 'back to the future' !

  6. #5
    Member
    Join Date
    11.03.20
    Location
    North East Pennsylvania
    Posts
    23
    Liked: 3

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by zcars View Post
    You're welcome and now you have me curious - may I ask what you plan to do with that car ? Hillclimb events maybe if
    you are contemplating an engine swap such as a Subaru unit like the other guy, wonder how far he got with that project.
    If your car's bodywork is/was painted orange then it belonged to John who ran the FRCCA for a few years and no one has
    raced a banshee with the FRCCA for some years now. I think there was one other guy from PA who had a white one who
    did a few races with the FRCCA about 10 years ago. It's too bad there are no serial numbers on these cars so hard to trace
    what little history it has. Anyway best of luck with whatever you're doing with that car and in case you're wondering the
    BTF designation after Banshee stands for 'back to the future' !
    Yep the car sure was painted orange / black / white with John's name and another individual by the name of Nate Steel. I removed all the stickers and am in the process of repainting the body (probably) black with neon yellow accent. The car is basically stock besides 15x8 & 15x7 wheels, Hoosier R25B tires, new master cylinders and EMPI 34 PICT carbs. ( I could never get it to run right with the Webber 32/36. I tried for months. I think the lack of a preheat tube in the manifold was the culprit. So I got the EMPI'S ) I took whole engine apart and resealed everything. I ran the Weatherly hill climb with it this year and a Pocono track sprint, car is a blast in the corners but I need to either re-gear it or put on a stock VW trans in. It is horrible at a launch with the road racing gears, all it does is bog until about 3000 rpm. I suppose if I had the stock hard tires I'm sure I could get some wheel speed with launch but the the R25B's are just to sticky for the low power.

    The car was ready for the dump when I got it so I took my time to strip it all down and repaint it. I've always wanted a formula car and this is perfect for my budget.

    This fall I started piecing together a turbo kit using a KKK K04 turbo. I want it to spool quick out of the corners since most all the PHA hill climbs have a lot of steep graded hairpins. Unfortunately I had some very expensive vet bills recently with surgery's for one of my dogs. So the plan is now to just hone the cylinders and re-ring it for next season and practice on my driving. If I had the money I would definitely stroke it to 2000 something cc's with bigger carbs.

    I have an old Lola frisbee Can-Am wing for the back that I have been slowly making attachments for but I will not be adding it until I figure out what I want to do for the front wing. I will either make one or was thinking of using a micro sprint front wing on each side of the nose.

    Here's some pictures of it at the end of the season.

    Also the class I have to compete in with the PHA puts me in S1 which is all bike engine formula and 2 stroke sports racers so I'm really just trying to have fun. Really no chance of competing. A turbo would bump me to S2 which I would be more competitive in.
    Last edited by SpiritRacingCNC; 12.21.22 at 2:00 PM.

  7. #6
    Member
    Join Date
    11.03.20
    Location
    North East Pennsylvania
    Posts
    23
    Liked: 3

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by SpiritRacingCNC View Post
    Yep the car sure was painted orange / black / white with John's name and another individual by the name of Nate Steel. I removed all the stickers and am in the process of repainting the body (probably) black with neon yellow accent. The car is basically stock besides 15x8 & 15x7 wheels, Hoosier R25B tires, new master cylinders and EMPI 34 PICT carbs. ( I could never get it to run right with the Webber 32/36. I tried for months. I think the lack of a preheat tube in the manifold was the culprit. So I got the EMPI'S ) I took whole engine apart and resealed everything. I ran the Weatherly hill climb with it this year and a Pocono track sprint, car is a blast in the corners but I need to either re-gear it or put on a stock VW trans in. It is horrible at a launch with the road racing gears, all it does is bog until about 3000 rpm. I suppose if I had the stock hard tires I'm sure I could get some wheel speed with launch but the the R25B's are just to sticky for the low power.

    The car was ready for the dump when I got it so I took my time to strip it all down and repaint it. I've always wanted a formula car and this is perfect for my budget.

    This fall I started piecing together a turbo kit using a KKK K04 turbo. I want it to spool quick out of the corners since most all the PHA hill climbs have a lot of steep graded hairpins. Unfortunately I had some very expensive vet bills recently with surgery's for one of my dogs. So the plan is now to just hone the cylinders and re-ring it for next season and practice on my driving. If I had the money I would definitely stroke it to 2000 something cc's with bigger carbs.

    I have an old Lola frisbee Can-Am wing for the back that I have been slowly making attachments for but I will not be adding it until I figure out what I want to do for the front wing. I will either make one or was thinking of using a micro sprint front wing on each side of the nose.

    Here's some pictures of it at the end of the season.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20220629_190640.jpg 
Views:	613 
Size:	157.3 KB 
ID:	105695   Click image for larger version. 

