Anybody has a Campagna T-Rex in here?

[dgp]

I love the looks of it and the handling seems to be really good (almost 2 g's on the skidpad). The new ones have Kawasaki 1200cc motors from the ZZR1200 kawasaki motorcycle replacing the ZX11 motors they previously had. Anybody owns one in here? Who services the car/bike? Is it any Kawasaki motorcycle dealer? What is it like to live with everyday?

 

[hlweyl]

I've seen them on MTV cribs before...they look like alot of fun! I wonder about the handling with only 1 rear tire though.

Here is the site www.go-t-rex.com

 

[Brian2by2]

I'm buying one in February.

 

[effer]

I will also buy one within a year... I hope...

I had the pleasure to ride in one having the ZX 11 engine but slightly modified though ( 4 in 1 exhaust, competition rear tire and intake upgrade ).

It is incredible. You really have the feeling to drive a formula race car.

Braking distances are better than almost any road car of any price.

Absolute handling is also above any road car IMO

BUT BE CAREFUL:

never WOT until you reach the apex, otherwise you will lose the rear.

With this slightly modified T Rex, 0-60 could be done in the
3,6 to 3, 8 s range!!!

I wonder what would the newer version with the ZZR12 engine be capable of...


To live with it every day will be for sure tough because there is no windshield and you must wear an helmet as for riding a motorcycle. So when it rains...

The ride is also pretty stiff and seats aren't much padded.

Forget it if you suffer back pain...


The only thing I complaint IMIO* about this awesome driving machine is its lack of top speed ( 140 mph ) because I would like this thing to EASILY reach over 300 km/h ( 188 mph ).

This is why I'd go for the Turbo upgrade route.

Regards

effer

As I ever wrote, here are my 4 favorite exotics:

1- Mc Laren F1
2- Acura NSX
3- Campagna T-Rex
4- Lamborghini Diablo

One day I will own three of these four. Guess which ones!


* first I=in , second I = insane

 

[dgp]

I think they claim 0-60 in 3.9 seconds and top speed of 150mph with the ZZR12 engine. The 1200cc has more or less the same hp as the ZX11 but a more broad torque range. You can also add a windshield which increases top end and lowers cd. I think adding a windshield wouldn't classify it as a bike anymore and so you might need to have wipers added as well (i think there's a law which says any vehicle with a windshield must also have wipers).
What I meant when i said living with the car every day was about reliability. Obviously you don't buy a car like this to drive it everyday. Who services the car? Do you know if a motorcycle service shop can service it? How about warranty work?
Unfortunately there is no turbo kit for the ZZR12 engine, i think there might be one for the zx11 powered t-rex's. Do you know any braking statistics for the t-rex or acceleration #'s at higher speeds (0-100mph, 1/4 mile etc)? The skidpad #'s sound unbelievable. I don't know of anything that can match it except for race cars!
Do you plan to get a T-Rex soon?


Rgds,
DGP

 

[Carguy!]

What do these things sell for? They look pretty cool, but I would make sure I drove one before buying.

 

[effer]

I think they claim 0-60 in 3.9 seconds and top speed of 150mph with the ZZR12 engine.

Sounds realistic because with the ZX 11 engine the Rex was doing, stock, exactly 4,1 s and top speed of 225 km/h ( 140 mph ).

The 1200cc has more or less the same hp as the ZX11 but a more broad torque range.

This is even better! I didn't have the feeling that it suffered from lack of torque à la S2000, mainly due to its lightness: only 900 lbs.

Just imagine what a Rex would do with an NSX engine!!!

You can also add a windshield which increases top end and lowers cd.

Interesting! Are you sure about these facts? Because adding a windshield will also add frontal area of car which is also responsible of diminishing top speed.
So if you are right, decreasing of cd would thus be higher than increasing of frontal area.

This will be another interesting upgrade to do...

I think adding a windshield wouldn't classify it as a bike anymore and so you might need to have wipers added as well (i think there's a law which says any vehicle with a windshield must also have wipers).

