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Another Newcomer

Posted by Matt Brady 
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Matt Brady
Matt Brady
Junior Moderator
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Join Date: 10/25/2010
Age: Settling Down
Posts: 16

Rally Car:
G2 Merkur (in progress)
Matt Brady
Another Newcomer
October 25, 2010 10:00PM
Hello,

I've been following rallyanarchy for quite a while and at last chose to join up. Somehow or another, I got sort of addicted to rallying. As of right now, I am lucky enough to be at the seam welding stage of a Merkur build for competition in Group Two (3L Duratec to T5) funded on part of six years of soccer referee's wages. I am indeed aware that, being on the low end of the age spectrum, I am rather inexperienced and that you all know quite a good deal more than I, but I guess that's why I am here: to have some good fun and I guess, above all, to learn something in the process. Oh, and I apologize beforehand for any uneducated commentary.

Matt
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12xalt
"oh! you're the one!"
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Location: Hazel Dell, WA
Join Date: 02/22/2008
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Posts: 1,390

Rally Car:
1974 Dodge Colt, under construction
12xalt
Re: Another Newcomer
October 25, 2010 10:04PM
Hello.
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phlat65
Sean Medcroft
Mega Moderator
Location: Edmonds, Washington
Join Date: 02/12/2009
Age: Possibly Wise
Posts: 1,802

Rally Car:
Building a Merkur
phlat65
Re: Another Newcomer
October 25, 2010 10:41PM
Welcome! you chose a great car to learn in, as it can progress with your skills, is easy to work on, easy to drive, and pretty darn strong. Feel free to ask me any questions, and I will happily show you how I did mine. My 1986 XR has finished the 4 Rallies we have entered, with minimal re-prep, and we have improved our results every time.

I will jump John here and ask what you are doing for suspension? Brakes? The two most important things in my book.
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Matt Brady
Matt Brady
Junior Moderator
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Join Date: 10/25/2010
Age: Settling Down
Posts: 16

Rally Car:
G2 Merkur (in progress)
Matt Brady
Re: Another Newcomer
October 25, 2010 11:15PM
Alright, thanks.

Honestly, I was planning on opting for JVABs, suspension is the stuff about which I know least, and from what I can gather, those apparently are one of the few options and they are really good. As for brakes, I was going to do a rear disc conversion and replace the fronts with a better set. I'm on a bit of a budget, and I know brakes are quite important, but I was going to use Focus SVT rotors (I think they're 11", so should fit with whatever wheels I use, Saab or otherwise, thinking about that NASA-Konig contingency) for the front, at least. There are a few calipers that apparently fit nicely on these with a plate that shouldn't be difficult by any means to make.

One more notable issue, actually. Where do you guys end up finding these Supra diffs? I may be stuck welding the whole thing, both because good diffs cost money and I honestly can't find any of those things.
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phlat65
Sean Medcroft
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Location: Edmonds, Washington
Join Date: 02/12/2009
Age: Possibly Wise
Posts: 1,802

Rally Car:
Building a Merkur
phlat65
Re: Another Newcomer
October 26, 2010 09:17AM
My car has a BMW e-36 diff with 4.10 gear set. I know John seems to find the Supra diffs, but I have yet to find one.
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john vanlandingham
John Vanlandingham
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Saab 96 V4
john vanlandingham
Re: Another Newcomer
October 26, 2010 09:48AM
Quote
Matt Brady
Alright, thanks.

Quote

Honestly, I was planning on opting for JVABs, suspension is the stuff about which I know least, and from what I can gather, those apparently are one of the few options and they are really good.

Good, call. Now is better than later in the year, and we deffo don't want to be waiting till Spring.


Quote

As for brakes, I was going to do a rear disc conversion and replace the fronts with a better set.
Good the car needs better---and better doesn't mean "merely bigger" it mean BETTER---and modulation is the goal, POWERFUL but "non-intrusive to use".


Quote

I'm on a bit of a budget, and I know brakes are quite important, but I was going to use Focus SVT rotors
I do not believe the SVT stuff is the way forward for us since the "hat" is so shallow, which means the calipers will overhang outboard a lot, and that'll make wheel selection a pain in the ass.
We need deeper hat than anything i can find EASILY or AFFORDABLY.



