John
|
| posted on 24/4/03 at 10:04 PM |
|
|
Wide Front Track
Has anyone built or considered building a wide front track locost using a Sierra rack and book suspension arms. The front track would end up the same
as the donor Sierra and the body and nosecone would be over 300mm wider than book.
Would be interested in receiving comments on the possibility of such a front end.
Regards.
John.
Working on a CVH 1.8 engined Locost. Hoping to use as much as possible of Sierra donor. £210 left.
|
|
|
|
|
stephen_gusterson
|
| posted on 24/4/03 at 11:01 PM |
|
|
i have done this. I dont recon my frontal area is 300mm wider tho.
you cant use std book arms.....they need to be a fair bit longer and that shags the geometry and pick up points so you have to draw it out and be
aware of the bump steer issues.
The shocks also need to be longer or you have to use unconventional pickup points, or as you say, a much wider front. Little cosmetic issues like
making the front 30% or so wider can have a big impact and make the car look strange.
you can get racks shortened if thats the issue.
|
|
|
Liam
|
| posted on 24/4/03 at 11:28 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by John
the body and nosecone would be over 300mm wider than book.
Are you sure about that? I think Sierra track is only about 6" (or 150mm) wider than 'book' escort track.
Whatever it is, I cant really see any reason to do this with the wealth of suppliers of wishbones suitable for the Sierra track, or the ease of
altering the book plans and making them yourself. I think it would look unnecessarily lardy myself.
Only my opinion, mind you.
Liam
[Edited on 24/4/03 by Liam]
|
|
|
westdown
|
| posted on 25/4/03 at 07:03 AM |
|
|
track
Just to add I have made the tub 4" wider and 4" longer with a capri 2.8 rear axle and have increased the front track by the differance
between the escort axle and the capri one. Which is not 4" but does make the car look in proportion. I have used the sierra rack but it has been
shortened to suit. Have used standard shocks and moved the mount points slightly. As the car is not finished yet have still to see how it will
handle.
Just to add the front frame is still as per the book so as to use a standard nose .
[Edited on 25/4/03 by westdown]
|
|
|
ned
|
| posted on 25/4/03 at 08:36 AM |
|
|
The MK kit is based on the sierra and uses sierra bits, perhaps you can look at the stoneliegh show if you're going or pop round and see
someones chassis who not too far away?...
beware, I've got yellow skin
|
|
|
Marcus
|
| posted on 25/4/03 at 06:21 PM |
|
|
True about the Indy, but its a shortened Sierra rack supplied exchange with the kit.
Marcus
Marcus
Because kits are for girls!!
|
|
|
James
|
| posted on 28/4/03 at 10:12 AM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by Marcus
True about the Indy, but its a shortened Sierra rack supplied exchange with the kit.
Marcus
The truth but not the whole truth! 
It's shortened in the middle- then extended appropriately at the ends I believe.
This is for two reasons I'm aware of: (1) bump steer and (2) actually getting the mounting points 'inside' the chassis.
|
|
|
James
|
| posted on 28/4/03 at 10:21 AM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by John
Has anyone built or considered building a wide front track locost using a Sierra rack and book suspension arms. The front track would end up the same
as the donor Sierra and the body and nosecone would be over 300mm wider than book.
Would be interested in receiving comments on the possibility of such a front end.
Regards.
John.
Hi John,
I'm using the Sierra front end.
As has been said above MK use this system but you can't just 'bolt-on' MK wishbones to a standard chassis because their wishbones
use wider mounting points.
Presumably you're thinking about using the Sierra back end aswell aren't you? If not it'll have some pretty odd handling with the
front that much wider than the back I'd have thought! 
HTH,
James
|
|
|
stephen_gusterson
|
| posted on 28/4/03 at 02:08 PM |
|
|
You are right about the mounting points james. In fact the steering shaft actually comes out through the suspension mounts if it isnt shortened!
atb
Steve
|
|
|
Nitrogeno25
|
| posted on 29/4/03 at 02:51 AM |
|
|
I'm in the same situation, having to lenghten 6cm each wishbone. I don't know how does affect handling, and waiting to find out how the
mounting point would be according to this change.
Any suggestions, info?
thanks a lot!
Gonzalo.
|
|
|
James
|
| posted on 29/4/03 at 11:36 AM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by Nitrogeno25
I'm in the same situation, having to lenghten 6cm each wishbone. I don't know how does affect handling, and waiting to find out how the
mounting point would be according to this change.
Any suggestions, info?
thanks a lot!
Gonzalo.
Remember that you don't want to lengthen the top wishbone as much as you do the bottom. The Sierra hubs have a longer top mount than the
Cortina.
HTH,
James
|
|
|
stephen_gusterson
|
| posted on 29/4/03 at 01:12 PM |
|
|
another thing about the top mount is that its angled.
This means that the limited movement in the transit joint is going to bottom out at the lower end of suspension movement.
Been there, done that, used lots of swear words.
If you look at an MK indy, you will see the top 'bone threaded tube for the top joint is angled to bias the joint movement to the centre when
suspension at normal level.
atb
steve
|
|
|
Glenn
|
| posted on 29/4/03 at 02:00 PM |
|
|
Oh bummer.
when i bought my part built chassis it came with a set of front wishbnes and rear trailing arms / panard rod all from MK, i was hopeing to be able to
modify the front wishbones to suit the sierra uprights with a machined insert, i guess thats not going to happen 
anyone wanna buy some wishbones.
|
|
|