Name:	received_808598440388542.jpg 
Views:	647 
Size:	74.1 KB 
ID:	105694  

  8. The following members LIKED this post:


  9. #7
    Member
    Join Date
    11.27.06
    Location
    Someset NJ
    Posts
    55
    Liked: 8

    Default Banshee

    Car is looking good ! yep that was definitely the car I was thinking of, (John's) he did well with it racing with the FRCCA.
    I raced one of these cars once (different one) and was told to make sure the engine was fully warmed up - even hot before going out for a session so you may be spot on was to why it wouldn't run properly on a weber 32/36 since the manifold doesn't have a preheat tube. The guys who built the car did used a different carb and it may have been an EMPI as well. The car did handle well, that
    chassis is very stiff. Perhaps you can change the 1st gear to make it more suitable for those standing starts when you run those
    hill climb events, I would think VW specialists would be able to help with that. The transmission itself may have been that car's
    weakpoint so anything you can do to make it stronger will certainly pay off especially after you add that turbo !!!
    I certainly understand not having extra $$$ right now after one of your dog's having surgery, taking care of a dog is what kept me
    from racing this past season so I know the feeling.
    I'm just happy to see someone still racing one of these Banshees so I hope you continue to do so.
    it will be interesting to see what that car looks like when you install the front and rear wings, Don't forget to make the rear wing
    a DRS unit, Jim Chapparal style with the foot operated contraption to lessen the wing angle on the straights (if the rules allows it )

  10. #8
    Member
    Join Date
    11.03.20
    Location
    North East Pennsylvania
    Posts
    23
    Liked: 3

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by zcars View Post
    Car is looking good ! yep that was definitely the car I was thinking of, (John's) he did well with it racing with the FRCCA.
    I raced one of these cars once (different one) and was told to make sure the engine was fully warmed up - even hot before going out for a session so you may be spot on was to why it wouldn't run properly on a weber 32/36 since the manifold doesn't have a preheat tube. The guys who built the car did used a different carb and it may have been an EMPI as well. The car did handle well, that
    chassis is very stiff. Perhaps you can change the 1st gear to make it more suitable for those standing starts when you run those
    hill climb events, I would think VW specialists would be able to help with that. The transmission itself may have been that car's
    weakpoint so anything you can do to make it stronger will certainly pay off especially after you add that turbo !!!
    I certainly understand not having extra $$$ right now after one of your dog's having surgery, taking care of a dog is what kept me
    from racing this past season so I know the feeling.
    I'm just happy to see someone still racing one of these Banshees so I hope you continue to do so.
    it will be interesting to see what that car looks like when you install the front and rear wings, Don't forget to make the rear wing
    a DRS unit, Jim Chapparal style with the foot operated contraption to lessen the wing angle on the straights (if the rules allows it )
    I hope your dog is doing well again. Yep I will update the thread with pictures when I get all the mounts and bugs worked out. Thanks again for the info on the banshee. I was definitely thinking about a kind of DRS unit / airbrake for years. I have to look at the supplemental hill climb rules to see if they allow for moveable aerodynamics. The only downside is if I'm expecting the wing to be at an aggressive angle of attack coming into the corner and it gets stuck flat I'd have less downforce. I'll play around with the idea some more.

  11. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    08.29.15
    Location
    Prescott, AZ
    Posts
    466
    Liked: 187

    Default

    Big tires and a turbo, suggest you budget in a new trans. The welded up gears are rather weak and the California trans builder is not very interested in this old built up box. The Samba had some close ratios for a somewhat reasonable price that I used but still basically a two speed transmission for road racing.

    yes, the transaxle was built in California. I forgot which builder but is was one of the big outfits. Best I can remember, first and second had welded up gears. One went south in my box and they were not interested in helping. Later learned that AJ had some spares but unfortunately he has passed on.

    The frame is very simple and would be easy to duplicate. Unfortunately, quite heavy and strong with 1” sq tubing 0.120 wall, mig welded. Also, steel belly. VW golf or similar carriers, spindles, hubs as I remember.
    A lightweight frame and Hewland would make a very fun car .
    Last edited by jrh3; 12.27.22 at 1:33 PM.

  12. #10
    Senior Member Stan Clayton's Avatar
    Join Date
    11.14.03
    Location
    Mooresville NC area
    Posts
    4,157
    Liked: 309

    Default

    Good looking car!

    Just curious...do the chassis plans still exist?
    Stan Clayton
    Stohr Cars

  13. #11
    Member
    Join Date
    11.03.20
    Location
    North East Pennsylvania
    Posts
    23
    Liked: 3

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jrh3 View Post
    Big tires and a turbo, suggest you budget in a new trans. The welded up gears are rather weak and the California trans builder is not very interested in this old built up box. The Samba had some close ratios for a somewhat reasonable price that I used
    JRH3 are you saying that the trans in these cars came from a California builder?

  14. #12
    Member
    Join Date
    11.03.20
    Location
    North East Pennsylvania
    Posts
    23
    Liked: 3

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Stan Clayton View Post
    Good looking car!

