Endurance Rally Preparation

[ERRosa]

I've just bought a W-reg Arosa 16v Sport to convert to an "Endurance Road Rally" (ERR!) car - there's only so much you can do to "tune" the cars, which have to be non-turbo saloon cars with engines under 1400cc (diesel under 1900cc). Lots of people use 106 rallyes, AX GTs, Metro GTi's, Corsa Sports, etc. but very few Arosa's so far - and I like to be different!!

I currently take part in historic road rallying in a 1961 TR4 and a 1972 Mk1 Escort Mexico, but this Endurance Rallying looks like a lot of fun on not too much money.

I'm planning to do the following things ....
fit big spot lights (but where and how? - HELP!!)
remove the fogs and put brake ducts in
fit a K&N 57i air filter
fit braided brake hoses
move the brake lines and fuel line inside
fit a strut brace
fit a full cage
fit Sparco Evo seats and 5 point harnesses
remove the air bags
fit a Sparco steering wheel on Momo boss
fit Bilstein dampers all round
fit EBC Green Stuff pads all round
fit a Brantz Rally Timer and International 2 trip meter
uprate the springs all round
fit a sump guard (? make one myself?)
fit some decent tyres - need 2 matching alloy spares - (HELP!!)
fit bonnet pins and rear hatch springs
re-map/replace the ECU (HELP!!)
polybush the front suspension
uprate the clutch (HELP!!)
generally improve reliability, chuck away non essential items and replace any worn items

and any help from anyone who's already been there, done that and got the t-shirt would be very welcome

... and it's all got to be done in time for the first event in March '06

I think I've got most things covered but the items with HELP!! by them are the ones I need most guidance or help on.

I'd particularly like to hear from anyone who has any standard 14" 16v Sport alloy wheels they would like to shift -

Many thanks in advance, Andy Lane

 

[ArosaRacer]

done seats, and steering wheel, and ive changed interiors

 

[m0rk]

Really don't bother with the EBC pads & discs, get something solid discs with some hard compound pads like DS3000's

 

[ERRosa]

Really don't bother with the EBC pads & discs, get something solid discs with some hard compound pads like DS3000's

Thanks for the reply m0rk. Sadly discs have to remain as standard, only pads, lines and fluid are free - and the Ferodo web site states:

WARNING: DS3000 is NOT suitable for road use.

as this is a form of road rallying, not circuit racing, the brakes often have to work very well from completely cold as well as very hot. I use Green Stuff pads on my TR4 and haven't had any fade at all, even under fairly extreme conditions.

cheers, Andy Lane

 

[m0rk]

If you can't get your TR4 to fade Greenshites then you're not trying.

DS3000's are fine for 'hard' road use, and worked as well as any other pad when cold, but just got better while warm & stayed that way.

Std Solid Discs is fine!

 

[ERRosa]

Just completed first Endurance Road Rally event in the Arosa - sadly a corroded fuel pump connector let us down just before the end of the 2nd stage and by the time we diagnosed the problem and made a new cable up we'd picked up an hour's worth of penalties

I was very pleased with how the car went though, EBC Greenstuff pads worked brilliantly, even on Bont where they were worked very hard.

Sadly I now need a new exhaust system - can anyone recommend somewhere to buy a sports system for the 1.4 16v?

Oh, and I trashed one of the alloys (standard 14") - anyone have any they don't want?

cheers, Andy Lane

 

[Revo Kev]

If you think the Greenstuff worked brilliantly then go and try some DS3000's, Hawk Blues or Blacks, PF01's... they'll all be significantly better!

Might be worth speaking to Milltek Sport re an exhaust.

Hope you can find wheels... good luck with future events!

 

[ERRosa]

Thanks Kev, I've sent an enquiry to Milltek as they don't list anything for the Arosa.

cheers, Andy Lane

 

[spyke85]

Don't know if they would be any use but I have a set of 13inch set of steel wheels complete with tyres from my old Ibiza

 

[ERRosa]

Hi Spyke,

Sadly the regs require me to use the original size of wheel (i.e. 14") otherwise I would have snapped your hand off 'cos they would be ideal (and you're not far away) - a friend of mine with the same model bought 12 13" steel wheels and tyres before they announced the rule, he's just a bit upset!

Thanks for the offer anyway.

cheers, Andy Lane

 

[Fl@pper]

nice pic

you wearing skid lids ?

 

[ibizacupra]

Thanks for the reply m0rk. Sadly discs have to remain as standard, only pads, lines and fluid are free - and the Ferodo web site states:


as this is a form of road rallying, not circuit racing, the brakes often have to work very well from completely cold as well as very hot. I use Green Stuff pads on my TR4 and haven't had any fade at all, even under fairly extreme conditions.

cheers, Andy Lane

DS2500 and 3000 work very well from cold.
I run them.

they say this "race pads only" thing cos they exceed the regulation, not cos they dont meet it. (reg is stupidly within 15% of OE pads, and they dont state +>15% as being fine. Daft EU reg no doubt)

EBC Greens wont be durable enough. Consider high temp fluid also like Motul RBF600

 

[HMSPresident]

Hi Andy,

any chance you could post some information on the event you're taking part in? a link to the website would be great!

I'm interested in doing something similar, but have no idea where to start with regards to racing licence etc...

Cheers!

 

[McTaff]

First thing you need after the car is a competition licence from the Motor Sports Association. I think it's www.msauk.org . Then you need to join a motor club that's affiliated to the MSA or if you are contesting an endurance rally you will possibly need to join a club within that regional association. It's easy really. The event that Andy did was based in Aberystwyth and included gravel and asphalt tests in the daylight and a 100 mile night navigation section. It's an advantage to have a navigator who's done it before but as long as you are a cool laid back person you will enjoy learning with a beginner!!

I am personally looking for a Seat or a Lupo ready for 2007. First of all I have to get a book off the ground and paid for about rallying in Wales. If you want one look at http://www.griffinrally.com/EpyntOrderForm.pdf

Whatever you do, do it for enjoyment!

 

[petrified]

do you have any more pics of the 'rosa? especially the inside?