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LeGrand Mk 18 : Some Garage Time Oct 27, 2011

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Even with Nationals behind us, we’re still working on making the LeGrand faster and more reliable. We spent a few hours this weekend changing the oil, this time to Brad Penn’s racing 10w30 and continuing our work on a new foam BSCI seat for our co-driver. We also changed our gearing again—this time we reinstalled the 13-tooth front sprocket. We’re thinking it may be faster to carry third gear more, rather than constantly banging up against the rev limiter in second gear.

The gearing change seemed to help some with ‘out of the hole’ acceleration at our next local event, but the course wasn’t fast enough to take advantage of the now-short third gear. You can see video of that event below.

Next up, we’re thinking about removing our rear anti-roll bar to allow the inside wheel to stay on the ground better—we are getting some wheelspin from the Wavetrac helical differential. An added plus is that we could lose another 6 or 7 pounds with the removal of the bar.

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Comments

alfadriver:

Is the course that bumpy, or does the engine start acting funny the faster you go?
Oct 27, 2011 2:46 p.m.

Per Schroeder:

It's amazing what little bumps do to a lightweight/high hp car. I'm hoping that getting rid of the rear anti-roll bar helps droop travel and stops some of that.
Oct 27, 2011 3:18 p.m.

DaewooOfDeath:

It seems like a car that small and that low wouldn't need much to control roll. Have you tried a tiny bar in front and nothing in the back?
Oct 27, 2011 10:33 p.m.

Per Schroeder:

It still needs a front bar–but the rear has been removed and I'm waiting for the next event or two to see if that helps. Part of the choppiness that Alfadriver notes is actually my/foot leg bouncing on the gas pedal—something I'm still working on controlling at lower speeds. Other drivers use stirrups to keep their legs from moving too much.
Oct 28, 2011 9:39 a.m.

p_matt:

Stirrups, Giddyup!!
Oct 28, 2011 10:32 a.m.

fifty:

Is that an iPhone on the dash, and if so, what datalogging software are you running?
Oct 29, 2011 1:15 p.m.

Per Schroeder:

I'm trying out Harry's lap timer.
Oct 31, 2011 9:01 a.m.

nmscot:

I use to live in FLA back in the 70' and did some autocrossing — where is that site?
Oct 31, 2011 7:11 p.m.

Per Schroeder:

Orange County Convention Center— new-to-SCCA lot.
Oct 31, 2011 8:32 p.m.

motomoron:

I have to drag the side of my shoe on the chassis skin of the footwell when I'm driving the Radical in the paddock or it can get all choppy and messy and bucking and whatnot, mighty quickly. BTW - I'm buying a set of 25s next year and trying B mod.
Oct 31, 2011 9:25 p.m.

Per Schroeder:

That makes me think some grip tape on the side of the footwell might help. Hmmmmm
Nov 1, 2011 9:52 a.m.

Ian F:

Would a damper on the throttle linkage help? Something small like a VW TDI belt tensioner damper comes to mind.
Nov 3, 2011 10:08 a.m.

chknhwk:

Speaking of using smartphones for data-logging, how is everybody mounting them? I have a new app I want to try but unsure what's going to be allowed by tech.
Nov 16, 2011 4:53 a.m.

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Even with Nationals behind us, we’re still working on making the LeGrand faster and more reliable.