Where to Start & What with??

[Mooa42]

Hello all,

Just found out about the Excel series and I am interested to build a car for next years Victorian series. (Never rallied before just some autocrosses and Khanacrosses in standard cars. I will post up more info on me in the introductions section later)

So before I start and make lots of ammature blunders and waste my hard earned, I will endeavour to ask some questions that might head me in the right direction.

1. Type of car: Are wheel bases, trac and weights the same for all excel varients? If not, what impact does trac and wheel base have on a rally car? My assumption here is that the 2 door version is the best to start with.

2. Body variations: Is there any difference between an auto shell and a manual shell?

3. Mechanicals: Apart from the final drive ratio's between TC and SC motors is there any other differences in gearbox ratios?
Are inlet/exhast manifolds, injectors, throttle bodies, ECUs, starters, coils etc the same in all TC models?

4. Suspension: Are there any changes in the setup through the model range and body type?

5. Brakes: Same for all models? (booster, M/cyl, calipers, disks ...)

6. Paint: Is an Excel with metallic paint heavier?
(Just kidding, honest):rofl:

7. Other: Let me know what else might help

Thanks in Advance
Tony

[Crazy Dave]

Tony my short ability at an answer is
1. Don't know specs. Longer wheel base can add stability, shorter add agility
2. No
3 No idea
then partially No. All Aus del TC X3s are the same but there was an earlier version overseas that had different coils (in centre of head) but same ecu and everyy thing else.
4 Gearbox cross member is different on early SC 94 (some 95).
5 Brakes have slight differences but are effectively the same size. Just an early hub needs an early drum etc.
6 Probably, but if you fit the fully sic tacho and sub (I will get soon) then you have the weight anyway.
7 KISS theory helps. Get a cage and safety gear and get running.

[Whitey]

1. There is a three door, a 4 door with a boot and a 4 door lift back. The 3 door is the lightest.

2. Not with the shells but the wiring loom from an auto is different, it has a computer for the transmision.

3. Gear box ratios should be all the same. As well as injectors, ECUs etc.
There is a plastic inlet manifold for the TC which may provide a bit of an advantage over the alloy one as it would conduct less heat. Some models also have metal fuel tanks

4. Nothing significant as you will probably be changing the spring rates and shocks anyway.

5. There is some vaiation in the rear drum brake width but everything else is the same.

6 & 7. Talk to all the competitors and ask lots of questions. The sheepstations we are chasing are only small.

One of the reasons the Excel was chosen for the series was the volume of cars with practically no variants options.

As Dave said, get a basic car together and get out there, single cam, twin cam it does not matter. You can start thinking about mods as you improve.

[matt mead]

Also if ur going bolt in cage, get it in and log booked before the end of the year, to beat the new roll cage regulations. Thats the aim for my excel ;)

[Crazy Dave]

1.
There is a plastic inlet manifold for the TC which may provide a bit of an advantage over the alloy one as it would conduct less heat. .

I thought the plastic manifold did not come out in the excels, and not till it was fitted to the accent. If it came out in the excel, then there is a few more kw in it.

[Whitey]

Sorry Ooops , there were plastic and alloy options for Single CAM.
It was discussed over here http://www.excelrally.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=153

[Bevan-L]

Also if ur going bolt in cage, get it in and log booked before the end of the year, to beat the new roll cage regulations. Thats the aim for my excel ;)

What are the new regs and how will it affect ppl?

[ae86trueno]

The new regs arnt out yet, but they are basically saying we will have to follow FIA regs on how to build a cage, which will all but kill Bolt in cages.
From memory its an additional diagnal on the roof, some sainz bars and parts that now have to be welded.
The docs are on the FIA website.

Ben.

[matt mead]

I remeber when u and matt where building ur car u basicly set it up, so if u bend ur car, u jsut start swapping stuff over to a new shell, what will happen with ur bolt in cage, would you be able to swap it over to a new car???

[Damo666]

I remeber when u and matt where building ur car u basicly set it up, so if u bend ur car, u jsut start swapping stuff over to a new shell, what will happen with ur bolt in cage, would you be able to swap it over to a new car???


Unfortunately not, as the logbook goes with the car, not the rollcage. That's probably the biggest impact of the proposed FIA rules.

(thats not to say that the VIN cant be transferred to the new shell without some creative cutting & welding.....)

[matt mead]

thats a shame really...

[ae86trueno]

Yep it does kill the idea of a disposable rally car.

I think we might be able to reuse half of the cage, its mainly the front section that's the killer.

Ben.

[Crazy Dave]

They thought they were going to kill bolt in cages previously but got through it in the end and I dare say Bond will work on getting all the new bits in to meet the requirements. It is not dead yet, but is looking a bit shakey at the moment.

[Mooa42]

:hail: Thanks all, for the replies, all helps.

So if anyone knows of any lying around, I think from all this, I am after a 96 to 2000 X3 2 door manual and the closer to central vic the better.

Just one more question, if I buy a standard car and put a cage in it, can I go rallying, or do I need to have the motor pulled apart for measuring and sealing?

[Crazy Dave]

I believe the vics are the same as the NSW series in that you can get the engine locked and if you win the series at the end of the year then you open it up. SO saves having to pull a perfectly good running engine apart if you believe it is still stock, which 99.99% probably are.

Any vics out there that know otherwise.

[ernysp76]

If the motor is standard you can run it. If it has been rebuilt you'll need to have it measured and sealed.

Fabraications ( http://www.rollcages.com.au ) make a nice cage and will plate and stitch weld the body at a very reasonable price, this is the same company that recently did the bodies for the ARC Ford Festiva's and the HSV Clubsports track packs, and the Ralliart EVO IX tarmac rally option pack.

To source a car have a look at both the Fowles Auctions ( http://www.manheimfowles.com.au )web site and Pickles Auctions ( www.pickles.com.au ). Should pay no more than 500 - 650 for a stolen recovered.