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Rotus Upgrade - Part 1 is done


slngsht

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next up: wiring, interior, front suspension.

 

 

 

I was worried the 305 on 18" wheels would look crazy on the car, but in person, they look mean. Fronts will end up with 275 17's. In these pics, the fronts are 225 15's.

 

 

 

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/slngsht/Dash/CIMG1383%20%28Medium%29.JPG

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/slngsht/Dash/CIMG1384%20%28Medium%29.JPG

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.usa7s.com/forum/uploads/slngsht/Dash/CIMG1385%20%28Medium%29.JPG

 

 

 

slngsht2007-04-20 09:00:08

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Where's my green spray paint?

 

 

 

Also, are those DOT legal rears you are running? http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif

 

 

 

WAIT...I just noticed that you don't have any bonnet louvers — are you going to cut any in?Al Navarro2007-04-20 09:17:39

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Where's my green spray paint?

 

 

 

Also, are those DOT legal rears you are running? http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif

 

Yes sir, they are. Although they are approaching the end of their life. Nitto 555 Extreme R II.

 

 

WAIT...I just noticed that you don't have any bonnet louvers — are you going to cut any in?

 

Probably not before 7/7/7. Maybe sometime in the future. I liked them on the old hood, but I also like the smooth look.

 

I had also set my mind on polishing the aluminum, but I'm not sure if I'm going to start that quite yet.

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i was kidding about the tires...I could see the tread pattern somewhere there. But at least you have the required 2 grooves!

 

 

 

But more importantly...how's it run/feel now?Al Navarro2007-04-20 11:04:51

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Good...when can I get a ride!?!? http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/biggrin5.gif

 

 

 

This weekend will be good... i'll be tearing things apart shortly to put a new wiring harness in, redo the interior, and redo the front suspension.

 

 

 

She's a bit of a mess now, but if you can come my way, we can take her for a spin.

 

 

 

I don't want to take her far, because without the windshield and fenders mounted, it'll be an easy target for a few tickets.

 

 

 

Send me a PM if you can come down my way.

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He has a dolly that I borrow from time to time. It's not suitable for long distance towing, but good enough for a 50 mile drive.

 

 

 

She is driveable. I think the battery has finally given up the ghost.

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Thanks Jeff.

 

 

 

I did a brief run today before I loaded her up.

 

 

 

I had 4.10 with open diff and 225's before

 

now, 3.42, torsen diff and 305's

 

 

 

before, 1st and 2nd were compeletely hopeless (1/2 throttle would result in complete wheelspin in 2nd, even at 2000 rpm)

 

 

 

Today I just went down the road, rolling from 2nd, about 1000 RPM, put my foot into it. I didn't have instrumentation on. Felt like the tires held fine until about 3000 RPM, and then started spinning again. Definitely an improvement.

 

 

 

As soon as I get her together again, I'll post up some new 0-60 times. My Nittos are almost all gone too, so new tires will help.

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Tires and proportions look good. Are you glad you got the bigger Rotus than the smaller Caterham?

 

Rob M.

 

I'm not sure. I'm happy with the Rotus, but I'm certain I would've been happy with a Caterham too.

 

What I love about this car is that since it is not "perfect", I feel free to do WHATEVER to it - and as you can see I'm not holding back :lol:

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Well, starting to cut pieces for the lower Aarms. Hopefully will be ready to weld 'em up by this weekend.

 

In the picture shown, there will be a plate and bracket welded over the tubes near the ball joint sleeve, where the lower shock mount will be.

 

The front will be considerably wider than before, not good for autox, but it will match the rear (actually, about an inch wider)

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/97492811_LowerAArm1.JPG

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All the pieces for one Aarm are cut... need to do some smoothing and sanding before welding 'em up tomorrow. Maybe even before this weekend.

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/26411713_CIMG1409.JPG

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  • 2 weeks later...

3 of the 4 Aarms are almost done. Still have to weld the shock mount to the lower aarms and the chassis.

 

Weld quality is nothing to brag about, but it'll do.

 

I went with .120 wall 1" tubing. I had bought .050 wall tubes, but after welding it a little, I decided it's much safer to go with the .120 (with my welding skills) :D

 

Note the high tech support system for the upper aarm :). I ordered the wrong tapered reamer, so now I have to wait for the new one to arrive. I did drill an extra blank rod end (the one in pic is not drilled), and the process worked out very nicely.

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1160954458_CIMG1417.JPG

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1277909572_CIMG1416.JPG

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