Roxanne - budget milano/75 track car - Page 22

junglejustice · #**316** (**permalink**) 10-14-2006, 05:00 AM

...yeah, "budget" really is a relative thing, is it not...

I think that what Jes has done here is show each of us that this really can be done by someone with basic tools and technical skills (even skills as basic as Jes'

)

Seriously, in contrast to how we built/are building the two 3.7s with big engine budgets, FIA roll-cages, shiny go-fast crap everywhere, major modification to almost every aspect of the car and working out of a shop with lifts etc, Roxanne was really done in the driveway with as little money as is possible and with a defined race-class in mind to make her the competitive and fun track ***** that she is!

The key to keep in mind is that while she may be no barn-burner in the straights or under torque, she will give NOTHING up to the 3.7 in the corner... The 3.7 is going to be a bit lighter and that should account for something however, the suspensions are key - they're identical. Tire and wheel selection is EQUALLY important.

I have been in the car with Ron Simons on the Nurburgring now many times when he gets passed by a big wallet on the straights, only to nudge the same driver through the corners - we're talking the likes of 200,000 Euro 911 GT3RS cars here - once you break the momentum of one of those things and you match their entry speed to that of the Alfa with this suspension, even the little Twin Spark 2.0 gives nothing up! I have watched him do it!

As for the how-to manual, well, here it is - on the BB - free of charge - better go and make my donation to Simon Smestas now lest I lose my library access...

**AR4me** · #**317** (**permalink**) 10-14-2006, 11:16 PM

So, finished up little things tonight to get it on the ground and drive it. After driving it and tightening the pinch bolt we took it out again. Ride height is pretty good and the transaxle feels good - nice to be able to shift without grinding

However, oddly it has quite strong vibration above 3300 RPM - we are scratching our heads

The driveshaft has not been out nor unbolted, except from the clutch. The transaxle was pulled and replaced with a transaxle I have driven before (perfectly smooth). So, that leaves us with the modification to the transaxle side mounts (the bolt through).

Could that cause significant vibration to be transferred to the chassis?

That's the theory at this point, since driveline was smooth before, and the "new" transaxle was smooth as well.

A couple of pics of the car on the ground.

Jes

**Gilles** · #**318** (**permalink**) 10-15-2006, 08:55 AM

Jes,

I like the rear better with the side running lights, but you can remove the light bulb to save weight.. ha!

It was nice seeing you yesterday among with all the great cars
Gilles

junglejustice · #**319** (**permalink**) 10-15-2006, 11:34 AM

Jes, absolutely - the bolt through made the difference! Go see Barry'srecent post about his experiences... What do you want? A/C

Matthew K · #**320** (**permalink**) 10-15-2006, 02:59 PM

Did you have your driveshaft balanced at high RPM? With the box at the back the driveshaft spins much faster than for cars with the box at the front (of course you know this, but it means most balancing setups don't spin the shaft fast enough to simulate what happens in the Milano).

And hey! get that Alfa badge back on the trunk lid! After all, it's the rear of your car that the other drivers will be looking at, right?

Greg Gordon · #**321** (**permalink**) 10-15-2006, 08:20 PM

I have bolts through the mounts of my transaxle. The vibration they transmit is minimal, you should hardly notice it. My dad put them in and they were there for about 2 years before I noticed them.

JoeCab · #**322** (**permalink**) 10-15-2006, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg Gordon

I have bolts through the mounts of my transaxle. The vibration they transmit is minimal, you should hardly notice it. My dad put them in and they were there for about 2 years before I noticed them.

**AR4me** · #**323** (**permalink**) 10-15-2006, 09:17 PM

At this point it is a no-go for the event next weekend

It is just way too much vibration. It gradually increases from 1500 becoming intolerable at 3500.

One thing is that I do not feel like dismounting exhaust etc. again in order to lower the front of the Dedion and undo the bolts. The worst part is that I do NOT have time this week

An inflexible deadline at work that most certainly will require significant overtime. Does anyone believe me when I say I'm kicking myself for putting those bolts in?

If you guys promise me this is it, I might just try to generate enough energy to try get the bolts out without lowering the front of the transaxle. With my luck, obviously, the head of the bolt points forward and can probably not clear the body of the car - great

Access is near zero, naturally

Furthermore, at the end of the day this may not even be it... Now, wouldn't that be fun? Do I sound sarcastic?

Oh, almost forgot. The good news is that the car otherwise is pretty much done.

Oh well, you live and you learn

Jes

Fortis 621 · #**324** (**permalink**) 10-15-2006, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AR4me

At this point it is a no-go for the event next weekend

**italcarguy** · #**325** (**permalink**) 10-15-2006, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AR4me

At this point it is a no-go for the event next weekend

BigSwede · #**326** (**permalink**) 10-16-2006, 12:11 AM

Surely you can undo the bolts without removing the propshaft? I know for a fact that you can lower the front part of the de-Dion a lot before running into trouble.

eddiealfanut · #**327** (**permalink**) 10-16-2006, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AR4me

At this point it is a no-go for the event next weekend

One thing is that I do not feel like dismounting exhaust etc. again in order to lower the front of the Dedion and undo the bolts.

Oh well, you live and you learn

Jes

loach1 · #**328** (**permalink**) 10-16-2006, 04:23 AM

Jes,
For what it's worth, I bolted the driver's side mount since it was shot and I didn't have time to wait for a new one, and it vibrates quite a bit. It hasn't stopped me driving the car though since replacing the mount is a bear. I like what someone on the GTV6 forum has done - necked down the bolts in the middle so that there is some compliance left in the mounts, yet there is a solid safety net if the mount gets worked hard.

I'm sure the vibration is harmless other than it hides other issues. On a track car I would go for strength over refinement.

Greg Gordon · #**329** (**permalink**) 10-16-2006, 05:02 AM

I am a little concerned. If something in the transaxle is vibrating that badly it's could mean trouble. If it were my car I would jack it up and rotate a wheel by hand to feel for any sign of trouble. You can actually feel broken teeth on a pinion gear this way. I might also try unbolting the rear Guibo and rotate the transaxle in each gear making sure it's smooth all the way around.

I think Joe's assesment is right on the money.

junglejustice · #**330** (**permalink**) 10-16-2006, 05:48 AM

Jes, take the %@#$*&^ bolts out!

I didn't rent a car, drive to the Ring, get a speeding ticket carry those springs to SA and back to the States - all for nothing!

I'm sure Colin or someone can help! Whish I was down there Bud!