mk2 beeza rally build

nog986

Active Member
Mar 14, 2008
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N. Ireland
Probably be a bit close on a standard setup but the axle will have a 5mm (toe angle) stub spacer and 5 mm wheel spacer giving another 10mm per side. I used dimensions from Proflex Belgium who have modified some axles in the past.

here are some pics showing other strenghening on the axle.

P3180224.jpg


And standard!!
P3160222.jpg


another view

P5250239.jpg


I have to use a small back box to avoid the triangulation.:whistle:
 

RobT

Full throttle trip
Nov 30, 2001
2,555
6
Congleton
you need one of these mate

DSC00244.jpg
[/IMG]

I have a kevlar rear ibiza bumper going spare if thats any good to you at some point - genuine seat sport kevlar with carbon reinforcements

Nice job on the rear beam - I have been considering doing similar for some time, got a spare beam for the job sat waiting - but for a circuit car, I am not convinced its needed and would add a lot of unsprung weight - for rallying I can see that the strength might be needed

what are your thoughts on it? I have never seen an unmodified one break as such, and have given mine an aweful lot of stick with soft slicks on
 

F2 Stu

I. Am. Legend.
Oct 4, 2001
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Crawley, UK
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I would think the stub axle would go ping first in the event of a large impact rather than the beam buckling as its quite a subtantial structure. it ovbiously twists but takes quite abit of lateral forces before for it deflects.
 

nog986

Active Member
Mar 14, 2008
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N. Ireland
Ok, im not going to say I told you so!

But this is a couple of pics from an ibiza rear beam after Margam Park!!!!!

simonsaxle2.jpg


and closer!!!!!

simonsaxle.jpg


Now for a stub axle from my last Biggie!!!! (compared to the ones of the Beeza.

DSC00068.jpg


The tree stump I hit which pitched us into a cartwheel motion at 80 mph

test.jpg


SP_A0010.jpg


oh and what was left of the front rim and disc.
SP_A0007.jpg


SP_A0009.jpg
 

F2 Stu

I. Am. Legend.
Oct 4, 2001
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Hehe, liking the carnage there! Another thought, how about moving the mounting point for the triangulation struts closer to the ground near the wheel? It be more effective as a diagonal brace and more space for the rear silencer.
 

nog986

Active Member
Mar 14, 2008
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N. Ireland
I know where your coming from, it is deceptive in the pic, it is quite low already. The pyramid mount + the rose joint + the high angle spacers + bolt head are quite tall already. I had to shorten the pyramid as I will only be running 15s and not 16s due to gearing issues.

When i had them on at first I was left with 2mm of clearance. Just not enough for me.:doh:

The carnage was also deceptive, the car needed a wing, bumper, new discs, wishbone,stub axle, front upright and front panel, there was no chassis damage. Really strong shell. Hope my beeza is just as strong.....
 

nog986

Active Member
Mar 14, 2008
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N. Ireland
Very true! But I would rather have that, than it bend or deform after a big jump. (have you seen the size of some of the jumps here in Ireland :help:

you can get some serious air on the stages here....

The other advantage is the stiffer the axle( within reason) the more precise your handling.

Vw motorsport cant be too far wrong. LOL (I Hope!)
 

m0rk

sarcasm comes free
Staff member
May 19, 2001
27,787
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Clanfield, UK
Vw motorsport cant be too far wrong.

The probably have more access to new shells or better equipment for straightening damage?

I think what Stu was saying (was similar to what I said to him the other day) - which was that if the rear beam is 'so strong' that a side impact passes most of it's energy into the chassis

it's a toss up between sacrificing the rear beam, or the shell. OR just have a big enough off that both are trashed :)

smart looking construction though - ground clearance will always be an issue as you suggested
 

RobT

Full throttle trip
Nov 30, 2001
2,555
6
Congleton
The other advantage is the stiffer the axle( within reason) the more precise your handling.

Vw motorsport cant be too far wrong. LOL (I Hope!)


