Newbie - Realistically, what engine/gearbox should I opt for?

[jonte]

Originally Posted by alga

See this video for an explanation what is the differential: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYAw79386WI

Thanks Alga - Jonte

[jonte]

Originally Posted by twinturbo

Does the video explain ratios or just differential drive?


TT

Hi TT

Unless I was totally blinded, it just covers the principles of differential drive - very well illustrated and demonstrated - that's more than enough for now !!!

Jonte

PS I take it ratios are a refining of the gears within to assist performance?

Just realised: I 'm beginning to sound like the female protaganist in the Harry Enfield 'Public Information film' sketch entitled: Women Don't Drive!

[jonte]

Can an auto Sierra be used as a donar?

As a newbie, would I be able to fit the newer Pinto with fuel injection or am I better to look for an older one without?

Any suggestions would be appreciated

Thanks

Jonte

[les g]

OK
JONTE
with all due respect
yes i,m getting old
but life tends go a bit like this
young and playing with cars
1 married with kids (cant afford to play with cars) but still dreamin the dream
2 middle aged and can afford to dabble with cars kids have left home
3 "apart from TJ who wont take the hint"
anyway
wot i,m trying to say is please do your research
and then apply it to what you realistically want from yor car
really low ratio difs are still available as standard if you want to
build a dragster
and high ratio diffs are available if you wanna build a top end monster
.....if you have the power to make it happen
cheers les g

[twinturbo]

a low ratio diff such as 4.14 makes it much easier for the engine to turn the wheels. But it takes more turns of the engine to spin the wheels - Less top end speed but easier to get there ( better acceleration )

a high ratio diff such as 3.14 makes it much harder for the engine to turn the wheels. But it takes less turns of the engine to spin the wheels - more top end speed, but harder to get there ( worse acceleration , may never actually achieve to speed ).


Sierra engine bay wiring is all on a seperate loom, the wires to feed this this loom on a 1.6 carb car are almost identical to a 2.9 EFi v6. So instalation is almost the same.

Auto's can be used, but if you want to swap to manual then you may pay through the nose for a gearbox on its own.


TT

[snapper]

Most Sierras have a 3.6 diff, the next most available diff is a 3.9, this will give better acceleration for the same engine and gearbox
Top speed would be less but a 7 is unlikely to exceed 110 to 120 due to having the aerodynamics of a brick

[jonte]

Gentlemen, thank you - concise and crystal clear.

The only reason I posed the question abouth the auto is that i've seen what appears to be a reasonably priced one advertised on one of the sites - but now I know better I shall leave well alone. Not at that stage anyway just yet but I need to do my homework to get things straight in my mind before writing that shopping list.

The Sierra would be the most obvious solution to my dilemma as you kindly pointed out earlier TT - although I never doubted you for a minute !!!

Quickly becoming apparent that this roadster building business is not going to be a walk in the park - just come to terms with chassis cutting, engines and gearbox combinations and differentials and then somebody brings up 'electricals' - wot the effin stroke 'H' is that? I thought cars ran on hydrocarbons- nobody mentioned electrickery

Is there a spark in the house?

Jonte

You and I les seem to be in the same boat

[twinturbo]

There's a nice simple wiring diagram done a few weeks ago.


Auto's are actually quite good to be honest. but the ford one is a bit bulky and Heavy ( 73KG compared to 34KG of the 5sp type 9.)

Auto's are especialy good on cars relying on Turbochargers to provide the POWER as the full throttle gear changes keep the turbo spinning and on boost

TT

[jonte]

Thanks once again TT - you're definitely an authority on all this - I shall do a search for the diagram.

Regards,

Jonte