stephen_gusterson
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| posted on 25/6/04 at 09:44 PM |
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yes, I did.
And I wouldnt do it again.
I fully expect it to be no better than a live axle, and possibly worse.
Took ages to do too.
Some things are worth persevering over. A few weeks looking for an axle is preferable to a few weeks friggin around trying to design and make up an
irs alternative.
been there, wish I hadnt done that.
atb
steve
quote:
Originally posted by ned
quote:
Originally posted by stephen_gusterson
find someone that says a live axle locost handles like crap...
Steve,
Didn't you build your own IRS?
Bob,
Yes I believe its due to the fact that there is no camber change under rear suspension loading that you might get under acceleration.
IRS gives camber change under roll and loading of the suspension, the way round this, yet another complication in the setup of IRS is to add an ARB.
Yet another variable to try and sort out!
I would agree that in buying a gts or mk these arguements are of little importance as the cars should be jigged when built, but are more important for
home builders as craig and bob suggest.
Ned.
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craig1410
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| posted on 25/6/04 at 09:54 PM |
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Steve,
I agree that IRS isn't worth the hassle for a Locost but do you really want to spend weeks finding an 25-30 year old Escort or Cortina axle and
then have all the hassle of finding the required parts to rebuild it to serviceable condition. This is where I see de-dion as a
"no-brainer" as it gives you a brand new axle assembly off the shelf(GTS) or on a DIY basis and allows you to use much more readily
available Sierra running gear. The real bonus is that a typical de-dion system is still 5-link and so the changes to the chassis to accommodate it are
negligible. Same trailing arms, same panhard rod, same mounting points!
I'm clearly biased but anyone who uses live axles or IRS are clearly mad....mad the lot of you! 
[Don't flame me please, I'm only messing...]
Cheers,
Craig.
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britishtrident
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| posted on 26/6/04 at 07:22 AM |
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Traction wise the de Dion will have an advantage over the IRS on smooth surfaces, but the IRS wins out on traction where the surface is poor.
Because the propshaft induces a torque reaction on the final drive which reduces the download on one wheel the live axle will always have poorer
traction.
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stephen_gusterson
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| posted on 26/6/04 at 04:13 PM |
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nit picking here, but a 15 year old 120k mile sierra dif might not be any better than an 80k 30 year old escort dif......
perhaps a compromise is a late model ford capri axle?
atb
steve
[Edited on 26/6/04 by stephen_gusterson]
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stephen_gusterson
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| posted on 26/6/04 at 04:15 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by craig1410
[Don't flame me please, I'm only messing...]
Cheers,
Craig.
a lot of eminem songs end like that....
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craig1410
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| posted on 26/6/04 at 07:16 PM |
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Steve,
Yeah but spares for Sierra's are more easily available as there are plenty of Sierra's and Granada's still on the road. I
can't remember the last time I saw an Escort MK2 or Cortina (or Capri for that matter) on the road except for in classic rallies!
Cheers,
Craig.
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stressy
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| posted on 26/6/04 at 08:09 PM |
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Craig
Caterham as far as i know use an xr4i diff so similar to yours with dustom driveshafts which have got lighter as he years went on and basic models
have standard calipers.
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stephen_gusterson
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| posted on 26/6/04 at 10:05 PM |
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actually, granadas are looking pretty thin around my way now, and sierras in 5 years are gonna be pretty rare methinks.
Interesting lack of choice for rwd kit builds then I think.
Or very expensive german donors....
atb
steve
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PeterGT4
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| posted on 27/6/04 at 06:10 AM |
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Thanks all (especially you Craig) in explaining the weight issue. I get the numbers now. I'm still sold on the De Dion set-up and that's
the system I'm going with, as I figure it'll be the best all-around system for road and track use. Even after knowing now it
isn't the lightest, nor the best handling, but it'll be as, or easier to fab' up and give predictable handling.
In respect to parts, it could be more difficult for me as here in Canada, we don't have the kind-of donor cars as used in the book. Only
exception is a Merkur XR4Ti... A re-badged Ford Sierra... I'll keep my eyes out for a light-weight diff unit (Mazda RX-7? Miata? Rear unit from
a 4WD Subaru?...).
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britishtrident
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| posted on 2/7/04 at 10:13 AM |
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The Granada/Scorpio aka "ugly thing" is really just a lwb Sierra (at least it is in in europe) with heavy duty suspension and 5 stud
wheels .
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