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VW Beetle H-Beam Suspensions... Again!
scootz - 16/6/11 at 02:44 PM

Right... so I've established how it works, but how WELL would they work on a super-lightweight car?

Yes, I know the H-Beam is a heavy burger of a thing (you can get ali ones which make it a little more decent) and the set-up is antiquated, but is it really a million miles away from the levels of performance offered by the likes of a standard seven-style wishbone configuration?

kipper - 16/6/11 at 03:56 PM

Hi scotty, Well IMHO it would look pants if you are using the single seater chassis, they dont look too bad if you have lots of bodywork at the front to cover it. Again just my take on it.
Regards Denis.

Bare - 16/6/11 at 03:57 PM

weren't those mandatory on Formula Vee cars.
Likely lighter contraptions than your Locost?
Ultimate suspension design?? Dunno ? Must be lotsa info on the design aspect... somewhere.

scootz - 16/6/11 at 04:09 PM

quote:
Originally posted by kipper
Hi scotty, Well IMHO it would look pants if you are using the single seater chassis, they dont look too bad if you have lots of bodywork at the front to cover it. Again just my take on it.
Regards Denis.


My direction may have changed (again) Denis! It's looking like the trike will be full-bodied now!

Basically, the VW suspension would be very straightforward to fit and I'm happy to upgrade to ali beams and use top spec dampers, etc. with it.

scootz - 16/6/11 at 04:14 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Bare
... weren't those mandatory on Formula Vee cars.


They still are.

quote:
Originally posted by Bare
... likely lighter contraptions than your Locost?


Nah... the standard steel VW h-beam set-up would be about 30kg heavier than a Locost-style wishbone and upright. An ali h-beam would knock about 10kg of that. Not really a problem as my trike should comfortably be under the 300kg mark. It could also do with a bit of weight over the front.

Kwik - 16/6/11 at 07:13 PM

best suspension setup is double wishbone with inboard shocks.

the VW running gear is what i would recommend though, VW beetles are extraordinarily simple, not many cars you can take the engine out and in again within 2 minutes...

i believe is just a matter of 4 bolts (maybe 8) for the whole front end as well

if your going to chose that route couldnt you just find a second hand formula Vee? or leaton racing in ireland do a cheap kit i think... (might be leaston racing..)

scootz - 16/6/11 at 07:21 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Kwik
... if you're going to chose that route couldn't you just find a second hand Formula Vee...


Kwik - 16/6/11 at 07:25 PM

quote:
Originally posted by scootz
quote:
Originally posted by Kwik
... if you're going to chose that route couldn't you just find a second hand Formula Vee...




did you already come to that conclusion then? its been a long day and winks by some people mean different things to others... i would be careful

scootz - 16/6/11 at 07:36 PM

eddie99 - 16/6/11 at 07:37 PM

Ah ha you listened to my u2u scott Go for it! use a FVee

Kwik - 16/6/11 at 07:52 PM

quote:
Originally posted by eddie99
Ah ha you listened to my u2u scott Go for it! use a FVee


great minds think alike

and the leastone racing one isnt that much money...