There is more IMO than a mere windshield difference between a car and a bike. Check your local regulation. Here in the province of Québec this wouldn't be sufficient.

There was several reasons why Mr. Campagna chose the three wheeled route over to four one. Efficiency and minimal weight but also to lower development costs as car regulations are more restrictive, complex and very expensive.
Just think to numerous prototypes to be lost in various collision tests...

What I meant when i said living with the car every day was about reliability. Obviously you don't buy a car like this to drive it everyday.

Oh! On this side it is very good because reliability is as good as with the bike.

You must regularly inspect the front suspension and be aware if suspension ball joint needs to be lubricated. Not because you will have to constanly think about it but because you will not want a single issue with that.

Driving it every day could be possible. Surprisingly, in rainy days, you will experience that rain drops are fairly well deflected.

Who services the car? Do you know if a motorcycle service shop can service it? How about warranty work?

Should be your T Rex dealer for every thing except engine, otherwise he will probably refer to a Kawasaki dealer.

I
Unfortunately there is no turbo kit for the ZZR12 engine, i think there might be one for the zx11 powered t-rex's. Do you know any braking statistics for the t-rex or acceleration #'s at higher speeds (0-100mph, 1/4 mile etc)? The skidpad #'s sound unbelievable. I don't know of anything that can match it except for race cars!
Do you plan to get a T-Rex soon?

I know there is a turbo kit for the ZX 11 engine.

About braking statistics I never made scientifical measurements about them, but believe me, I would bet it is better than my NSX. I would go for something well under 32 metres from 100 km/h to 0.

Read: less than a 100 ft from 60 mph to zero!!!

Handling is where this thing really shines, on a track you can really hang with 911 TT ( as far as there is lots of twisties and not too much long straits... ).

Acceleration numbers at higher speeds are IMO deceptive because when you reach the 100 mph mark it is becoming breathless. You understand now why I want a turbo upgrade!

Don't remember quarter mile numbers but I would go for easy sub 13 s... I'll find it...

Skidpad numbers are also realistics because:

1- It is typically the same kind of numbers than Formula race cars having such a low COW and suspension design and also having NO aerodynamical downforce system! IOW you have a car that shows almost a perfect mechanical grip efficiency.

You find these numbers unreal? Adding aerodynamical grip to the package and you will enter into the 3-4 g realm...

Now we are talking about my dream T-Rex: over 300 hp with downforce goodies!

2- The cornering speed difference between a car having a lateral acceleration number of g1 and another having a lateral acceleration number of g2 is only square root of g1 / g2.

So, a car capable of 2g is only going 1,41 times faster than another capable of 1g. Not the two time faster that most people would intuitively and wrongly think.

Now you can smile when somebody says his car do 1,02g compared to yours at 0,99g ! ( Z06 vs Zanardi maybe )

Last detail about skidpad numbers: A car doing 2 g on a X hundred feet skidpad will not necessarily show the same numbers on a Y hundred feet skidpad. So it doesn't give the whole picture of its overall handling.

Best example: nobody would doubt about the Mc Laren F1 first class handling and performances, about its extraordinary ability to reach unreal speeds in bends but when you look at its skidpad number @ 200 ft it shows only...0,86g !!!

About getting a T-Rex soon, I will look for a used one with the
ZX 11 engine and turbo it. I don't believe any more in purchasing brand new. Almost never worth the difference when you buy high end stuff. Later I could swap for the newer engine!

By next summer I'd like to find a nice one.

Sorry for this long post.

Carguy!, they sell for around 35K$ US.

Cheers guys!

Dgp, if you like to drive you can't go wrong with a T-Rex, but as for the NSX, a T-Rex isn't a drag car, it is a pure race car. In fact the nearest of a formula race car with only mechanical grip you can "road legally" get.

 

[Brian2by2]

Sounds realistic because with the ZX 11 engine the Rex was doing, stock, exactly 4,1 s and top speed of 225 km/h ( 140 mph ).