Quote

(I think they're 11", so should fit with whatever wheels I use, Saab or otherwise, thinking about that NASA-Konig contingency) for the front, at least. There are a few calipers that apparently fit nicely on these with a plate that shouldn't be difficult by any means to make.


Will the hat problem---and the knock on effect of that means I have to keep looking, I DO right now have a couple of rear arms all set up to test-fit various discs cause i'm looking for an acceptable entry level set up, but its hard to meet the function AND fit with off the shelf stuff..


But I'll say this: BE VERY WARY of what "everybody" on the Merkur forums say..
Most really don't know much, nearly all are merely repeating what they've read somebody else repeating...

That goes for every area.


Quote

One more notable issue, actually. Where do you guys end up finding these Supra diffs? I may be stuck welding the whole thing, both because good diffs cost money and I honestly can't find any of those things.

I dunno I just go downstairs to the underside of that bench and there's 5-7 there.
I don't know where they all come from. I just found one in Scotland for a guy in Norway who traded a case of beer for a MkIV diff before he discovered MkIV is wrong.

Lemme look and see if i can find one close by.

I gotta get the girls up and to Kindergaerten, but I'm going to come back and ask what in the world would posses you to not use the 2300 turbo motor.

What in the world would posses you to NOT use the 2300 turbo motor?
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mothra
Matt Smith
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Location: Wilmington NC
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xr4ti
mothra
Re: Another Newcomer
October 26, 2010 11:28AM
Let me know if you are interested in some Saab wheels for that XR. They have been breading behind my garage and its time to send some to a new home.
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Matt Brady
Matt Brady
Junior Moderator
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Join Date: 10/25/2010
Age: Settling Down
Posts: 16

Rally Car:
G2 Merkur (in progress)
Matt Brady
Re: Another Newcomer
October 26, 2010 11:45AM
I'll keep the diff options in mind, see what happens.

At first glance, the SVT stuff seemed sort of logical because of that 4x108 pattern, then I found a few people talking about calipers. The one Merkur forum I found seemed sort of useless, a bunch of people doing aesthetic stuff, but thanks for the tip. Considering the hat issue, what do you all use for brakes? I guess I would be willing to spend a bit more on the them.

This being my first time out, I have to fit into group two (at least for Rally America). The Duratec seemed like a good way to drop myself into group two while also lightening the front end a bit, and the car I bought had the block and that was it.
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john vanlandingham
John Vanlandingham
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Saab 96 V4
john vanlandingham
Re: Another Newcomer
October 26, 2010 12:03PM
Quote
Matt Brady
I'll keep the diff options in mind, see what happens.

At first glance, the SVT stuff seemed sort of logical because of that 4x108 pattern, then I found a few people talking about calipers. The one Merkur forum I found seemed sort of useless, a bunch of people doing aesthetic stuff, but thanks for the tip. Considering the hat issue, what do you all use for brakes? I guess I would be willing to spend a bit more on the them.

This being my first time out, I have to fit into group two (at least for Rally America). The Duratec seemed like a good way to drop myself into group two while also lightening the front end a bit, and the car I bought had the block and that was it.

I can't keep up with the convolutions of Rally Americas class things, I was sorta of the impression that a 3,0 in Gp2 would have to be a PUSHROD 3,0, like the Ranger 2,9 V6 bore +1mm but I guess I should check.

I have been helping a sorta local street guy do a 3,0 Duratec 24v twin turbo into an Xratty and I haven't asked him what he's going to do to mate it to a trannie since as far as i know the bellhousing is unique and I don't know any rwd applications--but then again i don't keep up on anything really except 4 cylinder motors.

But there's a pretty good rule on projects: just cause you got something for free doesn't mean you have to jump thru endless hoops just to use it...


We should yak on the phone, I can't type fast enough.
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NoCoast
Grant Hughes
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Location: Whitefish, MT
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NoCoast
Re: Another Newcomer
October 26, 2010 01:55PM
XR4ti is a sweet car. Personally I'd never bother with an engine swap. The only benefit of going to any Duratec would be the weight savings on a 2.3.
Sell that piece of shit 3.0L and find a good 2.3T. It makes plenty of easy, cheap, and most importantly, reliable power. You could always pull the turbo and run a few events NA if you had to.

