Hiya guys,

Just after a bit of info on ways to get rid of some un needed wieght on my sami.

I want to use the sami for 1/4 mile sprints and possibly for hillclimbing (i wanted something different from a boring escort turbo)

here are a few things i thought of, need a second oppinion..

Is it possible to loose the transfer box and have a beefed up driveshaft straight from the gear box to the back axle? what would this do to the gearing?

front axle? would i be able to strip out the front axle? i.e. diff, and the halfshalfts? or is that not possible...

i will make up some flimsy lightwieght fibreglass doors and windscreen surround, and bonnet.  And have a go at doing the front wings...

remove the dash board and everything in it...

if anyone has any ideas to save wieght please let me know!

Cheers in advance, Andy

You should try to find a 2wd frount axel from a sami that should help with the weight someone out there I'm sure has one cheep  and later you could put the 4x4 stuff back in

Ryan

Couldnt you just pull out the axles/birfs, pull the 3rd member out, make a place to cover the opening.  Should work the axle will still have the spindles to sit in, im pretty sure the inner axles have nothing to do with holding the wheel on.

Not so sure about the T-case question.

You could always beef it up, and run it 4wd...
4 powered wheels is more traction than 2

-Amilla

the pinion sets off to the right on the rear end,but that might not matter too much.But it will be geared higher because the transfer case has a little gear reduction in high range.

If your going to hollow out the axle I would also weld a plate over the seal for the front axles inside the cup.  I ran with a pulled axle after I broke a birf.  When I pulled the front end apart the cup was full of axle fluid. 

You should try to find a 2wd frount axel from a sami that should help with the weight someone out there I'm sure has one cheep  and later you could put the 4x4 stuff back in
Ryan

They never sold the 2wd version in the UK, not sure about mainland Europe though. I reckon you could hollow out the axle OK. You'd need a longer prop if you ditch the tcase but I don't see why it wouldn't work. Its going to leave you about 20% higher geared (IIRC). Shouldn't be a problem if you're running low profiles.

Quote from: hodge60 on October 12, 2007, 12:04:08 PM

You should try to find a 2wd frount axel from a sami that should help with the weight someone out there I'm sure has one cheep  and later you could put the 4x4 stuff back in
Ryan

They never sold the 2wd version in the UK, not sure about mainland Europe though. I reckon you could hollow out the axle OK. You'd need a longer prop if you ditch the tcase but I don't see why it wouldn't work. Its going to leave you about 20% higher geared (IIRC). Shouldn't be a problem if you're running low profiles.

what they were smart and didn't sen you 2wd on the other side of the pond 

what they were smart and didn't sen you 2wd on the other side of the pond 

Only in some X90 models. It might be worth looking for an X90 2wd box. It'd take a bit of fabbing to fit but may have more appropriate ratios for a sprint car.

Cheers for the replies so far guys!

I was hoping the gearing would be higher without the transfer box, a freind of mine has a RWD escort which he races, and the driveshalt would easily be long enough... and being for a ford... theres probably lots of them around that could be adjusted to fit...

with the front axle... i thought i would be able to remove all the inner parts up to the ball joints. it would save alot of weight... and less restriction?

with the rear axle, i'm thinking an LSD with strengthened halfshalfts, but, would the LSD work right on the tarmac if it was meant for offroading? dont really know how they work... have been in a defender that had an lsd in the rear, and it seemed to help off road...

Rhinoman, do you know if the X90 gearbox would match up to the swift gti block (G13B i think)? as i had read somewhere that the swift motor couldn't be bolted straight up to a standard vitara box? :-S cant find where i read that tho!

god ive written too much...

Cheers again! Andy

Cheers for the replies so far guys!

I was hoping the gearing would be higher without the transfer box, a freind of mine has a RWD escort which he races, and the driveshalt would easily be long enough... and being for a ford... theres probably lots of them around that could be adjusted to fit...

with the front axle... i thought i would be able to remove all the inner parts up to the ball joints. it would save alot of weight... and less restriction?

with the rear axle, i'm thinking an LSD with strengthened halfshalfts, but, would the LSD work right on the tarmac if it was meant for offroading? dont really know how they work... have been in a defender that had an lsd in the rear, and it seemed to help off road...

Rhinoman, do you know if the X90 gearbox would match up to the swift gti block (G13B i think)? as i had read somewhere that the swift motor couldn't be bolted straight up to a standard vitara box? :-S cant find where i read that tho!

god ive written too much...

Cheers again! Andy

LSDs work great on tarmac. You could consider Rob Storr's (RS Performance) fully floating rear axle kit which includes strengthened half shafts. The GTI block won't bolt straight up, you would have to modify the two lower engine/box mounting holes in much the same manner as a 1.6 into a Sammy.

Ah right, Rhinoman do you have a link to RS performance's website? (if they have one) or know any contact details?

Ah right, Rhinoman do you have a link to RS performance's website? (if they have one) or know any contact details?

Can't remember the web addy but his number is:

rob storr 01568610679

Best to phone him. He's a one man operation and can be difficult to get hold of otherways.