This is even better! I didn't have the feeling that it suffered from lack of torque à la S2000, mainly du to its lightness: only 900 lbs.

Just imagine what a Rex would do with an NSX engine!!!




Interesting! Are you sure about these facts? Because adding a windshield will also add frontal area of car which is also responsible of diminishing top speed.
So if you are right, decreasing of cd would thus be higher than increasing of frontal area.

This will be another interesting upgrade to do...





There is more IMO than a mere windshield difference between a car and a bike. Check your local regulation. Here in the province of Québec this wouldn't be sufficient.

There was several reasons why Mr. Campagna chose the three wheeled route over to four one. Efficiency and minimal weight but also to lower development costs as car regulations are more restrictive, complex and very expensive.
Just think to numerous prototypes to be lost in various collision tests...



Oh! On this side it is very good because reliability is as good as with the bike.

You must regularly inspect the front suspension and be aware if suspension ball joint needs to be lubricated. Not because you will have to constanly think about it but because you will not want a single issue with that.

Driving it every day could be possible. Surprisingly, in rainy days, you will experience that rain drops are fairly well deflected.




Should be your T Rex dealer for every thing except engine, otherwise he will probably refer to a Kawasaki dealer.




I know there is a turbo kit for the ZX 11 engine.

About braking statistics I never made scientifical measurements about them, but believe me, I would bet it is better than my NSX. I would go for something well under 32 metres from 100 km/h to 0.

Read: less than a 100 ft from 60 mph to zero!!!

Handling is where this thing really shines, on a track you can really hang with 911 TT ( as far as there is lots of twisties and not too much long straits... ).

Acceleration numbers at higher speeds are IMO deceptive because when you reach the 100 mph mark it is becoming breathless. You understand now why I want a turbo upgrade!

Don't remember quarter mile numbers but I would go for easy sub 13 s... I'll find it...

Skidpad numbers are also realistics because:

1- It is typically the same kind of numbers than Formula race cars having such a low COW and suspension design and also having NO aerodynamical downforce system! IOW you have a car that shows almost a perfect mechanical grip efficiency.

You find these numbers unreal? Adding aerodynamical grip to the package and you will enter into the 3-4 g realm...

Now we are talking about my dream T-Rex: over 300 hp with downforce goodies!

2- The cornering speed difference between a car having a lateral acceleration number of g1 and another having a lateral acceleration number of g2 is only square root of g1 / g2.

So, a car capable of 2g is only going 1,41 times faster than another capable of 1g. Not the two time faster that most people would intuitively and wrongly think.

Now you can smile when somebody says his car do 1,02g compared to yours at 0,99g ! ( Z06 vs Zanardi maybe )

Last detail about skidpad numbers: A car doing 2 g on a X hundred feet skidpad will not necessarily show the same numbers on a Y hundred feet skidpad. So it doesn't give the whole picture of its overall handling.

Best example: nobody would doubt about the Mc Laren F1 first class handling and performances, about its extraordinary ability to reach unreal speeds in bends but when you look at its skidpad number @ 200 ft it shows only...0,86g !!!

About getting a T-Rex soon, I will look for a used one with the
ZX 11 engine and turbo it. I don't believe any more in purchasing brand new. Almost never worth the difference when you buy high end stuff. Later I could swap for the newer engine!

By next summer I'd like to find a nice one.

Sorry for this long post.

Carguy, they sell for around 35K$ US.

Cheers guys!

Dgp, if you like to drive you can't go wrong with a T-Rex, but as for the NSX, a T-Rex isn't a drag car, it is a pure race car. In fact the nearest of a formula race car with only mechanical grip you can "road legally" get.

Very good post!! I've been doing alot of research on this vehicle and I absolutely love it! Great handling, acceleration, appearance...everything

You will want a windshield...ever felt the wind and a june bug at 140??

Also, they can be picked up used for about $29,000 or so right now and are very reliable as its nothing more than a Kawi with a different body! Wish the top speed was higher though.....

