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Here's a small selection
of files that I hope you might find useful. As I find/create
other I'll add them to the current, somewhat short list.
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If
you fancy having a go at giving your car a flat floor
set-up yourself, whether it be to save cost, to just
to fully understand what is going on or to have an excuse
to get out in the garage and tinker. This spreadsheet
should calculate all the adjustments you need to perform,
with you just entering information where the test is
red.
The method used is to place a pair of bathroom scales
under each wheel, cheap and accurate enough. Make sure
you include some way for the wheels to splay out as
you lower the car down off the jack, otherwise the sideways
force will ruin any readings you get. One side is enough.
Proper roller plates are nice, but I have read of success
with Poly sheet and washing-up liquid working just as
well. Ideally, I think 4 simple ramps to allow the car
to be pushed into place is the best route, but remember
that when adjusting it is often a lot easier if the
load is removed - i.e. the car jacked up, so that would
mean a lot of pushing and pulling!
Weights should be taken with the driver in the car,
in normal driving get-up, so silly boots, hats, etc,
and with the car in whatever spec you want to optimise
it for, so if you regularly carry a passenger, it might
be worth adding some ballast in the passenger seat so
it doesn't shock you when they get in. Possibly consider
using half their normal weight as a compromise. Obviously,
with you in the car, a helper to take the readings is
required, and make sure they can read scales - how many
people fib about their weight? |
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This
is a simple compilation of all the torque settings given
in my build manual. I have updated it to include those
for my Zetec engine and big brakes, but otherwise provides
a useful guide for a live axle car. I laminated mine
and stuck it at the front of my manual so it is quick
and easy to find that figure. |
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Again,
a simple spreadsheet that gives a guide as to the engine
/ prop and wheel revs depending on gear, axle ratio
and rpm. This is my original version.
Instructions:
Alter the figures in red,
again, to suit your car. As my car is a 5 speed, I have
only set this up with five gear ratios, so if you have
a 6 speed, either ignore one of your gears, or feel
free to modify it to include the extra one. I measured
the circumference of my wheels by rolling the car over
a sewing tape measure, wrapping it up and marking the
missing bit with masking tape, before adding the two
bits together, IYSWIM. |
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This
version includes a 6th gear for all you 6-speeders out
there. It also has option of selecting KPH or MPH. I
also note that it now goes to 9k rpm - is that just
showing off by Michael Scholtz, who provided this updated
version. Many thanks to him!
Instructions as per the original version. |
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This
version includes an upshift section and was very kindly
modified and sent to me by Matthias Fleischer. Again,
many thanks to him!
Instructions as per the original version. |
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A
quick and simple spreadsheet for all my Zetec costs
during my swap from the X/flow. It is a little out of
date now, the swap being done in 2002, but it may provide
a good basis for one of your own, or just give you an
idea of how things add up. Just don't show the wife! |
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