Harrier Rally Car

**mervhill** · 13-04-2008, 01:40

Re: Harrier Rally Car

Mate, did you know that the standard RS2000 anti-roll bar is actually bigger in diameter than the twin-cam version? So theoretically should be stiffer right?

**MCURZON** · 13-04-2008, 07:18

Re: Harrier Rally Car

Thanks Gav will add springs to the list then.

Merv, agree about the steering wheel, will change it soon but love the look of it so will give it 2 more events and then it will have to go.

Didn't know about anti roll bar diameter but isn't twin cam used because of the change in castor? All a bit beyond me!!

Not changing anything for next weekend, want to do enough mileage so I can appreciate thechanges when they come.

Cheers for suggestions, all tips gratefully received

**MCURZON** · 13-04-2008, 09:22

Re: Harrier Rally Car

Bit of work going on today to get car shipshape for next weekend.

Some welding of chassis rail to be done, also need to put bigger plates on underneath of car where seats bolt through as scrutineer was unhappy with the ones i've currently got even though they comply with the blue book. He has written it in my msa logbook so i've got to do it as i'm sure it's the first thing the next scrutineer will check. Likely to be the same guy also as saw his name on the regs. Don't really mind as anything that will keep me in one piece is fine with me!!

Just a clutch cable to change and a spanner check and then we'll be ready to go.

Going to stay in local Travelodge the night before so will be nervous about someone hitching up the trailer and buggering off with the lot!! Have asked for a room with a view of the carpark so will probably sit up all night watching it like a vigilante!!

**para144** · 13-04-2008, 10:43

Re: Harrier Rally Car

Originally posted by MCURZON

Going to stay in local Travelodge the night before so will be nervous about someone hitching up the trailer and buggering off with the lot!! Have asked for a room with a view of the carpark so will probably sit up all night watching it like a vigilante!!

Just reverse it in so a thief would have to move the shogun to get it out .....................

might just loose the shogun too

**para144** · 13-04-2008, 11:07

Re: Harrier Rally Car

Originally posted by GavinR

Possibly 145lb's then - I'd put some harder springs on your shopping list as well, say 190 or 220's

I tried 220's on mine and found that even with the front end geometry set up properley they were too hard and promoted understeer on wet, muddy or bumpy stages.

I also had 180's these were way too soft in the dry

Fitted 200's before caerwent, thought these worked really well (twink anti roll, double width, adj TCA's, hard bushes, tarmac inserts).
I think the 'traditional' best set up for tarmac/mixed on a pinto escort was 190.

Matts car has at the moment:

Standard roll bar
Standard roll mounts with spongy looking bushes
Standard TCA's
Bilstiens with springs that feel fairly soft.
Standard top mounts
Standard rear springs (these are probably OK)
knackered looking rubber spring bushes.
rear standard escort antiroll bar with knackered bushes
Spax dampers of questionable age.

I've driven his car and it feels a bit 'loose' compared to mine with knacked bushes etc but it is fairly forgiving & rides the bumpy stuff really well

I'm no expert but.....
I think some more castor using a twink antiroll bar will help the 'turn in'.
A double width kit with new bushes will stiffen the antiroll bar and locate the struts a bit better (at the moment there is not too much holding the strut in the right place).
Adjustable TCA's (set up properley) for a bit of neg camber.
190lb springs?

on the rear - new harder bushes but keep the springs.
junk the antiroll bar & fit anti-tamp bars.
Some new shiney bilstiens.
Drop it an inch??

Bound to be people on here with a more knowledge than me about this stuff. I've had the same escort for 10 years now so not much to compare it with

**GavinR** · 13-04-2008, 11:27

Re: Harrier Rally Car

Originally posted by para144

I'm no expert but.....
I think some more castor using a twink antiroll bar will help the 'turn in'.
A double width kit with new bushes will stiffen the antiroll bar and locate the struts a bit better (at the moment there is not too much holding the strut in the right place).
Adjustable TCA's (set up properley) for a bit of neg camber.
190lb springs?

on the rear - new harder bushes but keep the springs.
junk the antiroll bar & fit anti-tamp bars.
Some new shiney bilstiens.
Drop it an inch??