 

[effer]

Very good post!! I've been doing alot of research on this vehicle and I absolutely love it! Great handling, acceleration, appearance...everything

Thanks Brian2by2!

Believe me this thing gets has much attention as a Lamborghini, an NSX or any exotic!!! So low and racy...

Rear tire is 31535ZR17 !!!

You will want a windshield...ever felt the wind and a june bug at 140??

I won't drive it hard without my helmet. That makes me remember a few summer ago when I saw a guy driving it without helmet in downtown Montréal cruising on Ste-Catherine street. Everybody were staring at his magnificent silver beast.

Also, they can be picked up used for about $29,000 or so right now and are very reliable as its nothing more than a Kawi with a different body! Wish the top speed was higher though.....

Exactly!

Question, could you buy one from Canada? I am asking because we do have some different regulations but I know that purchasing car from USA is quite common here...

Cheers everybody!

 

[Acura NsX Pilot]

What do these things sell for? They look pretty cool, but I would make sure I drove one before buying.

They are way over priced when new over 50g's i remember.

 

[MiamieNeSeX]

They are way over priced when new over 50g's i remember.

Most things we like are!!

 

[effer]

Canadian MSRP is around 48K $.

Converted in USD: 37K $

 

[dgp]

Thanks for the info effer! I don't think you can fit an NSX engine into a T-Rex (it would crazy if you could).
I don't know how much frontal area the windshield adds, but with it, it directs the air better into the ram-air intake and increases the hp a little.
The closest T-Rex dealer to where I live is about 9 hours away. Therefore I need a Kawasaki motorcycle dealer closeby to take care of service needs.
Campagna made the T-Rex with the ZX11 motor from 99-02 and used the ZZR12 motor from 03 to current models. The prices for new T-Rex's that I have seen vary from 40-50K US dollars depending on options. I haven't seen any used ZX11 T-Rex's for sale. The fact that ZX11 engine can be turbocharged and have some 300+hp in a 900lbs chassis is a big plus for it. I wonder what top end the T-Rex would have with a turbo ZX11 with 300hp? Effer, do you know anybody with a turbo T-Rex?
On the other hand, the ZZR12 engine is newer and there isn't much aftermarket modifications for it. That said, do you know how much a low mileage ZX11 T-Rex would go for in the US?

 

[effer]

My pleasure!

Thanks for the info effer! I don't think you can fit an NSX engine into a T-Rex (it would be crazy if you could).

You're welcome!

Me neither! Unless more than serious mods to tubular chassis...

I don't know how much frontal area the windshield adds, but with it, it directs the air better into the ram-air intake and increases the hp a little.

A little! Everything must be taken into account! So much parameters are playing...

The prices for new T-Rex's that I have seen vary from 40-50K US dollars depending on options. I haven't seen any used ZX11 T-Rex's for sale. The fact that ZX11 engine can be turbocharged and have some 300+hp in a 900lbs chassis is a big plus for it.

Very expensive because as stated earlier, in Canada MSRP is
48K $ CAN.

If you can, buy it here in Canada.

This will be only a question of time before being able to purchase turbo kits for the ZZR12 engine.

I wonder what top end the T-Rex would have with a turbo ZX11 with 300hp?

I'll try to extrapolate it but unfortunately there is more than one variable value which I don't know: Cd and frontal aera.

Effer, do you know anybody with a turbo T-Rex?
On the other hand, the ZZR12 engine is newer and there isn't much aftermarket modifications for it. That said, do you know how much a low mileage ZX11 T-Rex would go for in the US?

No

Here in Canada it would go for around 32-35 K $ US ( 41,5 K$ - 45,5 K$ CAN ).

Tell me if you want me to check for one. During winter it is the best time to buy one. The deal season.

