My examples are limited, being on the wrong side of the big pond, and I thought you fellas would be able to draw from a bigger pool of knowledge. Do you all have any preferences or suggestions?
Thanks in advance
Hey all, I'm a bit new to all this, so apologies if I'm out of line with a question that's been asked 1000000000 times. I've been
researching this whole bike-engined car thing, specifically in a Locost chassis, and one of the biggest things I've had trouble with is figuring
out how exactly to transfer the power to the rear wheels. I've seen some of the Quaife units, though they're expensive. I don't want
to run the chain directly to a rear axle, as that'd be equivalently like a locked diff all of the time.
My examples are limited, being on the wrong side of the big pond, and I thought you fellas would be able to draw from a bigger pool of knowledge. Do
you all have any preferences or suggestions?
Thanks in advance
quote:
Originally posted by sscguy
I don't want to run the chain directly to a rear axle, as that'd be equivalently like a locked diff all of the time.
He mentions in his post a 'locost chassis' so I'm assuming it's a standard front engined layout. If so, all we do is run a
(modified) propshaft down the transmission tunnel to a 'normal' car diff. The drive is taken off the bike engine from the shaft that drives
the chain sprocket. It (the sprocket) is removed and an adaptor is fitted that allows the front of the prop shaft to be bolted on.
The propshaft is modified by altering it's length to fit and fitting a 'slider' to the front to allow for movement. Most also feature
a carrier bearing towards the front of the transmission tunnel.
The diff at the back can take many forms. For a standard locost the rear (live) axel from a ford escort is used - I'm not sure what you could
use in the states, mabye a MazdaMX-5 (are these called a Miata across the pond?). Some folks like a limited slip for sideways action, but I have an
open diff and it works fine. Pay attention to the drive ratio of the diff as it will have a large bearing on how easy your car cruises at (say)
55mph. Get it wrong and you could be sitting at 8,000rpm at 55 - very buzzy and not very relaxing!
All the best
Ali
Oh, apologies Rorty, I didn't read the last paragraph of your post and assumed you'd concentrated only on a mid-engined layout!
Also sscguy if you want more info on this sort of stuff, follow the 'search' link and stick in 'sprocket adaptor' there'll
be pics and lot's more discussion.
quote:
Originally posted by alister667
Oh, apologies Rorty...
SSCguy:
You need to get a diff from an Merkur XR4Ti. This is similar to the Sierra, though it has a 7.5" diff, not the 7". The 5-speed version came
with the 3.62 ratio and the auto had the lower gearing many of the BEC builders in the UK use.
With the Miata bit, you will top out at 80 mph. Plus, it is shaped funny. I bought my diff from low mileage car for $30
That's excellent, thanks all for the help 
:thumbs up:
I plan to find a Subaru SVX rearend 3.545 ratio and LSD. The Subie has a long input snout, which means a shorter drive shaft.
The drive shaft length can be a problem in the fact that the crittical speed of the shaft is based on a length verses diameter ratio. Many european
Locosts use a reversing box, and/or a 2 piece driveshaft. With the SVX unit the long snout should keep the DS length below critical speed for a sanely
sized shaft dia.
quote:
Originally posted by Rorty
quote:
Originally posted by alister667
Oh, apologies Rorty...
That's all right. Us Dungannon men can be a bit quick.
quote:
Originally posted by alister667
quote:
Originally posted by Rorty
quote:
Originally posted by alister667
Oh, apologies Rorty...
That's all right. Us Dungannon men can be a bit quick.
***warning off topic***
Holy flip! Another Tyroneainian! Ahh you can take the man out of Dungannon, but you can't take Dungannon out of the man etc etc!
Where abouts were from originally?
I'm out past the Moy - Annaghmore direction.
quote:
Originally posted by Rorty
quote:
Originally posted by alister667
quote:
Originally posted by Rorty
quote:
Originally posted by alister667
Oh, apologies Rorty...
That's all right. Us Dungannon men can be a bit quick.
***warning off topic***
Holy flip! Another Tyroneainian! Ahh you can take the man out of Dungannon, but you can't take Dungannon out of the man etc etc!
Where abouts were from originally?
I'm out past the Moy - Annaghmore direction.
I grew up in Dungannon, but lived across the road from you (Mullenakill) for years before leaving those green shores.