What a DIFFerence

Update by Per Schroeder to the LeGrand Mk 18 project car
Nov 23, 2009

We finally got our LeGrand out to an event after converting to the SFRE differential and installing the FF axles and uprights. We’re pretty site-limited here in Florida, and this local gathering took place at our DeLand airport venue. The asphalt there is badly degrading, but it’s got some grip if you run a tight line and stay out of the marbles.

We ran third heat. By that time, our fast local Shifter Kart guy had second on index behind Per’s wife, Kim, who was in the HS MINI. Shifter Kart times were in the high 41.9s, while Kim was a mid-49 in HS. We ran a 43.5, 42.9, 42.33 and 42.0+1, putting us in the top group on index; we’re not sure where, exactly, since results aren’t posted yet and there were some other fast guys in that third heat. Plus, the site’s limited grip was an extra challenge for our Mod car.

Holy crap! The differential was an absolute transformation. We could accelerate in a corner without that instant oversteer. The car could carve sweepers like, well, a real car—just really fast. There wasn’t any more real low-speed push than before, just more rear grip. The differential clearly provided a big boost in performance.

Now we need to take the bodywork off the rear and tighten our chain (this was our first event on that particular piece of equipment). This was also our first time out after the top-end rebuild on the KZ, so we need to check all our nuts and bolts, then double-check the valve clearances and mixture.

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