Regards,

Effer

 

[dgp]

At current exchange rates the MSRP should be about $37K yet they sell them for an MSRP of 43K. Given that used ones sell in the low 30s I think it's better to get a new one since you start out with a better base engine (1200cc, more torque, more upgradeable in the future). I am still finding out more about the T-Rex, and hopefully by next summer or fall I should have one (by then maybe they will also have a turbo system out for the ZZR1200). Before the T-Rex I'm gonna get a new 04 Z06 and a new bike so those should be fun. The T-Rex should outperfom the Z06 in handling and cornering and maybe in 0-60 times. Besides that the Z06 will kill it in top end ( unless the T-Rex gets a turbo kit )
It looks like Campagna hasn't upgraded their website on the current stats of the T-Rex (they still have the performance #'s for the ZX11 T-Rex not the current 1200cc motor).
Effer, since I see that you live in Quebec, I think Campagna's headquarters is located in Quebec, correct? Do you know their email address? Have you ever been to their place? I would like to get a brochure from them (if they have one )

 

[effer]

It looks like Campagna hasn't upgraded their website on the current stats of the T-Rex (they still have the performance #'s for the ZX11 T-Rex not the current 1200cc motor).
Effer, since I see that you live in Quebec, I think Campagna's headquarters is located in Quebec, correct? Do you know their email address? Have you ever been to their place? I would like to get a brochure from them (if they have one )

Yes and I PM them several times and there is no answers.
I think they are not relying on their website as much as telephone or mail...

I know it is a little shop a few hundred miles from my place. I never been there but I will have to. Yes it is located in the Québec's province not to confuse with Québec city even though it is not that far from it! Hope this isn't confusing!

I don't know any other e-mail address different from what it is specified on their website.

I have one brochure of the pre 1200cc engine.

I'll try to get one for you, if there is actually one.

Regards

effer

 

[dgp]

Thanks a lot Effer. It helps when there is someone in Canada and lives very close to the company's headquarters. In the states, a lot of times you hear all kinds of information and not all of it is facts...

 

[effer]

What can I do ?

Monday December 8th I will have a meeting with M. Campagna and the vice president.

So is there any questions I could ask them for you?

I will get lots of brochures, infos...


You already know that I am looking to buy one in the near future but I didn't tell you that I would be interested to help them because I deeply believe in this radical simple and efficient concept.

If it could only reach the 190 mph...

Cheers everybody.

 

[dgp]

Wow. I got really excited when i heard that. I wish I could come there with you man... What better way to find out about the vehicle than going straight to the source!! I really want a brochure of their latest model in english and if they have a video brochure..well I would really appreciate one of those too. I've never seen the car live, only in pictures and on tv. For the brochures, if you need my address I can pm you.
Another thing..since we were talking about turbo t-rex's before, if you go there it would help if you get all the t-rex statistics like cd, frontal area etc. Maybe they can shed some light on whether the T-rex can hit 300kmh if it has a turbo zx11 or zzr12 turbo engine. How stable is it at high speeds? Any track data from running it at any famous race tracks? Hmm..there's probably more information that I want to know, it's just i can't think of it right now.
Thanks a lot for all this Effer. I appreciate it! BTW, I also believe in this efficient concept that has become a reality since 96 (i think?)

Rgds,
DGP

 

[effer]

I really want a brochure of their latest model in english and if they have a video brochure..well I would really appreciate one of those too. ..., if you need my address I can pm you.
Another thing..since we were talking about turbo t-rex's before, if you go there it would help if you get all the t-rex statistics like cd, frontal area etc. Maybe they can shed some light on whether the T-rex can hit 300kmh if it has a turbo zx11 or zzr12 turbo engine. How stable is it at high speeds? Any track data from running it at any famous race tracks? Hmm..there's probably more information that I want to know, it's just i can't think of it right now.
Thanks a lot for all this Effer. I appreciate it! BTW, I also believe in this efficient concept that has become a reality since 96 (i think?)

Rgds,
DGP

OK! For the turbo case I already briefly discussed that with VP and he said to me that some owners here in Québec did it!!!


For sure I will ask all these questions!

