1446 replies to this topic

[Kam]

The honda guys have short gearing with theres using the original 4.4FD your vid does seem a little bit better than one of the guys whos using 10's with the same engine as mine and the original 4.4FD, he was changing gears ALOT and couldn't really nail it and first was just a number and not a gear for him! I knew this so opted to get the uber pricey custom 3.4FD for mine, as you know already I now got long and totally useable five gears and can nail it first with no spin upto redline if needed for some fun traffic light GP stuff, ok thats mainly due to a lack of torque but still, all gears are fully usable just as nature intended

You've probably already seen this vid on mine but it kinda shows how long the gears are going from a FD change of that much, it was certainly different to the one he posted with seriously short gears



I'm not saying you need a 3.4FD but as you said FD's are the make or break with smaller wheels and the difference between enjoying it properly and not, so keep searching

[The Matt]

I did do a bit of research before comitting to the FD ratio I had.

I set up an Excel file so I could plug in wheel sizes (well, type in a tyre size and it gives you a rolling circumference). It's got the F15WR and F15CR gear ratios in it, along with a range of engine RPMS in tables, so you can see what each gear is doing at various RPMs with different FD ratios and different gear ratios...sounds complicated, but it really isn't, Excel is great for things like that.

But yeah, I just want something slightly longer, maybe a 3.2 or something. Just don't know what's available.

[Kam]

Yeah I know the tables your on about, got them for ours aswell, I know they aint precise and all that and only a guide but I'm still not convinced by them and take them with a pinch of salt.......

They told me (and others told me) I'd be doing 3250rpm @70 in fifth, I'm at 4000rpm, also it shows me doing 160mph at 8000rpm in fifth, I'm at 148mph, both figures are rolling road proven, so thats quite a bit out, doing 70 @3250 or 4000 is a big difference on your hearing.....and sanity.....

I'm not gonna begin to say I know my vauxhall stuff even though I've had four of them, but just done a quick search and found a 3.42 FD out of I think the F20, thats the red top aint it? Not sure if its a rare one to come across or something but even that wouldn't really help you out massively, probably drop your 70 in fifth by about 100rpm and your first gear would still be interesting

I'm sure Alex (Crosse) would know whats the lowest FD available, or even somewhere like Migweb? You could give courtenays a quick call to see if they know, they were gonna chuck a c20let in my old corsa (a very long time ago!)

Can you mix n match all ratios between all F boxes? is that what you've done already? if not then make up what you need?

http://www.clubcalib...d-final-drives/

[HARBER07]

Good news on the slave then

No idea if you can swap the internals about between the small/big block boxes?, or even if you can slap a big block 'box on a small block engine?. Never really looked into anything small block related to be honest!. Either way, I've got an F20 + gaskets here in pieces - you're welcome to it if it helps!

[1989flame]

i still overtook you in the clubby estate with my 998 hahahaha

[corsaboy]

Great Project..
Like it

[The Matt]

Minor update. I just took FReaKy out for a spin in the wet. Oooopsies!

Gearing issues aside. Jesus, I love it. Starts on the button every time. Goes pretty well, but the absolute BEST thing is the sheer grin factor.

Just drove through Ellesmere and the right foot got a bit heavy in second and third. It sounds a-ma-zing!!! Weeee.

Decided on a Safety Devices cage. Need to seriously start saving for the repay too.

[The Matt]

A weekend away in FReaKy has proved that I definitely need more tweaking map-wise. She's smokey and high idle speed when warm, so the fuelling needs to be backed-off a little.

Also, I need to sort the exhaust a little better too.

Got a slight oil leak from the crank pulley too, which is annoying.

Decided I'm getting a Safety Devices cage soon too. Other than that, all is good. She went OK, didn't miss a beat. Did about 150 miles in her this weekend and had no real problems. Driving position needs a tweak too, my legs were aching a bit on the way back. But yeah, well happy with her

Just the horrid body work that I need to sort out. It's all solid really, the odd little scab but nothing is rotten. Roof gutter is a bit worse-for-wear, but the scuttle is solid, rear end and sills are solid. Little bit needs sorting in the closing panel on the rear valance, but that's real minor (looks like it's been drilled to waxoyl inside or something daft and the grommet's fallen out and then the hole's rotted a little where it wasn't re-painted. Real minor thing to be honest, but still needs sorting.

Got given a handfull of Savage switches too and can't decide how/whether to fit them..... Ah well, might have a play

[The Matt]

Yeay, more driving = more niggles found.

I've decided to do a complete brake overhaul, the only thing that's not new really is the rear shoes, but I'm going to put new front pads on, new cylinders, new shoes etc.

I'm also gearing up to getting a roll cage fitted, just need to decide for which one to go for ASAP. It looks like I'm going to buy the Safety Devices rear "rally" and thier harness bar too.

[dazzler-pws]

Yep, going to post here as i need 150 posts for the forsale section....

Cool Car lol

[Dom]

Great to see you get this running Matt! Last time I saw/read this thread you were thinking of selling up.

[The Matt]

Yeah, it's finished......sort of.

Took it off the road again as I've been finding all the little niggles that you find when you really start driving them.

Not 100% happy with clutch feel
Needed ball joint replacing
Needed brakes overhauling after sitting around and not doing much milage
Needed to sort out the dash wiring
Needed (the big thing) to sort out the body work

Done a bit of it, left a bit of it, doing a bit more. Was all ready to have a day of working on it today, but it's chucking it down here and it's bloomin cold!

[mini93]

Needed (the big thing) to sort out the body work

nooooo, dont start it or it will never get back on the road like mine

[The Matt]

Well, I've not started the bodywork!

Actually, that's not true, I started it, then realised I couldn't be bothered so would save up and pay someone to do a proper job of it.

Instead, I've done a few "service" items:
New rack
New track rod ends
New front bearings
New front pads (EBC green stuff ones)
New rear shoes
New ball joints
New rear bearings
New rear shoes
Adjusted clutch throw
More remapping now it's warmer
Running pretty sweet at the moment, the brakes feel much better for their overhaul
I've also put a handbrake lever handle on! <---big job that!
Ummmm, ummmm, still need to sort out a roll cage, but not got the funds ATM.

I know I need to do more on it, but I'm just loving the car at the moment. I know it's tatty, I know its looks let it down (as do mine), but sod it, it's SOOOOOOO much fun. So glad it still handles like a Mini too. It's far better now I've stiffened up the Avo dampers and lowered the rear a bit more. Much nicer stance, yes, but it's also far, far better handling. The front dampers were way too soft (I think I backed them off to make removing/refitting them easier). They were on around 7/24, they're now on 18/24 clicks!

[The Matt]

Update:





That is all I've done really!