Build thread on Groot 2

[t walgamuth]

I think Penske refers to these as "Eyelet Bushings". Basically a rod end spacer/reducer for the shock attachment point.

https://mrpmotorsports.com/penske-eyelet-bushing/

Primus probably has some, but they only list a generic one for the wishbones on their website. I would call.

https://www.primusracingparts.com/Sp...14_p_1539.html

The Penske eyelet has these dimensions but does not attach them to the part so I am not sure what they are measuring. Can anyone help?

Bushing, 10Mm X .340 X .500

[lowside67]

Have you got some photos? I don't believe we had the shocks out since they were rebuilt and I would be very surprised if they went back in without all the required spacers.

Cheers
Mark

[t walgamuth]

Have you got some photos? I don't believe we had the shocks out since they were rebuilt and I would be very surprised if they went back in without all the required spacers.

Cheers
Mark

Well, yes, that is what I would expect. I dropped some things inside the car because as I pulled them out they stuck but then fell off. If I had made sketches as they all came out I could speak definitively. I'll get my flashlight and magnet and look again for stray parts.

Thanks Mark!

Tom

[t walgamuth]

So I got the eight bushings cut down to fit my shock brackets and bolted in all the shocks making sure to tighten all of them. I made sure they can rotate a bit to prevent binding. It is fiercely hot here, 103 in my front door alcove. It appears that tomorrow at South bend it is supposed to be just in the low eighties. ...chance of thunder storms though.

Now to load up the car and check air pressures etc.

I was tired an hour ago but finally getting the shocks buttoned in has given me energy!

Loaded up ready to head out at zero dark thirty. South Bend, tire rack test track....one of my favorite venues

Woo Hoooo!.

[t walgamuth]

Is anybody running a kill switch on their steering wheel? If so how does that work for you? My car currently has three switches to turn off. That seems a bad deal in case of the throttle sticking. (I had that happen on the 85 Reynard once). The kill switch was right there by my hand on the steering wheel so I got it off pretty quick.

There is no place to mount one on the VD.

Oops!

[t walgamuth]

Is anybody running a kill switch on their steering wheel?&nbsp; If so how does that work for you?&nbsp; My car currently has three switches to turn off.&nbsp; That seems a bad deal in case of the throttle sticking.&nbsp; (I had that happen on the 85 Reynard once).&nbsp; The kill switch was right there by my hand on the steering wheel so I got it off pretty quick.&nbsp; <br><br>There is no place to mount one on the VD.

[t walgamuth]

Just wondering if there are other options available on sway bars for this car?

[Jim Garry]

I don't know if Van Diemen has any available for purchase but there are plenty of competent fabricators who can make a heavier or lighter anti roll bar. Bring the current one to them as a template.

[t walgamuth]

Thanks JIm. Any other thoughts?

[TedV]

Just saw the kill switch post. Why does the Honda have so many switches to throw? Isn't there a master main ignition switch? I can see a fuel pump switch as that would make it easy to empty the fuel cell and see exactly how much fuel remained. I thought most cars had one toggle switch on dash that would turn off ignition and then the main kill switch on right side main roll hoop. Both able to be reached while sitting in car. Roll hoop main power switch might not be reachable with arm restraints on, but since nobody wears them autocrossing, can be reached while still buckled in. :: edit :: forgot to mention I hate switches in places that flailing hands correcting a spin can hit the switch and turn the car off. So, no kill switch on the wheel for my preference.

On the sway bar. Nice thing about mod cars. If you can dream up a design, it usually can be fabricated. Probably need to measure what you have, get math involved and figure out what you need. If cockpit adjustable bar, make sure it hasn't been put in backwards. Had a local mod car that happened to. They had it apart for suspension work. Went back together with stiff making it soft and turning towards soft made it stiff.

[t walgamuth]

Thanks Ted.

The VD has sway bars that are unlike anything I have seen before. The actual bar is quite short, having longish bars that come straight off the ends of it with a linkage taking the force toward the pivots above the transaxle. For stiffness the link at the back can be raised or lowered on the lever arm.

[lowside67]

Thanks Ted.

The VD has sway bars that are unlike anything I have seen before. The actual bar is quite short, having longish bars that come straight off the ends of it with a linkage taking the force toward the pivots above the transaxle. For stiffness the link at the back can be raised or lowered on the lever arm.

Hi Tom,

Out of curiosity, are you wanting the swaybars to be stiffer or softer? Phil and I found that the range offered by those (we drilled and painted the dots ourselves to make it more easily repeatable) were enough to influence the car's behavior quite a bit.

Cheers,
Mark

[t walgamuth]

Hi Tom,

Out of curiosity, are you wanting the swaybars to be stiffer or softer? Phil and I found that the range offered by those (we drilled and painted the dots ourselves to make it more easily repeatable) were enough to influence the car's behavior quite a bit.

Cheers,
Mark

Softer. Very soft in fact. I have them unhooked now and like it pretty well but a very small bar would give some ability to fine tune.

[lowside67]

Got it - I wonder if softening springs then and retaining the swaybars would make sense.

We found that the range of the swaybars was enough to run them fairly close to stiff when the tires were new and then we would progressively move them softer as the tires would wear and generate less overall grip.

Even running at a very bumpy site (Packwood, WA) we didn't generally see the need for softer than what's on the car now, what is driving the decision to go softer?