    Just curious...do the chassis plans still exist?
    I have no idea. I'm sure they around somewhere. As mentioned previously there is extra parts that we left over. As to who has them and who they are I have no clue? Are you planning on recreating the chassis? Just wondering.

  15. #13
    Member
    Join Date
    11.03.20
    Location
    North East Pennsylvania
    Posts
    23
    Liked: 3

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by jrh3 View Post
    Big tires and a turbo, suggest you budget in a new trans. The welded up gears are rather weak and the California trans builder is not very interested in this old built up box. The Samba had some close ratios for a somewhat reasonable price that I used but still basically a two speed transmission for road racing.

    yes, the transaxle was built in California. I forgot which builder but is was one of the big outfits. Best I can remember, first and second had welded up gears. One went south in my box and they were not interested in helping. Later learned that AJ had some spares but unfortunately he has passed on.

    The frame is very simple and would be easy to duplicate. Unfortunately, quite heavy and strong with 1” sq tubing 0.120 wall, mig welded. Also, steel belly. VW golf or similar carriers, spindles, hubs as I remember.
    A lightweight frame and Hewland would make a very fun car .
    Thank you for the info. Do you happen to know what they did to the trans to get it to go road racing? Like I said above at hill climbs it is geared way to high. Wondering if all 1-4 gear rations were changed or a final drive modification? Basically I am wondering would it be an easy fix to get the gearing down for standing launches or am I better of getting a stock box and building it stronger?

  16. #14
    Member
    Join Date
    11.27.06
    Location
    Someset NJ
    Posts
    55
    Liked: 8

    Default Banshee

    Quote Originally Posted by SpiritRacingCNC View Post
    I hope your dog is doing well again. Yep I will update the thread with pictures when I get all the mounts and bugs worked out. Thanks again for the info on the banshee. I was definitely thinking about a kind of DRS unit / airbrake for years. I have to look at the supplemental hill climb rules to see if they allow for moveable aerodynamics. The only downside is if I'm expecting the wing to be at an aggressive angle of attack coming into the corner and it gets stuck flat I'd have less downforce. I'll play around with the idea some more.
    <br>

    <br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp;Thanks and hope your dog has recovered well from the surgery by now. It will be interesting to see what you come up with for your rear moveable wing, should be a fun engineering project, just hope it's not against the rules to use one

  17. #15
    Member
    Join Date
    11.27.06
    Location
    Someset NJ
    Posts
    55
    Liked: 8

    Default Banshee

    Quote Originally Posted by SpiritRacingCNC View Post
    Thank you for the info. Do you happen to know what they did to the trans to get it to go road racing? Like I said above at hill climbs it is geared way to high. Wondering if all 1-4 gear rations were changed or a final drive modification? Basically I am wondering would it be an easy fix to get the gearing down for standing launches or am I better of getting a stock box and building it stronger?
    Just wondering out loud - Maybe guys/gals in the Supervee community has the answer to your transmission concerns -
    I don't know what gearboxes they use/used but they may have contacts that are still in business, long shot I know.

  18. #16
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    02.12.24
    Location
    Pennsylvania
    Posts
    2
    Liked: 0

    Default

    Bumping this thread as there is a Banshee headed my way and I'm hoping to track down what happened to the parts that were left over after the production run.

    Thanks.
    Steve

  19. #17
    Member
    Join Date
    11.03.20
    Location
    North East Pennsylvania
    Posts
    23
    Liked: 3

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Eastcoaststeve View Post
    Bumping this thread as there is a Banshee headed my way and I'm hoping to track down what happened to the parts that were left over after the production run.

    Thanks.
    Steve
    Hey Steve. what one are you getting? Is it the roller with purple bodywork?

  20. #18
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    02.12.24
    Location
    Pennsylvania
    Posts
    2
    Liked: 0

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by SpiritRacingCNC View Post
    Hey Steve. what one are you getting? Is it the roller with purple bodywork?

    Yes, it's my Winter project.
    Hoping to have it ready for next Autocross season, and maybe some hillclimbs once I get comfortable in it.




    Steve
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	20240929_184202.jpg 
Views:	4 
Size:	187.5 KB 
ID:	113014  

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 4 users browsing this thread. (2 members and 2 guests)

  1. scorp997,
  2. SpiritRacingCNC

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  




About Us
Since 2000, ApexSpeed.com has been the go-to place for amateur road racing enthusiasts, bringing together a friendly community of racers, fans, and industry professionals. We're all about creating a space where people can connect, share knowledge, and exchange parts and vehicles, with a focus on specific race cars, classes, series, and events. Our community includes all major purpose-built road racing classes, like the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and various pro series across North America and beyond. At ApexSpeed, we're passionate about amateur motorsports and are dedicated to helping our community have fun and grow while creating lasting memories on and off the track.
Social