Thing is, a lot of the VWM circuit cars dont have the triangulation additions - so this kind of counteracts the argument that it is for improved geometry

What concerns me is the weight addition to what is already a very heavy part that is unsprung

Personally I think its for protection against side swiping rocks / banks etc
 

nog986

Active Member
Mar 14, 2008
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N. Ireland
i can see where your coming from on the circuit aspect. But both are different disciplines and surfaces are totally different as we all know.

This might sound a bit pie in the sky (everyones entitled to an opinion) but remember the lower the weight in your car the better. I know there is a contradiction there with my fuel tank inside and up from the original height(50kg when full) but there has to be a certain amount of compromise when building into a manufacturer road designed vehicle.
As I said earlier the guys at VWM produce good designs and strong cars. I am trying to follow their principles to make a decent competitive, reliable and most importantly a safe car.

The standard rear axle shown in the previous pics shows the effect rallying has on the rear beam. The competitor was lucky to finish the event. His handling must have been all over the place after the damage occured.

Oh yeah and I posted some pics for you on your motosport thread. Enjoy:)
 

RobT

Full throttle trip
Nov 30, 2001
2,555
6
Congleton
please dont think I am critisising what you are doing - I am not - for rallying I dont doubt its a useful addition and you have fabbed it really nicely - what were the size of the rod ends you used?
 

nog986

Active Member
Mar 14, 2008
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N. Ireland
please dont think I am critisising what you are doing - I am not - for rallying I dont doubt its a useful addition and you have fabbed it really nicely - what were the size of the rod ends you used?

No, I know your not criticising as this is a discussion forum and discussion and thoughts and ideas are what make it interesting. Great ideas come from people putting their heads together and trying things.

Rod ends are metric 10.
 

nog986

Active Member
Mar 14, 2008
99
0
N. Ireland
Whoops!!!

Just out in the workshop and checked the bearings. Not M10 as previously stated. They are actually M12.

Thats been playing on my mind all day:lol:
 

EmDee

Omnishambolic
Awesome thread, I'm subscribed and looking forward to the end result almost as much as the journey to get to it.

I've always wanted to do what you're doing, my old man used to rally mini coopers and cortinas etc and the closest i've got is a mk2 escort for 1 day at silverstone rally school. It just wasn't enough. I'm so jealous!
 

nog986

Active Member
Mar 14, 2008
99
0
N. Ireland
Ta for the support. Your in for a long haul with this one:p

Lots more to do but will try to keep the effort going now some progress has been made.
:)
 

ronnie35

Active Member
Mar 29, 2006
56
0
Aberystwyth
Nice to see the project coming along Nigel. Very interesting all this talk about the rear axles and that. As this is the next area i need to look into on my rally car. It would appear that as a result of running stiffer suspension on the rear both rear wheels are now showing negative camber, yet to measure them with the gauge, but it is visually obvious. So i recalled a few guy's doing the VWM mod on the clubgti forum. Then come on here, and youve already done it! I guess the first step is to source a good condition s/h rear axle, and then a pm to you Nige!

For the record im running 16mm ally stub axle spacers each side. Car is mostly competed on bumpy tarmac lanes and forestry.

The pedal box, where did you get that from, is it a modified standard unit or built from scratch? Because i like!

Regards

Reian
 

nog986

Active Member
Mar 14, 2008
99
0
N. Ireland
Not sure what my spacing will be at the back yet. I will have to see what clearance I have when the axle is in and the wheels are on. Was just out brushing on some seam sealer around the fuel tank cover supports. phew its smelly gear. head a bit light here!!!!

The pedalbox is from my ex works mk2 golf and only required some minor mods to fit. I modified the front bulkhead more on the car to make it fit. When its on the floor it looks very like a mk2 escort unit, but that would make good sense as it was built by sutton cars.

I will try to put some close up pics on here and maybe someone could compare it if they have any experience of escorts.

Any info you need I will be happy to send no probs.