Re: Suspension help?

["Rick Pryor" <iamaquarius@mindspring.com>]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Hartnell" <dave.hartnell@techbc.ca>
To: "EV List" <ev@listproc.sjsu.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2002 5:26 PM
Subject: Suspension help?


> In an effort to make my EV rabbit project more worthwhile i'm going to
> be converting it from front wheel drive  to rear wheel drive using a
> Jaguar E-Type <XKE> rear end.
>
> I'm wondering if anyone knows anything about these rear ends and/or has
> worked with them before?
>
> I need to get it shortened to fit in the back and hope to fit 10-12"
> wide tires in with it <i will have to cut out the inner fenders in the
> rear and tub it>.
>
> This is all new ground for me but i'm not afraid of a challange.
>
> I've located an E-type rear axle complete with subframe from a 69-70
> Series II.
>
> I have been told the XKE was the one to get it from since it used a
> Dana44 rear diff and gearsets are easy to find. as well as upgraded
> diffs/lockers etc.
>
> If anyone has any urls or info they'd like to send i'd love to see it.
>
> The Rear end will be direct driven off 2 8" motors with no transmission.
>
> Cheers,
> Dave
>
> <pictures of the work in progress will soon be up at www.plasmabunny.com
> i am just setting up the dns/website>.
>


Hi Dave,

>From my ICE racing days, I remember the Dana 40 series diffs to be a bit on
the weak side. The old Dana 60 would be my pick, or a Ford 9 inch with the
removable third member. The weight increase of these two choices is a bit of
a disadvantage, but they are tough. The larger ring gear will give you
better torque transfer through less steep gear face angles. Seems like the
variety of selectable gear sets are more favorable to build up something
more easily, I.E., the high 4's, low 5's.

Is the Jag set-up IRS? That may be the advantage in one point of thinking,
but  I don't think you will find it easy to tune for body twist when the
meat sticks to the counter, if you know what I mean? The width of tires you
want to run tell me that you desire more traction than the 44 will likely
have the strength to endure for long. I always liked getting the car going
at nearly the same speed as the tire rotation after about 4 feet. With the
torque increase from electric motor, as compared ot an ICE, you'll need
every trick in the book to get where you want to be, ...the big end of the
track.

 Hope you have great results, no matter what you decide to try.

Regards,

Rick