Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

[Roadsport]

Re: Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

Looking good, best of luck with it

Where did you get that air filter looks like a proper job and easy to dismantle

K&N 100mm deep filter, Damon Tweeks sell them. I believe it is the best option when velocity stacks are needed and space is limited.

[Roadsport]

Re: Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

Right on the schedule. Even have time to do the alignement on the rear axle tomorrow, put together two spare tyres, pack and I'm off to the season debut.


Clip of the rewarding moment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWLbJR319Aw

[RWD fords rule]

Re: Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

Nice responsive engine, best of luck with the new axle etc, your car must be super light, pity about having to run ballast but at least you can choose where to add it and help get the most out of the car

[exboyracer]

Re: Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

Nice one Markus, I have my fingers crossed for you in 2013

[DH2]

Re: Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

Excellent work again, Markus.
Fingers crossed for some good fortune this season.

Dave

[Roadsport]

Re: Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

Thanks guys for all the crossed fingers! Early bird gets the worm they say. This time there was something for taking even for the last minute bird. A truly epic battle trough the whole weekend. Long story short I qualified 3rd and fifth and finished 3rd in both races
I was the fastest car engined driver

[Roadsport]

Re: Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

[RWD fords rule]

Re: Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

[79RS2k]

Re: Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

Love the photos and the detail.

[Roadsport]

Re: Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

battle for the third place

Out braking the heavier 2,0 16v

[Graham]

Re: Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

round the outside overtake, love it

[exboyracer]

Re: Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

well done Markus

so, how does it feel compared to last year? have the modifications made a difference?

[Roadsport]

Re: Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

Thanks Ex. The car felt very ballanced and consistent to drive. The biggest thing was the front end mods we did last year. We never really got around to try it in action before now due to the gear box issues. With desent rubbers the car was very fast and manoverable. It did not under- or oversteer. It braked like a motherf****r, turned in humbly and I could open the throttle as soon as the nose was pointing in a right direction with no slipping or wheelspin. Brilliant!
Next step... I'm even afraid to think of it .. is more power. That will have to wait for a while but as for the rest of the season I will need to land me some new rubber to remain competetive. With worn tyres the car is very easily understeering.

[Roadsport]

Re: Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

And the damage report:

The brave little thing was torn front to back. Literally .

In the free practice run I broke the left front wheel hub clean off. LUCKILY the new ARB is the lowest part of me chassis so the car skidded on its ARB and merely averything else other than the hub was un damaged. The wing broke off and the front spoiler was ripped but other than that we installed a new hub, bolted the wing back on and we were back in the game.





As for the rear the new bigger English oil pan could not take it. My mistake really the axle braces on the sides of the pan delivers the forces directly to the pan. It never was designed to give structural strenght. So it didn't and cracker leaving me to battle against oil leaks with RTV. Well it never stopped leaking per say but it was reduced enough for me to finish the qualifying and the two races.
Yet another issue with the rear was the rear wheel bearings. Which held the cornering forces nicely by the way. started leaking trough the seals
I'll have to look into that too. As of now I really dont know why the seals would not hold oil.



On this side the top of the oil pan has a long crack





Its grind weld and paint for the rear. I'll wels in some internar braces too to support the axle braces to each other rather than molest the oil pan.

[Roadsport]

Re: Escort Sigma 1600 Race Car

Re welded the axle casing today. Welded the top of the oil pan back on from the inside. Made sure to use big enough current to propperly fuse the metaqls together. I believe the premium motorsport should have done it this way to begin with. Looks alot stronger than the original weld.



Clean sheet metal and flush fit makes welding quite easy.



Then I figured the oil pan is not solid enough to support axle braces. Obviously there are forces applied to it during the race or else it would not have ripped. Decided to add some profiled sheet metal as an internal brace between the actual axle braces. This way they are linked to each other instead of molesting the oil pan between them.
Didn't do too good of a job manufacturing the brace and it had a gap between it and the oil pan wall. Whilst welding the welder started to blow holes in to the brace. I did not want to blow holes to the pan itself so the bead looks awfull.



Again high current to make a strong weld. Don't what this to start bouncing around inside the diff.
Now very solid all the way. The pan has a ping to it when tapped with a hammer.




The brave ARB. Took one for the team and saved me from DNF. Has a nice flat spot on it.