Bill Schmidt asked: If, or (when) I get around to converting my 88 Red Devil to 4 link, is it mandatory to relocate the countershaft from rear of engine to in front of the engine, like your old car is now? And if it is mandatory, why so? Inquiring minds...... Bill Schmidt 88 RD Kawi
My answer: Relocating the countershaft to in front of the engine allows the use of a longer drive belt (or chain). Because the countershaft and the axle are further apart, the longer belt will have more 'wrap' around the smaller pulley i.e. more teeth engaged. The greater distance between the two shafts also reduce the amount of stress in the belt due to twisting movement when one side of the axle rises due to a bump or chassis lean. Well designed long suspension arms allow greater control over axle movement relative to the fixed countershaft. This means that drive belt tension will be more consistent over the arc of axle movement. Is it mandatory? No, your short drive belt will limit the suspension travel, and I doubt that would last very long due to stresses caused by twist and extreme movement relative to the pinion drive gear. John Ryall ________________________________ FormulaCar Magazine - A Proud Supporter of Formula 500 The Official Publication of Junior Formula Car Racing Subscribe Today! www.formulacarmag.com or 519-624-2003 _________________________________ _______________________________________________ F500 mailing list - [email protected] To unsubscribe or change options please visit: http://f500.org/mailman/listinfo/f500 *** Please, DO NOT send unsubscribe requests to the mailing list! ***
