Gearbox and Diff strength

[skypilot]

Hi guys newbie here (so go easy)

I am looking at getting into the pocket rocket series up here in Brissy and was very close to making a decision on a charade. I have spoken to a few of the guru's and they all reccomend the Excel twin cam or the daihatsu. A few concerns have been that front wheel drive rally cars a nearly always had strength and reliability problems with the drivetrain.

I am able to work on cars and am not a total dweeb ( see my clubby project that i recently sold).

So some questions

1. Have you had any reliabilty issues with gearbox's, diffs and CV driveshafts.

2. Do you think a Excel would be able to run with a Civic, proton and Pug 306
in the qld series given the requirements in

http://www.pocketrocketrally.com/

Thanks in advance


Justin

Web site http://members.optusnet.com.au/~jjsinclair/

[Glenn]

Hi Justin,

Great questions.

Hi guys newbie here (so go easy)
1. Have you had any reliabilty issues with gearbox's, diffs and CV driveshafts.


No. My car has done 19 rallies and still has the original gearbox from the factory and it's going great. I've only just replaced the driveshafts, but that was really only because I had them out to change the driveshaft seals. There was nothing really wrong with them. I am not particularly mechanically sympathetic either. So I'd say that the gearbox strength and driveshaft strength is outstanding!


2. Do you think a Excel would be able to run with a Civic, proton and Pug 306
in the qld series given the requirements in

http://www.pocketrocketrally.com/


That's a bit of a tough one. I believe that the Excel would be a good choice mainly because of reliability. You won't get it anywhere near your allowed weight limit (noting that they have 74kW standard). So you'd be giving a bit away as far as power to weight is concerned....at least you wouldn't need to add ballast...a 1340kg Clio is a bit scary. The Excel has good mid range torque, so in real terms in the forest it won't be that much slower.

An Excel also has an advantage in that there's the possibility of some interstate competition, some good knowledge about them and a ready market if you sell it.

[Whitey]

What Glenn said, I only know of one driveline failure and that was a clutch, the gearboxes seem really solid, I replaced my drive shafts but only when the left one started to make a noise at full lock. That was after about 8 rally events. My car was a GTP circuit car before i acquired it.

:D You never know the Excel Series may come to Queensland sooner than everyone thinks ;)

[skypilot]

Thanks guys I will think very hard about it but at this stage the twin cam is the favorite\

Standby for more silly questions.

Has anybody done a build photoshoot diary yet???

Justin

[dazzler]

Hi Skypilot

there is a very good charade for sale over at bmsc.com.au

I had a look at it and it presents really well and is priced to sell. I went the excel route to have someone to race with. This is obviously not a concern with your rocket series as you willhave a heap of different makes.

The only other thing to think about IMO is that I think you will sell an excel rally car much easier than any other at the moment and IMO if you keep track of the costs to build (minus the labour) you would get what you put into it at resale as there are a lot of people expressing an interest.

cheers