south african haynes roadster builders

[Ricky]

hi i would like to find out how many south africans on this forum are building a locost i know there are three thats me, wynand and there is another just cant remember the other guy. i was thinking if you in jhb we could perhaps help each other with info and parts sourcing and just general info on the locost :o just an idea dont know what you guys think

[Wynand]

One correction Ricky - Im not building a Locost chassis but a McSorley 442E....

There are quite a bit "book" builders in and around you in Gauteng area and quite often (to many I would say) an abandoned project comes up for sale in the SA Locost forum and press.
BTW, how far is your car now? Check out my progress at http://www.lotus7.co.nz/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=1530&start=60 and the link will take you to the last page.

[Ricky]

You on a few forums I see and your car looking good to things are coming on a bit slow for me but hope to get more progress with it . Anyway what diff are you using and what ratio is it

[Ricky]

Never mind I just saw what diff you using I wanted to ask you something I went to a scrap yard the other day and was able to find some sierra parts I was lucky to get somethings that were still on cause the car was going to be crushed but anyway I got the diff that came of it its a 3.70 ratio what do you think about this diff and is there a way of making it a limited slip diff

[Wynand]

I dont know if it can be converted to a limited slip diff but for whats its worth, my Sierra diff used is also a 3.7 :1 ratio and will work well with the 3SGTE motor and W58 (Cressida) gearbox.

[Ricky]

I was thinking to use it and the 4age motor with a small turbo or a vw engine with a cressida box but I never heard of the W58 which one is that ? I want to use the 21R cressida box

[Wynand]

Ricky, all Cressidas locally used either the W57 (early models) or W58 (later models) gearboxes and the only difference between them is the slightly longer 5th gear on the W58. The R21 you mention is a code referring to engine model and not gearbox. Hope this helps.
Here are some links to check out.
http://users.tpg.com.au/users/loats/technical/ma61/gearboxes.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Cressida

I would steer clear of VW motors but again, one can get a nice 1800 eight valve engine complete for less than R3000 which makes it a bargain compared to the average price of R6500 a 4AGE engine blacktop.
Expect to pay for a well used 3SGTE motor the price of between R8500 - R9500. Also, best to strip and recon these engines as I am busy with mine because all these engines had a hard life. Expect to pay about another R3500 for bearings, rings, gasket set and timing belt for the 3SGTE on top of its purchase price.

What I did was to look for a very sad looking unit that actually got stuck when turned (turned out to be only carbon on top of piston that came loose and compressed between top and piston high spot:) ) and because it only turn one revolution either side only and sad general condition, I negotiated a killer deal and turned down the guarantee for further discount knowingly Im gonna strip it down. Actually, the motor was till in nick condition - bearings perfect, so pumps, turbo and in the sleeves the honing marks were still visible! I was the first to open engine and everything is still std with even with original Toyota timing belt...
I will have a reconditioned engine now for the price of a "good" looking suspect unit.

BTW, all these imported engines into our country are really someones else scrap metal and has to be viewed as such. My engine was horrible when I took off the tappet cover with oil remnants dried out into a thick flaky sticky substance all over that will foil the oil ports within seconds after motor is started. Cams had rust on lobes that was not in contact with followers. Must have been lying out in some storage area for years before imported to SA. I general, all import engines must have the same treatment sitting in some forsaken store or wind and weather for long periods.
Only a fool or brave person will buy one of these imported engines and fit as is, fill with oil and start ...:eek:

[Ricky]

the reason why i only know 21r is because thats what the speed and sound says on there adds of motor companies and i seen them saying they sell bell housings for the 21r cressida gearbox that you can fit to the 4age and the 1jz and the 2jz and i spoken to some spare shops and engines for africa and they said its the 5 speed cressida gearbox that most of the race guys are using and the tow trucks cause they are a strong box :confused:

[Wynand]

Strong boxes indeed :cool:

The gearbox you actually need for the 4AGE engine is the T50 unit - much smaller and lighter than W58 unit. All the old rear wheel drive Corollas (read black taxi cars;) ) uses them and they bolt straight onto the 4AGE.
BTW, the T50 box and bell housing is one solid unit.

[Ricky]

and speaking of vw im a big vw fan and know what those engines can do and i like vw but the problem is its not a common conversion for rear wheel drive so the bell housing will not be cheap so rather go for something more common like the 4age

[Ricky]

what great about the T50 and how great is it and will any of this toyota boex work well with the 3:70 diff ratio

[Ricky]

and whats the difference between the T50 and W58 besides the bell housing

[Ricky]

i found the speed and sound that talks about the 21R gearbox this is there exact words( it's christmas in august this bell housing bolts onto your 2jz or 1jz engine and is then matched to fit a standard cressida 5 speed (21R) gearbox flywheels also in stockfor thr 2jz & 1jz. japan auto) now you know where i got the whole 21R idea from page 113 in the speed and sound issue120

[Wynand]

Toyota never made a R21 box and as I said before, R21 indicate a certain type of engine.
Here is a list of Toyota gearboxes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Toyota_transmissions

Most sevens with 4AGE engines uses the T50 box.
Diff ratio depends what you want to use it for - 4.1 :1 is ideal for racing and fast sprint starts. The 3.7 :1 is a little slower off the mark but from about 60kph the difference is gone so to speak and makes for a better road car and relaxed cruising.

Use Google to find ratios not mentioned in the links given.

[Ricky]

i cant understand why they said 21r then but i will phone them and ask but anyway thanks and i think ill keep this diff that i got must just find one drive shaft cause its missing one so will see what happens

[Ricky]

which in your mind is better the T50 or the W58