Bound to be people on here with a more knowledge than me about this stuff. I've had the same escort for 10 years now so not much to compare it with

Sounds good to me

If your budget is tight, fit a weld-on double width kit a bit further forward than standard which will give you the castor you need and you can keep the standard anti-roll bar for now

**MCURZON** · 13-04-2008, 12:47

Re: Harrier Rally Car

Reverse into Travelodge!!

You know I can't reverse with a trailer!!

I'll have to unhitch it and push as per usual

**mervhill** · 13-04-2008, 17:03

Re: Harrier Rally Car

Originally posted by MCURZON

Thanks Gav will add springs to the list then.

Merv, agree about the steering wheel, will change it soon but love the look of it so will give it 2 more events and then it will have to go.

Didn't know about anti roll bar diameter but isn't twin cam used because of the change in castor? All a bit beyond me!!

Not changing anything for next weekend, want to do enough mileage so I can appreciate thechanges when they come.

Cheers for suggestions, all tips gratefully received

If you want to change your castor mate, then to be honest the better option for you would be to go with a tension strut kit, and use a remote anti-roll bar setup instead, this will make the car much more stable under braking then anyway, and you can also adjust the castor this way too.

Rally design do a kit for £195 +vat

RD711 - Escort Tension Strut Kit - Including H/D Rod Ends from Rally Design

http://www.rallydesign.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=4340

Escort Tension Strut Kit - Including H/D Rod Ends This kit provides adjustable caster angle and camber when used with adjustable TCA's. Kit Contents:- 2 x Tension Strut Bars (RD730) 2 x Clevis Assemblies Inc Cap & Bolt (RD731) 1pr x Chassis Brackets (RD7…

I would have a chat with Phil or Mick squires at R.A.C.E, they would tell you anything you need to know regarding this, cracking blokes they are, and really know their rallyng escorts (if you didn't know that already

) 01782 517763.

**MCURZON** · 13-04-2008, 18:55

Re: Harrier Rally Car

Got new issues!!

Either plug or lead on number 4 cylinder is knackered as car is missing like a pig and makes no difference whether lead on this plug is connected or not. Bought a set of plugs and leads and went to the toilet, came back out and my super helpful brother in law had taken all 4 leads off!!! No idea which came from where.

Added to this either the battery or alternator is knackered, not good with only a couple of days until rally!!!

**mervhill** · 14-04-2008, 11:19

Re: Harrier Rally Car

new battery, new set of leads, and new dizzie cap it is then!

Just a thought mate, what kind of ignition are you running? Do you still have the points in the dizzie?

**MCURZON** · 14-04-2008, 17:01

Re: Harrier Rally Car

It's on lumenition, the cheap one though!!

**mervhill** · 14-04-2008, 17:22

Re: Harrier Rally Car

That's where your problem might lie mate. My brother's lumenition packed up on him, and anything over 4500rpm and it sounded like a war was going on, backfiring, misfiring etc etc.

I use the H&H Ignition Solutions coil and dizzie, it's a fantastic setup, no seperate box of tricks, just a dizzie and a coil. Might be worth giving them a call.....

H&H Ignition Solutions : H H Ignition Solutions servicing British, European & Japanese ignition distributors from Bosch, Lucas, Delco, Magneti, Marrelli, Ducellier, Motorcraft & many more

http://www.h-h-ignitionsolutions.co.uk/

**para144** · 14-04-2008, 17:27

Re: Harrier Rally Car

I've got a spare lumenition pack in my spares box Matt

**MCURZON** · 22-04-2008, 19:22

Re: Harrier Rally Car

Hi All,

Pics from latest event at Talbenny on the weekend.

Not a good day!!
Stage1, Knocked axle loose on some tyres and it swung around like mad!!
Stages2, Axle came off again as one of the lugs was wrecked so it swung around loads again and caused lots of spins!!
Stage3, leads fell of dizzy several times, stopped to put them back on several times losing loads more time, axle came loose again
Stage 4, after bolting axle back on guess what happened, it fell loose again
Stage 5, very good clean run and was great, axle held on by a ratchet strap at this point!!
Stage 6, car cut out in start queue and had to be bump started. Car then cut out at haipin after all lights on dash went off and couldn't be restarted, end of day.

Loads of problems but fun anyway and highlighted the areas where I need to invest some time and cash. Pics below kindly sent to me by Rhodri Lewis.

Attached Files