For brakes, I think there are only two smart ways to approach them. Plan to do this:
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phlat65
Sean Medcroft
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Location: Edmonds, Washington
Join Date: 02/12/2009
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Posts: 1,802

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Building a Merkur
phlat65
Re: Another Newcomer
October 26, 2010 02:13PM
I have Johns front brake set up on, Willwood calipers, alluminum hats with 1.125 thick circle track rotors. It was not alot of money, and it works very well. Grant has the same front set up. By the time you bought all the SVT stuff, 2 rotors, brackets, and 2 good calipers, you are looking at $400-500.

John could probably put you in his front brakes for around $600? just a guess. The calipers bolt to the knuckle with no adapter!
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NoCoast
Grant Hughes
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NoCoast
Re: Another Newcomer
October 26, 2010 03:04PM
And TCE rear brakes were 800-900 if I recall, but I also had to ship a hull rear arm and hub to him just to be safe. Now it's been done and he should have the program to replicate the calipers as well as record of what off the shelf parts he used. The hub will have to be turned down slightly in outer diameter. That'll be the case with John's front hats if there's ever a design to use those in the rear as John planned.
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john vanlandingham
John Vanlandingham
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Saab 96 V4
john vanlandingham
Re: Another Newcomer
October 26, 2010 05:55PM
Quote
NoCoast
And TCE rear brakes were 800-900 if I recall, but I also had to ship a hull rear arm and hub to him just to be safe. Now it's been done and he should have the program to replicate the calipers as well as record of what off the shelf parts he used. The hub will have to be turned down slightly in outer diameter. That'll be the case with John's front hats if there's ever a design to use those in the rear as John planned.

Its out in bay 2 jigged up.
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Matt Brady
Matt Brady
Junior Moderator
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Join Date: 10/25/2010
Age: Settling Down
Posts: 16

Rally Car:
G2 Merkur (in progress)
Matt Brady
Re: Another Newcomer
October 26, 2010 06:17PM
Quote
mothra
Let me know if you are interested in some Saab wheels for that XR. They have been breading behind my garage and its time to send some to a new home.

Thanks, I'll get on that soon enough. The 'Burgh isn't exactly the best place for finding parts like that.


Rally America has a cap at 3080cc and has a 0.8 multiplier for pushrod and I think that's it. NASA has the cap somewhere in the 2600s, but I can run their equivalent of group five since they don't have novice ruling. The displacement actually fits nicely in both regs, it'll fit both if I toss on a turbo later on, as well. Grant, I would do that, but I already bought the Duratec and have it partially apart. I know those 2300s are really good, but for the first couple years the lower weight and significantly better NA performance might be worth the effort.

I'll figure something out for bellhousing, but it's been done in track MX-5s before, so it's somehow possible.

Alright, thanks for the brake advice. I have a feeling I'll be buying a good bit of John's stuff over the next several months... I may still try to use some of the standard Focus brake stuff on the rear unless I have some extra money left over at the end. Hey, they're better than those accursed drums...

Quote
john vanlandingham
But there's a pretty good rule on projects: just cause you got something for free doesn't mean you have to jump thru endless hoops just to use it...

Quite good advice.

John, if it's alright, I'll call you in a couple weeks. Being the youngin' that I am, I have to finish up a couple of college apps this week. That is one of the few things that takes precedent, and I left them off a little bit longer than I might should've. eye rolling smiley
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john vanlandingham
John Vanlandingham
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Location: Ford Asylum, Sleezattle, WA
Join Date: 12/20/2005
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Rally Car:
Saab 96 V4
john vanlandingham
Re: Another Newcomer
October 26, 2010 06:22PM
Quote
NoCoast
XR4ti is a sweet car. Personally I'd never bother with an engine swap. The only benefit of going to any Duratec would be the weight savings on a 2.3.
Sell that piece of shit 3.0L and find a good 2.3T. It makes plenty of easy, cheap, and most importantly, reliable power. You could always pull the turbo and run a few events NA if you had to.

For brakes, I think there are only two smart ways to approach them. Plan to do this:

I agree with Grant.
You COULD just find a n.a. HEAD for the turbo bottom end and MILL THE PISS OUT OF IT. Like .060" buy a cheap lumpity lump stick and TRY IT.
Then swap back the turbo schtuff later.

Sell the SHO stuff, save all the unnecassary fucking around. The boring old 2,3 can do everything you need and can be had for $100.
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