 

[MiamieNeSeX]

 

[dgp]

maybe you can ask about the T-rex's gearing. That way we'll know what is possible in terms of top speed theoretically as well as maximum speeds in each gear. Also maybe Campagna is willing to have another car and bike comparison with the T-Rex as they had years ago with the old 993 TT porsche and a honda cbr 900 bike (i remember?). The T-Rex from what I remember did a very close track time to the porsche and faster than the bike. Nowadays bikes are faster but it would be interesting to see how it compares ...let's say to a GSX-R 1000 suzuki and the new 996 TT or something simlar.
Any feedback on the top end of the ZX11 turbo powered T-Rex's?

 

[Carguy!]

I don't understand the facination with the top speed, how often would you ever approach these speeds? Without knowing how stable it is at its 150mph top speed, how would you know you would want it to go faster?

I would be more interested in the accelaration times, trying to get it to out accelarate superbikes and Enzo's sounds like a lot more fun to me.

If you are interested in the top speeds, I would guess that it would be limited by the gearing and not the drag, and if so the turbo mod wouldn't get you a higher top speed.

 

[effer]

I don't understand the facination with the top speed, how often would you ever approach these speeds? Without knowing how stable it is at its 150mph top speed, how would you know you would want it to go faster?

Sorry maybe I wasn't enough clear, and maybe I also made the mistake to think that being an NSX owner and true enthousiast would suffice, but I am not a top speed freak. If I rely on top speed it is in the same way than somebody will rely in Hi Fi on the frequency responce of a speaker i.e. for its indirect informations that can be inferred with.

I explain. Why care about a speaker able to give you 10 Hz to 40K hz over another one giving you 20Hz to 20K Hz knowing besides that sounds under 20 Hz and over 20K Hz are inaudible?

Because we know that this frequency range generally implies a +/- 3 dB difference and this biggest difference often appears at the end of the spectrum AND that troughout the whole frequency range the sound level difference is way under +/- 3 dB.

So saying that a speaker can do +/- 3 dB troughout 10 Hz to 40K Hz could also be the same thing than saying that it is doing 20 Hz to 20K Hz +/- 0,5 dB!!!

Top speed or power indirectly implies better accelerations troughout the total speed spectrum...and we know that a car having a X top speed is getting breathless around 0.8 X ( if not before! )...

We all know that the NSX would benefit better 0-100 times if there was more than 290 hp...

That's my real and acknowledged goal, to get a better handling and quickness. I am maybe right because even in F1 we talk about maximum hp: over 900 hp in a 600 kg package all fluids and driver included!

Being an NSX owner should suffice to convince you that handling is of paramount importance...

In the T-Rex case ( and respectively for the NSX too ) I want the same kind of brilliant handling and quickness but @ 300 km/h top speed rather than @ 240 km/h.

I often get over 140 mph with my NSX, and in fact I rarely not go over 120 mph every single time I drive it. So believe me that owning a Mc Laren F1 I would rarely not go over 200 mph!!!

I would be more interested in the acceleration times, trying to get it to out accelerate superbikes and Enzo's sounds like a lot more fun to me.

I am! And a T-Rex would do that if there was more than 220 hp available...

Read previous and further answers!

If you are interested in the top speeds, I would guess that it would be limited by the gearing and not the drag, and if so the turbo mod wouldn't get you a higher top speed.

The T-Rex is DRAG limited, and by experience above 200 km/h that thing is SLOW to accelerate and you are far from redlining it...

Proof: same gearbox than bike thus far from the bike's top speed...

CQFD

Hope I clarified my point of view Carguy!.

I believe that we think the same but we expressed it differently.

Regards,

effer

p.s. We hit the 140 mph mark with the ZX 11 T-Rex and it was of ABSOLUTE stability, virtually sticked to the ground.

Also the suspension setting are fully adjustable on a Rex, so it can be dialed stiffer and set for a particular track or road condition...

 

[dgp]

Effer- how was the meeting with Mr. Campagna? Any news on that?