-Mark

[t walgamuth]

Got it - I wonder if softening springs then and retaining the swaybars would make sense.

We found that the range of the swaybars was enough to run them fairly close to stiff when the tires were new and then we would progressively move them softer as the tires would wear and generate less overall grip.

Even running at a very bumpy site (Packwood, WA) we didn't generally see the need for softer than what's on the car now, what is driving the decision to go softer?

-Mark

just looking for grip.

[t walgamuth]

Yesterday I decided that I'll hook the bars back up. It was a little loose and I suspect getting it more neutral will work better.

Oh hell, I probably should just put it all back like it was when I got it and work on the driver's brain.

[lowside67]

When Phil broke the swaybar, the car behaved horribly unpredictably - once it was identified and replaced, it went back to being well mannered and extremely catchable. I think I'd be inclined to keep the swaybars and if you absolutely want it softer, then soften springs a bit.

-Mark

[t walgamuth]

One sway does seem like a problem.

I might do some softer springs. I think I'll have the shocks gone through this winter.

[t walgamuth]

I have noticed that the lower front bars on my suspension have a bit of arch in them. Are they supposed to be straight? If so can I bend them somehow?

[chrisw52]

I have noticed that the lower front bars on my suspension have a bit of arch in them. Are they supposed to be straight? If so can I bend them somehow?

In my humble opinion (having seen these in person) I think they are bent. In the process of rebuilding my RF98, I had to replace all the wishbones. My new set, the bones are straight. I also bought a used set due to manufacturing delays, and those factory pieces are also straight.

[t walgamuth]

Hi it seems I have lost my contact info for
Rob at 2 dog....can someone assist with a phone or email please?

[t walgamuth]

Hi it seems I have lost my contact info for
Rob at 2 dog....can someone assist with a phone or email please?

found him. Thanks!

[t walgamuth]

I cannot access his website now. Anybody have Rob's contact handy?

[t walgamuth]

Finally got on his website again.

Thanks anyway!

[t walgamuth]

I guess I never talked about it here but last spring during the virus shutdown I added a panel of safety orange across the top of the body.

[t walgamuth]

Getting some stuff done while waiting for the first event of the year at Columbus in.....late feb. Snow or shine event.

[t walgamuth]

What is the recommended lube for the diff in my 98 VD, please?

I had no luck searching though I know it must be here somewhere.

[chrisw52]

I use redline superlight shockproof gear oil in my transmission.

https://www.redlineoil.com/superlight-shockproof

[t walgamuth]

yeah, I looked on the interweb and found it is supposed to be in O riellies and advance auto. I called both places here and no dice. So I decided to look in the garage and no surprise really I have some there.

[Rondo]

Looks like the current McLaren orange....way cool

I guess I never talked about it here but last spring during the virus shutdown I added a panel of safety orange across the top of the body.

[t walgamuth]

Thanks Rondo!

[alangbaker]

I guess I never talked about it here but last spring during the virus shutdown I added a panel of safety orange across the top of the body.

So so much about the paint job, but...

...is that a Medina short wheel base kit I see on the rear suspension?

[t walgamuth]

So so much about the paint job, but...

...is that a Medina short wheel base kit I see on the rear suspension?

It is a short wheelbase kit but I don't know the brand.

[t walgamuth]

Today I am looking for drilled half shafts that are 19 7/8" long. I bought some last year but they are 20.5". Used preferred. I'll be selling the ones I have I suppose.

I have searched several places but have not found any for sale yet. Where are they available please?

[OneWayOut]

It is a short wheelbase kit but I don't know the brand.

This page lists it as Medina, unless you changed it out.
https://www.apexspeed.com/forums/sho...uot-Groot-quot

I would love to try that kit out myself, if overseas shipping wasn't such a nightmare.

[lowside67]

This page lists it as Medina, unless you changed it out.
https://www.apexspeed.com/forums/sho...uot-Groot-quot

I would love to try that kit out myself, if overseas shipping wasn't such a nightmare.

We order tires out of the UK regularly - overseas shipping is no big deal and really doesn't require any extra effort. If you're after the arms, just order them, nothing to worry about!
-Mark

[chrisw52]

We order tires out of the UK regularly - overseas shipping is no big deal and really doesn't require any extra effort. If you're after the arms, just order them, nothing to worry about!
-Mark

Mark, you Phil, Ben and I should talk about the tire situation. I would be interested to see if we can save any money on a UK Avon tyre group buy...

then maybe we can get some of those gum rubber soft compounds that we drool over....

[Jim Garry]

What size Avons will work for Formula F's?

[lowside67]

Mark, you Phil, Ben and I should talk about the tire situation. I would be interested to see if we can save any money on a UK Avon tyre group buy...

then maybe we can get some of those gum rubber soft compounds that we drool over....

Sorry my friend, Phil and I are in "Pirelli Land" now - no Avons on our cars. We run Pirellis for autocross/hillclimb and in my case Hankooks for time attack and other open track events.

-Mark

[TedV]

What size Avons will work for Formula F's?

I think the soft compound for FF are designed for the 6" and 7" width rims they run in England??? I could be wrong. The vintage stuff made for 5.5" width rims are only available in a hard compound from memory. A few emails or phone calls could get an up to date answer.